Sights and landmarks in Bonn

Sights and landmarks in Bonn

1. See

   Akademisches Kunstmuseum

   Academic Museum of Art

   The Academic Museum of Art is at the other end of the Hofgarten park, directly opposite the main building. It is a beautiful building, constructed from 1823-1830 and designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and Hermann Friedrich Waesemann, and hosts one of the largest collections of plaster casts of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures in the world. As of January 2022, the museum is closed for renovation, and the collection is housed in the north of the city (AVZIII, Römerstrasse 164).

   Tue-Sat 15:00-17:00, Sun 11:00-18:00·Entrance fee €3.00, free admission for students

2. See

   Alter Friedhof

   The old cemetery, created in 1715, is an atmospheric cemetery with many old graves, among them the graves of Robert and Clara Schumann, Ernst Moritz Arndt, Friedrich Schiller's wife Charlotte von Schiller and their son.

3. See

   Arithmeum

   The Arithmeum features a collection of historical mechanical calculating machines, which today comprises more than 1200 pieces and is the largest in the world. It features the history of calculators, from ancient abacuses and ropes with knots, until the modern day PC. The design of the building and its colourful art collection are an added bonus.

   Tue - Sun 11:00-18:00·€3 / €2

4. See

   August Macke Haus

   August Macke, a leading member of Der Blaue Reiter, a famous expressionist group, lived in this house with his wife, Elizabeth, for a few years and produced over 400 works in the top floor studio.

   Thu 11:00-19:00, Wed, Fri Sat Sun & holidays 11:00-17:00, closed Dec 24, 25 and Jan 1·Admission (regular/reduced): adult €12/€6.00 (includes audio guide)

5. See

   Beethoven Monument

   A large bronze statue of Ludwig van Beethoven on the Münsterplatz that was unveiled on 12 August 1845 in honour of the 75th anniversary of the composer's birth.

6. See

   Beethoven-Haus

   Beethoven House

   The birthplace of the great composer is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. The museum even has a lock of Beethoven's hair on display. Bonn advertises its connection with its native son despite Beethoven's vehement hatred for his hometown. With a competent docent this museum is well worth the visit and is more interesting than Mozart's Geburtshaus in Salzburg.

   Mon, Wed-Sun 10:00-18:00, Tue for pre-booked groups only; closed New Year's Day, Carnival-Thu, the Mon preceding Ash Wed, Carnival-Tue, Good Fri, Easter Sun and 24-26 Dec, New Year's eve·€15 (adults), €10 (minors)

7. See

   Bonner Münster

   A beautiful basilica, in Bonn's city centre. Only Bonn Information or the Bonner Münster Foundation are permitted to arrange guided tours to the basilica. The "Bonn Information" organization can arrange for non-German tours.

   Church 07:00-19:00, cloister 09:00-17:00

8. See

   Deutsche Welle Headquarters and Radio Studios

   Deutsche Welle (DW) is Germany's international media outlet and is now housed in what was supposed to be the German parliament's home. After the German government decided to move the building was taken over by DW to become its headquarters and home to its radio operations. Tours are conducted in German, however, tours can be arranged in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese when requested in advance. DW asks that anyone wishing to take a tour reserve at least two months in advance and may require you to be with a group of 6-20 persons, however, they may arrange an exception if contacted. Tours last an average of two hours.

   Tours leave Mon-Fri 10:00, 14:00·Tours are free

9. See

   Deutsches Museum Bonn

   The Deutsches Museum Bonn is an offshoot of the famous Deutsches Museum in Munich (its only branch outside the Munich area) and features about 100 contemporary exhibits of science and technology.

   Tue - Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat 12:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-17:00, closed Mondays; Thu before Fat Tue; Fat Tue (Shrove Tue); Good Fri; May 1; December 24, 25, and 31·Adult €9, child (6 years+) €5, family ticket €20

10. See

    Doppelkirche in Schwarzrheindorf

    The double church St. Maria (upper level) and St. Clemens (lower level) was built in 1151 and is due to its rich ceiling paintings of saints and apocalyptic scenes one of the most outstanding romanic churches in Germany. Take Bus no. 640 or 550 to Schwarzrheindorf. You can walk back to Bonn Beuel or Bonn's city centre by following the dam and crossing the Kennedy bridge, it is a popular promenade. Take a break at Bahnhöfchen or Rheinlust near the bridge.

    Tue-Sat 09:00-18:30 (09:00-17:00 in winter), Sun 11:00-18:30, Mon closed

11. See

    Frauenmuseum

    Bonn Women's Museum

    The first museum in Europe dedicated to women and their work. Changing exhibitions.

    Tue - Sat 14:00-18:00, Sun 11:00-18:00, closed on Mondays·Adult €10, students €6.00

12. See

    Haus der Geschichte

    House of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany

    An interesting explanation of German history after 1945 that is constantly updated. A must if you are interested in history or politics. Exhibitions are presented in German only, but audio guides are available in English, guide booklets with English translations are available for a couple euros, and guided tours for school groups conducted in English are available free of charge when prebooked.

    Tue - Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat Sun and Christmas season 10:00-18:00, closed on December 24 and 31·Free admission

13. See

    Heimatmuseum Beuel

    Museum on local history. The museum was established in 1986 on the initiative of Beuel's Local Historical Society.

    Wed Sat Sun 15:00-17:00·Free, donations welcome

14. See

    Jewish Cemetery

    The old and small Jewish Cemetery is in Bonn Schwarzrheindorf between the Doppelkirche and the North Bridge, you can access it from the dam which is a popular promenade.

15. See

    Kottenforst

    A big nature park between Bonn (quarters Venusberg, Bad Godesberg) up to the cities of Euskirchen and Wachtberg. It is appr. 4 000 ha and popular for walking tours. The nearest ones starts at Waldesruh on Venusberg (which has also a nice cafe). Another route starts at Bahnhof Kottenforst (a pretty frame house) which you can reach by taking a train to Euskirchen, but the train only stops there on weekends).

16. See

    Kreuzbergkirche

    The church is a beautiful example of baroque architecture. Today, the church serves as both a church and a German language and culture school, but is probably best known for the "Heiliger Steige." The church was erected in 1627/1628 on the orders of the archbishop to replace an older chapel. In 1746 Elector Clemens August von Bavarian donated the "Heiliger Steige", or holy staircase, which, according to legend has pieces of the cross the crucified Jesus set into the stone. Small brass crosses on the second, eleventh, and last steps mark the spots where the pieces of the cross are supposed to be set. Beautiful view over Bonn.

    In summer 09:00-18:00, winter 09:00-17:00. Visit of the Holy Staircase 08:00-18.00 in summer, 09:00–17:00 in winter

17. See

    Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

    It hosts changing exhibitions which range from visual art and cultural history up to science and technology. Most of them are world class and definitely worth a visit.

    Wed 10:00 – 19:00, Tue, Thu-Sun and holidays 10:00-19:00·depending on exhibitions, check online

18. See

    Kunstmuseum Bonn

    Modern art museum with a large and interesting collection as well as a good cafe.

    Tue – Sun 11:00-18:00, Wed 11:00-19:00, closed on Mondays; February 23 and 27; December 24, 25, and 31·Adult €10; student, child (over 6), or Bonn-Card holder €5.00

19. See

    Palais Schaumburg

    Until 2001 it was used to house the office of West Germany's chancellor and the chancellor's cabinet. Today, the building is used as a secondary headquarters for the chancellor.

20. See

    Poppelsdorfer Schloss and Botanical Gardens

    It was built as a resort in rococo style for the Archbishop of Cologne Clemens August from 1715 to 1753 by Robert de Cotte and today houses the university's mineral collection, several science departments and the botanical gardens. The palace itself is not open to the public. The botanical gardens next to the palace are a peaceful and beautiful place to relax, have a look at the sunbathing turtles at the pool. The gardens cultivate about 10,000 plant species. Coming from the city centre, walk there from the University Main Building via Kaiserplatz and Poppelsdorfer Allee.

    Apr-Oct 10:00-18:00 (from Apr to Sep until 20:00 on Thursdays), Nov-Mar 10:00-16:00, Sat+Sun closed. Greenhouses close 30 minutes earlier·Free on weekdays, 4€ Sa+Su+public holidays

21. See

    Regierungsbunker

    Cold War bunker for the German Government and Bundeswehr to protect them against nuclear attack, located in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, approx. 35 km south of Bonn. Regular tours last 90min and are in German only. You can only visit as part of a tour.

    Wed Sat Sun and public holidays 10:00-16:30·€15.00

22. See

    Rheinauen

    A big park in the south of Bonn directly behind the Post Tower. You can walk there from the city centre following the rhine promenade, it is about 3 km and very popular on the weekend.

23. See

    Rheinisches Landesmuseum

    Museum of art and archeology, run by the Rhineland Landscape Association. Check their webpage for information about the temporary exhibitions besides their permanent exhibits.

    Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00, Mon closed·Combined permanent and temporary exhibitions €11, €7 reduced, free for minors

24. See

    Universität Bonn

    University Main Building

    It is in the former residential palace of the Archbishop and Kurfürst of Cologne, built by Enrico Zuccalli from 1697-1705. It stretches from Kaiserplatz to the Rhine (Alter Zoll) and crosses two streets (Stockenstraße and Adenauerallee), the gates are called Stockentor and Koblenzer Tor. The building looks impressive and beautiful from the outside, but could use a renovation inside. Feel free to walk in. Best view on the palace is from the Hofgarten side. The Hofgarten is a park directly in front of the palace and a place for students to meet and relax in the summer between and after lectures. During Bonn's times as capital, it saw all the major anti-government demonstrations.

    Open now · closes 10 pm

25. See

    Villa Hammerschmidt

    Between 1951-1994 the Villa Hammerschmidt served as the residence of the West German President, however, since the relocation of the German government to Berlin the building serves as a secondary residence for the president.

26. See

    Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig

    Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig

    Natural history museum and zoological research institution, named after Alexander Koenig, who donated his collection of specimens to the institution. The museum was opened in 1934 and is affiliated with the Leibniz Association. On September 1, 1948, the Parlamentarischer Rat, the organ to create the German constitution, was opened here. The actual proceedings happened in the nearby Pädagogische Akademie, the later Bundeshaus.

    Tue Thu - Sun 10:00-18:00, Wed 10:00-21:00, closed most Mondays (except on legal holidays); Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve·Adult €6, senior or student €3

27. See

    Ägyptisches Museum

    The University of Bonn-administered Egyptian Museum. The collection is on display in Poststraße 26 ("P26"). The ticket is for the entire P26 building, including the Paul Clemen museum.

    Wed-Sun 14:00 - 18:00, closed on public holidays·Adult €4.50, student or child (7 years+) €2.50

28. See

    Old Town Hall

    Altes Rathaus

    Built in 1737 in Rococo style. Not open to visitors.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Bonn (CC BY-SA 4.0).