Marburg

Walk the labyrinth of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with extremely well-preserved examples of 17th and 18th century Hessian architecture while taking surprisingly many stairs outdoors. Hearing nearby church bells toll while strolling through this part of Marburg is a life changing experience. This is the Germany you expect from the tour books and here you can enjoy it free from the crowds of tourists.

The Philipps-Universität (founded 1527) is the oldest Protestant university in the world. Marburg has approximately 76,000 residents. With 23,500 students and 6,000 people working for the university, a saying in Marburg is: "Other cities may have a university, Marburg is a university."

Those who have a grasp in Biology and/or Epidemiology may also remember the Marburg virus, which is equally fatal as the Ebola virus. The virus is named after the city after an outbreak in 1967, causing dozens of infections and several deaths.

• 🌍 Tourist Information Marburg, Pilgrimstein 26, ☏ +49 6421 - 99 12-0, tourismus@siegburg.de. Monday - Friday: 13.00 - 17.00, Saturday: 14.00 - 18.00, Sunday 13.00 - 17.00. 

As a small town it`s best explored on foot. Other possibilities include the public bus services and bicycle. A touristic tour is offered by the Schlossbahn.

If you need, ask the inhabitants: Most people are very friendly and will go out of their way to point out the sights.

In Marburg many European and other languages are widely spoken. English is never a problem. For example it is possible to find those who will understand a little Japanese or Mandarin, especially if you approach one of the many exchange students. The people in Marburg are very friendly and when you ask friendly you can get sometimes special tips you can never find in a guide.

Stroll around the old city and enjoy the medieval atmosphere in combination with the spirit of a university town. Visit the Elisabeth Church, Germany's oldest Gothic church, and the old castle at top of the "Oberstadt". Also worth seeing are the old university building, the city hall, and Weidenhausen (the old part of the town on the other side of the river Lahn).

• 🌍 Castle (Landgrafenschloss). 
• 🌍 St. Elisabeth's Church (Elisabethkirche). 
• 🌍 Historical town hall (Historisches Rathaus). 
• 🌍 Old town market (Marktplatz). 

• 🌍 Spiegelslustturm (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Turm), Hermann-Bauer-Weg 2. 

• Take a romantic pedal boat trip on the river Lahn, which starts from the bridge opposite to the old university building.
• Take a hike up to the Spiegelslustturm and enjoy a wonderful view over Marburg at night.
• There is an exhibition on the culture and history of Hesse in the old castle and also guided tours through the "Kasematten", the cellars of the castle. Consult the tourist information office for details.
• There is the Aquamar, a relatively new swimming pool with a spa area.
• If you are looking for culture, art and a special place to enjoy a glass of wine, visit the Kulturzentrum Waggonhalle, right behind the train station. Placed in the historic wagon halls, you will find art exhibitions, theater, concerts, flea markets and cabarets. The Rotkehlchen Cafe/Restaurant serves great food, tasty cakes, and offers outside seating.
• If you should visit the town in summer, the city ​​laid 3TM is held during the second weekend in July, while on the 3rd weekend in July the international open-air short-film festival OpenEyes Filmfest starts.

The Marburg Mercenaries play first division (GFL Süd) American Football. The season runs roughly April-September with Playoffs in late September to October.

Self-caterers and low-budget travelers can find all the big discounters in Marburg. There is also no shortage of health food stores. Furthermore, there is the possibility of getting supplies on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the markets in the south quarter, in the upper town and at the Elisabethkirche / Firmaneiplatz. In the old town you will find many smaller specialist shops with an extensive range, including several bookshops. There are several shopping centers in Marburg; Marburg, on the other hand, does not offer large shopping areas and miles.

A typical souvenir from Marburg is the "Marburger Nachtwächter", a herbal liqueur made according to a traditional recipe with 38% vol. It can be bought in the liquor and tobacco shop, Marktgasse 17, in the upper town.

The city caters for the needs of more than 18,000 students so it is not difficult to find a nice cafe or pub. Most of the good pubs are located in the Oberstadt. Be aware that during the university terms they are sometimes crowded.

Next to the lower level of the lift (Oberstadtaufzug) in the middle of Marburg you will find numerous restaurants, great Doner and a very good Lebanese Imbiss.

If you arrive at the train station and like to eat Asian food just walk straight away from the train station and cross the river bridge behind the highway. On the right side is a small, but good place for Asian food.

The area in the historic center around the Marktplatz and Barfuesserstraße is full of good, affordable restaurants for all tastes, many with outside seating. Most restaurants in the Oberstadt offer breakfasts or brunches, and pretty much all of them will have many vegetarian options.

There are too many pubs and bars to list them all, but if you are in Marburg and everything is closed because its already 3 or 4 o´clock in the morning you have to go to the bolschoi pub! It is near the Elisabeth Church and the place to be in the later night! If you are looking for some true Marburg experience, check out the Delirium mit Frazzkeller (Steinweg 3), a 2 floor bar with true Marburg characters and smoking downstairs. Try the Roter Korn. If you like live music, sip a glass of wine to some jazzy band at the Jazzclub Cavete (right across Deli/Frazzkeller). One of the oldest pubs in town is Hinkelstein in a vaulted cellar at the market square. Try Altbierbohle here. A good place to drink a beer during the day is at the harbour (pedal boat rental) on the river Lahn next to the Weidenhäuser bridge.

• 🌍 Youth hostel, Jahnstr. 1, ☏ +49 6421 23461. The youth hostel is located in walking distance from the city center 
• 🌍 Welcome Hotel, Pilgrimstein 29. 
• 🌍 Villa Vita Rosenpark Hotel, Anneliese Pohl Allee 7-17. 

• Giessen

Take a train in the direction of Kassel to Kirchhain, a lovely small German town with interesting large markets like the New Years Market or the Martins market.

You can also take a trip to the Amöneburg, an old fortress 15 km east of Marburg, or to castle Rauischholzhausen, a traditional castle with a nice park.

You can also go for longer hikes in the surrounding hills and the picturesque forests.