Discover Bonn

The Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig is one of the most important natural history museums in Germany. Its mission is to research and explain the diversity of species on earth. In the permanent exhibition "Unser blauer Planet im Netzwerk" complex ecological systems are made understandable by means of naturalistically staged large habitats. The exciting journey begins in the African savannah and leads through tropical deserts and the polar ice world back to Central Europe. Special exhibitions complete the programme. The museum played an important role in the founding history of the Federal Republic of Germany: the ceremonial opening session of the Parliamentary Council took place in the Lichthof on 1 September 1948.

© Giacomo Zucca/Bundesstadt Bonn

Contemporary art paired with an architectural highlight. The "Kunstmuseum Bonn" is a museum for contemporary art and is located in one of the architectural highlights of Bonn. The heart and identity of the museum is formed by a collection of some 9,000 works of German art after 1945 and its central collection on August Macke and the art of the Rhenish Expressionists, as well as the extensive collection of multiples by Joseph Beuys. Each year, about 8-9 temporary exhibitions of 20th and 21st century art offer visitors a varied range of exhibitions.

Three striking light towers as an inviting sign, a roof garden as a fifth façade, a row of columns representing the 16 federal states - the Viennese architect Gustav Peichl gave the location its unmistakable character and emphasised the artistic significance of the building. The "Bundeskunsthalle" on Bonn's "Museumsmeile" was opened in 1992. The exhibition spectrum ranges from fine art and cultural history to science and technology. As the "Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle" has no collections of its own, it relies on broad national and international cooperation. The annual four-day Museum Mile Festival in May/June offers a special highlight with a diverse cultural programme.

© Michael Sondermann/Bundesstadt Bonn

16 stations explain the most important sections of Beethoven's life in Bonn. On your own you can experience the most important parts of Ludwig van Beethoven's childhood and youth in Bonn in a Beethoven tour at 16 stations. A flyer leads to the various places where information boards tell about the life of the world-famous composer. The stations include Bonngasse 20 with the Chamber Music Hall and the Im Mohren House, the parish church of St. Petersburg and the St. Peter's Church. Remigius in the Brüdergasse, the house Rheingasse 24, the university main building (lecture hall 17), the castle church, the Zehrgarten/Markt (at the old town hall), the Bonn cathedral (former cathedral school), the Beethoven monument on the Münsterplatz, Kaufhof - former Breuningsche house, today's Beethovenhalle, the Beethoven bust, the grave of Beethoven's mother on the old cemetery, the Redoute and the Lippesche Palais.

The "Haus der Geschichte" of the Federal Republic of Germany presents the history of both German states from 1945 to the present day in an impressive permanent exhibition. With around 7,000 original exhibits ranging from the Federal Chancellor's railway saloon car to an original cinema from the 1950s to parts of the Berlin Wall, Honecker's arrest warrant and the first green card for a foreign IT specialist, the exhibition includes a wide range of exhibits. Historical film and audio documents as well as numerous media stations invite visitors to actively engage with their own history. Living productions and interviews with contemporary witnesses accompany the visitor through the exhibition. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the "Haus der Geschichte" presents temporary exhibitions in the exhibition hall, in the foyer and in the subway gallery.

© Michael Sondermann/Bundesstadt Bonn

Anyone can celebrate New Year's Eve, but who can sail along the Rhine to the most beautiful fireworks? The fireworks spectacle "Rhine in flames" can do so. Every May, more than 50 ships meet on Bonn's banks to collect their guests and set off upstream towards Bonn. If this trip is already romantic at nighttime, when you pass by the countless mountains and castles, it becomes all the more impressive when the sun sets near Linz and the ship gather to become the real highlight. Lined by a line of Bengal fires, the ships return to Bonn, surrounded by numerous light installations, festivals and fireworks along the Rhine. A grandiose spectacle for everyone on the ships and on the shore. The big highlight awaits you in the former federal capital with a 20-minute fireworks display.

© Barbara Frommann/Bundesstadt Bonn

Another highlight of the Bonn museum variety is the Beethoven House. The birthplace of the important composer Beethoven holds the most important collection of original manuscripts and instruments. It is located in the centre of the city and can be easily reached by the tram lines 62, 65, 66 and 67 (Bertha-von-Suttner Platz/ Beethoven-Haus stop). The Beethoven-House is open daily from 10-17 or 18 o'clock. The entrance fee is 6 €.

© Giacomo Zucca/Bundesstadt Bonn

The "Deutsche Museum Bonn" is the only branch of the "Deutsches Museum Munich". It shows groundbreaking discoveries by Nobel Prize winners and many other technical masterpieces in Germany since 1945, including the Fischer dowel and the computer chip. Around 100 exhibits from the scientific disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology, medical technology, aerospace and ecology document the developments of the past almost seven decades. An excellent museum educational programme brings scientific topics closer to younger visitors in an understandable way.

© Michael Sondermann/Bundesstadt Bonn

During a stroll through the historic old town of Bonn, you will pass many monuments worth seeing. Bonn's cathedral is regarded as the city's landmark. The basilica from the 11th century is a masterpiece of the region's church architecture and popular with visitors - above all because of its beautiful cloister. Right in front of the cathedral, on the "Münsterplatz" square stands the most famous monument of the city: the Beethoven statue, which has become one of Bonn's most famous photographic motifs.

© Michael Sondermann/Bundesstadt Bonn

The "August-Macke-Haus" can also be reached quickly from Bonn main station by underground line 16. It is open from Tuesday to Friday only in the afternoon (14.30-18 h), on weekends also in the morning (11-17 h). The entrance fee here is 5 €.

© Michael Sondermann/Bundesstadt Bonn

Only a few minutes walk from the cathedral on the market square is the historic Old Town Hall of the city of Bonn with its representative rococo façade from the 18th century.

The Electoral Palace is also in the centre of the city. The former residence of the Cologne electors is today the seat of the "Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn" and its main building. Behind the castle lies the beautiful "Hofgarten", a green oasis in the middle of the city.

© Michael Sondermann/Bundesstadt Bonn

The "Weg der Demokratie" consists of signposted stations at historical sites in the former government district of Bonn. The tour begins at the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (House of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany). The narrower circular trail, which can be walked in 90 minutes, comprises twelve stations. Other locations, such as the "Hofgartenwiese" as a venue for large demonstrations or the former headquarters of the major parties, lie outside the narrower path.

© Bönnsch Brauerei/Bonn

Cologne has its "Kölsch", Düsseldorf its "Alt" and in Bonn you drink "Bönnsch". The best place is the restaurant of the same name, the "Brauhaus Bönnsch" in the Sterntorbrücke 4. In Bonn's famous brewery, locals as well as tourists stop by. The rustic furnishings and the charming ambience are simply cosy. Pure Rhenish lifestyle with good home cooking.

© Michael Sondermann/Bundesstadt Bonn

Villa Hammerschmidt, the second office and residence of the German Bundeskanzler, is located in the south of Bonn directly on the banks of the Rhine and on the path to democracy. The late classicist villa from the 19th century is mainly used today for representative purposes. The villa can only be visited by appointment at bonntouren@bonn.de If you want to visit the Villa Hammerschmidt, take the underground lines 16, 63, 66 and 68 (stop Museum König).

© Michael Sondermann/Bundesstadt Bonn

North of the city centre in the Poppelsdorf district, visitors will find another castle worth seeing, which was built in the 18th century on the connecting axis to the Electoral Palace. Today, the "Poppelsdorfer Schloss" houses various scientific institutes and the Mineralogical Museum of the University of Bonn. Behind Poppelsdorfer Schloss is the Botanical Garden of the city of Bonn, one of the oldest and most important botanical gardens in Germany. In the summer months the 7 ha garden is open daily except Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; in the winter months from Mondays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The entrance fee is 3 €. The palace and gardens can be reached by bus 601, 602 and 603 from the main railway station.

© Michael Sondermann / Bundesstadt Bonn

Bonn can boast some of the most important museums in Germany: Five of these museums are located on the 3 km long museum mile in the south of Bonn. The "Museumsmeile"'s exhibition halls include the "Zoologische Museum König", the "Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland", the "Kunstmuseum Bonn", the "Bundeskunsthalle" and the "Deutsche Museum Bonn". How to get there: All museums on the Museumsmeile can be easily reached from Bonn's main railway station by underground lines 16, 63 and 66 in the direction of Bad Godesberg/Königswinter. All museums on the Museumsmeile are closed on Mondays. Information on admission prices and special exhibitions can be found on the websites of the individual museums.

More than 50 mountains and hills are waiting to be explored in the Siebengebirge. Rustic inns, impressive castle ruins and fantastic views as well as the Rhine biodiversity welcome you to the idyllic forests of the Bonn region.

© Jannis Hagels/Althoff Hotels

The Venusberg extends over five southwestern districts of Bonn. Via Südstadt and Kessenich you can directly reach the ascent to Bonn's local "mountain". Many hiking trails and bicycle trails flow seamlessly into the 40km² large Kottenforst.

© Jannis Hagels/Althoff Hotels

The main features of the park were created south of the Bonn district "Gronau" on the occasion of the 1979 Federal Horticultural Show. Today, the "Rheinaue" is a local recreation area on 160 hectares paired with concerts, flea markets and many other cultural events.

© Jannis Hagels/Althoff Hotels

The "Siegauen" in the northern part of Bonn extend over 535 hectares through ditches, streams and lakes till Siegburg. In contrast to the "Rheinaue", the "Siegauen" are mostly of natural origin and invite you to relax.

© Jannis Hagels/Althoff Hotels

The Ahr valley extends along the 85 km long river Ahr, which flows into the Rhine at Remagen. The Ahr valley is particularly popular with hikers and wine lovers. Steep slopes and slate stone cliffs give the Ahr valley a special character.

Between Bonn & Cologne, the "Wahner Heide" impresses with its endless expanses of 177 km² and has been a designated nature reserve since 1931. If you are looking for a less steep change of scenery, this is the place to be.