Location - Stadthotel Münster

In the heart of Münster

Right in the city centre

250 m
from LWL Museum

400 m
from Aasee Lake

430 m
from Prinzipalmarkt

450 m
from Cathedral Square

650 m
from Clemenskirche

Sightseeing

Our Münster Tips

Welcome to Münster! From bicycles and historic gabled houses at Prinzipalmarkt — Münster’s „living room“ — to St. Paulus Cathedral, the historic town hall, and Lake Aasee: Münster has much to offer and ranks among the world’s most livable cities. Major events like the Münster Marathon, Münsterland GIRO, or Vainstream Festival add vibrancy and fascination to the city. Münster is renowned not only as a traditional university town but also as a popular film location, such as for the crime series Tatort. Numerous museums, restaurants and cafés, along with exclusive shops, complete the diverse city offerings. Thanks to our central location, all sights are easily reachable on foot. For a quick overview of the highlights, we offer „Münster to go“: small info cards with the most important sights and tips. Enjoy exploring!

The Prinzipalmarkt, also known as Münster’s „living room,“ is the city’s traditional center featuring the historic town hall, numerous shops, and inviting gastronomy. Its development as a bourgeois market street began in the 12th century, where merchants and traders primarily resided continuously. A special feature is that no gable is like the other! Today, the Prinzipalmarkt invites you to stroll, shop, and „enjoy life“!

St. Paulus Cathedral in Münster is one of the city’s landmarks. The cathedral is managed by Münster Cathedral Chapter and serves as a Roman Catholic cathedral church with approximately 700 seats. Saint Paul is the patron saint of the Diocese of Münster as well as the cathedral. Highlights include the astronomical clock, the tomb chapel of Cardinal von Galen, the memorial stone for Pope John Paul II who prayed here, and the cathedral treasury. Public guided cathedral tours are offered for visitors.

The Leeze, also known as the bicycle, is THE mode of transportation in Münster. With approximately 310,000 inhabitants, there are over 400,000 bicycles. For the ultimate Münster experience, a bike ride along the Promenade (unique in Europe — a car-free ring around the city center), through the Rieselfelder, along the canal, or through the beautiful Münsterland is highly recommended.

Wilsberg is a German crime series featuring protagonist Georg Wilsberg, a professional antiquarian bookseller in Münster who also takes on private detective assignments. Wilsberg is portrayed by actor Leonard Lansink and has been broadcast on ZDF since 1995. The real antiquarian bookshop is run by Michael Solder and is located on Frauenstraße. It serves as both Wilsberg’s workplace and apartment and appears in nearly every episode.

Kiepenkerle are typical of the Münsterland region and historically facilitated the exchange of food, other goods, and news between town and country. Their traditional attire consisted of a blue linen smock, red neckerchief, cap, knotted walking stick, pipe, and the Kiepe. The Kiepe was a wooden and woven basket carried on the back, from which their name is derived.

Münster’s historic town hall is renowned for its role in the negotiations of the Peace of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years‘ War in 1648. It is considered the birthplace of the modern Netherlands, as the Spanish-Dutch War also concluded here. Although destroyed during World War II, it was faithfully rebuilt. Today, the Gothic structure impresses with its facade and the Peace Hall, where history was once made.

The Aasee is an urban reservoir that serves significant ecological and urban planning functions for Münster. Surrounded by meadows and forests, it provides a popular recreation area. A 6 km walking and jogging trail circles the lake. Nearby attractions include two small sailing marinas with gastronomy at the Aaseeterrassen, Allwetterzoo Münster, LWL Museum of Natural History, and Mühlenhof Open-Air Museum.

The Überwasserkirche (Overwater Church) derives its name from „above the water,“ as it lies west of the cathedral on the opposite side of the Aa river. It is also known as Liebfrauenkirche or Liebfrauen-Überwasser. The church was built around 1340 and provided the financial foundation for the University of Münster in 1773, as funds from the dissolved collegiate chapter made the necessary resources available.

Not only on foot or by bus, but also by horse-drawn carriage can you explore Münster: The Prinzipal-Express, a historic horse carriage powered by an electric motor, has been running through the city for 10 years now. During the 20–40-minute tours, tourists can see highlights including Lake Aasee, the old town, the castle, and the zoo. Special trips for weddings or other occasions can also be booked.

St. Lamberti is one of Münster’s largest churches alongside the cathedral, located where Roggenmarkt and Alter Fischmarkt meet the Prinzipalmarkt. Attached to the tower are three iron baskets in which the bodies of the three Anabaptist movement leaders were displayed in 1536. The tower also houses the Türmerstube, from where — daily from 9 p.m. to midnight (except Tuesdays) — a watchman blows a horn every half hour on the hour and half hour.

The Cappa

Our Münster Tips

NRW-Tag in Münster