Being on a budget doesn’t mean having to curtail your imagination when it comes to holiday plans. The charming city of Augsburg, can offer an authentic taste of Bavaria without the price tag of the larger cities like Munich or Nuremberg. Being a university city, Augsburg is geared up to cost-conscious travellers, so think outside the square and get ready for a great budget break in Bavaria!
The Attractions
Augsburg is incredibly proud of its culture and, even if you’re not an academic, you can’t help but be drawn in to its fascinating ancient history – mainly because so much of it is on display.
The 11th-century Romanesque Augsburg Cathedral is the religious centrepiece of the city and you can wander through and explore the interior – which is quite fascinating in its complex mix of styles and details – for free. There are some beautiful stained glass windows and the cathedral is an architectural history lesson in itself, with a number of additions and changes being made throughout the centuries.
Not far from the cathedral, the Fugger und Welser museum is the definitive guide to the history of the city’s important 16th century merchant families. Housed in a wonderful Renaissance building, the museum is right in the touristic centre of the city and entry is just €5 – cheaper than a book and you’ll get the history first hand!
Want the best views of the city but can’t stump up for a helicopter tour? Not quite as high but just as impressive are the views from the 70-metre high Perlachturm, in the Rathausplatz. You can take the narrow stairs to the top of this 10th-century watchtower to enjoy jaw dropping 360-degree views – and the cost? Just €1.50 and a light spritzing of sweat! A word of warning, though: time your visit so it doesn’t coincide with the chiming of the bells or you might leave with a lasting memory of the experience!
It’s true that the best things in life are free, and wandering down the famous Maximilianstrasse is the very best way to soak up the proud Bavarian spirit of Augsburg – and it won’t cost a penny, unless of course you’re tempted by the boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants you’ll encounter along the way. Maximilianstrasse is the site where the ancient Roman road that connected Germany and Italy was originally born, and it’s lined with beautiful Renaissance architecture and important sculptures depicting the city’s storied past. If you do nothing else, do this.
Budget Eats and Entertainment
In a city filled to the brim with penny-pinching university students you’re guaranteed a wealth of choice when it comes to cheap eats and entertainment.
While it’s often standing room only, Bayerisches Haus am Dom is one of the friendliest and best value places in the city to grab a casual bite. It serves up genuine Bavarian cuisine with a hearty main starting from only €7 in the evening and lunch specials (including their specialty doorstop sandwiches) starting at €6.50. You know you’re in Bavaria when your waitresses wear Dirndls… (Located at Johannisgasse 4. Open Mon-Sat 11am – midnight and Sunday until 11pm.)
For a fun night out that won’t break the bank, Peaches is renowned as a favourite student haunt but it’s certainly not limited to that demographic. With a diverse clientele of 18-30s, the ambience is lively and interesting and it’s an interesting hybrid of pub/club/restaurant. Set over two levels, upstairs is a more casual atmosphere with plenty of famous well-priced German beers on tap (starting at around €3.80) and a great cocktail menu, with prices starting at €5 – although if you want to lash out on their famous two litre bucket cocktail it will cost €25, not bad value if you like to share! Downstairs in the spacious basement the club atmosphere is surprisingly sophisticated. (Located right in the city centre at Maximilianstrasse 73 Peaches kicks on until 3 am every night of the week.)
As with any great destination, with a little research and some lateral thinking it’s not hard to enjoy a budget break in this exciting historical city.
How to Get to Augsburg
The most convenient airport to fly in to is Munich, which is just over an hour from Augsburg by road. If you want to take public transport for the final part of the journey you can take the S-bahn train from the airport into the centre of the city and then a local connection on to Augsburg.
The fastest way of getting directly to your accommodation in Augsburg is by booking a shared shuttle or Munich airport taxi with Shuttle Direct. Our driver will meet you at the airport and then you can sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery. The drive will take just over an hour.
If you’re hiring a car to drive yourself from Munich Airport there are a number of possible routes, but the fastest is along the A8 through Adelzhausen and Dasing.
Where to Stay:
Haunstetter Hof – Bright, cheerful, and great value for money, the Haunstetter Hof is the perfect accommodation for those visiting Bavaria on a budget. With summer dining in the lovely beer garden and a wood-burning stove in the restaurant for winter, the hotel’s excellent private facilities are matched with a warm, traditional hospitality.
Hotel Augusta – Within a short walk of the vibrant Old Town district, the Hotel Augusta‘s contemporary décor provides a perfect complement to the surrounding ambience of historical Augsburg. For those who want to socialise there’s a welcoming bar and lobby area, and the many extras like the free Internet terminal, buffet breakfast, and relaxing sauna ensure guests want for nothing.
Steigenberger Drei Mohren – Elegant, sophisticated, and with a wonderful historic ambience, the Steigenberger Drei Mohren is just a short walk from the main attractions of Augsburg. The perfect fusion of modern and traditional, the décor includes striking artworks, contemporary furnishings and a fabulous outlook over the famous Maximilianstrasse Boulevard.
