- Speyer is one of the oldest cities in Germany, dating back to a Roman settlement founded around 10 BC under the name Noviomagus.
- The city was the site of the 1529 Diet of Speyer, where the protest of six princes and fourteen imperial cities against the Edict of Worms gave rise to the term 'Protestant'.
- Speyer historically held the status of a Free Imperial City within the Holy Roman Empire, granting it direct subordination to the Emperor.
- The Speyerer Dom remains the largest Romanesque church in the world, having successfully survived multiple wars and reconstruction efforts since the 11th century.
- The city is part of the 'SchUM' sites, a trio of Jewish heritage locations in Speyer, Worms, and Mainz that represent the unique culture of Ashkenazi Jewry.
About Speyer
Speyer is a historic city on the Upper Rhine in Rhineland-Palatinate, most famous for its Romanesque cathedral, the Speyerer Dom, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the final resting place of medieval Holy Roman Emperors. The city serves as a significant hub for European cultural history, evidenced by the extensive collections at the Historical Museum of the Palatinate and the Jewish heritage preserved at the Museum SchPIRA. Visitors can transition from ancient history to modern engineering at the expansive Technik Museum Speyer. Its location near the river allows for diverse outdoor recreation at sites like the Binsfeldsee.
Highlights of Speyer
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Temples
Walk through the massive Romanesque nave that has served as the burial site for eight Holy Roman Emperors and German kings.
Museums
Explore a massive collection of vintage aircraft, locomotives, and space technology, including a retired Russian Buran space shuttle.
Museums
View the Golden Hat of Schifferstadt, a unique Bronze Age ritual object housed within this comprehensive regional history museum.
Museums
Visit the subterranean medieval mikveh, a ritual bath that is among the best-preserved examples of Jewish architectural history in Europe.
Natural attractions
Access a series of connected gravel pits featuring clear water that serves as the primary recreational swimming spot for the local community.
Parks
Relax in this tranquil green space which contains a memorial dedicated to Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Museums
Tour the preserved home and studio of the expressionist painter Hans Purrmann to see his personal collection and living space.
Top things to do in Speyer
The 52 highest-rated places in Speyer, ranked by travellers.
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Museums
Technik Museum Speyer is a large-scale technology museum housing an extensive collection of historic aircraft, locomotiv...
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Temples
The Speyerer Dom, officially the Imperial Cathedral of Speyer, is the largest remaining Romanesque church in the world....
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Museums
The Historical Museum of the Palatinate (Historisches Museum der Pfalz) in Speyer is one of the most important regional...
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Museums
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Zoos
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Speyer on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Speyer
May through September, as the mild climate is ideal for exploring the city's pedestrian-friendly historic center and enjoying local lake areas like Kollersee.
2-3 days to fully explore the UNESCO-listed sites, technical museums, and riverside leisure areas.
The historic center is highly walkable, with public bus lines connecting outer districts and regional train services available at the Speyer Hauptbahnhof.
Stay in the Altstadt (Old Town) to remain within walking distance of the cathedral and major museums.
Mid-range; accommodation and dining prices are consistent with German mid-sized regional centers.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 52 curated attractions in and around Speyer, ranked by traveller ratings.
Technik Museum Speyer is the highest-rated place to visit in Speyer right now.
The largest category is places of interest, with 13 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Berlin, Munich, Hamburg.
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