Cham: City History, Technology and Routes Along the Regen

Cham can be explored through a wide range of interests: historic buildings, exhibitions, a hands-on technology attraction, routes along the Regen and a leisure pool. When choosing a hotel, it may help to first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay. Culture enthusiasts will find points of interest at the Cordonhaus, the SPUR Museum and in the old town; if you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can include the Meranweg or the Chambtal Cycle Route in your plans.

Historic Buildings and Exhibitions

The Cordonhaus is a sturdy, two-storey building dating from the 16th century. Its courtyard features an arcade and covered walkway unique to Cham. The second floor houses an exhibition on the prehistory and early history of Cham and its immediate surroundings. Distribution and archaeological find maps, soil finds, original artifacts, reproductions and explanatory texts explore traces of the first human passage through and settlement of the Cham-Furth Basin. On the ground floor, the event hall hosts readings, lectures, theatre, exhibitions and workshops.

The SPUR Museum is housed in a late Gothic former poorhouse whose history dates back to the 16th century. Since 1991, it has exhibited paintings, sculptures and works on paper by the SPUR group from 1957 to 1965. The museum also presents the group’s work and activities, as well as its regional ties to the Upper Palatinate and Cham. A permanent exhibition is dedicated to the 1959 anti-war film “The Bridge” and is complemented by previously unseen photographs from the filming.

The Biertor is the only one of the city’s four gates still standing. It was formerly called the Burgtor and probably dates from the 14th century. The “Discover Cham” guided tour takes visitors through the old town. Topics explained along the way include the market square fountain and the Biertor, as well as the Marseillaise, which rings out from the town hall every day at 12:05 p.m. Check the current tour dates before planning your visit.

City Tours, Technology and Leisure

The “Chamer Anno Dazu Mahl” combines a guided tour of three historic inns with stories from old Cham and a three-course meal served in the inns’ dining rooms. For current dates, the city refers visitors to its cultural program. This makes it distinct from a classic city tour: the focus here is on historic inns, food and stories.

The rooms in the Broadcasting Museum are arranged by historical period. They showcase the development of broadcasting and television technology, audio and video recording, telecommunications and electroacoustics. At the Physics and Technology Experience World, visitors can explore and learn the fundamentals of electrical physics and electrical engineering at more than 100 hands-on stations. The museum and its interactive stations thus offer different ways to engage with technology: the exhibition organizes developments by subject and period, while the stations invite visitors to try things out for themselves.

Cham Leisure Pool combines several water attractions: these include a fun wave pool, a 50-metre sports pool, a diving pool with a 5-metre platform, a warm-water pool, a funnel slide and a wide-wave slide. Younger visitors can enjoy a children’s paddling pool with mini slides and a large play area; beach volleyball and table tennis are also available. The pool also has a river swimming area in the Regen, with a bathing jetty for easy entry and exit. Check the latest information on opening hours and visitor requirements before your visit.

Routes Along the Regen and Cycling

The Meranweg runs along the Regen and leads to the “Maria Hilf” monastery church. Cyclists looking for a tour can take a different route: the Chambtal Cycle Route starts in Cham and runs via Arnschwang, Furth im Wald and Eschlkam to the border crossing into Bohemia. The route is almost entirely flat and traffic-free, following mostly paved cycle paths. The section to Furth im Wald forms part of the Munich–Regensburg–Pilsen–Prague long-distance cycle route.

At the cycle-route hub in the district town of Cham, there is a cycling information pavilion, lockable bike boxes, overview boards showing route details for onward tours, and public transport timetables. This provides practical guidance for planning a cycling stage; the information combines a route overview with details about public transport.

Choose Cham to Suit Your Travel Plans

If you want to focus your stay on city history and exhibitions, the Cordonhaus, SPUR Museum and Biertor offer different historical points of interest. For outdoor activities, the route along the Regen and the cycle route towards Bohemia take centre stage; Cham Leisure Pool adds a range of water and sports options.

Discover more destinations: Wald, Arnschwang, Arrach, Eschlkam, Falkenstein, Gleißenberg, Neukirchen Heiligblut, Stamsried, Zandt, Rötz, Schönthal, Waldmünchen, Furth Im Wald, Lam, Bad Kötzting, Blaibach, Grafenwiesen, Weiding, Walderbach, Roding, Rimbach, Hohenwarth, Cham, Lohberg, Treffelstein, Runding, Traitsching, Miltach, Schorndorf, Michelsneukirchen, Tiefenbach, Chamerau, Waffenbrunn, Zell, Rettenbach.

For the overview of the wider region: Bavaria.