In the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), the attractions offer a range of experiences: the Emsland Museum focuses on the city’s and region’s history, the Kunsthalle presents contemporary art, and the Linus leisure pool offers swimming and sauna facilities. Historic sites such as the Powder Tower add to the picture of the city. In the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), you can tailor your cultural, historical and leisure activities to your own interests.
City History and Culture
The Emsland Museum Lingen is a regional museum dedicated to the history and culture of the city of Lingen and the southern Emsland region. Its permanent exhibition covers the area from the Middle Ages through to the Second World War. Its historical scope therefore extends well beyond a single chapter of the city’s history.
The Powder Tower is the last surviving remnant of the Lingen fortress, which was demolished in the 17th century. The Historic Town Hall on the market square occupies a prominent place in the cityscape and documents the civic pride of past centuries. If you would like to visit the Powder Tower, check current visiting arrangements in advance.
One recurring event is the Kivelingsfest: in Lingen, it is celebrated every three years at Whitsun as a major medieval festival. The next edition is scheduled for Whitsun 2027. Its regular schedule and connection with Whitsun can help you plan when to visit; the festival itself is not a year-round event.
Art and Exhibitions
The Kunsthalle Lingen presents contemporary art in changing exhibitions featuring international, national and regional artists. The Art and Culture Villa has a different focus: renovation of the listed building began in 2021, and it opened in July 2024. As an exhibition venue, it houses important historical and cultural collections belonging to the city of Lingen.
In the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), the Kunsthalle also preserves, looks after and presents part of Harry Kramer’s estate. The artist was born in Lingen in 1925 and took part in documenta III in Kassel in 1964. The Kunsthalle thus combines changing exhibitions with a connection to the history of an individual artist.
More Cultural Highlights in Lingen (Ems)
In the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), the Emsland Museum displays the throne treasure of the Lingen Kivelinge, including royal chains dating back five centuries. In the former coach house of Palais Danckelmann, the museum focuses on Emsland architecture and domestic culture. The half-timbered house, built in 1728, contains, among other things, a typical sleeping room with an original Butze, or bed cupboard, a Baroque room, an 18th-century bourgeois room and a living room from the Biedermeier period.
The Art and Culture Villa in Lingen (Ems) also displays a range of collections, including paintings from the municipal art collection, books from the Georgianum Baroque library, old photographs, a work of art by Harry Kramer and historic toys from the former Adelmann shop. Alongside the exhibitions, these specific details provide a tangible connection to regional cultural history through the collections.
Leisure, Events and Tours
In the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), the Linus Lingen leisure pool has more than 1,000 square metres of water surface. Attractions at the Linus leisure pool in the parent destination of Lingen (Ems) include the Brodelberg, a current channel and a Black Hole slide more than 100 metres long. The sauna area at the Linus Lingen leisure pool in the parent destination of Lingen (Ems) covers 6,000 square metres across two levels and includes indoor and outdoor saunas at different temperatures. In the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), swimming facilities and a sauna area offer options to suit different leisure preferences.
In the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), the EmslandArena hosts concerts, sporting events, shows, comedy and trade fairs. The municipal theatre at Wilhelmshöhe in the parent destination of Lingen (Ems) has been located in Wilhelmshöhe Cultural Park since 1977. The venues mentioned in the parent destination of Lingen (Ems) host a range of formats; check specific dates separately when planning your trip.
Dozens of signposted cycling tours start in Lingen, end there or pass by the city. When choosing a route, it makes a difference whether Lingen is the starting point, the destination or a place along the way. In the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), the Tourist Information Office at Neue Straße 3a is the starting point for the cycling tours described here.
In the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), the Emsland Museum’s city game offers children aged eight and over a trail of clues using secret codes: once deciphered, the clues reveal the next destination in Lingen’s city centre. The 2026 Lingen City Experience programme in the parent destination of Lingen (Ems) also includes a Kids Safari, where children can explore Lingen’s city centre on their own. Both activities in the parent destination of Lingen (Ems) take children through the city, but differ in whether the focus is on solving a puzzle or exploring independently.
In the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), Lingen Wirtschaft + Tourismus GmbH offers a wide range of guided city tours that provide insights into Lingen’s history. For the 2026 city tour programme in the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), tickets are available at the Tourist Information Office, Neue Str. 3a, 49808 Lingen. Before making plans in the parent destination of Lingen (Ems), check the latest tour dates and ticket information.
Discover more destinations: Freren, Holthausen, Rhede, Lähden, Dörpen, Werlte, Geeste, Lünne.
Return to the parent travel overview: Emsland.
