Travel Guide Münster/Osnabrück
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Travel Guide
Münster/Osnabrück
02 Quick view 05 Phone calls & Internet 08 Restaurants
02 Germany 05 Top 10 sights 09 Nightlife
04 Travel etiquette 07 Shopping in 10 Calendar of events
04 Health Münster/Osnabrück 12 Hotels
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Quick view
Münster/Osnabrück – a brief overview
The two northwest German cities of Münster and Osnabrück are around 50km from
one another, but have a common link in their shared airport, and fast transport links
connect the two in under an hour. Both are bustling cities in their own right, but
Münster, with a population of around 300,000, is twice the size of its more
manageable neighbour to the southwest.
Münster is also Westphalia’s regional capital and has a particularly young and
vibrant feel thanks to its student population, which tops 50,000 during term time.
Osnabrück is smaller and more business oriented, but no less lively.
Germany
General Information
Country overview
Once mockingly referred to as the “land of schnitzels and leather pants,” Germany
has acquired a much more modern image in recent decades. International visitors
are attracted to the big cities, especially the capital, Berlin. Since the fall of the
Berlin Wall in 1989, in particular, the city with its many cultural and entertainment
attractions has become a major tourist destination. But other German cities also
know how to celebrate and enjoy life.
Hamburg’s annual Hafengeburtstag port anniversary festival attracts around two
million visitors every year, the Rhineland is famous for its carnivals, and Munich’s
Oktoberfest is famous the world over.
Germany also has a variety of natural landscapes: for example, from the Wadden
Sea and lowland plains of the northwest, the lakelands in the northeast of the
country, numerous low mountain ranges and heathlands, to the central highlands
and Alpine regions.
Geography
Germany borders Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France,
Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The northwest has a
coastline on the North Sea, while the Baltic coastline in the northeast stretches
from the Danish to the Polish border.
The country is divided into 16 states (Bundesländer) and has an exceedingly
varied landscape. In what was once known as West Germany, the Rhine, Bavaria
and the Black Forest stand as the three most famous features, while in the east, the
country is lake-studded with undulating lowlands.
River basins extend over a large percentage of the region, and some of Europe’s
most prominent rivers flow through the country. These include the Elbe, the
Danube and the Rhine.
The highest point in the country is the 2962m (9718ft) peak of Zugspitze Mountain
in the Bavarian Alps. Cable cars run to the summit, which can also be climbed.
General Information
Key facts
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Population: 82,79 million (2017)
Capital: Berlin.
Language
German is the official language. Regional dialects often differ markedly from
standard German.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100,
50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and
1 cents.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use.
Public holidays
The public holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period are listed
below.
Note:
* In catholic regions only
** Sachsen only
*** Not in all Laender (Bundesländer)
****Berlin only
2019
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2019
Epiphany: 6 January 2019*
International Women’s Day: 8 March 2019****
Good Friday: 19 April 2019
Easter Sunday: 21 April 2019
Easter Monday: 22 April 2019
Labour Day: 1 May 2019
Ascension Day: 30 May 2019
Whit Sunday: 9 June 2019
Whit Monday: 10 June 2019
Corpus Christi: 20 June 2019*
Assumption: 15 August 2019*
Day of German Unity: 3 October 2019
Day of Reformation: 31 October 2019***
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2019*
Repentance Day: 21 November 2019**
Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2019
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Epiphany: 6 January 2020*
International Women’s Day: 8 March 2020****
Good Friday: 10 April 20120
Easter Sunday: 12 April 2020
Easter Monday: 13 April 2020
Labour Day: 1 May 2020
Ascension Day: 21 May 2020
Whit Sunday: 31 June 2020
Whit Monday: 1 June 2020
Corpus Christi: 21 June 2020*
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Assumption: 15 August 2020*
Day of German Unity: 3 October 2020
Day of Reformation: 31 October 2020***
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2020*
Repentance Day: 21 November 2020**
Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2020
All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Handshaking is customary in Germany, and it is considered rude to address
people by their first name unless invited to do so. Normal courtesies should be
observed. Before eating, it is normal to say “guten Appetit” to the other people at
the table to which the correct reply is “danke, gleichfalls” (“Thank you, the same to
you”). If you’ve been invited to eat at a German house, it is customary to present
the hostess with unwrapped flowers (according to tradition, you should always give
an uneven number, and it is worth noting that red roses are exclusively a lover’s
gift).
In shops and other businesses, courtesy dictates that visitors should utter a
greeting, such as “guten Tag” (or “grüß Gott” in Bavaria) before saying what it is
that they want; to leave without saying “auf Wiedersehen” or “tschüss” can also
cause offence.
Similarly, when making a telephone call, asking for the person you want to speak
to without stating first who you are is impolite. Casual wear is widely acceptable,
but more formal dress is required for some restaurants, the opera, theater, casinos
and important social functions. Smoking is prohibited where notified, on public
transportation and in most public buildings.
Health
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
There’s nothing to mark out German products as particularly risky to general health
(although it has a partly founded reputation for being high in fat). Tap water is safe
to drink.
Other Risks
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern Germany;
vaccination is advisable. Rabies is present; look out for ‘Tollwut’ signs. For those
at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered.
During the summer months, sunburn can be a problem. The southwest generally
has the highest temperatures. The usual precautions apply: Use a generous
amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight.
Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures.
If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry
– plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can
be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are
being worn over a long distance. Ideally, footwear should be worn in before the
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trip.
As a counterpoint to the balminess of the summer, German winters can be fairly
severe. This is generally truer the further east you travel. If you’re arriving during
the coldest months of the year, make sure you have adequate clothing. At any time
of year, in fact, temperatures can be unpredictable – even in July and August it
makes sense to have a sweater (and maybe an umbrella, too) to hand.
Other health problems that inexperienced travelers might reasonably encounter
are the various knock-on effects of consuming too much alcohol. The risk,
unsurprisingly, is particularly prevalent among those attending Munich’s
Oktoberfest. Be aware that some beers have ABV levels of as much as 6 or 7%
and should therefore be treated with respect.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code:+49
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway
and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without
incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for
phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do
apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on
data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your
country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the
new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all
passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app
or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Münster/Osnabrück
Aasee (Münster)
You can easily reach the north end of this beautiful semi-rural artificial lake from
Münster city centre, and it’s a great place for sailing, strolling, or simply relaxing by
the water. It becomes very popular on summer weekends.
Münster
Germany
Botanical Garden (Münster)
These lovely botanical gardens, part of Münster’s Westfälische Wilhelms
University, were originally founded in 1803, and still contain hundreds of rare and
exotic species.
Schlossgarten 3 Opening times:
48149 Münster Daily 0800-1900 (Apr-Sep)
Germany 0800-1600 (Oct-Mar)
Tel: (0251) 832 3827
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garten.uni-muenster.de
Stadtmuseum (Münster)
This city museum takes visitors on a journey through time from the founding of
Münster in medieval times to the present day.
Salzstrasse 28 Opening times:
48143 Münster Tue-Fri 1000-1800
Germany Sat-Sun 1100-1800
Tel: (0251) 492 4503
www.stadt-muenster.de/museum
St Paulus Dom (Münster)
Münster’s main cathedral was built in the mid-13th century, but had to be rebuilt
after being destroyed during WWII. One element that escaped the bombardment
was its fabulous astronomical clock, dating from 1560, which springs into action
every day at noon.
Domplatz 28 Opening times:
48143 Münster Mon-Sat 0630-1900
Germany Sun 0630-1930
Tel: (0251) 495 6700
www.paulusdom.de
Kunstmuseum Picasso (Münster)
This museum, in an 18th-century nobleman's house, focuses on the works of
Pablo Picasso, and contains a collection of around 800 graphic pieces, including
what is thought to be a near complete series of the Spanish artist’s lithographs.
Picassoplatz 1 Opening times:
48143 Münster Tue-Sun 1000-1800
Germany
Tel: (0251) 414 4710 www.kunstmuseum-picasso-muenster.
de
Zoo Osnabrück
This spacious city zoo covers a large area, and the animals are given plenty of
space in which to roam around.
Klaus-Strick-Weg 12 Opening times:
49082 Osnabrück Daily 0800-1830 (Apr-Oct)
Germany 0900-1700 (Nov-Mar)
Tel: (0541) 951 050
www.zoo-osnabrueck.de
Felix-Nussbaum-Haus (Osnabrück)
Housed in a striking 1998 building designed by Polish architect Daniel Libeskind,
this collection centres on works by the Jewish painter Felix Nussbaum (1904-44),
who was born in Osnabrück, but died in Auschwitz.
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Lotter Strasse 2 Opening times:
49078 Osnabrück Tue-Wed and Fri 1100-1800
Germany Thu 1100-2000, Sat-Sun 1000-1800
Tel: (0541) 323 2207
www.osnabrueck.de/fnh
Museum Industriekultur Osnabrück
A few kilometres north of Osnabrück, this small museum dedicated to the region’s
industrial heritage is located at a former coal mine. Some of the old buildings and
machinery have been preserved and restored.
Furstenauer Weg 171 Opening times:
49090 Osnabrück Wed-Sun 1000-1800
Germany
Tel: (0541) 912 7845 www.industriekultur-museumos.de
Medieval Houses (Osnabrück)
Several half-timbered houses in the city centre escaped major damage during
WWII. Among the most impressive are the 1533 house at Krahnstrasse 4, and the
nearby 1586 Renaissance Haus Willmann at number 7.
Hackenstrasse, Bierstrasse and
Krahnstrasse
Osnabrück
Germany
Market place (Osnabrück)
Osnabrück’s impressive main square is hemmed in by the Marienkirche church on
one side and the late-Gothic 1512 Town Hall on another. The latter is where the
Peace of Westphalia was negotiated, ending the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648).
Markt
49074 Osnabrück
Germany
Shopping in Münster/Osnabrück
Shopping in Münster/Osnabrück
Key Areas
Münster’s main shopping centre is based along and around Prinzipalmarkt, a
pedestrianised street with medieval colonnades that has been the place for retail
therapy since the 12th century. In Osnabrück, the best place to look for exclusive
designer goods is along Krahnstrasse, running from the Town Hall to Nikolaiort.
Markets
For bargains in Münster, the area running between Hindenburgplatz and the
Aasee hosts a flea market on the third Saturday of every month from May to
September. In December, Osnabrück’s Christmas market, in the shadow of the
Heger Tor gate, is regarded as one of the prettiest in Germany.
Shopping Centres
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Built in 2006, Münster’s glass-domed Arkaden shopping mall (Ludgeristrasse 100),
close to Prinzipalmarkt, has over 26,000 sq m of retail floor space. In Osnabrück,
the most convenient central shopping centre is Kamp-Promenade (Kamp 49), off
Neumarkt, a small mall with around 30 outlets.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Münster/Osnabrück
Both Münster and Osnabrück can boast chic award-winning restaurants, including
one of the best eateries in the country, aswell as Germanic brewpubs and down-to-
earth cafés. Whatever you need, you won’t go hungry.
La Vie
One of the best restaurants in Germany, this 3-star Michelin place in Osnabrück
settles for nothing less than perfection.
Krahnstrasse 1-2 Price: Expensive
49074 Osnabrück
Germany
Gourmet 1895
Small and elegant Michelin-starred restaurant in Münster’s Hotel Kaiserhof serving
classicly refined food.
Bahnhofstrasse 14 Price: Expensive
48143 Münster
Germany
Altes Gasthaus Leve
Classic German cuisine cooked to perfection in a large traditional old inn in
Münster.
Alter Steinweg 37 Price: Moderate
48143 Münster
Germany
Hausbrauerei Rampendahl
More hearty German cooking in this stylish old central brewpub near Osnabrück's
cathedral.
Hasestrasse 35 Price: Moderate
49074 Osnabrück
Germany
Mocca d’Or
Friendly bustling central bistro in Münster serving up no-nonsense Italian dishes at
low prices.
Rothenburg 14-16 Price: Cheap
48143 Münster
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Germany
Nightlife
Nightlife in Münster/Osnabrück
With a student population of over 50,000, it is no surprise Münster’s nightlife scene
is among the liveliest in Germany – Wednesday is a popular time for going
out.Osnabrück’s nightlife is only marginally quieter, and also has plenty to offer.
Pinkus Müller
Large and popular brewpub close to Münster’s centre, serving house beers in
large volumes.
Kreuzstrasse 4-10
48143 Münster
Germany
Veron
Münster’s trendiest (and loudest) nightclub keeps people dancing into the early
hours.
Albersloher Weg 14
48155 Münster
Germany
Hot Jazz Club
Münster’s hottest live music venue, this cellar bar hosts all kinds of acts, not just
jazz.
Hafenweg 26B
48155 Münster
Germany
Alte Gaststätte Holling
Family-owned since 1798, this traditional pub in Osnabrück pours a good choice of
draught beers.
Hasestrasse 53
49074 Osnabrück
Germany
Panorama Bar
This sixth floor bar with great city views over Osnabrück is a café by day and
cocktail lounge in the evening.
Neumarkt 7
49074 Osnabrück
Germany
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Calendar of events
Calendar of events
May Week (Maiwoche)
Around half a million visitors flock to 10 days of open-air shows during
Osnabrück’s huge free arts festival. Over 100 acts take to six different stages
performing a cracking mix of music, comedy and theatrical productions. Festival
goers can pick up unique crafts and tasty treats at surrounding stalls.
10 - 19 May 2019
maiwoche.osnabrueck.de
Venue: Various stages in the city centre, Osnabrück
Morgenland Festival
Showcasing a superb selection of music from the Near and Middle East, this
festival has hosted musicians from across the region, from Azerbaijan to Iraq to
Turkey. Classical, jazz, rock and traditional music are all represented, with
specially commissioned new works often featuring.
14 - 29 June 2019
morgenland-festival.com
Venue: Various venues, Osnabrück
Osnabrück Wine Days (Osnabrücker Weintage)
Oenophiles are in heaven at this summer wine-tasting festival by the Town Hall.
Specialist merchants pour a top-notch selection of around 500 German and
international wines over four days, and there’s a chance to buy your favourite
bottles to take home with you.
4 - 7 July 2019
www.osnabruecker-weintage.de/
Venue: Marktplatz, Osnabrück
Kreuzviertel Festival
One of Münster’s oldest festivals, Kreuzviertel is always a big hit. Live bands
entertain crowds from two stages, and there are excellent food and drink stands. A
highlight is the children’s flea market on the Sunday morning, when parents are
likely to be parted from most of their cash.
August 2019
www.x4tel.de
Venue: Various venues in the city centre, Münster
Hammer Strassenfest
Stalls stacked with jewellery, crafts and edible goodies line Hammer Straße for
Westphalia’s largest street festival in early August. A couple of stages host a terrific
programme of live music, while bouncy castles, carousels and bungee trampolines
keep kids content.
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August 2019
www.hammerstrasse.com
Venue: Hammer Strasse, Münster
Osnabrück Culture Night (Osnabrücker Kulturnacht)
A diverse, dynamic programme of anything and everything cultural pulls crowds
into the city for this special late-summer artsy soirée. Live music, theatrical
spectacles and eye-catching art installations are all on the menu, with over 40
venues participating, including museums, theatres and galleries.
August 2019
www.osnabrueck.de/kulturnacht/
Venue: Various venues, Osnabrück
Schauraum: Festival of Museums and Galleries
Three days of special activities draw thousands of visitors to Münster’s cultural
venues, culminating in the night of museums and galleries on the final evening.
Expect wacky sculptures, street theatre, concerts, kids’ entertainment, wine
tastings and late-night behind-the-scenes museum tours.
September 2019
Venue: Various venues, Münster
Send
A colourful whirlwind of fairground rides attracts over one million visitors to
Münsterland’s oldest fair, held three times a year. Teens go wild on the latest high-
adrenaline machines, while Ferris wheels and carousels provide a more serene
experience. On the Friday evenings, crowds pour into the square for glittering
fireworks.
October - November 2019
www.stadt-muenster.de/send/hinweise-fuer-scha...
Venue: Schlossplatz, Münster
Osnabrück Christmas Market (Historischer
Weihnachtsmarkt Osnabrück)
Over 100 illuminated stalls entice Christmas shoppers with beautiful handmade
toys, one-of-a-kind artworks and freshly baked pastries. Set beneath the stunning
backdrop of the historic Town Hall and St Peter’s Cathedral, this market is a winter
experience not to be missed.
November - December 2019
www.osnabrueck.de/weihnachtsmarkt/start.html
Venue: Marktplatz, Osnabrück
Münster’s Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmarkte)
Five Christmas markets, all within walking distance of each other, create a magical
Advent atmosphere in Münster’s city centre. Draped in twinkling lights, more than
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300 stalls are loaded up with Westphalian delicacies, local handicrafts and pretty
Christmas decorations.
November - December 2019
www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/muenster_...
Venue: Various venues, Münster
Hotels
Hotels in Münster/Osnabrück
Neither Münster nor Osnabrück has any 5-star hotels, but both have enough
alternative top-end options to satisfy the pickiestcustomers. Room rates are
generally low in both, as in most German cities.
Kaiserhof
Sumptuous and large central hotel close to Münster station, which has been
serving guests for over a century.
Bahnhofstrasse 14 Category: Expensive
48143 Münster
Germany
Romantik Hotel Walhalla
Charmingly characterful guesthouse in a half-timbered building dating from 1690.
Bierstrasse 24 Category: Expensive
49074 Osnabrück
Germany
Mauritzhof Design Hotel
Elegant design hotel in central Münster with individually furnished and styled
rooms.
Eisenbahnstrasse 17 Category: Moderate
48143 Münster
Germany
Steigenberger Remarque
Stylish well-equipped modern business hotel decorated in warm shades.
Natruper-Tor-Wall 1 Category: Moderate
49076 Osnabrück
Germany
Windthorst
Just a short walk from central Münster, Windthorst offers 3-star comforts for
remarkably little money.
Windthorststrasse 19 Category: Cheap
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48143 Münster
Germany
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