Top 15 Must-Experience Activities in Münster, Germany

A historic university city, Münster serves as the capital of Westphalia and showcases a skyline defined by the Romanesque and Gothic towers of its medieval churches. For several centuries until 1801, the city operated under the rule of a Catholic Prince-Bishopric. This governance was only briefly disrupted by an Anabaptist rebellion, which was violently subdued through a siege, resulting in the gruesome execution of its leaders whose remains were displayed in cages over the Prinzipalmarkt square.

The Old Town experienced significant destruction during the Second World War; however, its limestone Renaissance and Gothic facades were painstakingly reconstructed in the aftermath. Numerous buildings within this area are steeped in transformative historical significance, including the Historical City Hall, where the Peace of Westphalia was ratified in 1648, effectively redrawing the map of Western Europe.

Let’s delve into the prominent attractions in Münster:

1. Münster Cathedral

This city’s symbol is an impressive medieval cathedral dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

The oldest feature comprises the monumental pair of Romanesque towers that constitute the cathedral’s westwork, originating in the 1100s.

Take ample time to explore the cathedral, as there is much to see.

On the southern side of the west transept, visitors will find the “Paradise” narthex, a hall adorned with lifelike statues representing Jesus and the 12 Apostles.

Furthermore, observe the Astronomical Clock, which dates to the 1540s and is regarded as one of the finest in the German-speaking region.

Within a southern chapel in the apse lies the tomb of Clemens August Graf von Galen, who passed away in 1946 and was beatified in 2005 for his opposition to Nazi policies during the Second World War.

2. Historical City Hall

Located on the eastern side of Prinzipalmarkt, the Historical City Hall is another notable landmark of Münster and exemplifies secular Gothic architecture at its finest.

The elaborate facade demands several moments of admiration, boasting tiers of traceried windows, ogival arches, gables, and pinnacles.

This remarkable structure dates back to the late 14th century and reflects the assuredness of Münster’s citizens in their episcopal leaders.

The Peace Hall within the building is as old as the 1100s and features wooden panels intricately carved in 1577. This hall witnessed the signing of one of Europe’s most significant treaties.

In 1648, the Peace of Westphalia concluded the Thirty Years’ War and marked the emergence of the Netherlands as an independent nation after its separation from the Holy Roman Empire.

3. Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History

Situated in Domplatz, just a short stroll from the cathedral, this state museum encompasses a wealth of artistic works from the Middle Ages to contemporary times.

A substantial portion of the collection is of religious origin, including the Liesborner Altar fragment, a pinnacle of Westphalian Late Gothic artistry dating to the late 15th century.

Additionally, the museum showcases six panels from the Marienfelder Altar, that were painted in the mid-15th century for the Cistercian monastery in nearby Harsewinkel.

Another significant piece is the Family Portrait of Count Johann II von Rietberg, crafted by Hermann tom Ring in 1562. This barely scratches the surface, as the museum also features Gothic and Renaissance liturgical sculpture, Romanesque stained glass, various furniture styles, goldsmithing artifacts, and numerous artworks spanning from Lucas Cranach the Elder to Expressionists such as August Macke.

4. Prinzipalmarkt

The square surrounding the City Hall narrates Münster’s prestigious status during the Medieval and Renaissance periods.

To the west, a continuous line of gabled Renaissance houses crafted from the city’s characteristic limestone stands proudly, interspersed with arcades.

These structures were once the domicile of affluent merchants, each gable presenting a unique design—square, curved, or triangular—making them all distinct from one another.

Prinzipalmarkt is also a favored shopping destination within the city.

Located beneath the arcades are upscale retailers (with a preference for local businesses), cafes, and restaurants.

5. St. Lamberti

Exemplifying Late Gothic design, the Church of St. Lamberti, constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries, forms the northern boundary of the Prinzipalmarkt.

Attention is drawn to the tower, characterized by the intricate tracery on the spire and the unsettling iron cages positioned above the clock.

These cages, dating from the 1530s, once displayed the remains of leaders from Münster’s Anabaptist rebellion during the Reformation.

The tower also features a night watchman, a tradition that has endured for more than 630 years.

Currently, this role is undertaken by Martje Saljé, noted as the first female “watchman” in the building’s history.

Every weekday evening, except on Tuesdays, she marks the half hour and hour between 21:00 and 00:00 with a sound from a copper horn.

6. Picasso Museum

This specialized art museum houses over 800 lithographs created by Pablo Picasso, representing nearly the entire range of his printed work.

The majority of this collection was assembled by Gert Huizinga, a Münster native who established a friendship with Picasso’s former partner, Marie-Thérèse Walter.

The galleries occupy two historic structures, including the 1780s Druffel’s Hof, recognized as Münster’s preeminent example of Neoclassical architecture.

The exhibition delves into Picasso’s collaborative journey with the Paris printer Fernand Mourlot, which allowed him to revisit and refine his prints across an extended timeline.

Moreover, the museum features over 137 prints by Marc Chagall, 208 by Georges Braque, and collections of artists’ books by Matisse, Picasso, and Aristide Maillol.

7. Burg Hülshoff

Located ten kilometers from Münster’s Old Town, this charming Renaissance castle was the birthplace of poet and author Annette von Droste-Hülshoff in 1797. The site is a quintessential Westphalian “Wasserburg” (moated castle) and has been transformed into a museum accessible via an audio guided tour.

The interior offers insights into the lifestyle of Münster’s merchant nobility during the 18th century when Classicism and Romanticism were prevalent.

Included are original portraits of Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, personal artifacts, and an extensive library.

Burg Hülshoff is also celebrated for its vast and meticulously maintained park, enhanced by picturesque moats, flourishing with rhododendrons that bloom in May.

8. Aasee

Located just a ten-minute walk from Prinzipalmarkt, Aasee is a 40-hectare artificial lake that starts at the edge of the Old Town and stretches southwest over two kilometers.

The lakeshore is adorned with expansive parkland, featuring lawns, trees, and public art, frequented by cyclists, joggers, and families enjoying leisurely strolls.

Restaurants and cafes line the waterfront, and a modern complex on the north shore includes a raised terrace where pedal boats can be rented for independent exploration of the lake.

At this location, visitors will find the jetty for SOLAARIS, a solar-powered vessel that transports guests from the city center to the Allwetterzoo located on the western shore.

9. Allwetterzoo Münster

The zoo seamlessly extends from Aasee’s greenery and houses approximately 3,000 animals representing 300 different species.

The name derives from its network of covered walkways, providing shelter in all weather conditions.

Indoor attractions such as BioCity, a conservation center for turtles, a research laboratory, and an interactive exhibition on biodiversity complement the zoo’s offerings.

Allwetterzoo takes pride in offering up-close encounters with its inhabitants, notably within the skillfully designed Africaneum, where large panes allow for an intimate viewing of gorillas and other ape species.

As is characteristic of exemplary zoos, visitors will find ample green spaces for picnics along with an expansive children’s area featuring pony and donkey enclosures, playgrounds, and a petting zoo with guinea pigs, lambs, dwarf goats, and chickens.

10. Stadtmuseum Münster

Located on Salzstraße, the city museum offers a comprehensive overview of Münster’s extensive past, from its establishment at the turn of the 9th century to the present.

Across 33 “cabinets”, visitors will encounter the Prince-Bishops who governed Münster for 700 years and explore the complexities surrounding the 16th-century Münster Rebellion and the Peace of Westphalia.

The museum showcases meticulously reconstructed rooms from the 1950s, a 16th-century merchant’s house, and replicas of the cages used to display John of Leiden and other Anabaptists at St. Lamberti.

A collection of paintings by the 17th-century master Johann Bockhorst, who was close friends with Rubens and van Dyck, further enriches the museum’s offerings.

11. Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde

In the event of inclement weather, this outstanding science museum offers an excellent alternative.

The exhibitions encompass various scientific disciplines, including palaeontology, biology, geology, anthropology, physics, and astronomy, among others.

Visitors can view dinosaur fossils up close, learn about the transformations of Westphalia since the last Ice Age, explore the lifestyles of Native Americans from the Great Plains, and understand the impacts of climate change on Westphalia’s biodiversity.

Additionally, special annual exhibitions highlight specific topics such as whales, the water cycle, and bionics.

The museum’s planetarium, installed in 2010 with a “360-degree Fulldome” projection system, is acclaimed as one of the finest in Europe.

12. Muhlenhof Freilichtmuseum

The rural history of Münsterland is vividly showcased at this open-air museum, where around 30 historical structures from the region have been relocated and preserved.

The museum opened in 1961 with the introduction of a windmill from Emsland, and has since been complemented by various additional village amenities.

Features within the museum include a 19th-century chapel, a blacksmith’s forge, a rural school, an apiary, village shops, and diverse workshops demonstrating traditional crafts.

These structures have been thoughtfully furnished to reflect their historical context.

Interspersed among the buildings are medicinal and vegetable gardens, including a garden dedicated to pigments used in dyeing textiles.

13. Botanischer Garten

The botanical garden, overseen by the University of Münster, is located just west of the Old Town.

This area is distinctive as the gardens occupy the former fortress grounds, where the star-shaped outlines of the moats can still be discerned.

Establishing its role as a teaching and research center, the garden began in 1803, with its first greenhouses added in the following year.

After 200 years marked by challenges, including the Napoleonic Wars and the Second World War, the garden now boasts 8,000 plant species, 10 greenhouses, and a stunning orangery.

Between its various indoor and outdoor zones, the garden features an authentic Münsterland farm garden, an arboretum with oak and beech forests, a tropical house showcasing rainforest plants, a greenhouse housing giant Victoria lilies, a nursery, and an area dedicated to plants from Oceania.

14. Cycling

Münster boasts over half a million bicycles, effectively doubling its population! The city has actively promoted cycling by establishing three secure bicycle parking stations.

The principal station at Hauptbahnhof is the largest in Germany, offering bicycle rentals alongside maintenance and cleaning services.

Excellent cycling paths are woven throughout the city, minimizing concerns about safety gear.

Notably, the most picturesque route follows the promenade, which outlines Münster’s former defensive walls.

A comprehensive network of designated trails has been developed, allowing riders to venture into the countryside to explore castles and forests during day trips.

15. Wochenmarkt Münster

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the cobblestone expanse of Domplatz transforms into a vibrant marketplace with around 150 stalls, attracting visitors from both near and far.

Saturday tends to be particularly lively; however, on either day, one can expect to find fresh bread, fruits, vegetables, honey, cold cuts, cheese, pastries, confectioneries, seafood, oils, and spices.

Handicrafts, including wickerwork, accessories, and clothing, are also available for purchase.

For those inspired by the bountiful produce, options for freshly grilled bratwurst or regional potato fritters (Reibekuchen) are readily available.