Bielefeld is the “heart of the East Westphalia-Luippe Region”, home of 300,000 residents and to a university, a castle and beautiful architecture. Whatever you are looking for, Bielefeld offers interesting opportunities for relaxation and cultural events. Now this place is the home of seven universities and a huge number of students. It is also home to a number of big names and personalities that have made big contributions to the world. Explore this list and check out the best things to do in Bielefeld, Germany.
1. Sparrenburg Castle
Sparrenburg Castle is Bielefeld’s most popular landmark and is always worth visiting. Its mighty fortifications are located right next to one of the most beautiful ridge walks in Germany, the “Hermannsweg”. The underground passages can be explored from April to October. This mighty fortress offers wonderful panorama views over the town of Bielefeld. It is also the impressive backdrop for the annual medieval spectacular called Sparrenburgfest, which lures thousands to the castle.
Sparrenburg Castle opens daily for guests and visitors who would like to explore the historical castle, from April to October 10:00am - 6:00pm; November to March, Saturday, Sunday & public holidays 11:00am - 6:00pm. The castle is closed from December 24 to January 1. There are minimal charges for adults and discounted rates for senior citizens, children and students.
Sparrenburg Castle
Address: Am Sparrenberg 40, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany
Website: Sparrenburg Castle
2. Kunsthalle Bielefeld Museum
The Kunsthalle Bielefeld is a modern and contemporary art museum in Bielefeld, Germany. It was designed by Philip Johnson in 1968 and paid for by the businessman and art patron Rudolf August Oetker. In this museum, you can find the important works of Picasso, Sonia and Robert Delaunay, Max Beckman and many other artists.
Located in the center of East Westphalia, it is considered a landmark in town. It is the only European museum building of the American Harvard graduate and former employee Mies Van Der Rohes, who built the architecture department at the New York Museum of Modern Art. The museum opens from Tuesday-Sunday 11am-6pm, Wednesday 11am-9pm, and Saturday 10am-6pm.
Kunsthalle Bielefeld Museum
Address: Artur-Ladebeck-Straße 5, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany
Website: Kunsthalle Bielefeld Museum
3. Historisches Museum (History Museum)
The Historisches Museum tells the story of Bielefeld and the surrounding area from the city’s foundation in 1214 to the present day in a vivid and lively way. The focus of the exhibition remains on the history of industrialization in and around Bielefeld. From time to time the museum hosts special exhibitions that are open for the public.
Historisches Museum (History Museum)
Website: Historisches Museum
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4. Bauernhaus Museum (Farmhouse Museum)
The Bauernhaus Museum is the oldest open-air museum in Germany. It also won a Special Commendation in the European Museum 2001. It showcases rural life from around 1850 and on this site guests can check out the bake house, a store house, a windmill, and a flax mill which together paint a picture of farm life in the Ravensberg area up to the mid-nineteenth century. A barn house has been converted to a cafe, while a former craftsman’s house contains educational activities for children. Activities are scheduled and you need to check every now and then for any updates.
Bauernhaus Museum (Farmhouse Museum)
Address: Dornberger Str. 82, 33619 Bielefeld, Germany
Website: Bauernhaus Museum
5. Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden)
This botanical garden offers the visitors a warm and fresh ambiance all throughout. Here you can see the extensive plant collections and a wide variety of landscape gardens. Special highlights are the rhododendron and azaleas collection as well as the presentation of the different habitats: Steingarten, Alpinum, medicinal and spice garden, Heidegarten and Buchenwaldflora - to name a few. It has a playground for children as well. The garden is also open for any events that guests would like to hold and it is open daily.
Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden)
Address: Am Kahlenberg 16, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
6. Teutoburg Forest Nature Park
The Teutoburg Forest Nature Park includes a range of hills, made famous by the so-called ”Battle of the Teutoburg Forest” between the Roman and German warriors in the year 9 AD. This terrain of forest offers a wide scenic ridge. The river has its source at the western base of the southernmost portion of the Teutoburg Forest. It’s a good place to unwind and for nature activities that everyone will enjoy.
Teutoburg Forest Nature Park
Address: Teutoburg Germany
Website: Teutoburg Forest Nature Park
7. Obersee Lake and Viaduct
The large rainwater management system created the Observe Lake and Viaduct way back in the 1980s. It is a recreational space and is ideal for walking, jogging and cycling and guests may enjoy a breathtaking view of the Schildesche towards the Teutoburg Forest. The lake has a catchment area of 100 km (60 mi). The name Obersee indicates that another lake was planned under the Obersee. The original concept looked at the Upper Lake as more natural-looking.
Obersee Lake and Viaduct
Website: Obersee Lake and Viaduct
8. Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen (Olderdissen Animal Park)
Way back in 1930 this was a fawn nursery run by the town’s forester, but now serves as a well-loved animal park. The Olderdissen houses around 450 animals of 100 indigenous species, including many protected varieties. Most of the animals are found rarely or not at all in the wild. This place is good for everyone especially for kids; the park is free and open 24-hours. There is also an animal park shop which is open only Wednesday, Saturday, Sundays and on holidays.
Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen (Olderdissen Animal Park)
Address: Dornberger Straße 151, 33619 Bielefeld
Website: Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen
9. Sparrenburgfest (Medieval Spectacular at the Castle)
Sparrenburgfest is a fest done every July that showcases a lot of activities. This is the most famous festival in Bielefeld, Germany since it brings to life the times of preachers selling indulgences, of minstrels and the Black Death, and of wanton high spirits. People around town and even tourists from other countries visit this festival to enjoy a wild troupe of magicians, storytellers, traders and vagrants.
Sparrenburgfest (Medieval Spectacular at the Castle)
Address: Am Sparrenberg 38A, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany
Website: Sparrenburgfest
10. Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt)
Oh Christmas is just around the corner! And yes Bielefeld Christmas Market is always a favorite destinations of local and foreign visitors. There is a lot to buy during this season, from simple gifts to your daily needs, home and Christmas decor, foods and mostly the traditional German alcoholic drink for which a rum-soaked sugar loaf is set on fire and is dripped into mulled wine.
You’ll find a very happy and colorful ambiance and lots of fun during this season in this Christmas Market; there is choir singing and concerts remembering the Christmas spirit. The Christmas Market normally starts November 23 up to December 23 and continues from December 27 to December 30.
Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt)
Website: Christmas Market
Bielefeld: where culture and modernity collide
A place where you can find yourself relaxing in nature, admiring the arts and architecture, learning the history and enjoying the trends of today. Come and visit Bielefeld and let the fun begin!