Passau Cathedral, officially the Hoher Dom St Stephan (High Cathedral of St Stephen), is a Baroque cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of Passau. It is located at Domplatz in the old town of Passau, Bavaria, at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. This guide covers opening hours, organ concert tickets, transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026. All opening hours and concert prices have been verified against the official Bistum Passau website. Entry to the cathedral is free. The Passau Domorgel (cathedral organ) – the world’s largest Catholic church organ – is currently undergoing a major historic restoration, which is expected to continue until 2028. Concert scaffolding is visible in parts of the interior during this period. Daily midday organ concerts continue to run throughout the restoration; the organ’s sound is unaffected.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours (May–Oct) | Daily, 6:30am–7pm |
| Opening hours (Nov–Apr) | Daily, 6:30am–6pm |
| Sightseeing restriction (concert season) | Cathedral closed to visitors 10:45am–12:30pm (2 May–31 Oct) |
| Entry | Free |
| Midday organ concert – adult | €6.00 |
| Midday organ concert – reduced | €3.00 (students, severely disabled with ID) |
| Evening organ concert – adult | €12.00 |
| Evening organ concert – reduced | €6.00 |
| Address | Domplatz, 94032 Passau, Germany |
| Nearest train station | Passau Hauptbahnhof (~15-minute walk) |
| Typical visit length | 1–1.5 hours (cathedral only); 2 hours with organ concert |
Passau Cathedral opening hours
Passau Cathedral is open every day from 6:30am to 7pm in summer (May to October) and 6:30am to 6pm in winter (November to April). There are no days on which the cathedral is fully closed.
During the organ concert season (2 May to 31 October), the cathedral is closed to sightseers between 10:45am and 12:30pm each day to prepare for the midday concert. Visitors wishing to attend the concert are admitted separately from 11:20am via the Dominnenhof (inner courtyard). Visitors who wish to see the interior without attending a concert should plan to arrive before 10:45am or after 12:30pm.
Mass takes place daily. Sunday masses are at 7:30am, 9:30am (Kapitelamt/Hochamt), and 11:30am. Weekday mass is at 7:30am, held in the Andreaskapelle in the Dominnenhof (Tuesdays and Thursdays: in the main cathedral).
Passau Cathedral ticket prices – organ concerts
Entry to Passau Cathedral itself is free. A ticket is required only to attend the organ concerts, which are the building’s primary visitor attraction.
Midday organ concerts run Monday to Saturday (not Sundays or public holidays) from 2 May to 31 October at 12:00pm. Duration: approximately 30 minutes.
| Concert ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Midday concert – adult | €6.00 |
| Midday concert – reduced (students, severely disabled with ID) | €3.00 |
| Evening concert – adult | €12.00 |
| Evening concert – reduced | €6.00 |
Tickets for midday concerts are purchased at the ticket office in the Dominnenhof (inner courtyard). Admission to the cathedral for the concert is from 11:20am. There are no group discounts and seat reservations are not possible.
Thursday evening concerts (Geistliche Abendkonzerte) also run from 2 May to 31 October, approximately once per month on Thursdays (not public holidays). Ticket sales open at 6:30pm at the Dominnenhof ticket office; admission to the cathedral is from 6:45pm; concerts start at 7:30pm and end at approximately 8:30pm.
There are no online booking options for organ concerts; all tickets are purchased in person at the ticket office. Tickets are generally available even shortly before performance time, but arriving early is advisable in peak summer months.
Passau Cathedral is not included in any city pass scheme.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official Bistum Passau website and last updated in May 2026.
How to get to Passau Cathedral
Passau is approximately 2 hours by train from Munich Hauptbahnhof on direct services to Passau Hauptbahnhof. The cathedral is in the old town, approximately a 15-minute walk from the station through the pedestrianised Altstadt. The route is straightforward: follow the main street downhill towards the Danube and the cathedral towers are visible from much of the old town.
By car, Passau is reached via the A3 motorway (Munich–Passau–Vienna corridor). The old town is largely pedestrianised and has restricted vehicle access; park at one of the signposted car parks on the edge of the old town and walk. The Römerplatz and Rathausplatz car parks are the nearest to the cathedral.
Passau is also a major port of call for Danube river cruises. The cathedral is approximately a 10-minute walk from the main cruise ship pier at Luitpoldbrücke.
Parking near Passau Cathedral
Parking in Passau’s old town is restricted. Several car parks are located within 10 to 15 minutes’ walk of the cathedral, including Römerplatz car park and Rathausplatz car park. Follow the brown tourist signs into the city and P-signs for the nearest facilities. During peak summer months, when cruise ships are docked, parking can be heavily in demand; arriving early in the morning or using public transport from Munich is the more practical approach.
How long to spend at Passau Cathedral
Most visitors allow one to one and a half hours to view the interior at their own pace. Adding the midday organ concert (approximately 30 minutes) brings the total to around two hours. Those wishing to see the interior before the concert, attend the concert, and then explore the old town should allow a half-day for this section of Passau.
Be aware of the sightseeing closure between 10:45am and 12:30pm during the concert season. Visitors arriving at 10:30am will have only 15 minutes inside before the closure. Planning to arrive before 9am or after 12:30pm avoids this restriction.
Accessibility at Passau Cathedral
Passau Cathedral is a large historic building with a mainly level interior floor. The nave and side aisles are accessible at ground level. Some subsidiary chapels and areas may involve steps. The cathedral does not publish a formal accessibility statement; visitors with specific mobility requirements are encouraged to contact the Bistum Passau on +49 851 393 0 or [email protected] before visiting.
The Museum am Dom in the adjacent Neue Residenz (Residenzplatz 8) has its own accessibility information; contact the museum directly for details.
Inside Passau Cathedral – what to see
The Passauer Domorgel (cathedral organ) is the largest Catholic church organ in the world, with 17,974 pipes and 233 stops spread across five linked instruments played from a single main console. The organ was originally built in 1928 and has been expanded and rebuilt several times. A major historic restoration began in 2020 and is ongoing until 2028; some scaffolding is visible inside the cathedral during this period. The organ’s full sound continues to be available for concerts throughout the restoration.
The Baroque interior was designed and built by Italian architect Carlo Lurago between 1668 and 1693, following the catastrophic city fire of 1662 that destroyed most of the previous structure. The interior features elaborate stucco work by Carpoforo Tencalla, ceiling frescoes throughout the nave and transept, white marble altars, and a richly decorated pulpit.
The exterior retains the late-Gothic east tower (choir), the oldest visible element of the building and the only part to survive the 1662 fire intact. The distinctive white stucco-finished towers with blue-green copper domes were completed as part of the Baroque rebuild.
The Dominnenhof (inner courtyard) connects the cathedral to the Andreaskapelle and serves as the access point for concert ticket sales and for the Andreas Chapel services. It is a quiet, shaded courtyard between the cathedral’s south side and the adjoining bishop’s buildings.
The Museum am Dom is housed in the prunkvollen Räumen (state rooms) of the adjacent Neue Residenz on Residenzplatz. It displays ecclesiastical art, episcopal treasures, and objects from the long history of the Diocese of Passau.
Organ concerts are the standout experience. The midday concert (30 minutes, Monday–Saturday) demonstrates the full range of the organ using works from multiple centuries. The cathedral’s acoustics and the scale of the instrument make this a distinctive listening experience regardless of familiarity with classical music. Arrive at 11:20am when the doors open to choose your seat; the best acoustics are generally found towards the centre of the nave, away from the back wall.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plan around the midday closure | From 2 May to 31 October, the cathedral is closed to sightseers between 10:45am and 12:30pm. Arriving before 10:30am gives time to see the interior; arriving from 11:20am means attending the concert. Arriving at 11am means a 30-minute wait outside. |
| Buy concert tickets in the Dominnenhof, not inside the cathedral | The ticket office for both midday and evening concerts is in the Dominnenhof (inner courtyard on the south side), not at the main west door. Follow signs from Domplatz. |
| Scaffolding is present inside the cathedral until 2028 | The major organ restoration involves internal scaffolding in some areas of the nave. This affects photographs and partially obscures certain views of the organ loft. The scaffolding is expected to be completed around 2028. |
| No seat reservations are possible for any concert | There is no booking system for organ concerts. Seats are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. During peak summer months, arriving at the Dominnenhof ticket office promptly when it opens (midday: 11:20am; evening: 6:30pm) is advisable. |
| Visit before 9am for the quietest cathedral experience | River cruise ships typically arrive at Passau from mid-morning. The period between 6:30am and 9am is the quietest time to view the interior without tour groups. The contrast in atmosphere is significant during July and August. |
Frequently asked questions about Passau Cathedral
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Passau Cathedral really have the world’s largest organ? | Yes. The Passauer Domorgel has 17,974 pipes and 233 stops, making it the largest Catholic church organ in the world. It is currently undergoing a major restoration expected to complete around 2028. |
| Do you need to book organ concert tickets in advance? | No. All tickets are purchased on the day at the Dominnenhof ticket office (opens 11:20am for midday concerts, 6:30pm for evening concerts). Advance online booking is not available. |
| Is Passau Cathedral open on Sundays? | Yes, every day from 6:30am. On Sundays, masses run at 7:30am, 9:30am, and 11:30am. There are no organ concerts on Sundays. |
| Can you visit the cathedral without attending an organ concert? | Yes. Entry to the cathedral is always free. The organ concert ticket is only required if you wish to attend the 30-minute performance. |
| How far is Passau Cathedral from the train station? | Approximately 15 minutes on foot through the old town. The route is straightforward and largely flat. |
Things to do near Passau Cathedral
Dreiflüsseeck (Three Rivers Confluence) – The point where the green Inn, the dark Ilz, and the blue-grey Danube meet, visible from the tip of the old town peninsula and from the Veste Oberhaus fortress above. Free to view; best seen from the lower promenade or from the fortress.
Veste Oberhaus – A medieval fortress above the city on the north bank of the Danube, housing the Oberhausmuseum with exhibits on Passau’s history and panoramic views over the three rivers. Accessible by foot via a steep path or by shuttle bus. Paid entry.
Glasmuseum Passau – The world’s largest collection of Bohemian glass, housed in the historic Hotel Wilder Mann on Rathausplatz, with over 30,000 pieces spanning four centuries. Paid entry; a 5-minute walk from the cathedral.
Museum am Dom – The diocesan museum in the adjacent Neue Residenz, Residenzplatz 8, displaying ecclesiastical art from the long history of the Diocese of Passau. Paid entry; immediately adjacent to the cathedral.
Altes Rathaus – Passau’s Gothic and neo-Gothic town hall on Rathausplatz, with two historical halls (Großer Rathaussaal and Kleiner Rathaussaal) painted with Passau’s history. Paid entry; 5 minutes’ walk from the cathedral.
What to visit tomorrow – more cathedrals within two hours
Regensburg Cathedral (Dom St Peter) – Bavaria’s only pure Gothic cathedral, approximately 1 hour by train north of Passau. Contains the largest preserved collection of medieval stained glass in the German-speaking world.
Frauenkirche Munich (Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau) – Munich’s twin-towered Gothic landmark, approximately 2 hours by train. The south tower is open for panoramic views; cathedral entry is free.
Linz Cathedral (Mariendom) – The largest church in Austria, a neo-Gothic cathedral in Linz approximately 1 hour west of Passau by train. The stained glass windows, designed by Vinzenz Statz, cover a total area of 2,000 square metres.
St Florian Abbey – A Baroque Augustinian abbey 15 kilometres south-east of Linz (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Passau), containing one of the finest Baroque libraries in Austria and the Great Organ played by Anton Bruckner. Guided tours available.
Salzburg Cathedral (Salzburger Dom) – A Baroque cathedral in Salzburg‘s UNESCO World Heritage old town, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Passau by car or regional train. The baptismal font in which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptised is preserved inside.
More Bavaria travel
Other Bavaria travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How to get into Neuschwanstein Castle when the tickets have sold out.
- Bavarian castle guides: Trausnitz Castle and Burghausen Castle.
- Plan your visit to Bamberg Cathedral in Bavaria.
- Why it’s worth visiting the Museum Brandhorst in Munich.
- Complete guide to the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich.
