City and country experiences, romantic picnic spots, breathtaking castles and relaxed cycle routes - Münsterland is a truly great place to live. And travelling, of course! If you are looking for a holiday destination for relaxation, but also culture and a bit of exercise, this charming region is just the place for you. Below you will find ideas for a short holiday in Münster and the surrounding area.
Münster - the "capital of Westphalia" - has a lot to offer tourists: In the city centre, for example, you will find the Prinzipalmarkt with its characteristic gabled houses and arcades, the historic town hall, St. Paul's Cathedral or the Kiepenkerl, the monument to the wandering tradesmen. Stroll through the arcades; the top address for all shopping fans. The Promenade, Münster's 4.5 km long "green belt", runs around the Old Town and is ideal for jogging, cycling and walking. You can also discover other exciting districts such as the harbour or relax on the shores of Lake Aa with a picnic. As you can see, 72 hours in Münster are more than easy to fill.
The best way to explore Münsterland is by bike. So grab your bike and take a day tour on the "queen of cycle paths", the 100 castles route. Your tour could look like this: For example, the starting point could be Vischering Castle in Lüdinghausen. After a tour of the estate, you can take a leisurely stroll to Lüdinghausen Castle. It is only a stone's throw away. A little further on is the Lüdinghausen Tourist Information Centre, where you can rent bicycles (€10 p/day) or e-bikes (€25 p/day). Of course, you can also use your own bike. Let's go!
This 60 km round tour connects three of the most beautiful buildings in the region in one day: the romantic Westerwinkel Castle, the "Westphalian Versailles" Nordkirchen Castle and the fairytale-like Vischering Castle - together they are a unique experience. Small villages and idyllic landscapes accompany you on your journey and take you away from everyday life into a little fairytale.
You could then spend your evening back in Münster. Here you will find a wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes. The restaurants "Feldmann" and "Kleiner Kiepenkerl" are among the absolute visitor magnets in the city centre.
This grandiose castle immediately makes you feel like you've stepped back in time, and you think of knights coming to meet you. The main building sits enthroned behind the outer castle and looms imposingly. Today it is a cultural centre for the region and a museum.
Gastro tip: Drop by the "Café Reitstall" in the old riding stables of Vischering Castle. They offer a selection of lunch dishes and cakes, and on Saturdays and Sundays fresh bread is baked in the old oven
The building house and the south wing with chapter house and a so-called mother-child wooden ceiling have been preserved to this day. On the south wing in the inner courtyard, the castle has richly decorated window pediments and a magnificent coat of arms panel. The food prices carved in stone from 1573/74 are also still clearly visible. The tower and the west wing were only built in the 19th century.
Westerwinkel Castle is one of the earliest baroque castles in Westphalia and was built in the middle of an English garden. The entire complex extends over two rectangular islands, the buildings are on the eastern island, the garden is on the western island. The different perspectives of the castle are very striking when walking around the historic complex.
Take your time, enjoy the princely feeling, stroll through the park and perhaps even visit the castle.
The completely preserved baroque complex is situated on an island surrounded by quadrangular moats in the middle of a large park, which, like the castle, was laid out according to the French model. The best way to explore the castle is to take a walk through the extensive park. It offers excellent photo opportunities from many sides.
Tip: Before continuing, you can recharge your e-bike nearby.
Want to experience even more good things in Münsterland? There are plenty of suggestions for further cycling tours! For those who prefer shorter routes, the following 34 km long and varied route is ideal. Here you cycle in the footsteps of great history: Hülshoff Castle (the birthplace of Annette von Droste Hülshoff) and Rüschhaus House invite you to gain an insight into the aristocratic life of the poetess.
You start at Münster Castle and can take a look at the botanical garden or go for a nice walk. But now it's really time to get on your bikes: out of the city and into nature. Wide fields and forests accompany you along the way as far as the eye can see. Enjoy the Münsterland park landscape and leave everyday life behind you. The first stop is Hülshoff Castle.
Tip: The restaurant in the castle's vaulted cellar offers an "Original Hülshoff Picnic Basket" filled with Münsterland specialities and complete picnic equipment - pick up a basket and enjoy the delicacies on the green meadows around Hülshoff Castle. With a view of the castle and the extensive parkland, you can recover from your tour and fortify yourself for the onward journey.
On you go. The scenic route takes you past the old walls of Haus Vögeding, a privately owned former four-tower moated castle. The farmhouse, which has been preserved to this day, and part of the moat give an idea of the magnificent estate that must have been in the neighbourhood in Annette's day.
If you continue cycling, you will discover the next highlight of your circular tour in the middle of the woods: Haus Rüschhaus. Annette von Droste-Hülshoff lived here - only about five kilometres from her birthplace - after the death of her father, together with her mother and her sister Jenny. She retreated here to write, and her works include "Die Judenbuche" (The Jewish Book). Don't miss the idyllic baroque garden nestling at the back of the house during your stopover. The boxwood-lined paths are a wonderful place to stroll and relax. From here you can return to Münster.
You'll find countless accommodation options in Münster. Would you like the complete castle experience? Then we recommend Hotel Schloss Wilkinghege. The hotel is only 4.5 km from the city centre and 6 km from the main railway station. The hotel is easy to reach by bus.
>> to the accommodation in Münster
The Deckenbrock family has been running the traditional restaurant Kleiner Kiepenkerl for four generations. The half-timbered house near Prinzipalmarkt is not only one of the city's most popular photo motifs, but also the preferred destination for connoisseurs of Westphalian cuisine.
Travelling by train:
Münster can be reached by train from all major cities. Regular ICE and IC connections link Münster with the largest German cities. The Münster bus station and bicycle station are located directly in front of the station.
Arriving by car:
You can reach Münster by car via the A 1 (Cologne-Hamburg) and A 43 (Wuppertal-Münster) motorways. There are several P+R car parks on the outskirts of the city. In the city centre, a parking guidance system will direct you to the various multi-storey car parks and car parks.
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