Speyer is located along the banks of the Rhine River in the southwest of Germany, in the Rhineland-Palatinate state. It is just an hour’s drive south of Frankfurt.

Reasons to Visit

The 11th-century Imperial Cathedral of Speyer is among Germany’s largest and most significant. This remarkable structure houses the crypts of eight German emperors and kings, as well as several bishops. This connection to Germany’s imperial history makes the cathedral a must-visit landmark.

Moreover, Speyer was a notable center for Jewish scholarship during the medieval era. One of its highlights is the ritual bath, “mikew,” which is recognized as one of the most complete in Europe.

For Kids

The Speyer Technik Museum offers an impressive collection of airplanes, classic cars, locomotives, fire engines, a German U9 submarine, and a Russian An-22 transport plane. Visitors can enter and explore these exhibits. Furthermore, the museum features an on-site hotel, along with caravan camping options, making it a family-friendly destination.

Train Station

Speyer’s rail station is conveniently located northwest of the old town, just a 10-15 minute walk to the center. The tourist office can be found on Speyer’s main pedestrian street, Maximilianstrabe, where you can get helpful information. To grasp the full symbolism present in the cathedral, picking up a copy of the free brochure titled “The Imperial Cathedral of Speyer” is highly recommended.

Travelers can reach Speyer in about 3.5 hours from Munich by train, and it takes a little over two hours from Cologne.

Day Trips

Heading west from Speyer, one can visit the town of Neustadt and the Southern Wine Road, easily accessed via route B39. Neustadt boasts a charm that rivals Speyer, making it worth a half-day of exploration. Additionally, south of Neustadt are quaint wine towns such as St. Martin and Edenkoben, which are replete with delightful wine tasting venues. These towns offer many of the same wine varietals found in the Alsace region of France but often at more accessible prices. Adjacent to this wine region lies the Naturpark Pfalzerwald, a beautiful wooded area perfect for hiking enthusiasts.

Karlsruhe, which serves as a gateway to the Black Forest and is a popular stop for Rhine River cruises, is conveniently located just to the south.

Where to Stay

One of the most recommended accommodations is the Hotel Am Wartturm, a crowd favorite featuring a restaurant and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Other Speyer Attractions

In addition to the cathedral, Jewish ritual bath, and synagogue ruins, visitors should also explore the smaller churches, the baroque town hall (Rathaus), the Historic Museum of the Palatinate (Historisches Museum der Pfalz), the aquarium, the archaeological showcase, and the memorial for Sophie la Roche, the publisher of the first ladies’ magazine. Moreover, you can climb the main city gate (13th century) for a panoramic view of old town Speyer and the cathedral, which is among the tallest in Germany.