Looking for things to do in Speyer, Germany, and wondering whether it’s worth a day trip or longer? You’re about to have a very pleasant surprise!
The German City of Speyer [pronounced: SPY/er] , located about an hour from Heidelberg, is seldom high on travel itineraries, and those travelers are missing out! Speyer is an ancient city filled with history, architecture, art, innovation, and a local feel you don’t get from many other larger German cities.
In this post I’ll tell you why you should upgrade Speyer – the resting place of Emperors, Kings, and Queens – on your list of places to go. You’ll get all the highlights of what this beautiful and overlooked city has to offer, from ancient wonders to technical marvels.
1) Speyer Cathedral and Crypt
The Speyer Cathedral (whose proper name is the Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen and is also known as the Kaiserdom or Imperial Cathedral) is completely immense, and the largest Romanesque cathedral in the world. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981, and is one of the most important architectural monuments of its time.
The first basilica on the site was built by Konrad II in 1030AD! Konrad was a German king (1024–1039) and Holy Roman Emperor (1027–1039). It’s not every day you can walk into a thousand year old building! Don’t expect lots of frills and golden statues, or golden mosaics and stained glass. Do expect a quiet, absolutely massive stone enclosure that makes you feel like an ant.
Don’t Miss: Look up when you enter the cathedral and you will see a huge replica of the burial crown of Emperor Konrad II who chose the cathedral he built as his burial place.
The building survived the 30 Years War, but was ransacked by the French under Louis XIV and Napoleon. And it was almost torn down to reuse its stone, but fortunately was spared with the help of the Bishop of Mainz.
The thing I loved the most about the space was its simplicity and its size. It feels like it’s been there forever, and will stand forever more. I know there were plans to tear it down, but for the life of me I couldn’t even imagine how they would do it.
When you go, just look at the enormous stone blocks, walk the arched galleries, and don’t forget to pay the few euros necessary to descend the stairs into the crypt where the remains of no fewer than eight Holy Roman Emporers and Kings, four queens, and a slew of bishops are interred. The most recent was in the early 1300s. This is some very old history.
You can also climb the tower for a spectacular view of the Rhine Valley and see the hall of the emperors which showcases some beautiful 19th century frescoes. If you are a history buff, this is a must-do.
💘👑 Fun Fact: On 24 September 1861, the Prince of Wales of the United Kingdom, who would later become King Edward VII met his Danish-born wife, Princess Alexandra (later Queen Alexandra) at the Speyer Cathedral!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Book the Cathedral, Old Town, and Jewish Heritage Tour for Hidden Gems and Unforgettable Stories
2) The Altportal
Down Maximillianstraß will find the Old Gate (Altportal), one of the tallest old city gate in Germany. It’s first incarnation dates to between 1220 and 1250, when it served as the west gate to the city. Back then the city was completely walled and had a total of 68 towers, one of which is the Altportal which you can still walk through today.
The top portion was rebuilt in the early 1500s, and the roof was added 200 years later.
During important religious occasions, the Emperor and his entourage would make it a point to enter through the west gate, and proceed down the road (Maximillianstraße) right to the cathedral at the other end.
During the French occupation, the tower was scheduled for demolition but just beforehand the monks of the nearby monastery pleaded that if the tower were to collapse, it would damage the monastery and so it was spared. Whew!
Speyer loves its resilient Altportal, and you’ll find its shape everywhere from jewelry to stationery to gingerbread at Christmas time!
And of course, it’s an iconic photo spot!
3) Museum of the Palatinate
The Museum of the Palatinate is another Speyer attraction that’s absolutely worth checking out, and is located right near the cathedral! As a rule of thumb, any German Regional Museum is worth a stop. There’s enough incredible history across the country to fill up museums in all regions. This one welcomes a quarter million visitors a year!
Tip: Be sure to seek out the “Golden Hat of Schifferstadt” from the 14th century BC! Absolutely astounding.
The museum features a collection that takes you through the history of the area including prehistory, the Celts, the Roman period, all the way through the modern era. You will also find the Cathedral Treasury, and the Wine Museum! The collection contains the oldest wine ever found, the Speyer wine bottle, dating from a 4th century Roman tomb discovered in the area!
The museum is also known for its fantastic special exhibits, and a children’s museum within the larger museum, so be sure to check those out as well.
4) Mittelalterlicher Judenhof (Jewish Courtyard and Museum)
Of all the things to do in Speyer, this one to me was the most interesting and the most emotional.
Speyer has a long Jewish history beginning in the early middle ages. The first Jewish settlement was built here in 1084.
The Jewish community in Speyer flourished after the Bishop of Speyer issued a decree of protection for the community in 1084, encouraging Jews from other areas to settle in Speyer and establish roots to help grow the community and the economy.
These protections were later extended by the Emperor, marking a rare time and place for peace and prosperity for European Jews.
But the Thirty Years War in the 1600s saw the end of the Jewish community in Speyer and the religious buildings were heavily damaged. They were repurposed and used over the centuries until 1999 when the city purchased the complex and removed the later building work so you can now see, and walk among some of the original structures that still remain.
These buildings are among the oldest and best-preserved Jewish community buildings in Europe.
Mikvah
A mikvah is a Jewish ritual bath used for cleansing and purification. They used natural water sources, and many are dug down into the earth until the water table is reached. This mikvah in Speyer is the oldest one recorded in Europe.
The mikvah was consecrated not long after the synagogue making it 900 years old. It was a really incredible experience descending the stairs where so many feet had been before, sitting beside the pool and looking upward towards the light at the top of the shaft. Powerful and memorable.
Medieval Jewish Courtyard
The courtyard is all that remains of a larger “town square” type area. In its heyday, it held a synagogue, women’s prayer room, dance hall, community center, theological school, heated bath, bakery, a hospice, and more.
Jewish Museum
There’s also an indoor museum which has a small but powerful collection of artifacts, including tomb stones from the Jewish cemetery, tiles and pottery, building fragments and items discovered on site. The signage in the museum is in German, so have your Google translate ready.
UNESCO World Heritage
Because of its historical importance and its testimony to the European Jewish cultural tradition, the Jewish courtyard was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021.
It’s a fascinating and contemplative place, and we enjoyed spending some quiet time there. It’s amazing to imagine the bustling and thriving Jewish community that lived in this very place for 400 years. Unlike in neighboring Worms and Frankfurt, there was no segregation between the Jewish and Christian communities in Speyer during that time.
✡️ If you want to delve deeper into the roots of Europe’s Jewish history, Speyer is the place to do it. I’d definitely recommend taking this highly-rated tour to get a richer experience with details and context for what you are seeing. Take the Jewish Heritage, Old Town, and Cathedral Tour!
5) Speyer Sealife
Great for kids, fans of ocean life, and anyone who wants a little break from the cold, rain, or heat – depending when you travel. Speyer Sealife features turtles, sharks, rays, jellyfish, and a whole coral reef ecosystem. There are more than 40 tanks and 3000 marine critters to visit!
If Speyer Sealife is on your list, you MUST have a pre-booked ticket purchased online to guarantee entry! To avoid overcrowding, they have recently enforced limits on the number of guests allowed in at any one time, so if you want to be sure you’ll make it inside, prepare ahead and purchase tickets.
🐠Make it even more special for your little ones, and get Speyer Sealife tickets with a behind-the-scenes tour included! Great for kids! 🐡
🚨 🅿️ There is no parking at the facility but you can park nearby at the fairground (Festplatz). For parking enter “Speyer, Festplatz” into Google Maps. For public transportation, also enter the Festplatz stop.
6) Technik Museum
This is a great place to discover all kinds of technology from underwater to space! You can explore a Russian space shuttle, a German U-boat, a Boeing 747, cars, fire engines, locomotives, motorcycles, even mechanical musical instruments!
Absolutely fascinating, and great for kids and adults. Visitor information with directions, parking, and ticketing is at the link in the heading.
This museum is a local favorite in the area, and popular when guests are looking for places to keep older kids and teenagers engaged and excited. And who among us doesn’t love a good IMAX film!
✅ Buckle Up and Get Your Tickets for the Speyer Technik Museum & IMAX Dome Film! ✈️
7) Get Your Guide! Up Your Experience!
And because it’s always better with a knowledgeable guide, here’s where you can find all the best Speyer tours from the Cathedral, Old Town, and Jewish Heritage, to behind the scenes at the Sea Life Center, to the Technik Museum and its IMAX dome! If you’ve enjoyed this post and book through that link, I’ll make a small commission at no cost to you, so thank you!
8) Where to Eat in Speyer to Enjoy Classic German Fare
You’ll find lots of great eateries in Speyer, but our favorites if you want hearty traditional German pub fare and good beer are: Hausbrauerei im Domhof and the Ratskeller. Both are conveniently located right in the cathedral area.
9) Speyer Brezelfest
Every July Speyer goes all out to celebrate the mighty Bretzel (pretzel)! There are parades, live music, games, rides, and an epic beer garden! Also costumes, contest, and of course the crowning of the Pretzel Queen! You can check out all the details at the official Bretzelfest website and plan for a pretzel party of epic proportion!
10) Speyer Christmas Market – Our Absolute Favorite
And just as amazing as Bretzelfest is Speyer’s annual Christmas and New Year’s Markets! Of all the dozens of Christmas markets we’ve been to, Speyer is the one that ticks all our boxes. It has just the right amount of everything we love – perfect size, outstanding food, charm galore, lots of shopping choices, and a real authentic German Christmas market atmosphere. And the fact that it’s open until January means that if you get lost in Christmas prep, you still have time to enjoy some of the magic after the holiday.
Read all the details about why the Speyer Christmas Market won our hearts!
Don’t Forget to Get Lost in Speyer
One of the most underrated activities in the Old Towns and Cities of Europe is building in some time just to wander and explore. Take photos, see where that alley goes, read the plaques on the buildings, pop in to a shop or a tavern that appeals to you, or just gawk and imagine all this place has seen in the last millennium, and long before.
Speyer is loaded with places like these that will make your trip personal, memorable and full of discovery.
When is the Best Time to Visit Speyer?
The great thing about those hidden gems is they’re not going to have wall-to-wall people. Bretzelfest might be a little crowded, but even the Christmas market is surprisingly stress-free and manageable.
If you’re not looking to attend a specific event, I can’t emphasize enough that our first trip to Speyer was in the springtime and it was absolutely glorious. The weather was perfect and the whole town was a-flower. You can see how beautiful it is from the photos above which were taken the third week in March.
Where to Stay in Speyer
⛪️ Steps from the Cathedral
If hearing cathedral bells from your room above the cobblestone square is part of your ultimate European adventure, this four-star accommodation right next to a thousand-year-old monumental cathedral is for you! There’s even on-site underground parking, it’s steps from shops and restaurants, a 10-minute walk from the Rhein River and it’s family and pet-friendly! Did I mention it has its own brewery??
Booking.com customers rate this hotel 9.0 (Wonderful), and a stratospheric 9.8 for location!
✨”The hotel was beautiful it was a real pleasure to stay here. The rooms and all the common areas were spotlessly clean, and the facilities in the room were great The location is perfect right in the heart of the town.” (Guest, July 2025)
✅ Don’t miss the chance to sleep in the shadow of a 1000 year old cathedral – book a room at the stunning Hotel Domhof!
💰Wyndham Points & Great Location
There aren’t too many hotel chains in Speyer, but if you’re a Wyndham Rewards member, you’re in luck – you can either use or bank those reward points!
The hotel is located right off Maximillianstraße, the beautiful street that runs between the cathedral and the Altportal – right where you want to be. You can roll out of bed and be right on the avenue of Emperors!
It’s family and pet-friendly, air-conditioned, and parking is available in a nearby parking garage for €8 per day.
Booking.com customers rate this hotel 7.6 (Good) with a location score of 9.1 (Excellent)!
“Very central location, everything was new, clean, and modern. The staff responded to our needs, comfortable bed, air conditioning.” (Guest, June 2025)
✅ Get ready to rack up points AND get the best location in town at the Amedia Plaza Speyer, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
🏆 Top-Rated Charming Apartment in the Old Town
If you’re looking for less ‘hotel,’ and more authentic immersion experience, check out this incredible and top-rated apartment right in the Old Town of Speyer. This place is absolutely STUNNING with an almost-unheard-of 9.5 rating on booking.com. Parking is available in a nearby garage.
No pets allowed here, but if that’s not a concern this could be your ultimate secret getaway space in Speyer – but book well in advance! We always travel with our codependent Frenchie, so I’m a little jealous…
💎 “What a gem; just a lovely as the photos looked, even better. Loved the individual nature of the decor. So much to praise, from the fact tea and coffee are provided as well as complimentary water and toiletries, good kitchen area, very comfortable, lovely ambience. Very close to the Dom and Altstadt, supermarket 10 min walk away. Locked private garage. Excellent communication before and during stay; excellent wifi.” (Guest, May 2025)
✅ Look at this gorgeous apartment Altstadt Speyer, and reserve it before someone else does!
🧐 None of these quite what you’re looking for? Just browse Booking.com for accommodations in Speyer – there are many to choose from and one is sure to tick all your boxes!
How Long Do You Need in Speyer?
It’s a tough question, but my recommendation would be to spend 2 nights.
Here’s how I’d break down your itinerary in Speyer
Day 1: Check into your hotel, explore the cathedral and crypt, enjoy a stroll through the Old Town and a beautiful dinner at a local brewery or restaurant on night one.
Day 2: Then spend a full day exploring the Tecknik Museum, the Jewish Quarter, and the Museum of the Palatinate. If you’re with kiddos, you can easily swap in Sealife Speyer for one of these activities.
Day 3: Then on your final morning, enjoy breakfast, squeeze in a little time to stroll by the river, or shop or get photos, and check out.
If you want some more time to explore the city, it never hurts to ask your hotel if you can leave your bags for a few hours!
Things to Do in Speyer When it Rains
If you’ve spent much time in Germany, you’ll know the country is no stranger to rain! Speyer is actually not too bad of a rainy day city. The cathedral, the Museum of the Palatinate, and Sealife Speyer are great places to start.
In the outdoor sections of the Judenhof, the Tecknik Museum, the Alteportal, and walking from point A to point B you might get wet.
Just try to plan activities around the weather as best you can, bring a collapsible umbrella, and have fun. And remember those cute little pubs and breweries are the perfect spots to duck in when you need to!
🚗 How to Get to Speyer
Or just use the Rome to Rio website and enter in your departure and destination city and it will tell you all your options to get from one to the other!
💎 Have a Great Time in Speyer
Congratulations on finding one of Germany’s true hidden gems! It’s hard to believe that so few people have heard of a place with the largest Romanesque cathedral, the oldest Jewish bath in all of Europe, one of the tallest Medieval gates, a beautiful riverside, a fabulous Christmas market, and more than a thousand years of incredible history. You’re one of the lucky few!
