In Freising, discovery ranges from the Gothic and Baroque old town to contemporary art, gardens and brewing culture. Cathedral Hill and Marienplatz provide the historical and cultural thread; on the Weihenstephan campus, art trails and gardens take centre stage. The Amper Valley in the district of Freising offers a different perspective on protected nature and outdoor recreation. This mix appeals to travellers who want to combine culture with outdoor activities.
Cathedral Hill and the Old Town
Freising Cathedral on Cathedral Hill features a crypt and the Beast Column. Around Marienplatz are townhouses and canons’ residences dating from the Gothic period through to the Baroque; the square is also home to a Marian column dating from 1674. The City Museum offers another way to explore the city’s history, presenting around 350 selected objects and groups of objects.
Music is also part of the cultural offering on Cathedral Hill. Services at Freising Cathedral feature choral, wind, orchestral and organ music. The Cathedral Music ensembles also put on an extensive concert series in the churches on Cathedral Hill. If you have a particular date in mind, check the current programme.
For orientation around the city, there is a tactile bronze model of Cathedral Hill and the old town next to the fountain on Untere HauptstraĂźe. It identifies landmarks and streets in both standard and Braille lettering.
Art in galleries and outdoors
Schafhof is a centre for contemporary art in Upper Bavaria. It hosts year-round exhibitions featuring works by international and local artists. The annual Johannismarkt and Advent market also take place here, where selected craftspeople present high-quality one-off pieces.
On campus, the Weihenstephan Art Trail passes almost 30 contemporary artworks by regionally and internationally recognised artists. The route consists of two circular walks, each taking a little over an hour. It offers a different setting for discovering art outdoors than a gallery visit.
Walks, pilgrimage route and nature
The 13.5-kilometre Culture & Nature circular trail leads to Freising’s main sights. The Way of St James pilgrimage route in Freising serves a different purpose: this approximately 11-kilometre route is a north-eastern feeder to the Munich Way of St James and starts on Freising’s Cathedral Hill. The circular trail takes in the city’s sights, while the pilgrimage route connects to a long-distance route.
The Forest Adventure Trail is in the Freising Forest. This approximately 2-kilometre circular trail has 23 stations, with information panels and information as well as play activities. The route combines a manageable circuit with a variety of stops along the way.
The Amper Valley in the district of Freising is home to numerous animal and plant species that are especially worthy of protection. These include four of the 16 dragonfly species in Bavaria that are threatened with extinction. The Amper Valley is designated as a protected landscape area and is used for outdoor recreation, including hiking and cycling. Nature watching and outdoor exercise take place in the same landscape, without requiring visitors to have the same experience.
Gardens and views in Weihenstephan
The Weihenstephan Gardens are on the grounds of a former Benedictine monastery and are maintained by Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences. In the five-hectare display garden, perennials, trees and shrubs, and new rose varieties are assessed for their practical value. Existing beds and plantings are currently being renewed. A viewing terrace in the Courtyard Garden offers views of the Alpine panorama.
Cycle routes and local brewing history
A cycling map for the district of Freising, published in 2021, covers the district’s entire local cycle route network. It includes the Isar Cycle Path, the Ammer-Amper Cycle Path, which is rated four stars, and around 20 suggested cycling tours. Route details may have changed, so check your route against up-to-date information before setting out.
The Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan is the world’s oldest continuously operating brewery and offers brewery tours. The brewery also has a small brewery museum and its adjoining restaurant, Braustüberl Weihenstephan. An observation platform is listed in the tower of St George’s Church at a height of around 45 metres; the tower can be climbed from May to October. Before visiting, check whether seasonal access is currently available.
Discover more destinations: Moosburg an der Isar, Langenbach, Neufahrn bei Freising, Kranzberg, Hallbergmoos, Freising, Fahrenzhausen, Attenkirchen, Allershausen, Hohenkammer, Marzling, Zolling, Mauern, Rudelzhausen, Au in der Hallertau, Eching, Wang.
Return to the overview of the region: Bavaria.
