By Alaric 
One of the most impressive attractions in all of Germany is Walhalla.
It’s a vast memorial and hall of fame conceived by King Ludwig I of Bavaria, towering over the Danube River.
Today, it’s a popular attraction open to the public, and it’s very easy to plan a day trip from the city of Regensburg by road or river.
This is easily one of my favourite places in Germany as the magical temple feels like you’ve travelled back in time to Ancient Greece.
The grandiose building, impressive marble hall and sweeping panoramic views all took my breath away. I highly recommend visiting.
Here is how to visit Walhalla Memorial in Regensburg with helpful travel tips.
Walhalla Memorial history
Napoleon annexed German lands in 1806 and won the War of the Fourth Coalition a year later.
It was a spectacular defeat in German history, and the humiliation was felt throughout the country.
Crown Prince Ludwig I of Bavaria then decided he would build a great monument when he became king.
It was to be a memorial hall to commemorate famous men and women of German-speaking nations who shaped history.
He commissioned Walhalla five years after his coronation, and the construction started in 1830. It then opened to the public in 1842.
Designed by his favourite architect, Leo Von Klenz, he used the Parthenon of Athens as an inspiration and so it was built in a Greek Revival style.
The name comes from Valhalla in Norse mythology. The famous great hall in Asgard and the realm of the gods where warriors go in the afterlife.
Originally, there were 96 busts inside. But, the Bavarian Council of Ministers and Bavarian Palace Administration add to it each year.
Today, it’s still a popular attraction in Germany and you must visit!
How to visit Walhalla in Germany
Walhalla is in the state of Bavaria in Germany and is around 12 kilometres from the medieval city of Regensburg.
It’s also 130 kilometres from Munich, and the closest town is Donastauf, only two kilometres away.
It’s easiest to drive to Walhalla and you can have a look at renting a car here.
There is a large parking area at the end of Walhallstraße that charges a small fee.
If you’re not driving, don’t worry, you can also visit by bus and scenic river cruise.
Can you visit Walhalla by public transport?
Yes, you can. Although the most convenient way is to drive, it’s also very easy to visit Walhalla by public transport.
The closest train station is Regensburg and then it’s a 45-minute bus journey to Walhalla.
You can take bus services 5 or 36/37 to Donaustauf Reifldinger Straße or Walhallastraße, the terminus stop.
I recommend downloading the DB Navigator app to check bus times before you go.
I purchased the Deutschland Ticket for my travels around Germany. It gives unlimited access to public transport throughout the country for just €58 a month.
Why not book a river cruise?
If you don’t fancy driving or the hassle of planning your journey, why not book a sightseeing river cruise?
If I didn’t have my Deutschland Ticket with ‘free’ transport (girl math), this is the option I would have gone for.
It looks like such a romantic way to arrive via the Danube River while learning about the history of Regensburg.
It includes a 45-minute boat ride and 75 minutes of sightseeing at the monument. Then, you slowly cruise back to the city. Wunderbar!
Walking to Walhalla
If you’re taking the bus to Walhalla, you’ll be dropped off around a 20-minute walk from the monument on Walhallastraße.
Make sure to check bus times for the return journey to ensure you don’t get stranded.
From the bus stop, it’s a steep walk through the ‘forest’ to reach the memorial on the hilltop. It’s well signposted so you won’t get lost.
However, there are steep slopes and lots of stairs to traverse, so make sure to have sensible shoes on.
Of course, if you’re driving, it’s an easy walk to the top of the monument from the Parkplatz that is 300 metres away.
However, if you get the boat, you’ll be arriving at a dock on the river.
From the base of the hill, you’ll have to climb up 358 marble steps to the top! It will be tough on your legs but well worth the effort.
Arriving at Walhalla Memorial
I had seen many photos of Walhalla online before my visit, but nothing prepared me for the impact of seeing it with my own eyes.
It’s truly majestic and a spectacle to behold that will make your jaw drop.
The dazzling marble building is 125 meters long and 55 meters high, with 52 Doric columns supporting the roof.
There are sculptures on the facade including Arminius’s army, the victor of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.
The best views of the temple can be found on the marble steps leading to the river.
But, you really can’t take a bad photo of this monument as it’s so striking.
Panoramic views over the Danube River
Although it does take some effort to climb up the 358 marble steps to the top, you will be richly rewarded.
The sweeping panoramic views over the countryside and River Danube are utterly breathtaking.
You can see for miles on a clear day and it makes a fabulous photo opportunity.
I had a lovely time sitting on a marble step between the columns, just taking it all in.
Can you go inside Walhalla?
Yes, you can. I highly recommend doing so as the Marble Hall is super impressive!
Visiting the outside of Walhalla Memorial is free of charge. But, if you want to go inside, you pay for a ticket.
A standard adult ticket costs €5, and there are reduced tickets for €4.
You can also buy a combination ticket with the Hall of Liberation at Kelheim & Prunn Castle for €12.
It’s not much to pay for such an impressive place, and the spectacular gallery of busts and statues will take your breath away!
Exploring the Marble Hall
Although you could argue that you can see most of the hall from the ticket desk without paying, I still think it’s worth spending the money.
That way, you can appreciate the splendour of this room and study the many busts of famous German-speaking figures from 2000 years of history.
The entire hall is awe-inspiring and will feel like you’ve stepped inside an ancient Greek temple.
There are 130 busts, 65 plaques and many memorial displays to browse.
Even though I’m nowhere near an expert on Germanic history, I could still spot many familiar names.
You can find Hans Holbein, Nicolaus Copernicus, Ludwig van Beethoven, Martin Luther, Johann Goethe and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
There have also been many additions to the gallery since it was first created.
Newer figures include Richard Wagner, Albert Einstein, Johann Sebastian Bach and Otto von Bismarck.
It was slightly disappointing that there weren’t many notable German-speaking women in the gallery, as we know of so many that existed.
But, you can find Catherine the Great, Maria Theresa of Austria and Sophie Scholl from the German passive resistance during WWII.
Of course, at the end of the hall, you can find an enormous statue of the glorious benefactor that strikes an imposing impression.
King Ludwig I looks like an ancient Emperor proudly overlooking his creation, dressed in his toga and crowned with a laurel wreath.
There are countless more names to mention. Make sure to download the Walhalla App to help you learn more about them.
Kiosk LUDWIG
If you were looking for a pick-me-up after your visit, I would head to Kiosk LUDWIG just outside.
They have coffee, tea, cakes and cold drinks to take away or several chairs to sit down.
It’s the perfect place to relax if the sun is shining, with panoramic views over the memorial.
I even got to see a herd of sheep grazing and a lovely variety of birds. It was so peaceful.
The only thing to consider is that they are only open from 11 am – 5 pm and are closed on Mondays.
So, if you visit Walhalla early morning (as I did), it’s a long wait for a caffeine fix!
How long do you need to visit?
I would set aside at least an hour to visit Walhalla Memorial as there are lots of things to see and do.
I spent an entire morning here from Regensburg and had no regrets.
I’ve been dreaming of visiting Walhalla in Germany for some time and didn’t want to rush.
However, if you’re stuck for time, you could easily cut a visit down to 30 minutes.
Is Walhalla Memorial worth visiting?
Yes, Walhalla is worth visiting in Germany as it’s a striking attraction with lots of history.
I fell in love with this impressive temple and was in awe of the bewitching panoramic views over the Danube.
I will never forget how it felt to finally visit and take in the grandiosity of the Marble Hall. I also learned a lot about German history.
It was a dream come true and easily one of my favourite memories from Germany that I now treasure.
Walhalla makes a wonderful addition to a trip around Bavaria, so don’t forget to include it in your itinerary.
Walhalla opening times
The outside of Walhalla is open 24 hours a day, so you can visit the temple whenever you like.
But, if you want to visit the inside to see the Marble Hall it has opening times;
- April – October: 9 am- 6 pm
- November to March: 10 am -12 pm and 1 pm – 4 pm.
The last entry inside is 15 minutes before closing time. It’s open daily except for a couple of public holidays.
When is the best time to visit?
Despite the memorial being a fair distance from Regensburg, it’s a popular attraction in Bavaria and sees crowds throughout the year.
I got one of the first bus services heading there from the city around 8 am and managed to enjoy it without the crowds for at least an hour or so.
Thats how I was able to get so many empty photos, even in July. I was surprised as I thought it would be way busier.
However, when the first boats arrived around 10/10.30 am, it was packed with people everywhere.
If you want to visit for photography and clean photos, I recommend visiting for sunrise or at least early morning.
Sunset is a very popular time when visitors/locals will watch the changing colours of the sky from the steps.
My top tips for visiting
- Photography is allowed – you can take photos inside and outside Walhalla. You must pay for a ticket to take pictures inside.
- Wear sensible shoes – the walk to Walhalla is steep and you will climb many steps. Wear sensible shoes.
- Dress for the weather – The area around Walhalla is largely exposed to the elements, so bring waterproofs or sun protection.
- Toilets – There are clean public toilets located outside of the monument. There are no facilities inside.
Read more of my Germany travel guides
How to visit the Marienbrucke Bridge at Neuschwanstein Castle?
Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in winter
Don’t skip visiting Hohenschwangau Castle in Bavaria
How to visit the magical Munich Law Library
The baroque hidden gem of Asamkirche
How to visit Wiblingen Abbey Library
Visiting Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin
Tips for visiting the Brandenburg Gate
Upper Lusatian Library of Sciences
Pfunds Molkerei – Most Beautiful Dairy Shop in the World
Visit the Duchess Anna Amalia Library in Weimar
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