Freising: Discover the Cathedral Hill, Art and Gardens
Accommodation in Freising
Explore Freising through its varied attractions: Cathedral Hill and the historic old town, contemporary art, the Weihenstephan Gardens, and routes for hiking and cycling. The Amper Valley in the district of Freising also offers a unique look at the region’s protected natural environment. The following places and routes can help you plan cultural visits and time outdoors according to your interests.
Cathedral Hill, the Old Town and the City’s History
On Cathedral Hill, Freising Cathedral features a crypt and the Beast Column. In the historic old town, burghers’ and canons’ houses dating from the Gothic to the Baroque period stand around Marienplatz. The square is also home to a Marian column dating from 1674. Together, Cathedral Hill and the old town offer several starting points for a tour of Freising’s architectural history.
Visitors interested in selected landmarks from the city’s history can find around 350 objects and groups of objects in the City Museum. For a view over the city, the tower of St. George’s Church has an observation platform at a height of about 45 metres. You can climb the tower from May to October; check access arrangements in advance. For orientation around the city, a tactile bronze model of Cathedral Hill and the old town stands beside the fountain on Untere Hauptstraße. It identifies sights and streets in both standard print and Braille.
Circular Routes and Pilgrimage Route
The 13.5-kilometre Kultur & Natur circular route leads to key sights in Freising. The Way of St. James pilgrimage route from Freising serves a different purpose: this approximately 11-kilometre route is a north-eastern approach to the Munich Way of St. James and starts on Freising’s Cathedral Hill. Its length and whether it is a circular route or an approach route give you a clear basis for choosing between a tour of Freising’s sights and a section of the pilgrimage route.
The Walderlebnispfad forest discovery trail in Freising Forest is shorter, at about 2 kilometres. Its 23 stations include information boards, information and play activities. This gives it a different focus from the two longer routes: here, the emphasis is on stations along a short loop, while the other routes take visitors to Freising’s sights or connect with a long-distance pilgrimage route.
Art at Schafhof and on Campus
Schafhof in Freising is a centre for contemporary art in Upper Bavaria. Exhibitions of works by international and local artists are held there throughout the year. The annual Johannismarkt and an Advent market also feature selected artisans presenting high-quality unique pieces. Check the dates if you are planning a visit to one of the markets.
Outdoors, the Weihenstephan Art Trail crosses the campus and passes almost 30 contemporary works by regional and internationally recognised artists. It consists of two circular routes, each taking a little over an hour. This makes it easy to plan the art trail as a walk with a stated duration; Schafhof, by contrast, features changing exhibitions and recurring markets.
Gardens and Nature in the District of Freising
The Weihenstephan Gardens occupy the grounds of a former Benedictine monastery and are maintained by the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences. The courtyard garden has a viewing terrace overlooking the Alpine panorama. The five-hectare garden of perennials and woody plants tests perennials, woody plants and new varieties of roses to assess their practical value. Existing beds and plantings are currently being renewed; take this into account when planning your visit.
The Amper Valley in the district of Freising is home to numerous animal and plant species in particular need of protection, including four of the 16 dragonfly species classified as endangered in Bavaria. It is designated as a landscape conservation area and is used for hiking and cycling as a local recreation area in the district. The gardens and the Amper Valley therefore offer different experiences of nature: landscaped gardens on the former monastery grounds, and a protected landscape used for hiking and cycling.
Cycling and Seasonal Planning
The cycling map for the district of Freising, presented in 2021, included the district’s entire local cycling network. It also featured the Isar Cycle Route, the four-star Ammer-Amper Cycle Route and around 20 suggested cycling tours. As route details may have changed, check the latest map and route information before setting out.
The seasonal leisure bus service connects destinations in the district of Freising and provides an environmentally friendly way to get to cycling routes, hikes and spontaneous day trips. Check the latest routes and dates before travelling. That way, you can plan your bus connection and activity together without relying on outdated service days or route information.
Brewery and Brewery Taproom
The Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan is the oldest continuously operating brewery in the world and offers brewery tours. The brewery also has a small museum and the adjoining BraustĂĽberl Weihenstephan restaurant. If you are planning a tour or a visit to the BraustĂĽberl, check the current options in advance.
Discover more destinations: Allershausen, Attenkirchen, Fahrenzhausen, Freising, Hallbergmoos, Kranzberg, Neufahrn Bei Freising, Langenbach, Hohenkammer, Marzling, Eching, Zolling, Moosburg an der Isar, Mauern, Au In Der Hallertau, Rudelzhausen, Wang.
Go to the regional travel overview: Bavaria.
