It is bounded by (from the south and clockwise) the districts of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, Donau-Ries, Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen, Roth, Neumarkt, Kelheim and Pfaffenhofen, and by the city of Ingolstadt.

Today the Eichstätt district has powerful economic structures.

The district is located in the southern part of the Frankish Alb.

80% of the district are situated in the Altmühltal Nature Park.

In the southeast the Danube forms a short part of the border.