One of Germany’s oldest cities, the largest city on the Romantic Road, Augsburg was shaped by Romans, medieval artisans, bankers, traders, as well as newer industry and technology. It was founded by the stepchildren of the Roman emperor Augustus over two thousand years ago and was one of the wealthiest independent city states during the Middle Ages. This picturesque city filled with cobblestone streets and spires is an easy day trip from Munich or an engaging stop on the Romantic Road, though its atmosphere isn’t as quaint as the others’.
Things to do
Museums
The Maximilianmuseum is set in two patrician townhouses joined by a statue-filled courtyard covered with a glass and steel roof. The permanent exhibition shows a tremendous collection of Elias Holl’s original wooden models for his architectural creations, and a collection of silver and gold coins, but the real highlights are the temporary exhibitions on various Bavarian themes.
The Brechthaus is the birthplace of the famous playwright and poet, Bertolt Brecht. Here, he lived for the first two years of his life before moving across the town. Today it holds old theatre posters and a great series of life-size chronological photos, as well as his mother’s bedroom.
The Fuggereimuseum shows how the residents lived before running water and central heating.
If you like puppet theatres or are visiting Augsburg with children, make sure to take a look at the Augsburger Puppenkiste. Watch a puppet show with your kids or watch some more cerebral performances in the evenings aimed at adults.
Historical sights
The Fuggerei is the oldest Catholic welfare settlement in the world. Founded in 1516 by Jakob Fugger ‘The Rich’ as a way to help the needy, today it houses around two hundred people and their rent remains frozen at 1 Rhenish guilder (now less than a euro) per year. One of the apartments shows how the residents lived before running water and heating, and another modern apartment is open for public.
The Renaissance Rathaus was built by Elias Holl. The twin onion-domed spires of the town hall rise above the Rathausplatz, and the town hall itself is crowned by a 4m tall pinecone, which is also the city’s emblem. If you go upstairs, you can check out the Goldener Saal, a huge banquet hall with a wonderful gilded and frescoed ceiling.
If you want to enjoy the panoramic view of the town, visit the Perlachturm next door to the Rathaus. If you see a yellow flag flying on the tower, that means you will be treated with a dreamlike view of the Alps.
The Schaezlerpalais is a Rococo treasure in its own right. The former home of the 18th-century banker Benedikt Adam Liebert has dazzling interiors, gardens, and courtyards, and an exceptionally rich ballroom, but the palace is also valued for its lavish art collections.
Religious landmarks
About 300m east of the main train station as you head to the Altstadt, you’ll come across the art nouveau Synagoge Augsburg. Take a look at the cultural museum there and learn more about the Jewish life in the region.
The Augsburg Cathedral’s oldest elements date to the 1000s, but the overriding style is late Gothic. The church is blessed with a wealth of art, from nave pillars to medieval stained glass.
St Ulrich’s and St Afra’s Church hides intricate star vaults, oak altars, and the sarcophagi of the saints Ulrich, Afra, and Simpertus, which were all former Bishops of Augsburg.
Events
The Little Changes Music Festival will be held in Augsburg on May 10th. The Reese Theatre will be dedicated to a special topic – the widespread fight against depression. With an emotional but intimate charity concert, the fans of indie music will commemorate the deceased musician Scott Hutchinson. Enjoy the sounds of rock, pop, indie, acoustic, and folk music and help a good cause.
Top places to eat
When in Augsburg, try out the local Zwetschgendatschi, a sheet cake with a shortcrust or yeast dough base covered with a layer of plums – it’s great with a cup of coffee, whipped cream, or a layer of Streusel. If you want to try the pastry, you can go to Bayerisches Haus am Dom. If you want a fancy dinner, head to August, and if you’re craving light Mediterranean food, go to Perlacht Acht.
Top places to sleep
Depending on the type of vacation that you prefer, you can find numerous different hotels, B&B’s, guesthouses, and other private accommodations.
Hostel
Hostel SLEPS offers bright, comfortable rooms and free Wi-Fi in the whole building. It lies in central Augsburg, just a 6-minute walk from the Old Town.
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Pension Alis is located in Augsburg. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Each room here will provide you with a TV and satellite channels. Extras include a desk and bed linen. Some rooms feature a private bathroom.
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This historic Steigenberger Drei Mohren hotel is located on the beautiful Maximilianstrasse in the heart of Augsburg, a 10-minute walk from the Fuggerei Museum. It features elegant rooms and suites and a restaurant with show kitchen.
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Getting around
You can most easily reach Augsburg via bus or private transfer from the Munich Airport. Once in Augsburg, you can get around with trams. If you purchase a Bayern-Ticket, you will be covered during your stay in Augsburg and will not be required to get additional tickets for using the local transportation systems. For more information about the cost of tickets, visit https://integreat.app/augsburg/en/alltag/tram-und-bus
Bus routes from and to Augsburg
| Routes | Stops |
| From Pula to Frankfurt | Pula – Rovinj – Poreč – Novigrad – Umag – GP Kaštel (Croatia-Slovenia) – Trieste – Ljubljana – Bled – Villach – Salzburg – Munchen – Augsburg – Ulm – Stuttgart – Karlsruhe – Mannheim – APT Frankfurt – Frankfurt |
| From Munich to Frankfurt | Munchen – Augsburg – Ulm – Stuttgart – Karlsruhe – Mannheim – APT Frankfurt – Frankfurt |
| From Ljubljana to Frankfurt | Ljubljana – Bled – Villach – Salzburg – Munchen – Augsburg – Ulm – Stuttgart – Karlsruhe – Mannheim – APT Frankfurt – Frankfurt |
| From Frankfurt to Pula | Frankfurt – APT Frankfurt – Mannheim – Karlsruhe – Stuttgart – Ulm – Augsburg – Munchen – Salzburg – Villach – Bled – Ljubljana – Trieste – GP Kaštel (Croatia-Slovenia) – Umag – Novigrad – Poreč – Rovinj –Pula |
| From Frankfurt to Munich | Frankfurt – APT Frankfurt – Mannheim – Karlsruhe – Stuttgart – Ulm – Augsburg – Munchen |
| From Frankfurt to Ljubljana | Frankfurt – APT Frankfurt – Mannheim – Karlsruhe – Stuttgart – Ulm – Augsburg – Munchen – Salzburg – Villach – Bled – Ljubljana |