In Lower Bavaria, Straubing, Germany, offers fresh discoveries along its centuries-old historic streets. Sure, you’ll find the typical market squares, shops, and cafés, but its treasured Roman history, fertile agricultural plain, and annual folk festival make it a memorable destination along the southern Danube. Its mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture is displayed throughout the old town, particularly around Theresienplatz.
The Straubing tower, standing at the heart of the marketplace, rises above the city’s rooftops with its distinctive spires—an easy sight to spot as your Celebrity River Cruises℠ ship approaches. Its compact, walkable layout makes it easy to explore the city during a port day.
A Quick Scan of Straubing
Red-tiled rooftops, historic church spires, and the distinctive 1920s water tower define the sunny skyline of Straubing in Lower Bavaria, Germany.
The southern Bavarian city shows guests what a river cruise is like beyond the onboard experience. Its folk culture reflects community pride, its landmarks stand the test of time, and its walkable layout helps visitors make a simple route to follow from the dock.
This European river cruise destination sits along the Danube between Regensburg and Passau, near the Bavarian Forest. Guests can sample traditional Bavarian dishes at a local café and explore the region’s Roman history at the Gäubodenmuseum, where the city’s past meets its present.
Not familiar with Straubing? Here are a few quick facts:
- Population: Around 48,000
- Location: The fertile Gäuboden plain, also known as “The Breadbasket of Bavaria”
- River: Danube
- History: Roman roots and a major ducal seat in the late Middle Ages
- Top sights: The Stadtturm (City Tower); Basilika St. Jakob; Basilika St. Peter; the Gäubodenmuseum with its Roman artifact collection
- Events: The Gäubodenvolksfest every August
Understanding Gäuboden and Why It’s Called “The Breadbasket of Bavaria”
Dressed in a traditional Bavarian dirndl, a smiling festivalgoer holds two giant pretzels in front of the bustling Ferris wheel at the Gäubodenvolksfest in Straubing, Germany.
Warm pretzels, breaded schnitzel, and Semmelknödel (bread dumplings) have one thing in common: bread, one of the most familiar staples in Bavarian cooking. Many of the grains used in regional cooking come from fertile farmland near Straubing.
The city is in the Gäuboden, a vast plain with nutrient-rich soil and some of the most fertile land in Bavaria. For centuries, it has earned the nickname “The Breadbasket of Bavaria,” producing wheat, barley, rapeseed, and corn.
“Gäu” in Gäuboden means “flat land,” which describes the plain’s open landscape. Stretching about nine miles wide, the area has helped shape the region’s agricultural identity. The Gäubodenmuseum and one of Bavaria’s largest folk festivals, the Gäubodenvolksfest, both take their names from the plain. A Straubing river cruise brings guests to the heart of the region, where local traditions and food offer a closer look at Bavarian culture.
Discover Roman Treasure at the Gäubodenmuseum
Straubing holds 7,000 years of human history, and the Gäubodenmuseum showcases the people and cultures that shaped the city. One standout exhibit features Roman treasures, including parade armor, helmets, greaves, and armor for horses. These artifacts date to the period when Straubing was an important Roman military site known as Sorviodurum, long before the city became a ducal seat. The museum holds a remarkable collection of Roman parade armor, offering guests a closer look at the role the region played in the Roman frontier along the Danube on a European river cruise.
The Gäuboden’s loess soil has helped preserve archaeological finds. Museum exhibits include skeletons displayed alongside burial objects such as jewelry, combs, masks, and coins. Other galleries cover prehistory, the early Bavarians, and the city’s later history. The museum also hosts special exhibitions and offers guided tours. Located about a 10-minute walk from the cruise port, it’s an easy addition to a day exploring Straubing.
Top Landmarks To See in Straubing
Rising above the treetops, the monumental brick Gothic hall and soaring bell tower of the Basilica of St. Jakob dominate the skyline of Straubing, Bavaria.
Beyond the fertile plains and Roman history, Straubing’s city center brings together historic architecture, local shops, and cafés around Theresienplatz and Ludwigsplatz. These central squares offer a glimpse of everyday life and provide an easy starting point for exploring the city’s main landmarks. Other important buildings to visit on your Celebrity River Cruises℠ sailing include the Basilika St. Jakob and Basilika St. Peter.
Stadtturm (City Tower)
The gilded cross of the Baroque Trinity Column (Dreifaltigkeitssäule) glitters alongside the Gothic spires and clock face of the historic Stadtturm in Straubing, Bavaria.
Standing 223 feet tall, the Stadtturm is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Straubing. It divides Ludwigsplatz and Theresienplatz and has shaped the city’s skyline for centuries. Construction began in 1316, and its distinctive five spires were added by the end of the 16th century. A large clock faces the surrounding streets, and the tower originally served as a watchtower. Today, it remains a defining feature of the historic city center. A Danube River cruise offers an opportunity to see this landmark as you arrive in Straubing.
Basilika St. Jakob
Basilika St. Jakob is a Gothic church built around the 1400s and completed in the early 1500s. At 293 feet tall, it is one of the tallest churches in the Gäuboden region. To honor its significance, Pope John Paul II elevated it to the status of a minor basilica in 1989. Inside, visitors can admire medieval stained-glass windows, religious paintings, and an organ. The church’s chapels and intricate architectural details offer another perspective on Straubing’s artistic and religious history.
Basilika St. Peter
St. Peter is a Romanesque pillar basilica from the 12th century. It sits within a historic cemetery on a hilltop overlooking the Danube region, a short distance from the old town and near the site of a former Roman fort. It is Straubing’s original parish church, and archaeologists found an earlier Carolingian church beneath it. Visitors can explore its historic portals and three-aisled interior while taking in the quieter surroundings.
Bavaria’s Second-Largest Folk Festival in Straubing
Whimsical Bavarian folk figures adorn a fairground ride against the soaring gondolas of the Ferris wheel at the Gäubodenvolksfest in Straubing.
Bavaria’s largest folk festival is Oktoberfest. Its second, Gäubodenvolksfest, is held in Straubing every August. The festival grew from an agricultural fair established in 1812 into a major annual celebration. Kick off the festival season on a large fairground with 130 attractions, including thrilling carnival rides and a Ferris wheel.
Seven tents seat around 27,500 people, and a musical parade gets the crowd going. An estimated 1.3 million international visitors attend annually, roughly 27 times the population. The festival makes August an exciting time for a German river cruise, and an alternative for those seeking a head start on an Oktoberfest cruise.
For those newer to sailing with Celebrity, river cruises offer an introduction to the experience. Regional culture extends beyond port visits through destination-inspired dining and design, helping connect the time spent on board with the places along the route.
Why a Danube River Cruise Makes Straubing an Easy Visit
A Danube River cruise connects Straubing with other cities along the river, so guests don’t need to change hotels between destinations. Straubing’s compact center is accessible on foot to explore key landmarks, visit the museum, and sample local cuisine during a port day. Guests can then return to the ship and enjoy the onboard experience before continuing along the Danube.
Onboard Expectations
A river cruise is complete with inclusions and amenities that elevate your experience between destinations. Accommodations, food and dining, select wine, beer, and craft cocktails, shore excursions, a premier sun deck, and standard Wi-Fi are part of the deal.
All you have to worry about is what goes in your suitcase. Coats and layers are suitable in late fall through winter, while spring and summer generally call for lighter clothing and an extra layer for cooler evenings. Guests extending their trip with a Before and After Stay can also plan outfits for the additional destinations and activities included in their itinerary.
Celebrity’s Before and After Stays program can help organize a land extension, with arrangements that may include private transfers, accommodations, and guided tours. Guests can learn more about how to book a Before and After Stay and review the details of available packages before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Straubing, Germany?
Straubing, Germany, is in Lower Bavaria, southeastern Germany, along the Danube River. It’s located on the fertile Gäuboden plain.
What are the top things to see in Straubing?
The top things to see in Straubing are the Stadtturm (City Tower), Basilika St. Jakob, and Basilika St. Peter. The Gäubodenmuseum is another highlight, particularly for its collection of Roman artifacts and exhibits on local history.
What is the Gäuboden in Bavaria?
The Gäuboden is a fertile agricultural plain in Lower Bavaria that has earned the region the nickname “The Breadbasket of Bavaria.”
What is the Gäubodenvolksfest and when does it happen?
The Gäubodenvolksfest is Bavaria’s second-largest folk festival, held in Straubing each August. It features carnival rides, festival tents, traditional food, music, and cultural events.
If you’re comparing a Rhine vs. Danube river cruise, Straubing offers a look at Lower Bavaria’s historic architecture, Roman heritage, agricultural traditions, and annual celebrations.
Set Sail to Straubing
This historic Danube city in Lower Bavaria is rich in culture, community, and centuries-old connections. From the Stadtturm and the historic churches to the Roman collection at the Gäubodenmuseum, Straubing’s main sights offer several ways to explore the region’s past.
On a Celebrity river cruise, unpack once and visit a variety of Upper Danube cities, including Straubing—one of the most unique ways to visit the region. Start in August during festival season and continue into Oktoberfest.
Explore river cruises to Straubing, Germany, to learn more about available itineraries.
