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culture · Regensburg

St. Emmeram Palace (Thurn und Taxis) — the princely state rooms

Tour the private palace of the Princes of Thurn und Taxis, the dynasty that ran Europe's imperial postal monopoly for centuries and built a residence said to out-room Buckingham Palace. The guided route through the gilded state rooms, the throne room, and the Romanesque-Gothic cloister of the former St. Emmeram abbey is pure aristocratic Bavaria — a side of Regensburg most day-trippers never see. It is the city's most opulent interior and a standout for anyone drawn to living-dynasty grandeur.

What to expect

The state rooms are only accessible on a timed guided tour, with departures typically at 10:30, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:30. You move through ballrooms, the throne room, and a genuinely beautiful medieval cloister, with an English audio guide picked up at the box office. It is a calm, indoor, roughly hour-long experience — ideal if the weather turns or you want contrast to the riverbanks. The palace sits on the southwest edge of the old town.

Who to call — book direct
Fürst Thurn und Taxis (official palace, St. Emmeram)
Combined palace ticket EUR 17 adult / EUR 14 reduced (children under 10 free); private small-group guide flat EUR 140 for under 10 people
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Beats the ship · vs the cruise line

Lines that offer a Thurn und Taxis option price it well above the gate. Booking direct on the palace's own box office is both cheaper and guarantees a slot — state rooms are seen by timed guided tour only and sell out. The English experience is via audio guide at the box office, so direct booking lets you plan around the German-language tour times.

Good to know

About a 15-20 minute walk or a short taxi from the river berths. Book the specific tour time online in advance and collect the English audio guide on arrival. Children under 10 are free with an adult. Allow the full hour plus walking time against all-aboard.

Sail there

Luxury cruises that call at Regensburg — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.

Viking River · Viking Egil
7 nights · calls at Regensburg
from $2,399
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Viking River · Viking Var
7 nights · calls at Regensburg
from $2,399
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Viking River · Viking Aegir
7 nights · calls at Regensburg
from $2,399
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Viking River · Viking Rinda
7 nights · calls at Regensburg
from $2,399
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