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Passau River Cruises

About Passau 

Passau’s alternative moniker as The City of Three Rivers makes it a natural destination for a river cruise and it’s so-named because it’s the place where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet. Book virtually any Danube River voyage and you’ll have an opportunity to explore the town. Beginning life as an ancient Roman colony, Passau was one of Germany’s principal weapons manufacturing towns during the Renaissance period and was ravaged by fire in 1662, after which much of it was rebuilt in the Baroque style. Today, almost a fifth of its population comprises students at the town’s university, ensuring a contemporary edge to a destination which is also rich in historic attractions to explore. 

Exploring Passau 

Undoubtedly Passau’s star attraction is St Stephen’s Cathedral, a beautiful Italian Baroque place of worship, with striking green onion domes and sculpting on its exterior. The building’s most famous feature however can be found inside; none other than the second-largest cathedral pipe organ in the world, comprising over 17,000 pipes. For fans of organ music a visit to the church is obviously a must, but even if you’re not, it’s certainly something to see with some breathtaking interiors, statues and artworks. 

Another popular attraction which is visible wherever you are in the town is the Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall, which traces its origins back to the 13th century and its corresponding Town Hall Tower, which is newer and built in the Neo-gothic style, having being completed in 1892. Despite its name it’s where the town’s council still sits today, but many of the rooms are open to the public and there are some great exhibits and artwork to discover. The Old Bishop’s residence is another fascinating building to explore, offering an insight into the lifestyle of those of religious standing and some beautiful architecture and expansions from a number of different historical periods. 

Situated on a mountain crest, Veste Oberhaus is great place from which to enjoy the spectacular view of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers below and also houses a fascinating museum which tells the story of the town through all periods of its history. Built in 1219, it is a fortress with its own story and was for much of its life the stronghold of the Bishop of Passau. 

Should you want more of a historic overview, Passau’s also home to a number of other informative and fascinating museums. Take a trip a little out of the town centre and you’ll find the Romer Museum Kastell Boiotro, which is actually part museum, part archaeological site and tells the story of the area's days of Roman settlement. The clue is in the name when it comes to the subject of Passau’s Glass Museum and if you’re a glass collector, you’ll clearly be in Heaven here, though it’s clearly more about exhibiting than education. 

Passau tips 

Passau is a great place to eat and boasts no fewer than five breweries, so it’s the perfect destination if you enjoy beer with your meal or like to sample the local brew. A glass of the local brew is generally cheaper in the town’s student area.

Passau Itineraries

Budapest

Gems of the Danube with Ljubljana & Zagreb

2 sailing dates May 2023 to July 2023
11 Nights From Nuremberg, Germany to , Zagreb
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Vienna

Gems of the Danube with Zagreb & Ljubljana

8 sailing dates April 2023 to September 2024
11 Nights From Zagreb, to Germany , Nuremberg
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £4199pp
Budapest

Danube Christmas Markets with Prague

2 sailing dates December 2023 to December 2024
10 Nights From Prague, to Hungary , Budapest, Hungary
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £3289pp
Bratislava

Danube Delights & Oktoberfest

2 sailing dates September 2023
9 Nights From Budapest, Hungary, Hungary to , Munich
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3239pp
Munich

Oktoberfest & Danube Delights

1 sailing date September 2023
9 Nights From Munich, to Hungary , Budapest, Hungary
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3239pp
Bratislava

Grand Danube: Munich - Belgrade

2 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2023
10 Nights From Munich, to Belgrade

Flash Sale | Receive a FREE Premium drinks package PLUS NEW reduced prices - save up to £2,200 per couple. Book and pay in full to receive these price

Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2629pp
Bratislava

Grand Danube: Belgrade - Munich

3 sailing dates April 2023 to November 2023
10 Nights From Belgrade, to Passau, Germany

Flash Sale | Receive a FREE Premium drinks package PLUS NEW reduced prices - save up to £2,200 per couple. Book and pay in full to receive these price

Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2629pp
Passau

Prague & Danube Explorer: Budapest - Prague

9 sailing dates May 2023 to October 2024
10 Nights From Budapest, Hungary, Hungary to , Prague
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2519pp
Budapest

Amsterdam & Splendours of Europe

3 sailing dates April 2023 to August 2023
16 Nights From Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Hungary , Budapest, Hungary
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £4759pp
Bamberg

Amsterdam & Splendours of Europe

2 sailing dates July 2023 to August 2023
16 Nights From Budapest, Hungary, Hungary to , Amsterdam, Netherlands
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £4159pp
Regensburg

Amsterdam to Prague & Splendours of Europe

1 sailing date July 2023
19 Nights From Prague, to Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Passau

Vilshofen to Budapest

1 sailing date May 2023
7 Nights From Vilshofen , Germany to Hungary , Budapest, Hungary
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Dürnstein

Christmas Markets of Europe-Amsterdam to Budapest

1 sailing date November 2024
14 Nights From Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Hungary , Budapest, Hungary
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3969pp
Miltenberg

Christmas Markets of Europe -Budapest to Amsterdam

1 sailing date December 2023
14 Nights From Budapest, Hungary, Hungary to , Amsterdam, Netherlands

Flash Sale | Receive a FREEE Premium drinks package - offer ends 28 February 2023 | NEW reduced prices - save up to £2,200 per couple. Book and pay in full to receive these price

Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3669pp
Bratislava

Prague & Danube Explorer - Prague to Budapest

12 sailing dates April 2023 to June 2024
10 Nights From Prague, to Hungary , Budapest, Hungary
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2519pp
Linz

Danube Christmas Markets - Vienna Roundtrip

2 sailing dates December 2023
10 Nights From Vienna, Austria, Austria to Vienna, Austria
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Bratislava

Mozart Grand Holiday Cruise - Vienna Roundtrip

1 sailing date December 2023
11 Nights From Vienna, Austria, Austria to Vienna, Austria
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Budapest

Christmas Markets - Budapest to Amsterdam

3 sailing dates November 2023 to November 2024
14 Nights From Budapest, Hungary, Hungary to , Amsterdam, Netherlands
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £4399pp
Linz

Danube Christmas Markets - Munich to Budapest

2 sailing dates December 2023 to December 2024
7 Nights From Munich, to Hungary , Budapest, Hungary

New incredible savings on 2023 European River Cruises - available for a limited time only!

Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £2689pp
Nuremberg

Jewels of Europe - Amsterdam to Budapest

45 sailing dates April 2023 to November 2024
14 Nights From Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Hungary , Budapest, Hungary

New incredible savings on 2023 European River Cruises - available for a limited time only!

Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £3969pp

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