Gabled houses and arcades shape Prinzipalmarkt, Münster’s historic economic and political centre. From here, many attractions are within easy walking distance. At the same time, the city is about more than its Old Town: art is all around you—in museums, at the theatre and in the cityscape; Lake Aasee also offers a large recreational area nearby.
History in the city centre
The restored Old Town brings together houses, churches and squares that tell stories spanning several centuries. The distinctive gables and arcades along Prinzipalmarkt give the cityscape its own architectural character. The Town Hall is also closely connected with Münster’s history: on 15 April 2015, it was awarded the European Heritage Label as a “Site of the Peace of Westphalia”.
St Paul’s Cathedral is the largest church in Westphalia. Inside is an astronomical clock that is almost 500 years old. These two features offer different points of interest: the cathedral stands out as a remarkable building, while the clock reveals a specific historical detail within it. Anyone interested in Münster’s past will find both a landmark and an object with a long history.
Art in museums, theatre and the Stadthafen
More than 30 museums invite you to explore Münster. The Kunstmuseum Pablo Picasso Münster holds a special place: it is Germany’s only Picasso museum and houses the world’s largest collection of Pablo Picasso lithographs. The LWL Museum of Art and Culture presents 1,000 years of art, from the early Middle Ages to the present day. Since 2004, Kunsthalle Münster has occupied the top floor of Speicher II, a historic industrial building in the Stadthafen. These art venues span the work of an individual artist, a broad period of art history and a former industrial building.
Theater Münster also brings different art forms together under one roof: music theatre, drama, children’s and youth theatre, dance theatre and the symphony orchestra. Together with the museums, it makes for a varied cultural offering that lets you shape your stay around your own interests.
Promenade, Lake Aasee and outdoor art
The Promenade is a car-free avenue lined with two rows of lime trees, as well as an important route for people on foot, by bike or on inline skates. At Lake Aasee, Münster’s most central recreational area, scenic paths are ideal for walking, cycling and inline skating. Boat hire, a sailing school and two sailing clubs also offer ways to explore the lake from the water.
Numerous sculptures around Lake Aasee were created by internationally renowned artists specifically for four major sculpture exhibitions held between 1977 and 2007. Many of the works on display there continue to shape the cityscape today. Skulptur Projekte Münster has been held every ten years since 1977, so art here can be discovered not only in exhibition spaces but also in public places.
Discover cycling routes and sculptures
There are several different options for exploring on two wheels. A series of cycling routes in and around Münster covers about 121 kilometres in total; all routes start and finish at the bike station at the main railway station. The Skulpt(o)ur cycling route runs through Münster and the surrounding area for about 42 kilometres in total. Six routes ranging from two to 14 kilometres lead to a total of 64 sculptures. These distances provide a practical guide when choosing whether to take a single, shorter loop or explore several sections. Check the route details before setting off.
Westphalian specialities and getting here
Münster’s culinary offerings include Töttchen, pumpernickel and Westphalian bone-in ham. Culinary city tours offer a way to discover Münster through its food culture, too. A cheese-and-beer pairing combines five selected cheeses with a variety of Finne craft beers. As dates and availability may vary, it is best to check these details before your trip.
The main railway station is in the heart of the city and offers IC, EC and ICE connections. From the Old Town and art to public sculptures, Lake Aasee and regional cuisine, Münster offers a range of experiences to explore according to your interests.
Discover more destinations: Münster, Paderborn, Minden-Lübbecke, Kleve, Rhein-Sieg-Kreis, Rhein-Erft-Kreis, Hochsauerlandkreis, Viersen.
Go to the overview of destinations: North Rhine-Westphalia.
