Munster is a beautiful city with a rich history and a lively atmosphere. There are plenty of things to see and do if you have the time.
The Stadtmuseum is one of the best places to start if you want to learn about the history of the city. It is located on Salzstrasse and covers 1200 years of history - from the medieval times to present day.
1. Munster Cathedral
The Munster Cathedral, which dates from the 13th century, is situated in the heart of the city. It is one of the finest examples of Westphalian late Gothic architecture.
The cathedral is a must-see during your visit to Munster. It is an impressive building that boasts beautiful stained windows and refined ironwork spires.
This cathedral also houses the tomb of Clemens August Graf von Galen, former Bishop of Munster. This man was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
The Cathedral is located in the heart of the city, overlooking the Domplatz and other nearby buildings. It is also home to a number of religious orders and congregations.
2. Allwetterzoo Munster
Allwetterzoo Munster is one of the city’s most popular attractions. The zoo is set around Lake Aasee, and it features indoor and outdoor areas.
All the best-known species can be spotted here, and there are also plenty of green spaces for picnicking. There’s a children’s area with pony and donkey enclosures, playgrounds and a petting zoo.
The smartly designed Africaneum has large panes that grant visitors a privileged view of gorillas and other apes. The zoo also has an authentic farm garden, an arboretum and tropical house.
To get the most out of your visit to Munster, book a guided tour. It’s a great way to learn about the history of the city and the surrounding area. The tour guides will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
3. Museum of Art and Archaeology
Munster's Museum of Art and Archaeology (Salzstrasse 28) offers a variety of exhibitions that showcase the city's history from its beginnings to present day. Various special exhibitions also focus on specific themes or aspects of Munster's artistic and cultural history.
Aside from its permanent exhibition, the Museum of Art and Archaeology offers numerous tours that give visitors a glimpse into the past. This includes tours of the bog bodies, ancient gold and silver artefacts, medieval paintings and other rare objects that tell the story of how the Westphalian city grew.
In addition to these galleries, the Museum of Art and Archaeology has a number of shops on the ground floor to unite "art and commerce". These offer visitors a huge range of items including books, exhibition catalogues, posters and art pieces.
4. Lake Aasee
Lake Aasee is Munster's most central local recreation area, a blue-green oasis in the city's cityscape for both locals and visitors. A few minutes away from the Prinzipalmarkt, it's a popular spot for joggers, cyclists and inline skaters to stretch their legs and have a drink or a snack on a sunny day.
In addition to local activities like cycling, jogging or rowing boats, the area around Lake Aasee is also home to several tourist attractions. A zoo, planetarium and Westphalian Horse Museum are all situated on the lake's western shore.
5. The City Hall
The Gothic-style City Hall in Munster is one of Germany's most spectacular buildings. Its sandstone facades are in the best Gothic traditions.
It is especially famous as the place where the Peace of Westphalia was signed, putting an end to the Thirty Years' War. The Historic City Hall also features a collection of historical tidbits, including models of weapons, flags, and other items gathered since the 17th century.
The museum's shop offers a wide range of items from Books, exhibition catalogs and posters to art pieces created by leading designers. Special exhibitions cover specific topics and aspects of Munster's cultural history.
