Things to do in Bonn

The residents of Bonn have a great deal of pride in their city, as almost any conversation with a local will quickly prove. This can best be experienced by taking one of the many walking tours which emphasise Bonns 2,000-year-old history. You will easily see how this city was a centre of culture during the 19th century and played an important role in the rebuilding of modern Germany. Much of the pedestrianised old city centre has preserved its medieval atmosphere, complete with a lively market, Baroque buildings and the lovely Rhine River, which ties it all together.

Alexander Koenig Museum

Anyone that is interested in animals should check out Germanys most important zoological collection, housed in a lovely neo-classical building from the early 20th century. Over 3,000 animals are displayed in their natural habitats including an extensive bird collection with over 70,000 specimens and their eggs (tel: +49 228 91220).

Alter Zoll

This structure was originally used as a fort during the 16th and 17th centuries, until it was handed over with the Treaty of Utrecht, which ended the Spanish War of Succession in 1713. Today, the site offers the best views in Bonn, with a striking panorama of the Siebengebirge Mountains and surrounding countryside.

Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany

This wide-ranging and eclectic museum showcases the art and cultural heritage of Germany, along with a number of other interesting global exhibitions. One of the highlights is a collection of artefacts taken from Pharaoh Tutankhamens tomb. Another attraction is called Art in the GDR, which presents the history of art in the German Democratic Republic. Many excellent temporary exhibitions also come to this museum, making it one of the most visited sites in Bonn (tel: +49 228 91710).

Beethoven House

This small, but well-preserved house in the city centre is one of Bonns prides. Beethoven was born here in 1770 and many of his personal belongings are still on display including manuscripts and musical instruments. Here you can see the great composers last piano, which was specially designed to amplify the sound, so that he could hear it better (tel: +49 228 9817525).

Bonn Altstadt (Old Town)

Bonns old city centre is a nicely preserved area of medieval buildings, lively weekly market, the basilica and the main university. Most of the area is pedestrianised, which adds to the pleasure of strolling around. The numerous pubs, breweries and restaurants make this the most popular part of Bonn.

Bonns neighbourhoods

Bonn is a great city for walking around, especially if you enjoy quaint old houses and traditional neighbourhoods. Poppelsdorf is one of the most popular areas, with many lovely houses dating from the 1870s Art Nouveau period. Here, you can also visit the Poppeldorf Castle and the Botanical Gardens.

Neighbouring Sudstadt is just as pleasant and is very popular among the locals for its pubs and cafs. A bit farther from the city centre is the timeless neighbourhood of Muffendorf, with its classic half-timbered houses and picture-perfect courtyards. Dont limit yourself to the Old Town when theres so much more in Bonn to discover.

Botanical Gardens of Bonn University

The universitys botanical gardens are an oasis of calm and quiet in the heart of the city. The original gardens were landscaped in 1819 and resemble elements of the typical English style, which was popular at that time. The grounds are home to an amazing variety of plants, from Amazonian orchids to towering North American trees (tel: +49 228 732259).

Godesberg Castle
The Godesberg Castle is one of the most romantic buildings in the Rhine region. It was originally constructed in 1210, and during the Middle Ages, the princes of Cologne enjoyed staying here. The adjoining chapel and cemeteries are also worth a look and are a testament to the antiquity of this site. Tours are available by appointment (tel: +49 228 633179).

House of History of the German Republic
This is the place to go to learn about the drama and evolution of Germany after WWII. The museum traces the history of the country after 1945 through photographs, artefacts and other interesting displays. Of particular interest is the collection of documents donated by Oskar Schindler, the subject of the film Schindlers List. The staff here are extremely friendly and helpful when it comes to discussing the historical exhibitions (tel: +49 228 91650).

Kunstmuseum Bonn (Bonn Art Museum)

This triangular-shaped building along the Museum Mile is an architectural masterpiece, designed by Axel Schultes. The structure is wonderfully lit by natural light and houses one of the best collections of art in the Rhineland. The highlight is the exhibition of 20th century art, with important works by Rhenish expressionists such as August Macke. The second major attraction is its extensive collection of German post-war art, which has been continually built up since 1945. The museum also hosts a number of temporary exhibitions throughout the year (tel: +49 228 776260).

Museum Mile

Bonns main attraction for art and culture enthusiasts is a long stretch of museums and cultural buildings which line the bank of the Rhine River for several kilometres. Among the sites are the Alexander Koenig Museum, which contains Germanys largest zoological collection, and the German History Museum, which focuses on the countrys development after 1945. Also along the Mile is the Bonn Art Museum, which has one of the best exhibitions of 20th century German expressionism art, and the Art and Exhibition Hall, which hosts a number of rotating exhibitions.

Rheinisches Landesmuseum
To learn more about the specific history of the Rhineland, pay a visit to this interesting little museum. The archeological displays go back to the Stone Age and even include the skull of a Neanderthal man, discovered near Dusseldorf in 1856. Other exhibits focus on the art of the Rhineland up to the 20th century, and many other cultural displays from the past 2,000 years (tel: +49 228 72941).