Speyer is a bit different from Germany's more famous tourist spots. It offers a genuine taste of history without the crowds.
As one of Germany's oldest cities, it offers visitors a genuine insight into the heart of the Holy Roman Empire, while still maintaining a lived-in, present-day charm.
A view of Speyer
The city's UNESCO World Heritage cathedral is just the start of what makes Speyer so appealing. Speyer is different from many other German cities that were rebuilt after World War II because it has kept much of its original architecture and layout.
Modern Speyer strikes a balance between its historic significance and some unexpected attractions. The Technik Museum has full-sized aircraft, submarines and space shuttles that visitors can explore inside and out.
The city's not too big, so visitors can experience everything at their own pace.
A typical day might start with the morning cathedral bells, then move on to shopping and wine tasting in the medieval lanes, and end with dinner in a 300-year-old tavern.
If you're a foodie, you'll love Speyer. It's got traditional German cuisine and modern dining. The city says it invented the pretzel (or 'Brezel' as they call it), and its wine culture goes back to Roman times. The local restaurants serve fish from the Rhine River, along with wines from nearby vineyards.
Speyer is located in the southwestern part of Germany, in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz). The city sits on the western bank of the Rhine, right in the heart of Germany's historic wine region.
The city's location is really convenient for getting to other major German destinations. Frankfurt is 125 kilometres to the north, while Heidelberg is just 40 kilometres away. You can get to the French border and Strasbourg in about an hour, so Speyer is a great place to base yourself if you're looking to explore both German and French territories.
Speyer is part of the historic Rhine Valley triangle with Heidelberg and Worms. These three cities were really important in medieval Germany, both religiously and politically.
The city's location on the Rhine means it's always been a major trading hub, going back to Roman times. Today, this means there are great transport links by rail, road and river.
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the closest major international airport to Speyer and is the best option for most travelers. It offers a wide range of flights from around the world and has good transport connections.
Distance to Frankfurt Airport: 93km
Distance to Stuttgart Airport: 128km
Distance to Frankfurt Hahn Airport: 148km
Stuttgart Airport also has a good choice of destinations and is only a little further away. Frankfurt Hahn Airport, despite its name, is actually on the other side of Mainz from Frankfurt. It's mainly used by budget airlines and can be an option for cost-conscious travellers.
The main Speyer train station ('Speyer Hauptbahnhof') is located just northwest of the old town, about 15 minutes' walk from the cathedral.
Speyer is part of the Rhein-Neckar S-Bahn suburban rail connection and the main station is served by the S3 and S4 lines. These connect Speyer to Karlsruhe, Mannheim and Heidelberg.
A regional express line connects Speyer to Mainz and Karlsruhe.
The German rail service offers a ticket ('Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland-Ticket') which includes unlimited travel for a day on regional trains and bus services in the Rhineland-Palatinate and neighbouring Saarland. This can be a cost-effective option for travellers exploring the region around Speyer.
The closest motorway to Speyer is the A65 to the north of the city. This eventually heads towards the Dutch border to the north and, to the east, joins the busy A6 towards Nuremberg on the other side of the Rhine river. The junction with the A5 accesses Heidelberg to the north and Karlsruhe to the south.
Cathedral Quarter
The area surrounding Speyer's UNESCO-listed cathedral offers prime positioning for sightseeing. Historic hotels like Hotel Domhof occupy carefully preserved buildings within sight of the cathedral spires. While room rates run higher here, the location allows early morning cathedral visits before tour groups arrive and easy access to evening dining along Maximilianstrasse. The atmospheric surroundings and central position make this area ideal for first-time visitors.
Old Town (Altstadt)
The medieval streets branching off Maximilianstrasse house charming boutique hotels and family-run guesthouses. These properties blend historic architecture with modern comforts, though some older buildings lack elevators. The location puts you steps from traditional wine taverns, cafes, and shopping. The area around the Old Gate (Altpörtel) offers particularly picturesque surroundings.
The Old Gate in Speyer
Near the Technical Museum
Several modern hotels cluster near Speyer's popular Technical Museum, about 15 minutes' walk from the cathedral. This area suits families and aviation enthusiasts, offering easier parking and often lower rates than the historic center. The Ibis and other chain hotels here provide reliable comfort and good value.
Train Station Area
Budget-conscious travelers might consider hotels near the Hauptbahnhof. While lacking historic charm, these properties offer good transport connections and typically include parking. A 15-minute walk or short bus ride reaches the cathedral district.
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Speyer is one of Germany's oldest cities, with origins dating back to Roman times when it was known as Noviomagus and later Augusta Nemetum. The Romans built a military camp here around 10 BC due to its strategic location on the Rhine.
The city really came into its own in the Middle Ages, particularly under the Salian Emperors in the 11th century.
In 1030, Emperor Conrad II began building Speyer Cathedral, which became the largest Romanesque church in the world at the time. The cathedral was the burial place of eight German emperors and kings, making Speyer a centre of imperial power.
Statue of a pilgrim in front of Speyer Cathedral
Speyer became a free imperial city in 1294, giving it considerable autonomy. Its location on major trade routes helped it to become a prosperous trading centre. The city was also important in religious history - the term "Protestant" was coined here in 1529 during the Imperial Diet of Speyer.
The fate of Speyer took a dramatic turn in 1689 when French troops destroyed much of the city during the Nine Years' War. This destruction marked a turning point, forcing the city to rebuild almost entirely from scratch.
The following century brought more upheaval during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods from 1792 to 1814, which reshaped both the city's physical layout and its political structure.
A new chapter began in 1816 when Speyer became part of Bavaria's Palatinate region. This political shift brought stability and allowed the city to develop steadily throughout the 19th century.
Unlike many German cities, Speyer emerged from World War II relatively unscathed. This stroke of fortune preserved much of its historic architecture, leaving us with the remarkable medieval streetscape we see today.
The post-war period saw Speyer strike a careful balance between preserving its past and embracing the future. The city expanded beyond its traditional focus on historical tourism, notably with the opening of the Technical Museum in 1991.
The Technical Museum with Speyer Cathedral in the background
This modern attraction complements the city's medieval sites and draws technology enthusiasts from around the world. Today, Speyer functions as both an open-air museum of German history and a vibrant modern city of 50,000 residents.
The city's historical significance received global recognition in 1981 when UNESCO designated the Speyer Cathedral as a World Heritage site.
Most of the buildings in Speyer's present old town date from the reconstruction period after 1700. The historic Jewish quarter, with its ritual bath dating from 1128, is one of the oldest and best preserved in Europe. The layout of the town still follows the medieval street pattern, making it easy for visitors to explore its history on foot.
Speyer Cathedral dominates the city skyline and is the largest surviving Romanesque church in Europe. Its massive red sandstone walls glow at sunrise and sunset, making for perfect photo opportunities.
Visitors can explore the vast nave, which displays medieval engineering skills through its unique vaulted ceiling. The ancient crypt houses imperial tombs and is open all year round.
Climb the tower to the observation platform for spectacular views of the Rhine Valley from April to October.
View of Speyer Cathedral
The Technical Museum surprises first-time visitors with its scale and ambition. Few expect to find a full-size Boeing 747 raised high enough to walk under, or a complete German submarine ready to be explored inside.
The Soviet Buran space shuttle attracts space enthusiasts from all over Europe, while the collection of classic cars spans a century of motoring history.
The museum takes a full day to explore properly, and the on-site IMAX theatre offers regular English-language screenings.
The Historical Museum of the Palatinate tells the story of the region through its impressive collection. The Wine Culture exhibition connects modern visitors to Roman times, while the Imperial Crown Jewels collection reflects Speyer's royal heritage.
The exhibition “Luther, Protestants and the Palatinate” concentrates on the history of the Reformation in the region.
The museum excels at making history accessible with the Junge Museum, an interactive children's area aimed at families and school groups.
The Historical Museum of the Palatinate in Speyer
The SchPIRA museum complex preserves medieval Jewish heritage in remarkable condition. The 12th century ritual bath (mikveh) is one of the oldest and best preserved in Europe.
While the historic synagogue exists only in fragments, these remains provide a powerful testimony to medieval Jewish life. The Documentation Centre places these artefacts in the context of European Jewish history.
The Old City Gate is a testament to the city's medieval defences. This 13th century tower offers views of the city for those willing to climb 153 steps. The gate houses exhibits about the city's fortifications, including its original clock mechanism.
Its location at the end of Maximilianstrasse makes it an excellent starting point for exploring the Old Town.
Speyer's historic old town is centred on Maximilianstrasse, where historic facades house modern shops and restaurants. The town hall, built in 1726, anchors the administrative centre, while Trinity Church provides a baroque counterpoint to the Romanesque cathedral.
Traditional wine taverns tucked away in side streets offer local wines and regional cuisine. The twice-weekly market brings local produce and crafts to the old town square.
The ShUM cities - Speyer (Hebrew: Shpira), Worms (Hebrew: Warmaisa) and Mainz (Hebrew: Magenza) - formed the most important Jewish alliance in medieval Germany. The name ShUM comes from the first letters of the Hebrew names of these cities on the Rhine.
These cities formed the basis of Ashkenazi Jewish culture from the 900s to the 1400s. Their rabbis wrote important religious laws, created new teaching methods and established traditions that Jewish communities still follow today. Think of them as the medieval equivalent of great universities, but for Jewish learning.
The ShUM cities attracted Jewish scholars from all over Europe. They set rules for everything from prayer and diet to business and marriage. When other Jewish communities had questions about religious law, they often turned to the ShUM cities for answers.
UNESCO recognised the importance of these cities by naming them a World Heritage Site in 2021.
Mainz is famous for its rich printing heritage as the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the movable type printing press. Stroll through the picturesque old town with its mix of medieval and Renaissance buildings, visit the impressive Mainz Cathedral and enjoy a glass of wine in one of the city's cosy taverns along the Rhine.
Worms is steeped in history, known for its significant role in the Protestant Reformation and as the setting for the medieval epic Nibelungenlied. Marvel at the Romanesque Worms Cathedral, visit the world's largest Reformation monument in Luther Square and discover the city's Jewish heritage at the ancient Rashi Synagogue and Jewish Museum.
The tourist information office in Speyer is located on the Maximilianstrasse not far from the cathedral. It is open six days a week from Monday-Saturday in summer, with shorter opening hours on Saturdays. The Saturday opening times are restricted to the morning during the winter months.
Tourist Office: www.speyer.de