Bonn

The federal city of Bonn is one of the largest cities in the Cologne Lowland, second only to Cologne in population, with 330,000 residents in 2020. Despite the size, it maintains a cosy, relaxed atmosphere of a small town, featuring mostly low-rise buildings, a charming old town and a lot of greenery. Located only 28 km south of Cologne up the Rhine river, it has a wealth of museums and points of interest.

Bonn was the capital of the pre-reunification Federal Republic of Germany ("West Germany") from 1949 through 1990. The city still holds the seats of many federal institutions, and remains a popular choice for large-scale exhibitions and conferences. Bonn is also the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, who is celebrated throughout the city with several memorials and events.

You should consider a trip to Bonn if you like atmospheric smaller cities with many students and a rich culture. Admirers call it Italy's most northern city because of its street culture with many cafes and beer gardens in the summer. It is also a good base for day trips to Cologne, Düsseldorf, the romantic Rhine and the Eifel region.

Understand

Bonn's beginning dates between 13-9 BC when Romans began building roads, bridges, and fortresses at a location known as "Bonna." One well-documented event was the martyrdom of two Thebaean legionaries. The Thebaean Legion was an all Christian legion, which refused to worship the emperor as a god. As punishment, the Thebaean Legion's commander, Mauritius was executed in St. Moritz as were many other Thebaean legionaries including Cassius and Florentius, Bonn's patron saints, who were martyred at the location of the present-day Münster basilica.

After the Romans left, the town had a very tumultuous history. Bonn has been destroyed and pummelled on so many occasions that it nearly became a pastime. Norman invaders were the first to burn the town to the ground in 881 and again in 892. In 1198, King Philip of Swabia and Duke Heinrich von Brabant laid siege to Bonn. In 1244 Konrad von Hochstaden, archbishop of Cologne ordered Bonn to be fortified. The reasons for fortification may have been for the Archbishop's protection as he had apparently begun fighting with Cologne's leaders and often resided in Bonn after the dispute. In 1288 under Sigfried II von Westerburg the archbishopric was transferred from Cologne to Bonn, which has since been transferred back to Cologne.

In 1582 Archbishop Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg converted to Calvinism and refused to give up his position as elector. In February of 1583 Waldburg married and was in April of the same year excommunicated by Pope Gregory XIII. After the Truschessian War Gebhard fled to Strasbourg, but not before Bonn felt the rapture of Bavarian troops, who blew up the Godesberg (the archbishop's residence) with 1,500 pounds of gunpowder. While the town survived the Thirty Years' War Bonn was completely destroyed in 1689 as a result of the War of the Grand Alliance.

In December 1770 Bonn's most famous son, Ludwig van Beethoven, was born on Bonngasse. Bonn is probably best known as Beethoven's birthplace and this fact is well advertised by the city despite Beethoven's vehement disgust towards his hometown. Beethoven spent some time in Vienna hoping to study with Mozart, but after his mother's death he was forced to return to Bonn for five years to raise his two younger brothers since his alcoholic father was unable to. In 1792 Beethoven returned to Vienna and never came back to Bonn.

While Bonn is by no means a "village" its selection as seat of the government of the new west German state in 1949 was precisely because the partition of Germany should appear to be temporary and thus more important or symbolic cities such as Cologne, Munich or Hamburg were soon out of consideration. However in the final decision the fact that Konrad Adenauer had a house nearby may well have played some if not the decisive role: Bonn beat out Frankfurt by a single vote. See also Cold War Europe.

After reunification it was seriously considered to keep the government in town, especially as the previously "provisional" facilities had just been upgraded bit by bit in the late 1980s. However in another close vote, the Bundestag decided to move most agencies to Berlin, while some would stay in Bonn much to the chagrin of people who see the double facilities as needless pork in favour of Bonn.

Südstadt, the southern part of the city owns impressively beautiful buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century in ancient alleys. You can get an English walking tour brochure from the Tourist Information.

Tourist information
  • 🌍 Bonn Information, Windeckstraße 1, 53111 Bonn (street between the post office and Karstadt), ☏ +49 2 28-77 50-00, . M-F 10:00-18:30, Sa 09:00-16:00, Su 10:00-14:00. The tourist information offers almost all the help a tourist could need. They also have brochures about walking tours in English. You can also buy tickets for the theater and the opera there. 

Get in

By plane

Bonn is nominally served by 🌍 Cologne-Bonn Airport (CGN IATA) (between Bonn and Cologne). The airport has become the hub for a Lufthansa's low-fare subsidiary Eurowings. It is well connected to many major European airports. The airport is also well-served by other low-fare airlines like Ryanair and holiday flight specialists like TUIfly. (updated Jul 2018)

That said, the airport sees very little intercontinental passenger traffic, save for a few flights to countries like Turkey, Morocco or Iran operated by the respective countries' airlines and serving mainly local ethnic minorities.

From the airport, take the SB60 airport bus (€8.70) to Bonn's central bus station near the Hauptbahnhof. It leaves every 30 minutes from outside Terminal 1 arrivals, and takes a little over half an hour to reach the Bonn city centre. You can also take a train from the airport to Bonn-Beuel, which is on the other side of the river from Bonn city (Zentrum). A taxi to central Bonn will cost around €50.

If you are flying transatlantically, chances are Frankfurt is a better option time-wise - as you are likely to get a direct flight - though not necessarily in terms of budget. If you are cost-conscious, comparing airfares to CGN, FRA and several other airports in the general area is certainly a good idea, as due to the quirky nature of airline pricing differences in price of one or two hundred euros are not at all uncommon.

Timewise, however, CGN is just as far from Bonn as the Frankfurt Airport FRA IATA, one of Europe's busiest intercontinental hubs. The airport has a long-distance train station directly connected to Bonn's Siegburg railway station, which high-speed trains (departing every hour) reach in less than 40 minutes. When flying Lufthansa, you can even book the train connection as a part of your long-distance flight ticket. The station's IATA code is ZPY and the Lufthansa tickets to this destination are often priced the same or slightly lower as those terminating at FRA. For more details see rail air alliances

By train

The train route from Frankfurt via Koblenz to Bonn Hauptbahnhof is especially beautiful as it runs along the Rhine and you will see many old towns and castles on the way. It takes about 2 hours. Travelling from Frankfurt try to sit on the right-hand side of the train for the better view.

If you are in a hurry, however, better take the fast train (ICE) to Siegburg from Amsterdam, Basel, Brussels, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Munich or Stuttgart, among others.

Nightjet, the Austrian Railways' sleeper train, runs daily from Brussels via Cologne and Bonn to Vienna, Munich and Innsbruck. It calls at Koblenz, Frankfurt airport, Würzburg and Nuremberg where it divides: one portion runs via Linz to Vienna, the other via Munich to Innsbruck.

  • 🌍 Bonn Central Station (Bonn Hbf), Am Hauptbahnhof 1, ☏ +49 228-715324, fax: +49 228 715324, . Despite the name, meaning Bonn central station, it is served by many local and regional trains as well as a few long-distance trains, and also acts as the hub for Bonn's light rail system (Stadtbahn). You can arrive there from Cologne as well as Frankfurt and Koblenz via the slower (and slightly longer), scenic route. 
  • 🌍 Siegburg/Bonn (ICE-station). The station in the neighbouring town of Siegburg on the right hand side of the Rhine is where most high-speed trains (ICE) stop, instead of Bonn Hauptbahnhof. You can get there from Bonn's city centre in 25 minutes by using tram 66. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Bonn-Beuel (to the right side of the Rhine). only Regional trains RB27 and RE8. 

By bus

Traveling by long distance bus, you would typically take the bus lines to Cologne and then continue your travel to Bonn by regional train.

🌍 Flixbus Bonn Stop (Coach station "Museumsmeile"), Joseph-Beuys-Allee (in between intersections with Marie-Kahle-Allee and Emil-Nolde-Straße; take tram lines 16, 18, 63, 66 or 68). (updated May 2022)

Get around

On foot

The city centre is not very big and you are able to reach the different attractions there by foot.

By public transport

Bonn has an excellent bus, night bus, tram and subway system operated by the local Stadtwerke Bonn. There are ticket offices and vending machines at major stations, offering single tickets (€3), multiple tickets, and 24-hour and weekly passes. The tickets are valid in local trains, Stadtbahn (subway), tram, buses and night buses. City tour offers open-top double decker bus tours of the city allowing you to hop on and off at each station (€18 (€15 if you have a Welcome card), valid for 24 hours).

By bike

It is also a good city to explore by bike. Rental bikes are available at the train station from Deutsche Bahn at platform 1 or from the Radstation behind the train station. Nextbike is offering app-based short-term bike rentals (€3 annual fee, €1/30 min, max. €8/24 hours). Several companies offer app-based rental of e-scooters, including Lime, Tier and Voi.

By e-hailing

Uber, Bolt and Free Now cover the city.

See
  • 🌍 Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), Markt (at the market place). Built in 1737 in Rococo style. Not open to visitors. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Bonner Münster, Gerhard-von-Are Straße 5, ☏ +49 228-98 588-0, . Church 07:00-19:00, cloister 09:00-17:00. 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. 
  • 🌍 Beethoven Monument, Münsterplatz (in front of the Main Post Office). 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. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Kreuzbergkirche, Stationsweg 21, . In summer 09:00-18:00, winter 09:00-17:00. Visit of the Holy Staircase 09:00–17:00. 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. 
  • 🌍 Universität Bonn (University Main Building), Regina Pacis Weg 3. 08:00-22:00. 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. (updated Jan 2022)
  • 🌍 Poppelsdorfer Schloss and Botanical Gardens, Crossing of Poppelsdorfer and Meckenheimer Allee. Apr-Oct 10:00-18:00 (from Apr to Sep until 20:00 on Thursdays), closed on Saturdays; Nov-Mar 10:00-16:00, Sa+Su closed. Greenhouses close 30 minutes earlier. 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. Free. (updated May 2024)
  • 🌍 Alter Friedhof, Berliner Platz (Stop Stadthaus). 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. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Doppelkirche in Schwarzrheindorf, Dixstr. 41 (on the other side (some say the wrong side) of Bonn in the suburb of Schwarzrheindorf). Tu-Sa 09:00-18:30 (09:00-17:00 in winter), Su 11:00-18:30, M closed. 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. 
  • 🌍 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. 
  • 🌍 Rheinauen (take line 66 to Bad Honnef/Königswinter stop 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. 
  • 🌍 Deutsche Welle Headquarters and Radio Studios, Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 3, ☏ +49 228-429-2538, fax: +49 228 429-2040, . Tours leave M-F 10:00, 14:00. 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 are free. 
  • 🌍 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). 

The former capital
  • 🌍 Palais Schaumburg, Adenauerallee 139/141. 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. 
  • 🌍 Villa Hammerschmidt, Adenauerallee 135. 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. 

Museums and galleries

The Bonn Regio WelcomeCard offers free or reduced admission to most public museums in Bonn (including those listed below), free rides on buses and trams on the local public transport system (VRS), and discounts to other tourist attractions. The validity of both individual or family WelcomeCards is in increments of 24 hours and they can be purchased online, at the Tourism offices or participating hotels. The 24-hour individual ticket costs €10.

  • 🌍 Ägyptisches Museum, Regina-Pacis-Weg 7 (University of Bonn. U-Bahn stop: Universität / Markt), ☏ +49 228-739710, fax: +49 228 737360, . Tu-F 13:00 - 17:00, Sa Su 13:00 - 18:00, closed Mondays and holidays. The University of Bonn-administered Egyptian Museum. As of August 2023, the museum is closed due to a major renovation of the University main building. The collection will be on display in Poststraße 26 / In der Sürst 8–10 and is expected to reopen in the third quarter 2024. Adult €2.50, student or child (7 years+) €2.00, family ticket (2 adults and 3 children) €7. (updated May 2024)
  • 🌍 Akademisches Kunstmuseum (Academic Museum of Art), Römerstraße 164, 53117 Bonn (take bus no. 600 or 601 to Pädagogische Fakultät), . Tu-Sa 15:00-17:00, Su 11:00-18:00. 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).     Entrance fee €3.00, free admission for students. (updated Jan 2024)
  • 🌍 Arithmeum, Lennéstraße 2, 53113 Bonn (Subway Stop: Universität / Markt Busses and Trams: Hauptbahnhof), ☏ +49 2 28-73 87 90. Tu - Su 11:00-18:00. 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. €3 / €2. (updated Jan 2024)
  • 🌍 Beethoven-Haus (Beethoven House), Bonngasse 18-26 (Take trams (62 or 66) or buses to Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz / Beethoven-Haus), ☏ +49 228 98175-0, fax: +49 228 98175-26, . 1 Apr-31 Oct: M-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su & holidays 11:00-18:00; 1 Nov-31 Mar: M-Sa 10:00-17:00, Su & holidays 11:00-17:00; closed New Year's Day, Carnival-Thursday, the Monday preceding Ash Wednesday, Carnival-Tuesday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and 24-26 Dec, New Year's eve. 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. €14 (adults), €7 (minors). (updated Jun 2021)
  • 🌍 August Macke Haus, Bornheimer Straße 96 (U-Bahn stop: Bonn West (16, 18, 63), bus 602 to bus stop Eifelstrasse/August Macke Haus, bus 604 and 605 to bus stop Kunstverein/Frankenbad), ☏ +49 228-65 55 31, fax: +49 228 69 15 50, . Th 11:00-19:00, F Sa Su & holidays 11:00-17:00, closed Dec 24, 25 and Jan 1. 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. Admission (regular/reduced): adult €10.50/€7.00 (includes audio guide). (updated Jan 2024)
  • 🌍 Haus der Geschichte (House of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany), Willy-Brandt-Allee 14 (U-Bahn linien 16, 63, 66, „Heussallee / Museumsmeile“), ☏ +49 228-91 65-0, +49 228 91 65-400 (Tour groups with a guide), fax: +49 228 91 65-302, . Tu - F 09:00-19:00, Sa Su and Christmas season 10:00-18:00, closed on December 24 and 31. 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. Free admission. (updated Dec 2022)
  • 🌍 Kunstmuseum Bonn, Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 2 (Museumsmeile. U-Bahn stop: Heussallee. Bus 610 will also stop at Heussallee), ☏ +49 228-776260. Tu – Su 11:00-18:00, W 11:00-18:00, closed on Mondays; February 23 and 27; December 24, 25, and 31. Modern art museum with a large and interesting collection as well as a good cafe. Adult €7; student, child (over 6), or Bonn-Card holder €3.50. (updated Jul 2021)
  • 🌍 Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 4, ☏ +49 228-9171-0. Tu W 10:00 – 21:00, Th-Su and holidays 10:00-19:00. 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. depending on exhibitions, check online. (updated Jul 2021)
  • 🌍 Deutsches Museum Bonn, Ahrstraße 45 (U-Bahn stop: Hochkreuz/Deutsches Museum Bonn), ☏ +49 228-302-255, fax: +49 228 302-254, . Tu - F 10:00-17:00, Sa 12:00-17:00, Su 10:00-17:00, closed Mondays; Thursday before Fat Tuesday; Fat Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday); Good Friday; May 1; December 24, 25, and 31. 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. Adult €9, child (6 years+) €5, family ticket €20. (updated Jun 2021)
  • 🌍 Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig), Adenauerallee 160, ☏ +49 228-9122 211, fax: +49 228 9122 212, . Tu Th - Su 10:00-18:00, W 10:00-21:00, closed most Mondays (except on legal holidays); Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. 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. Adult €6, senior or student €3. (updated May 2024)
  • 🌍 Frauenmuseum (Bonn Women's Museum), Im Krausfeld 10, 53113 Bonn. Tu - Sa 14:00-18:00, Su 11:00-18:00, closed on Mondays. The first museum in Europe dedicated to women and their work. Changing exhibitions. Adult €10, students €6.00. (updated May 2024)
  • 🌍 Heimatmuseum Beuel, Wagnergasse 2-4, 53225 Bonn. W Sa Su 15:00-17:00. Museum on local history. The museum was established in 1986 on the initiative of Beuel's Local Historical Society. Free, donations welcome. (updated May 2024)
  • 🌍 Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Colmantstr. 14-16, 53115 Bonn, ☏ +49 651 97740, . Tu-F Su 11:00-18:00, Sa 13:00-18:00, M closed. Museum of art and archeology, run by the Rhineland Landscape Association. Check their webpage for information about the temporary exhibitions besides their permanent exhibits. Permanent exhibition €6, €4 reduced; combined permanent and temp. exhibitions €10, €7.50 reduced. (updated Jul 2021)
  • 🌍 Regierungsbunker, Am Silberberg 0, 53474 Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler (reachable by car or by RB30 train from Bonn), ☏ +49 2641 9117053, . W Sa Su and public holidays 10:00-16:30. 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. €15.00. (updated Aug 2022)

Do

Festivals
  • Karneval. Enthusiastically celebrated in Bonn, especially on 11 November, the begin of the 'fifth season', and between Weiberfastnacht and Rosenmontag in February (peak time, the exact dates differ every year). The best parties are in Bonn Beuel at Bahnhöfchen and Rheinlust, be there early (and costumed, of course!). Bonn's central carneval parade (Karnevalszug) is on Monday (Rosenmontag), but there are also parades in the different suburbs where it is not so crowded and you might catch more sweets (Kamelle). 
  • Rhein in Flammen (Rhine in Flames). Rhein in Flammen is an annual fireworks display event synchronized with music, over the river Rhein. It takes place at five different locations between May and September. In Bonn, it usually takes place on the first Saturday in May. The most popular spot to watch it is the Rheinauen, where a big fair with music and food stalls is taking place, although it can become very crowded. Another opportunity is to book a ship tour in advance (often with dinner), you will get tickets at the Brassertufer (Rhine promenade, near Kennedy Bridge). (updated Jul 2021)
  • Beethovenfest, ☏ +49 228-2010 345, fax: +49 228 2010 333, . Early Sep to early Oct. A month-long music festival in September with numerous concerts held in Bonn and around the Siebengebirge region. Many international musicians are showcased during the festival. (updated Jul 2021)
  • Pützchens Markt. A big fun fair with approximately 500 businesses in Bonn's suburb Pützchen which takes place in September for five days. You can catch buses at the main bus station next to the Hauptbahnhof. Mid-September. 
  • Christmas Market. Starts at the end of November at Münsterplatz and Friedensplatz and the streets in between. The booths for mulled wine are a popular meeting place in the evening, but they close at 21. 

Music and theatre

Cinema

Most cinemas only show dubbed German versions of international films. Amongst the few cinemas which show English films on a regular basis are

  • 🌍 Kinopolis, Moltkestraße 7-9, Bad Godesberg (Train station Godesberg or tram lines 16 or 63 to Bad Godesberg Bahnhof), ☏ +49 228-83 00 83. A functional multiplex in Bad Godesberg that shows one or two Films in the Original Version a day. Special prices Mon-W and for students. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Bonner Kinemathek (Brotfabrik), Kreuzstraße 16 (bus lines 607 or 609, stop Kreuzstraße), ☏ +49 228-47 84 89. A small arthouse cinema in Bonn Beuel that regular shows European films (also older ones) in the original version (not necessarily English). (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Rex, Frongasse 9 (Bus line 608, 609, 610, 611, get off at "Auf dem Hügel", 606 to Brahmsstraße), ☏ +49 228-62 23 30. Arthouse cinema in Bonn Endenich which regularly shows movies in the original version. 
  • 🌍 Neue Filmbühne. Arthouse cinema in Bonn Beuel (Friedrich-Breuer Straße 68) which regularly shows movies in the original version. 

Learn

Buy

Bonn's city centre hosts the usual chain stores like Kaufhof, C&A, H&M, Esprit, Zero, NewYorker, Promod, Butler's, Tchibo and Runner's Point.

  • 🌍 Haribo Factory Store, Friesdorfer Str. 125, 53175 Bonn, ☏ +49 228 9092930. M-Sa 09:30-18:00. Haribo, the world-famous candy maker, has its headquarters in Bonn (Haribo is an acronym for HAns RIegel BOnn). The new factory store is located near the location of the old factory in Bad Godesberg, 500 m from U-Bahn 16 and 63 Wurzerstraße stop. It has a small exhibition of Haribo memorabilia as well as a huge variety of gummy sweets and gadgets. Entering is a bit of a Charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory moment. There is also a smaller shop close to the University in the city centre. 
  • Supermarkets. There is a supermarket at Kaufhof's basement where you can get normal food and many specialties, but it is quite expensive. You can find the ecological supermarket Basic at Maximilianstraße near to the Hauptbahnhof, they also have a snack bar. There is a REWE supermarket at Friedensplatz, a Lidl supermarket in the mall below central station, and an Aldi in the basement of the former Karstadt in Poststrasse. Best place to buy cosmetics is dm (Sternstraße or Friedensplatz) or Rossmann (Sternstraße). 
  • 🌍 Comic Shop, Oxfordstraße 17. M-Sa 10:00-19:00. English comics and books, role playing games, card games. (updated Jun 2021)
  • 🌍 Rheinauenflohmarkt, Rheinauen. from April to September, the Rheinauen host a big flea market every third Saturday a month where you can find everything from second hand clothes to DVDs, bikes, furniture, books, board games and jewellery from India and Africa. Bargaining is allowed. It starts at 8 in the morning, best time to visit is 10. Take Straßenbahn Line 66 to Rheinauen. 

Eat

Budget
  • Bakeries. Germany is famous for its bread. There are bakeries all over the city where you can buy different kinds of bread rolls (Brötchen) starting from 30 cent (the wholesome ones with grains are 50 cent or more), sandwiches (belegte Brötchen) for €1.50 and pastries and cakes. 
  • Student cafeterias. M-F 09:00–16:00. You can get cheap and nutritious sandwiches and coffee at the student cafeterias at the Main University Building in the city centre (Am Hof/Regina Pacis Weg), Juridicum (Adenauerallee/Lennestraße) and on the first floor of the Mensa Nassestraße. 
  • 🌍 Mandu, Franziskanerstraße 5. M-Sa 11:00-20:00. Small Korean snack bar, they offer Mandus, rolls, kimchi, glass noodles, cheap, friendly and very good. €2-8. 
  • 🌍 Cala-Dor, Wesselstraße 4-6. Pizza restaurant in business since 1983 with two locations, on Wesselstrasse 4 and Sterntorbrücke 2. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Frittebud, Franzstraße 42. Fast-food place; currywurst, fries and burgers on the menu. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Kichererbse, Poppelsdorfer Allee. Hole-in-the-wall place with different falafel wraps and fries. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Wok In, Maximilianstraße 38. Asian restaurant; Chinese, Thai and Indonesian dishes on the menu. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Mensa, Nassestraße. M-F 11:30-14:00 & 17:30-19:00, Sa 11:30-14:00. The official student canteen offers several dishes, Essen 1 on the second floor is vegetarian. The food is not gourmet but okay for a canteen. The salad bar on the 3rd floor is quite good. Mensa is also open for non-students who pay a higher price (about €5 for Essen 1), but they do not always ask for your student identification if you look young. As of July 2021, the building is being replaced and a temporary canteen has been set up at the University main building. €3-6. 

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Bönnsch, Sterntorbrücke 4 (near Friedensplatz in the central pedestrian zone), ☏ +49 228 65 06 10. M-Th 11:00-01:00, F Sa 11:00-03:00, Su 12:00-00:00. Local Bierhaus that brews its own beer. Food includes staples such as schnitzel with fries, steaks and other hearty fare. €15-20 including drinks. 
  • 🌍 Makiman, Sterntorbrücke 11, ☏ +49 228-721-6957. M-Th 12:00-15:00 & 17:30-22:00, F Sa 12:00-20:00, Su 16:00-21:30. Very good Japanese restaurant, besides very fresh sushi they also offer soups, curries, and salads. Additional locations (see website). €8. 
  • 🌍 Cassius-Garten (vegetarian food), Maximilianstraße 28d (opposite the Hauptbahnhof). M-Sa 11:00-20:00. Completely vegetarian, buffet-style, vegan meals are marked with a green dot. Quite expensive but really good, try the soups for €2! €1.60/100g. 
  • 🌍 Divan Restaurant, Kölnstraße 13. Turkish restaurant, with Turkish and Levantine cuisine. €10-25. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Mogul, Heerstraße 64 (Nordstadt), ☏ +49 228 695569. Indian restaurant in Bonn. Although the restaurant makes the impression of a carefully redecorated garage, the food is really good and the owners are friendly. It is also cheaper than other Indian restaurants. from €11 (Aug 2021). (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Karawane, Adrianstraße 104 (Straßenbahn 66 to Königswinter/Bad Honnef, get out at Oberkassel Nord, when getting out of the station turn twice to the left and follow the road), ☏ +49 228-9449680. 18:00-23:00. Oberkassel is a bit outside of the city centre, but Karawane is worth the effort. It is basically an "All you can eat" (but not a buffet) consisting of 9 dishes from the Mediterranean and Middle East region. The dishes change two weeks (see their website), you can order a vegetarian selection or additional dishes such as lamb. The atmosphere is nice and the service friendly. It is often crowded, so better call for a reservation. €22.00 (€20.00 for the vegetarian version, Oct 2021). (updated Sep 2022)

Splurge
  • 🌍 Nees Bar Café Restaurant, Meckenheimer Allee 169. Popular but pricy café and restaurant with delicious food, next to Poppelsdorfer Castle. The downtown location is closed. €20-30. (updated May 2024)
  • 🌍 Halbedel’s Gasthaus, Rheinallee 47. A fine dining restaurant. No à la carte, but a set menu that changes each month. It is also a hotel. 6- or 7 course menu €150. (updated Sep 2022)

Drink

Cafes
  • 🌍 Café Blau, Franziskanerstraße. 10:00-24:00. Mainly visited by students, this café is in the entrance hall of a former public swimming pool. It is kind of "cult" to go there, famous caffe latte, good breakfast offers. from €2. 
  • 🌍 Café Fürst, Fürstenstraße 6A. 09:00-20:00. Very good coffee specialties and cake, closes at 20:00. (updated Jun 2021)
  • 🌍 Goldbraun, Fürstenstraße. The Goldbraun Cafe boasts excellent espresso, comparable to Starbucks. 
  • 🌍 Café Miebach, Marktplatz, at Stern Hotel. One of the most traditional cafes in Bonn. Not cheap, but good service and excellent cakes. Customers are mostly elderly. In the summer, they offer 300 seats outside directly at the Marktplatz. 
  • 🌍 Café Fassbender, Corner Sternstraße and Dreieck. 10:00-17:00, closed on Sundays. Café Fassbender is known for its cake. It is a pastry shop and a café. Often very crowded. It is a great location for middle-aged or older people to visit. (updated Jun 2021)
  • 🌍 Teestube Gschwendner, Dreieck 2. 10:00-19:00. Not a cafe, but a tea room in a beautiful frame house that hosts the Tea shop Tee Gschwendner. They brew high quality tea on the second floor and also have a small choice of cakes and scones. The shop on the first floor often offers free tea tasting of one or two teas in a Samowar. 


Bars

Bonner Altstadt ('old downtown') in general is a good place to go out. Find a lot of small pubs and student bars in this district

  • 🌍 Alter Zoll, Am Brassertufer (next to Koblenzer Tor), ☏ +49 228-241243. 11:00-23:00, but depends on the weather, open only in summer. The definite place to be on a beautiful summer night in Bonn. Alter Zoll is a large beergarden under an old tree with direct view of the Rhine and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. It can become very crowded and take 20 minutes to get your drinks. Many people and especially students also bring their own drinks and sit down on the meadow next to the beer garden. To find it, just follow the crowd at Koblenzer Tor down to the rhine. Payment only possible in cash. 
  • 🌍 James Joyce, Mauspfad (near to Dreieck), ☏ +49 228-369 56 71. Irish pub in the city centre, atmospheric, good food, large variety of beers and whiskies, live sports. 
  • 🌍 Tacos, Bonngasse 7 (same street as Beethovenhaus), ☏ +49 228 655185. Popular Mexican bar, Corona beer and great Cocktails. Happy Hour from 17:00-19:30 and 23:30-00:30. Their food is also very good. 
  • 🌍 Che Guevara, Münsterstraße 9 (street between H&M and Karstadt), ☏ +49 228 6297973. M-Th 19:00-01:00, F Sa 19:00-03:00, Su 18:00-01:00. Delicious cocktails, good atmosphere. Happy Hour M-Th 18:30-20:30, F Sa 17:00-19:00 and Sunday, Cocktail €5.30. 
  • 🌍 Mojito, Königstraße 9, ☏ +49 228 4228727. 18-?. Small and popular cocktail bar, prices are moderate, they also have pizza and tapas. Very hot in the summer. Happy Hour 18:00-20:00: cocktails €6.90 and pizza from €6.50. 
  • 🌍 Cafe Pawlow, Heerstraße 64. Situated in the multicultural Nordstadt, an atmospheric place to have a beer in summer. 
  • 🌍 Nyx, Vorgebirgsstraße 19. Another good place in the Nordstadt, especially in summer when they have a beergarden outside. 
  • 🌍 Fiddler's Irish Pub, Frongasse 9 (Bonn-Endenich). Fiddler's is an Irish Pub that serves traditional Irish fare. Events such as weekly Karaoke and Pub Trivia are popular with the student crowd. As a bonus for travelers, a good percentage of the staff will be native English speakers as well. 
  • 🌍 Limes Musik-Cafe-Bonn, Theaterstraße 2. M-Sa from 17:00. The Limes is a punkrockers bar, which shows special football (soccer) events of the famous German left football team 1. FC. St. Pauli Hamburg. Events such as concerts or readings are sometimes announced on the website. As a bonus for young travellers and backpackers, the people in the bar are very helpful and open minded. (updated Aug 2021)
  • 🌍 Shamrock Irish pub, Römerstraße 22, ☏ +49 228 9650251. Irish pub close to the city centre. 

Clubs and discos
  • 🌍 Blow Up, Rathausgasse 10. Dive bar. Speciality is funk and 1960s music. It can get smokey and very hot when crowded. 
  • 🌍 Carpe Noctem, Wesselstraße 5 (near Hauptbahnhof). 22:00-05:00. Underground rock club with young patrons. Has occasional student parties boasting free entry and half-price drinks. If the club is packed, it will get uncomfortably hot. Dress light. 
  • 🌍 N8schicht, Bornheimer Str. 20-22. Open five days a week. Theme parties. Can also get smoky and hot when crowded. 

Sleep

Budget
  • 🌍 Max Hostel, Maxstraße 7, ☏ +49 228-82345780. Bonn's independent youth hostel in Nordstadt. Different rooms from single and double to dorms with 8 beds. from €22. 
  • 🌍 Youth Hostel Bonn Venusberg, Haager Weg 42, ☏ +49 228 289970. The official youth hostel is on the Venusberg which is about 20 minutes by bus from the city centre. There are night buses going there, but only one per hour. 269 beds, mainly in quad rooms, with 9 singles and 34 doubles. B&B from 32.90€ - single full board from 85.40€ +tax. (updated Apr 2024)
  • 🌍 Bildungsstätte Haus Venusberg e. V. Owned by the Catholic church. They offer singles, doubles, dorms, prices start at €25. 20 minutes outside the city centre. 

Mid-range

Splurge

Connect

Cope

Consulates

Go next
  • Cologne — 20-25 min by train. Get out at Köln Süd for partying at Zülpicher Straße or at Köln Hauptbahnhof for sightseeing and the city centre.
  • Königswinter — home to Drachenfels (1010 ft), crowned by the ruins of a castle built early in the 12th century by the archbishop of Cologne, rises behind the town. From the summit, which can be accessed by the Drachenfels Railway, there is a magnificent view, celebrated by Lord Byron in Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. A cave in the hill is said to have sheltered the dragon which was slain by the hero Siegfried. Take tram line 66 until Königswinter.
  • Rheinsteig
  • Zülpich — an old Roman settlement with a newly opened museum centered on Roman baths and bathing culture. It is also a gateway to the Eifel region.
  • Burg Satzvey
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