When I ask guests when they want to come back, most say: “In summer of course.” Pity. Because honestly: winter in the Danubeland is the more beautiful half of the year – if you know what to do.
Here’s what makes winter so different here.
Regensburg in December
The Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis
Late November to 22 December. Probably Germany’s most beautiful Christmas market. In the courtyard of the palace, with light installations, crafts, well-curated food. Entrance €10, worth it. Tip: Go early Thursday, not the weekend.
Lucrezia market on Haidplatz
A bit smaller, cosier, free. Medieval flair, mead and grilled cheese platters. Main audience: locals.
Christmas market on Neupfarrplatz
Classic, traditional – if you want mulled wine and gingerbread huts, this is right.
What’s better in winter than in summer
No waiting
The Bischofshof restaurant in summer? 30 minutes wait. In January? Table free. Same atmosphere, same quality, half the stress.
The Danube goes quiet
In summer you see 50 boats in an afternoon. In winter the water is empty and the reflections incredible. The walk from the hotel to the Danube (5 min) is our favourite daily ritual in winter.
Schloss Thurn und Taxis
If you like castle tours: in winter fewer groups, more intimate atmosphere, longer explanations.
Café culture
Café Orphée, Café Moritz, the Felix – in summer you sit on the terrace, in winter you sink into sofas and bookshelves inside. Different, but not worse.
At the forest edge with us
Frost and stillness
The forest behind the hotel lies under a blanket of frost in winter – sometimes snow. Breakfast with a view of the white forest: hard to describe. Walks are short but intense.
Hot chocolate after the walk
On request we prepare our own version with real chocolate and vanilla – delivered to your room or in the lounge. Just let us know the day before.
Fireplace hour
In the lounge the fireplace burns from December to February daily 6–10 pm. Reading, board game, a glass of red wine – that’s the full Naturlich experience.
Concrete winter days – what we recommend
Day 1 – City
- Morning: Christmas market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis
- Lunch: Wurstkuchl (comes fully into its own in winter)
- Afternoon: Café Orphée, bookshops Antiquariat Peus, Bachgasse
- Evening: Concert in the Reichssaal or cinema at Andreasstadel
Day 2 – Nature
- Morning: Walk on the Danube cycle path westwards, about 5 km, then back
- Lunch: Restaurant Wald & Wiese (50 m from the hotel)
- Afternoon: Walhalla, without summer heat and tourist streams – a different experience
- Evening: Fireplace at the hotel
Day 3 – Wellness style
- Morning: sleep in
- Lunch: breakfast until 11 am in the apartment (possible in winter)
- Afternoon: Kelheim & Weltenburg Monastery – monastery brewery with winter parlour
- Evening: to bed early because the stillness lulls you
What you must pack
- Sturdy shoes – Danube cycle paths can be slippery in winter
- Layering: layers to adjust indoor/outdoor
- Reflectors for the walk after sunset (4:30 pm!)
- Headlamp if you plan forest walks in the dark
- Long reading material – you’ll read more than you thought
Practical
- Heating: All rooms have underfloor heating + radiators, always cosy
- Breakfast: year-round in the apartment, no central mass-service room
- Dog: especially relaxing in winter – cool paws, empty paths
- Self check-in: 24/7 possible, perfect after a long arrival in the dark
Coming to us in winter? The quietest weeks are 9–22 January and 15 February –10 March. Best prices on the booking page. For Christmas market atmosphere: book December weekends weeks in advance – they’re often sold out then.
