The city of Münster has a lot to offer culturally: be it the changing architecture with late Baroque influences, the many museums, cultural events, sculptures and the theatre or the historical sites. If you wander through Münster, 1,200 years of history will come alive for you. But you will also be spoilt for culinary delights in this lovely university city.
Experiencing a place with all its facets - that's the best thing about travelling. The best opportunity to get to know Münster and its inhabitants is at the weekly market.
In the magnificent old town, directly on the cathedral square at the foot of St. Paul's Cathedral, more than 150 market traders come together every week - and have done so for centuries. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, a lavish selection attracts streams of visitors. Here you can find fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, spices, oils, flowers and much more. The market square is also a meeting place for the whole neighbourhood and guests. This hustle and bustle creates a unique atmosphere that you probably won't find in a supermarket.
A little away from the hustle and bustle, you can treat yourself to a delicious breakfast at the "Wolle & Moritz" stand. In good weather, you can even enjoy your butter croissant and cappuccino outside and let the sun shine on you.
Well fortified, you can take a leisurely walk towards Münster's historic town hall, where the Peace Hall awaits you. From Tuesday to Sunday, you can visit the hall for an entrance fee of 2 euros. Guided tours are only available as part of a city tour. Here are a few interesting facts in advance:
At the end of the Thirty Years' War, Münster was at the centre of world history. For five years, peace was fought over in complicated negotiations. It was here that the Spanish-Dutch Peace was finally solemnly proclaimed in 1648. This in turn was part of the Peace of Westphalia.
To commemorate this important event, the café in the Stadthaus bears the year as its name. It is only a few minutes' walk from the Peace Hall. At "1648" you can have lunch or just a coffee break with delicious cake. Enjoy the magnificent 360° panoramic view of the city. In addition to regional dishes, the 1648 also focuses on bringing people together. The café is an inclusive business where people with and without disabilities work together.
The imposing baroque buildings are impossible to miss in Münster: There is, among others, the hexagonal Clemens Church and the Erbdrostenhof, designed by the famous master builder Johann Conrad Schlaun. The Dominican Church was designed by the architect Lambert Friedrich Corfey. During a walk through the city centre you can visit all three buildings directly one after the other; they are only a few minutes' walk apart. That is why they are called the "baroque island" in Münster.
The Clemens Church was built in the middle of the 18th century and is particularly impressive with its play of colours and shapes inside. The most impressive features here are the sweeping ceiling paintings and the large columns that enclose the main altar. Let this sight work its magic on you before you go to the next building. The Erbdrostenhof is rightly one of the most popular photo motifs in the city. The building was destroyed during the Second World War, but from 1953 to 1970 the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe reconstructed it according to old plans - a good decision! Continue on to the Dominican Church, where the "Gerhard Richter Pendulum" awaits you. The centrepiece of this work of art is a Foucault pendulum with a 48-kilogram metal ball that swings back and forth in the centre of the building.
Round off your day with a cosy dinner at Mimigernaford. The inn in the centre of Münster stands for cordiality and Westphalian specialities made from regional products in a stylish but also cosy ambience. A little fun fact: Mimigernaford was the name of a Saxon settlement from the 8th century, the nucleus of today's city.
Can't get enough of Münsterland? Then stay a day longer and explore the surroundings of the city of Münster! One tip is the imposing castle complex of Hülshoff Castle; probably one of the most popular destinations in Münsterland. Picturesquely surrounded by expanses of water, the castle is a magnificent sight. Wonderful sunbathing lawns next to the house invite you to picnic and linger. But the castle offers more than just something for the eye - rhododendron bushes and hydrangeas spread a pleasant fragrance while picnicking.
For a long time, this beautiful estate was home to the poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. The so-called Lyrikweg (Poetry Trail ) connects Hülshoff Castle with the writer's second place of residence: Haus Rüschhaus near Münster. The trail is a barrier-free outdoor museum. You walk 7 kilometres along the historical tracks and learn more about the changes in the landscape and the themes that preoccupied Annette von Droste-Hülshoff.
Münster Central StationMünster's new main station is your gateway to the city. The lively university city can be reached quickly and easily from all directions by ICE, IC and regional trains. The centre of Münster is only a few minutes' walk away. The city's large bicycle station is located at the station. Here you can rent a bike and conquer the city together with countless other cyclists - real Münster flair.
If you do want to take a longer route, you can rely on Münster's well-developed bus system. The ring lines 33 and 34 go around the old town clockwise and anticlockwise and bring most of the sights close to you.
You want to get to know Münster in a quiet and relaxed way? Then take some time and stay at the city's first climate hotel. The Hotel vom Guten Hirten was certified by Viabono in March 2022 and promises 100% CO2 neutrality through savings and compensation.
By the way: The hotel on the eastern edge of the city centre has been run as an integration business for more than 10 years and is completely barrier-free.
