By Vicky · Published Mar. 25th, 2024
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Landshut is one of Bavaria’s hidden gems, and a walking tour is the best way to explore this charming city lorded over by a grand castle.
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Location
This walk starts from the Ländtor, a historic city gate, on the edge of the Landshut Altstadt. There are several parking garages nearby, and it’s about 50 minutes northeast of Munich or 50 minutes south of Regensburg. Alternatively, it’s just over an hour via public transport from either, on a train and then a short bus to the centre of town.
Landshut Walking Tour Map
Tips for Landshut Walking Tour
- Most cafes and bakeries are on the main pedestrianised Altsadt Street, while there’s a nice restaurant up the hill in Trausnitz Castle.
- After Landshut, there are several other great cities to visit in Bavaria such as Munich, Regensburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg and many more.
- Check out other walks on our Germany Hiking Page.
Top Sights in Landshut
On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll see the main sites and attractions of Landshut. Allow roughly half a day for the walk, or longer to fully explore all the museums and the castle.
- Ländtor
- St. Martin’s Church
- Trausnitz Castle
- City Museums
- More Churches
- Hammerinsel
- Altstadt
Landshut Walking Tour Route
This walking tour starts from the Ländtor.
1. Ländtor
The Ländtor is a grand brick gate in the former city walls that surrounded the city in Medieval times. Walking through the Ländtor, you’ll enter the old part of Landhut.
Directions: Head through the gate and at the main street turn slightly right to the church.
2. St. Martin’s Church
Key Information: Open Apr-Sep 7:30-18:30, Oct-Mar 7:30-17:00.
St. Martin’s is the most prominent church in town. The tower is very tall, and at 130 metres, it’s the tallest brick tower in the world. Inside it’s very airy, with elegant columns stretching up to the high ceiling.
Directions: After walking around the church, head left and away from the centre. Almost 300 meters later, take a left on the road heading slightly uphill and signposted ‘Burg Trausnitz’.
3. Trausnitz Castle
Key Information: Open daily, in summer 9am-6pm and in winter 10am-4pm. From Monday to Saturday, you can only visit on a guided tour (in German), which take place every 30 minutes. On Sundays, you can walk around by yourself. Tickets cost €5.50/free for adults/children.
Trausnitz Castle is a large, white castle that dominates the hillside of Landshut. It’s the ancestral seat of the Wittelsbachs, one of the most important aristocratic families in Germany, and was founded in 1204. The outside, grounds and courtyards are free to enter, with some lovely viewpoints of the town below. You have to get a ticket to go inside where you tour the castle rooms (and the Museum of Renaissance Art).
Directions: Leave the central castle courtyard via the drawbridge, continue past the car park and around through the grand, historic main entrance to the castle complex. Just after leaving the gate, turn left through the wall and along to a great city viewpoint. Retrace your steps a short distance before turning left down some steps and following the path to the base of the hill, where you’ll find a couple of museums.
4. City Museums
Key Information: All of these museums are open Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm and all have free entry.
Landshut City Museum
The Landshut City Museum and the children’s museum below are located in a former Franciscan cloister. The city museum has a small exhibit about the town’s history, plus special exhibits on different themes.
KASiMiR Museum
The KASiMiR Museum is a very interactive children’s museum, for kids aged 2+. Inside you can build things, paint, do puzzles, play in the ball pit and much more. You might even find yourself spending a few hours here!
Koenig Sculpture Museum
The Koenig Sculpture Museum is housed in a lovely section of the old city walls. There are a few sculptures in the little park in front of the wall/museum, and many more inside. Fritz Koenig, whose works are displayed here, was one of the great German sculptures of the 20th century. One of his most famous works is The Sphere, a giant bronze global located in New York. The museum is definitely worth a look.
Directions: Walk past the front of the City Museum and you’ll soon reach a small park and the next church. Wind your way through the centre of town to visit the following churches.
5. More Churches
St Jodok
St Jodok’s Church was founded in 1338, though fire later destroyed the building and today much of the church is from the 19th century. It’s located in the middle of a small park area and surrounded by well-kept old houses.
Dominikanerkirche
The Dominikanerkirche was a Dominican church and cloister. Part of the complex is now the seat of the local government, while you can still visit the church.
Heiliggeistkirche
Key Information: Open Tue-Thu & Sun, 10am-5pm, free entry.
The Heiliggeistkirche is not only a church but also an exhibition space. Modern art mingles with historic religious sculptures in a beautiful setting. The church itself is an example of Gothic architecture and dates back to the 14th century.
Directions: Leave the church and turn right, then left along the waterfront promenade. Cross over the next bridge to visit the island.
6. Hammerinsel
The Hammerinsel is an island in the middle of the Isar River. It’s fairly open, with grass, flowers and a small nature reserve. You’ll find a good restaurant in a historic white building, plus great views of Landshut old town across the river.
Directions: Return across the bridge and straight on along the small street. Turn left at the T-junction, then right along the main pedestrian street.
7. Altstadt
The Altstadt is the name of this elegant street, which is the historic centre of Landshut. Along the street, you’ll find the Stadtresidenz, a grand, white Italian Renaissance palace. Down a side street, the Salzstadel is notable for its lovely brickwork facade. The building was first mentioned in 1549, though it may date to 1380 when it was used to store grains and salt.
Returning to the riverside, you’ll find the Röcklturm, a small yellow tower. It was part of the defensive city wall complex in Medieval times and today hosts special exhibits.
This is the end of the Landshut Walking Tour. After Landshut, there are several other great cities to visit in Bavaria such as Munich, Regensburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg and many more. For more walking tours and hikes in Germany, see our Germany hiking page.
Guidebooks to explore more of Germany
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