A Perfect Weekend in Münster: What to See, Do and Eat

Day 1 of our Münster weekend began with check-in at the Factory Hotel, where we also picked up the keys to our rental bikes. In a city like Münster, cycling really is the best way to get around, so having bikes ready at the hotel was super convenient. The hotel itself is a destination in its own right. This former brewery has been thoughtfully transformed into a modern hotel with a layout that pays tribute to the history of the site. Walking to and from our room truly felt like stepping in and out of time, with the preserved framework and industrial details quietly telling the story of the building’s past.

Experience the Sights and Sounds of the Münster Old Town

Settled in and with keys in hand, we biked into the heart of the city to meet up with our tour guide. Marion was extremely knowledgable and tailored the tour to our own personal interests. We really enjoyed the insightful conversations as well as the historical facts and anecdotes about Münster. Her tour left us with a much deeper understanding of this unassuming city, including its long-standing role as the city of peace.

Book your own city tour in Münster: There are plenty of options to choose from, whether you’re interested in history, architecture or themed evening walks. If you decide on a late-night tour, you might even witness the city’s tower keeper sounding the all-clear signal from atop St. Lamberti Church.

The Tower Keeper of St. Lamberti Church

Münster is the only city in Germany that still employs a real tower keeper; not as a tourist attraction, but as a living tradition. Every evening, starting at 9 p.m., the keeper makes her rounds atop St. Lamberti Church, blowing a horn in all four directions to signal that the city is safe.

We had the rare privilege of meeting the current keeper, Martje, and climbing the hidden stairwell to her office high above the Prinzipalmarkt. Hearing her stories about the history of the job and the role it still plays today was fascinating, and watching her sound the all-clear over the rooftops was unforgettable. Sadly, Denise’s fear of heights got the better of her and she had to go back down early before making it to the top, but after walking on the 2-foot wide path around the top of the tower, I can safely say she made the right decision.

While tourists can’t normally join her in the tower, it’s worth knowing the tradition is very real here. You can still stand below St. Lamberti in the evening and listen as her horn echoes across the old town, just as it has for centuries.

Explore the Sights at Your Own Pace

Of course you are also free to explore the sights at your own pace. Münster is full of striking landmarks, many of which you likely saw on your city tour, but we wanted to list them out here to make it easy for you.

• Münster Castle: This is right on the promenade between the Factory Hotel and the Aasee, so you can’t miss it.
• City Hall: You really should make a point to go inside and visit the historic hall of peace. This was one of our personal favorites.
• Prinzipalmarkt: The iconic street of Münster, lined with those famous façades we mentioned in the beginning.
• St. Lamberti Church: Located right on the Prinzipalmarkt and home to a floating organ and the tower keeper.
• St. Paulus Cathedral: Contains a spectacle of an astronomical clock and serves as another iconic symbol of Münster.
• The Promenade: This is a sight of it’s own, as we’re not currently aware of any other city that has such a well maintained and peaceful biking/walking trail encircling the city. It’s easy to navigate Münster just by using the Promenade as a guide.
• Hansa District: An excellent place to kick back with a drink, attend an event or simply stroll the canals.

Cycle the Rieselfelder Nature Preserve

There’s a reason Münster is considered the cycling capital of Germany. With flat landscapes and countless bike paths, it’s the perfect city to explore on two wheels.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we hopped on our bikes and headed north toward the Rieselfelder Nature Preserve. You can pick up the trail right behind the hotel, though we recommend using Google Maps since there are plenty of route options along the way. The ride itself was half the fun, taking us through quiet stretches of countryside before opening up into a vast wetland filled with birdlife.

The preserve is home to countless species. Observation towers, raised boardwalks and small shelters make it easy to pause, take in the views and enjoy the peace and quiet. With wide skies overhead and reeds rustling in the wind, it was hard to believe we were still so close to the city.

We capped off our cycling tour with some delicious cake at Café Heidekrug. Generous slices, a cozy atmosphere and hearty lunch options make it the perfect place to recharge before heading back toward Münster.

Visit the Farmer’s Market (Wochenmarkt)

The Wochenmarkt, Münster’s popular farmers’ market, takes place every Wednesday and Saturday until 2:30 p.m. With the impressive backdrop of St. Paulus Cathedral and the city’s distinctive towers, the market is a feast for the senses, filled with colorful stalls, fresh produce and tempting street food.

What makes this market especially noteworthy are the city’s efforts to make it more sustainable and community-focused. The square itself used to be home to multiple parking spaces, but in a move to reduce traffic in the old town and create more public space, it was transformed into a pedestrian-friendly gathering place. On non-market days, the square is scattered with chairs, inviting anyone to sit back and enjoy the fresh air.

Another thoughtful feature is the vegetarian-only market, held every two weeks, which highlights the city’s commitment to greener, more eco-friendly living. Together, these changes make the Wochenmarkt a symbol of Münster’s ongoing push to regreen its urban spaces.

Relax at the Aasee

No trip to Münster feels complete without spending time at the Aasee, the city’s beloved lake just off the promenade. Locals come here to picnic, paddle, sip drinks with friends or simply stretch out on the grass and watch the world go by.

We ended our day here, soaking in the laid-back vibe as the sun dipped lower over the water. You can walk or cycle the full 5 km loop around the lake, but after a busy day of exploring, we were just as happy to sit back and relax. Whether you’re after a quiet spot to reflect or a lively atmosphere with students and families, the Aasee is where Münster comes together.