What to do in Donauwörth in Bavaria, Germany – Romantic Road

In this guide we include tips on what to do, accommodation, tourist attractions, restaurants and other information for your best visit to Donauwörth.

A trip to Donauwörth can be part of planning to get to know the entire Romantic Road in Germany, the best known tourist route in the country, or even a weekend or holiday day trip.

We write about 8 of the best attractions on the Romantic Road in Germany with up-to-date tips, be sure to check it out.

Where is the city of Donauwörth in Germany

Donauwörth is a town in the administrative region of Swabia, in German: Schwaben, in Bavaria, Germany. It is the capital of the Donau-Ries district and is situated on the bank of the river Danube and thus called “the Pearl of the Bavarian Danube”.

Donauwörth is 290 Km from Frankfurt (approx. 3h15min). I haven’t taken the train to the city yet, but you can search for an option on the Deutsch Bahn. Taking the capital of the country as a reference, it is 525 km from Berlin and even though it is far away, it is possible to go by car (approx. 5h45min), in relation to other cities, it is 140 km from Stuttgart (approx. 2h) and 116 km from Munich (approx. 1h15min).

As you can see, we are getting closer to the city of Munich, which becomes the best option in terms of origin and stay for your visit. If you want to go by train from Munich, the journey takes approximately 1 hour (see route on Google Maps).

How to go to Donauwörth in Germany

The best way to travel in Germany is very much up to you. We alternated a lot between using the country’s excellent railway network and also taking advantage of the no less excellent German roads and highways (who has never heard of the Autobahns with no speed limit, right?).

Find the best deals and options for flights and airport transfers to your hotel.

If you want to go by train from Munich, the journey takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.

Read our Best travel tips for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Romantic Road in Germany (Romantische Straße)

The German Romantic Route is the name given to a travel itinerary in southern Germany that crosses the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It passes through 460 kilometers and 29 cities, starting in Würzburg to Füssen (where the famous Neuschwanstein Castle) linking various historic attractions and picturesque castles.

Donauwörth is part of the suggested itinerary and we have a complete and well-detailed travel guide with tips on how to get to know Germany’s Romantic Road, be sure to check it out.

Suggestions for activities and tours in the city of Donauwörth and other destinations on the German Romantic Road:

Travel all Germany with the €49 transport pass

Where to stay in Donauwörth in Germany – Hotel, hostel and Bed & Breakfast

Although it is not very common to choose the city of Donauwörth as a base to visit the Romantic Route (it is much more common for example staying in Munich and make a day trip), there are some good options for accommodation.

The best rated hotels in Donauwörth that you can review to choose where to stay are:

• Hotel Donau
  • Augsburger Straße 6, 86609 Donauwörth, Germany
  • 8.4 – Very good out of 213 ratings
  • Guest Comments: We really enjoyed our room. Very spacious more like a studio apartment. Breakfast choice also very good. Friendly staff and good location.

• Hotel im Ried
  • Hindenburgstrasse 30-32, 86609 Donauwörth, Germany
  • 9.1 – Fantastic out of 752 ratings
  • Guest Comments: Great location, new hotel, great room and bathroom, clean and with every comfort. Excellent breakfast, delicious cappuccino.

• Hotel u. Restaurant Goldener Greifen
  • 15 Pflegstraße, 86609 Donauwörth, Germany
  • 8.4 – Very good out of 99 ratings
  • Guest Comments: Great location for the start of the Albsteig. Impeccable accommodation, friendly host, honesty bar, delicious and reasonably priced dinner and breakfast.

• Hotel zur Promenade
  • Spindeltal 3, 86609 Donauwörth, Germany
  • 8.8 – Fabulous from 263 ratings
  • Guest Comments: Very friendly staff! It makes a difference. Great size room for a few days stay and comfortable beds.

• Pension Engelkeller
  • Zirgesheimer Straße 14, 86609 Donauwörth, Germany
  • 9.0 – Fantastic out of 657 ratings
  • Guest Comments: Breakfast was good. Very nice place. Friendly service. Highly recommended.

Be sure to check the Booking.com page for other options.

Things to do in Donauwörth in Germany

The first indications of the beginning of the settlements that originated the city of Donauwörth are from the 5th century. It went through several owners until throughout the 11th and 12th centuries, and in the 13th century it became the seat of Duke Ludwig II of Bavaria. The city received freedom from the Holy Roman Empire in 1308, and maintained its position despite invasions from Bavaria until 1607, when the Protestant inhabitants’ interference with the Abbot of Heilig-Kreuz evoked an imperial law authorizing the Duke of Bavaria to punish them. for the crime.

It is historically important for Germany as the site of the incidents that led to the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). In 1606, the Lutheran majority prevented Catholic residents from having a procession, causing a violent confrontation. Donauwörth was also the scene of the Battle of Schellenberg in 1704, during the War of the Spanish Succession. Another battle of Donauwörth on 7 October 1805 opened Napoleon’s Ulm campaign.

Destruction at Donauwörth in April 1945. Just before the end of World War II, Donauwörth suffered two air raids on 11 and 19 April 1945 by the US 8th and 9th Air Forces. Nearly 300 people died. The area around the station and the city center were almost leveled. About three-quarters of the city center was destroyed.

As you can see, the city was the site of several important battles for the construction of German history. Donauwörth officially became a city around 1180.

Top tourist attractions

The city of Donauwörth is crossed by 2 rivers: the Danube and the river Wörnitz. As you can see, it is quite small, with few streets that can be visited in a short time.

On the map you can see several parking lots to park your car and then go for a walk. Let’s list the points to be visited with reference to Reichstraße, a street with colorful houses.

The main tourist attractions that can be included in your travel itinerary in Donauwörth are:

• Reichsstraße
  • The literal translation would be “Imperial Street“, indicated to be the beginning of the visit in the city, the Reichsstraße draws attention for the set of colorful houses along its walk.
  • Fun fact, it was largely destroyed at the end of World War II, but faithfully rebuilt the following year.

• Liebfrauenmünster (Church of Our Lady)
  • The Liebfrauenmünsteris a Gothic church that stands at the highest point of the Reichsstraße and was built between 1444 and 1467.
  • Fun facts about the church:
    • The tip of the tower has been destroyed twice by lightning.
    • She has the biggest bell in Swabia (in German Schwaben), called Pummerin.
    • The church contains some objects of art, such as a Gothic Christ from 1513, a Pietá from 1505 and a Madonna dating from around 1425.
  • Like many buildings in the city, the Cathedral was badly damaged by bombs in World War II and later rebuilt.

• Rathaus (City Hall)
  • The town hall of Donauworth is a historic building built around 1236, which stands at the beginning of Reichstrasse. It has been burned down, destroyed, expanded and rebuilt several times since then.
  • In front of you, there is a fountain called Marienbrunnen.
  • Fun fact, on the 750th anniversary of Donauwörth’s town hall installed a series of bells that play folk songs daily, as well as music from the opera Die Zauberguege by Werner Egk.

• Deutschordenshaus in Donauwörth (Pilgrimage Church of the Holy Cross)
  • The monastery of Heilig Kreuz, the pilgrimage church, an excellent example of the late baroque school of Wessobrunn, where a monstrance with a piece of the cross of Christ is kept. Its interior is very beautiful with many paintings on the ceiling.

• Rieder Tor (Rieder gate)
  • The Rieder Tor gate is the last of four large gates in the ancient city wall. Its current form dates from 1811 and was badly damaged in 1945 in the Second World War and later renovated. Today it houses the City History Museum.
  • It connects Ried Island (Insel Ried) with the main avenue of the city, facing the Town Hall square.

• Tanzhaus (House of Dance) and Archäologische Museum (Archaeological Museum)
  • The dancing house was built around 1400, initially serving as a municipal department store and dancing house.
  • Like other buildings in the city, it was destroyed in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704 and in an air attack in World War II in 1945. And then rebuilt.
  • Today, the Tanzhaus includes a 600-seat theater, a restaurant and also the Archaeological Museum, documenting the history of settlements in the Donau-Ries district from the Middle Ages from Stone to the German Age.

In addition to these points I highlighted, Donauwörth has other buildings and walking around the city is a delight.

1 day itinerary tip in Donauwörth in Germany

Our suggestion in Donauwörth is to walk around the city for a few hours and then head to the next destination on your itinerary:

• Arrive in the city, park your car near Reichstraße and walk through its beautiful streets and main tourist attractions.
  • In case you don’t have a car, the train station is just 1.1 km from the start of the tour. See route on Google Maps.

Choose a place for your lunch and after that you continue your journey to the next town on the German Romantic Road.

Where to eat in Donauwörth in Germany – Tips for bars and restaurants

If you’re traveling in Germany, I believe you should look for restaurants specializing in the country’s traditional cuisine or even a Biergarten for a German beer.

In Donauwörth there are the options:

• Goldener Hirsch
  • Reichsstrasse 44, 86609 Donauworth, Bavaria Germany
  • Comments: Attractive exterior with comfortable interior and lots of locals. Beautiful city. Menu is simple but good and they offer smaller portions that are perfect for lunch. Service was efficient and friendly.

• Wogis Restaurant
  • Sternschanzenstr. 2, 86609 Donauworth, Bavaria Germany
  • Comments: We ate here whilst staying at the Park Hotel opposite and we enjoyed it. Good, traditional German food served by a friendly member of staff. The bill was very reasonable.

• Restaurant zu den drei Kronen
  • Bahnhofstr. 25, 86609 Donauworth, Bavaria Germany
  • Comments: We had many meals there during our two week stay and enjoyed every one of them. The staff were helpful and friendly. You just need to get there early as it’s always full.

• Biergarten Gumpp
  • Im Donautal 1, 86609 Donauworth, Bavaria Germany
  • Comments: I had several beers in this Biergarten. Prices are reasonable and they have a good variety. The snacks are also worth it.

Watch a video with images of Donauwörth in Germany

Video description: Aerial view of the city of Donauwörth in the State of Bavaria and part of the Romantic Road of Germany.

Are you traveling to Germany?

Specifically about international travel by plane to Frankfurt Airport, we have the best post:

• Tips and steps for your arrival in Frankfurt Airport in Germany

Where to stay near Frankfurt Airport Germany – FRA, Frankfurt/Main

Search for the best place to stay near Frankfurt Airport, including hotel and hostel at different prices.

For planning a trip to Germany, we have some publications that can help a lot:

• Berlin, Germany – Top 20 sights and things to do and visit
• The Best Christmas Markets in Germany
• The best region and the best hotel to stay in Cologne in Germany
• Best travel tips for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

*Photos from TripAdvisor, official website of Donauwörth and Wikipedia.