Sail from Kelheim through the Donaudurchbruch, a narrow limestone gorge where 80-meter white cliffs close in over the green water, to Weltenburg — the oldest monastery in Bavaria (founded c. 620) and home to the world's oldest monastery brewery. The combination of the canyon passage, the baroque Asam abbey church, and a dark Weltenburger Kloster beer in the riverside courtyard is one of the Danube's genuine bucket-list half-days. The gorge stretch is protected and can only be seen by boat.
What to expect
The boat threads the gorge in about 40 minutes, gliding under sheer cliffs with names like 'the Bavarian Lion' before the abbey appears on a river bend. Ashore you walk into a jewel-box baroque church by the Asam brothers, then settle in the famous beer garden for the near-black Barock Dunkel brewed on site. It is busy in high season; the cliffs and the courtyard still feel timeless. Allow a couple of hours at the abbey before the return sailing.
Good to know
Independent visitors need to reach Kelheim first (taxi/private transfer ~35-45 min from Regensburg); there is no quick rail link. Boats run roughly March-November, several daily; no online booking — buy at the Kelheim quay or the abbey kiosk. Build in buffer for the drive both ways against all-aboard. The landing is ~400 m on foot from the abbey.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Regensburg — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Regensburg
- Walhalla by Danube riverboat — the marble Hall of Fame above Donaustauf
- Regensburg UNESCO old town with a licensed city guide
- St. Emmeram Palace (Thurn und Taxis) — the princely state rooms
- Regensburg Cathedral and the Stone Bridge — Gothic spires and Germany's oldest bridge
- document Neupfarrplatz — underground through Roman, medieval Jewish, and WWII Regensburg