Weltenburg Abbey

Weltenburg Abbey near Kelheim sits on a bend of the Danube River, right at the entrance to the Danube Gorge, where the river squeezes between towering limestone cliffs. This Benedictine monastery is famous for three things: a breathtaking Baroque church by the Asam brothers, a brewery that calls itself the oldest monastery brewery in the world, and a scenic setting best reached by boat. It is one of the most rewarding day trips in Bavaria.

Where it is and how to get there

Weltenburg lies in Lower Bavaria, about 30 km southwest of Regensburg and roughly 1.5 hours by car from Munich.

• By boat: The classic approach is the boat trip from Kelheim through the gorge, normally offered from mid-March to late October. Note: as of October 9, 2026, scheduled boats between Kelheim and Weltenburg have been suspended because of low water, so check the operator's website before you go.
• By car: Park at the visitor lot in Weltenburg village. Only monks, guesthouse guests and deliveries may drive to the monastery itself.
• By train and bus: There is no direct rail link. From Regensburg, take the train to Saal an der Donau, a bus to Kelheim, then local bus lines 5 or 10 to Weltenburg.
• By bike: A cable ferry crosses the Danube between Stausacker and Weltenburg on the Danube Cycle Path.

A short history

The monastery was first documented in 889. The story of a 7th-century founding by followers of St. Columbanus goes back to 18th-century scholars, according to the abbey itself. Abbot Maurus Bächl (1713–1743) built the present Baroque complex. Work on the church began in 1716, and Cosmas Damian Asam transformed it into an elliptical space, signing the dome fresco in 1721. The state dissolved the abbey in 1803, King Ludwig I revived it in 1842, and it has been an independent abbey again since 1913.

What to see

• The Asam church: a masterpiece of Baroque stagecraft. The nave is kept dim while the high altar glows with hidden backlighting.
• St. George on horseback: the high altar shows the saint slaying the dragon, sculpted by Egid Quirin Asam.
• The dome fresco: all the saints gathered around the Holy Trinity.
• Visitor center: an exhibition in the old rock cellar with films in German and English.
• The beer garden: enjoy the abbey's beer right in the monastery courtyard.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, the visitor center is open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from March 28 to October 31, and closed from November 1. Admission is €4, or €3 for children and students. Church tours in English can be booked for groups of 10 or more. The abbey restaurant is open daily until November 1, 2026, then closes for the winter.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes. The combination of a world-class Baroque interior, a dramatic river gorge and a historic brewery is hard to beat. Come early on summer weekends to avoid crowds, and pair your visit with Kelheim. Plan two to three hours at the abbey, or a full day if you add the boat trip and the Liberation Hall.

Nearby

• Danube Gorge (Weltenburger Enge): a protected national natural monument.
• Liberation Hall (Befreiungshalle): Ludwig I's rotunda above Kelheim.
• Walhalla: Ludwig I's hall of fame near Regensburg.