Bonn Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Bonn Marketplace featuring night scenes
Beethoven House
Bonn
Bonn
Bonn Arts Museum

Discover the musical and historical heritage of Germany's former capital.

Bonn used to be West Germany's seat of government and important national and international political meetings are still often held here today, even if Berlin has replaced Bonn as the capital of a united Germany. Bonn was originally a university town and, over the years, has been able to maintain a pulsing, young atmosphere that visitors can experience in the many cafés and beer gardens.

Take a tour around the Bonn University, one of the country's important educational institutions. The university can lay claim to many famous former students such as Pope Benedict XVI and Friedrich Nietzsche.

Bonn is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The house where he was born, the Beethoven-Haus, is now a museum in which the composer's belongings are displayed, including various pieces of writing and musical instruments.

Travel to Bonn will also allow you to discover further museums, such as the Kunstmuseum Bonn which holds one of the region's biggest art collections. In the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, on the other hand, you can learn more about the country's history. On a stroll through the south of the town you will discover many buildings from the 19th century. The 17th-century church, the Kreuzbergkirche is a typical example of baroque architecture. Even more of Bonn's varied architecture can be seen in the Bonner Münster, the cathedral in the city centre.

Even if you're only breezing through Bonn on a short trip, in one of the city's bars or pubs you have to try the region's very own "dragon blood" red wine, cultivated in a vineyard on the Petersberg mountain. True to the city's musical heritage, Bonn is not lacking when it comes to the performing arts. Throughout the summer, a great variety of operas and ballet performances are put on in the opera houses, while the city's orchestra offers an entire range of concerts from September onwards. If you're looking for comedy shows and jazz gigs, you will get your money's worth in the city's smaller theatres. If you plan to travel to Bonn in the summer, you might even experience the Beethoven Festival in person.

The city lies on the banks of the River Rhine, south from Cologne. Several picturesque train routes lead from Bonn through the Siebengebirge (Seven Mountains) to other major cities. Bonn's location makes it perfect for short trips to Cologne, Düsseldorf and other areas in the Rhine region.

Where to stay in Bonn

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Bad Godesberg

Bad Godesberg is a destination travellers like for its river views, and you might hop aboard the metro at Bad Godesberg U-Bahn or Plittersdorfer Strasse U-Bahn to explore sights like Godesburg.

Bad Godesberg
Bonn Minster

Zentrum

4/5(14 area reviews)

Noted for its historical sites and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Zentrum. Top attractions like Beethoven House and Bonn Marketplace are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz Tram Stop or Bonn Thomas-Mann-Straße Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Zentrum
North Rhine-Westphalia

Stadtbezirk Bonn

If you're spending time in Stadtbezirk Bonn, check out sights like House of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany or World Conference Center Bonn and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Bonn Hindenburgplatz Tram Stop or Bergstrasse Tram Stop.

Stadtbezirk Bonn
North Rhine-Westphalia which includes a bridge, a river or creek and a sunset

Beuel

2/5(1 area review)

Beuel is well liked for its bars and riverfront. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Kennedy Bridge and Golf Course Bonn are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Vilich-Müldorf Tram Stop or Adelheidisstraße Tram Stop to get around.

Beuel
Bonn Minster featuring a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Old Town Bonn

Noted for its shopping and historical sites, there's plenty to explore in Old Town Bonn. Top attractions like Beethoven House and Bonn Marketplace are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz Tram Stop or Stadthaus Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Old Town Bonn
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Gronau

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

You might enjoy the museums while in Gronau. United Nations is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Ollenhauerstrasse U-Bahn or Heussallee-Museumsmeile U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Gronau
Maritim Hotel Bonn
Maritim Hotel Bonn
Godesberger Allee, Bonn, NW
The price is £72 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
£72
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Bonn. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (391 reviews)
"Great for short travels"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Maritim Hotel Bonn
Dorint Hotel Bonn
Dorint Hotel Bonn
Berliner Freiheit 2, Bonn
Stay at this spa hotel in Bonn. Enjoy a full-service spa, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (200 reviews)
"Spacious room, lots of windows in the corner unit, close to everything"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Dorint Hotel Bonn
Kameha Grand Bonn
Kameha Grand Bonn
Am Bonner Bogen 1, Bonn, NW
The price is £108 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£108
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Bonn. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (860 reviews)
"Top shelf hotel. Would only stay here if returning to Bonn."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Kameha Grand Bonn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
BONNOX Boardinghouse & Hotel
BONNOX Boardinghouse & Hotel
In der Raste 5-7, Bonn, NW
Stay at this aparthotel in Bonn. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Museumsmeile and Bundeskunsthalle are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (123 reviews)
Great
"Really nice place, apartments are huge and staff very friendly and helpful"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2024

BONNOX Boardinghouse & Hotel
Numa Bonn Bona
Numa Bonn Bona
Kölnstraße 360-364, Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Bonn. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Arte Fact and Bonn Women's Museum ...
8/10 Very Good! (259 reviews)
"Very comfortable, clean and convenient. Not too far from town center. Have stayed there 3 times and will be back."

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2025

Numa Bonn Bona
Bob W Beethoven
Bob W Beethoven
Bonngasse 7, Bonn, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Bonn. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Bonn Marketplace and Beethoven ...
9/10 Wonderful! (43 reviews)
"High quality room, very clean. Great shower with pushbuttons to turn on, toilettries provided. Well equipped kitchen with crockery, glasses pans, fridge microwave, kettle, toaster and hob. Welcome coffee provided to use with cafetiere. Also had small table with 2 chairs and cupboard area for hanging ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Bob W Beethoven
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bonn

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
9
5 - Excellent 39%
4 - Good
11
4 - Good 48%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Jenni

Good for shopping Good public transport system and very economical Cheaper to access public transport to cologne Bonn airport than taxi service A huge difference if at least €40 Very safe Shops are open until 8pm.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Excellent Weihnachtsmarkt, Beethovenhaus, compact, good travel links, Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik is unmissable.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A cute little historic town.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

very surprised how small Bonn is. Trams were fast and efficient, locals were generally helpful and friendly. Hotel staff were excellent.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

No time to see anything other than hotel and office.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We went by tram and train to koningswinter and Linz then back by boat. This was a good way to see towns and get the boat trip in.

Cities near Bonn