Ingolstadt

Day Trips

Begin your day wandering through the winding cobblestone lanes around the Old Town. Enjoy the pastel facades of merchants’ houses and marvel at the Gothic tower of the Altes Rathaus. Stop for a freshly baked pretzel and local coffee at a street-side café and watch the town come alive.

Explore the New Castle Museum to learn about Ingolstadt’s medieval heritage and see artifacts from local excavations. Take a guided tour of the adjacent courtyard, admiring Renaissance architecture and sculpted balconies. Stop at a nearby beer garden for a pint and a plate of Bavarian Pretzels.

Dine in a traditional restaurant near the Danube Promenade and sample regional specialties such as Schäufele pork shoulder. Stroll along the riverbank at sunset for panoramic views of the city lights reflecting on the water. End your evening with a concert or live jazz performance at a cozy local venue.

Head to the Audi Forum where you can join a factory tour to witness modern car manufacturing in action. Dive into the interactive exhibits of the Audi Museum Mobile and trace the company’s evolution from its beginnings to the present day. Take selfies next to classic models such as the Type C and the iconic quattro rally car.

Book an Audi driving experience on a private test track to get behind the wheel of the latest models. Enjoy professional coaching as you accelerate through corners and learn advanced handling techniques. Cool off afterwards with refreshments at the forum’s rooftop café overlooking the assembly lines.

Relax in the forum’s lounge with panoramic windows showing the plant illuminated after dark. Sample gourmet bites and cocktails while discussing highlights of your hands-on driving session. Conclude the day with a short tram ride back to the city center for a nightcap at a hip bar.

Arrive early at the Bavarian Army Museum to beat the crowds and enjoy the comprehensive collections of weaponry and uniforms. Follow an audio guide through medieval battlements and 19th-century artillery displays. Pause in the central gallery to examine intricate ceremonial swords and armor.

Take a break at the museum café and savor a hearty Weißwurst lunch with sweet mustard and a stein of wheat beer. Return inside to explore World War I dioramas and post-war reconstructions. Don’t miss the interactive tank simulator for a taste of armored warfare.

Walk along the Isar River nearby and admire the tranquil water and lush riverside parks. Pick a riverside Biergarten to sample local lagers under chestnut trees. As night falls, head back into town for an evening stroll through illuminated gardens near the city wall.

Begin with a leisurely stroll through Klenzepark’s verdant pathways, enjoying sculptures and ornamental flowerbeds. Feed ducks in the ponds and watch joggers and families share the open lawns. Grab a breakfast pastry from a nearby bakery and find a sunny bench to people-watch.

Visit the Museum Mobile, focusing on automotive design and mobility themes in a unique arts setting. Take in rotating contemporary art installations that dialogue with Ingolstadt’s car heritage. Stop by the shop for design-themed souvenirs and coffee.

Join locals for a sunset picnic on the riverbank adjacent to the park. Lay out a blanket, unpack regional cheeses and sausages, and toast with a bottle of local Riesling. Enjoy the gentle glow of the setting sun as it shines across the Danube and the city skyline.

Board a scenic Danube cruise and glide along the tranquil river, passing forested banks and limestone bluffs. Listen as your guide recounts centuries of trading, battles, and monastic settlements along the waterway. Sip on regional apple juice and spot herons and kingfishers along the shore.

Disembark at a riverside village for a traditional Bavarian lunch in a century-old tavern overlooking the water. Sample farmhouse cheeses, smoked ham, and a local specialty such as Obazda cheese spread. Take a brief hike to a nearby lookout for sweeping views of the Danube valley.

Return to Ingolstadt by boat as the sky turns pink and gold at dusk. Enjoy a light buffet and live folk music onboard to round out the cruise. Step ashore and stroll back into town for a night at your leisure.

Set out early for the Ingolstadt Botanical Garden, exploring glasshouses filled with tropical plants and aromatic herbs. Admire the seasonal displays of orchids, cacti, and alpine flora. Take notes on medicinal plants cultivated for centuries in the region.

Drive or bike east to the Bavarian Jura Nature Park for a picnic amid rolling limestone hills. Wander forest trails, breathe in fragrant pine air, and keep an eye out for deer and wild boar. Visit a small agritourism farm for regional dairy products and homemade jams.

Return to the city for dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant showcasing seasonal produce. Sample dishes centered on local mushrooms, asparagus or heirloom vegetables. Conclude with a digestif featuring herbs from the botanical garden you visited that morning.

Take a short bus ride to Willibaldsburg Castle perched on a hilltop above the city. Explore the Renaissance courtyard, walk the ramparts and gaze at expansive views over Ingolstadt. Visit the castle chapel adorned with medieval frescoes and gold leaf.

Relax in the castle’s terraced gardens and enjoy an al fresco lunch surrounded by blooming roses. Wander pathways lined by trimmed hedges, fountains and classical statues. Join a guided herb garden tour to learn about traditional monastic medicinal practices.

Descend back to the city and dine at a riverside brasserie with floor-to-ceiling windows. Savor freshwater fish dishes paired with crisp Bavarian white wine. Take a post-dinner stroll across the iconic Old Danube Bridge illuminated against the night sky.

Head to Kreuztor Market to browse stalls overflowing with fresh produce, cheeses, sausages and baked goods. Chat with vendors about heirloom apples, local honey and handcrafted pretzels. Sample artisanal chocolates and fortified fruit brandies.

Join a guided food-tour walking between historic courtyards and tasting five signature Ingolstadt specialties. Learn about white sausage, regional mustard, farmstead cheese and Bavarian apple strudel. Enjoy personal stories from your guide and secret recipes passed down for generations.

Enroll in a short cooking class where you prepare classic Bavarian dishes under expert supervision. Sip on local beers as you chop, stir and plate hearty fare like venison ragout or spaetzle. Sit down together to taste your creations amid candlelight and convivial conversation.

Rent bicycles and set off on the well-maintained Danube bike path heading west. Pedal past lush meadows, charming villages and historic water mills. Stop at scenic overlooks for photos and rest by the riverbank.

Break for lunch at a riverside inn in a quaint hamlet, sampling freshly baked breads and cold cuts. Continue cycling through shaded forests and across pedestrian bridges spanning the blue water. Take advantage of bike-rental service points if you need gear adjustments or snacks.

Return to Ingolstadt as the late afternoon sun filters through poplar trees lining the river. Lock your bikes and head for a rooftop bar overlooking the Danube for a celebratory drink. Watch the city’s spires glow at dusk and toast a day of active exploration.

Spend a leisurely morning arriving at the modern Ingolstadt Thermenwelt spa complex. Slip into the thermal pools warmed by geothermal springs and soak away any muscle fatigue. Float beneath skylights or in outdoor whirlpools surrounded by greenery.

Indulge in a range of spa treatments, from aromatherapy massages to revitalizing facials. Unwind in the sauna area with themed steam rooms, herbal infusions and salt caves. Recharge with a light herbal tea and fruit platter in the quiet lounge.

Dine in the spa’s healthy-eating restaurant featuring vegetable bowls and smoothie blends. Later, move to the soft ambient lighting of a relaxation pod for guided meditation or gentle music therapy. Drift off in cozy loungers, feeling renewed before your departure the next day.