10 Best Things To Do In Oldenburg, Germany

1. Check out various artworks at Augusteum

Opened in 1876 as the first art museum of Oldenburg, Augusteum houses collections from Oldenburg State Museum for Art and Cultural History. Here, you can find artworks from some of the most revered painters in the world. The collections used to belong to Grand Dukes. Boasting an Italian Renaissance style, Augusteum is a great addition to your must-visit list. This is a fun place to go to with friends, classmates, business partners, or fellow art enthusiasts.

Augusteum

Address: Elisabethstraße 1, 26135 Oldenburg, Germany

Website: Augusteum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

Price: Day ticket: 1.50 EUR - 10 EUR (1.78 USD - 11.87 USD); Annual ticket: 30 EUR (35.63 USD); Guided tours: 50 EUR - 55 EUR (59.39 USD - 65.33 USD)

2. Stroll around Botanischer Garten Oldenburg

Take a refreshing break at this beautiful botanical garden located in the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg. Opened as a teaching garden in 1882, its main goal is to inform thousands of visitors about the value of nature and the importance of every living organism.

Aside from providing the necessary plants for the university’s classes, this garden offers guided tours. It has more than 7,000 plant species and a number of animals, such as birds. Whether you’re alone or with friends and family, it is definitely a must-visit when you’re looking for a calm retreat.

Botanischer Garten Oldenburg

Address: Philosophenweg 39/41, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany

Website: Botanischer Garten Oldenburg

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 8pm; Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm

Price: Free

3. Check out Pulverturm

Dive deep into the history of Oldenburg and visit one of its outstanding historical treasures, Pulverturm. This 16th-century tower was used to store gunpowder in the 18th century. Since it is the remaining building among Oldenburg’s fortifications, it is a must-visit for those who love history and want to learn about Oldenburg’s past. Aside from history buffs, this building attracts art enthusiasts since it is often used as a venue for exhibitions.

Pulverturm

Address: Schloßwall, 26122 Oldenburg, Germany

Website: Pulverturm

Opening hours: Fri: 2pm - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed from Mon - Thu)

4. Walk through the State Museum for Nature and Man

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Interested in natural history, ethnology, and archaeology? Then head to Landesmuseum Nature and Humankind, also known as the State Museum for Nature and Man. Founded by Grand Duke Paul Friedrich August in 1836, it started as a natural history museum. Then, ethnological and antiquity collections were added to the museum. It showcases permanent and special exhibitions. Marvel in awe at artifacts and replicas from the Paleolithic era to the Middle Ages, aquariums, and gemstones and minerals.

Landesmuseum Nature and Humankind

Address: Damm 38-46, 26135 Oldenburg, Germany

Website: Landesmuseum Nature and Humankind

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

Price: Regular day ticket: 6 EUR (7.12 USD); Groups of 10 people or more: 4 EUR (4.75 USD)

5. Wander around Stadtmuseum Oldenburg

Visit the city center and check out Oldenburg’s city museum. It showcases the city’s history, historic villas, and permanent and special exhibitions. The villas have been recreated to mimic upper-class rooms from the 1900s. There is also an area that tells the story of Oldenburg’s development throughout the years through scale models. As of March 2021, the city museum is being renovated to offer a better experience. However, it still offers online exhibitions and virtual tours.

Stadtmuseum Oldenburg

Address: Am Stadtmuseum 4 - 8, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany

Website: Stadtmuseum Oldenburg

6. Have a peaceful reflection in St. Lamberti Church

For a glimpse of historical architecture, visit St. Lamberti Church, a rotunda-style basilica inspired by the Pantheon. It started off as a Romanesque hall in the 12th century. It was renovated in the 19th century and boasts an impressive neo-Gothic style.

It is home to a magnificent organ, and you can participate in church service here or watch a performance by a choir or ensemble. Have a peaceful morning reflection or ponder during a warm afternoon at Oldenburg’s beautiful, serene church.

St. Lamberti Church

Address: Markt 17, 26122 Oldenburg, Germany

Website: St. Lamberti Church

Opening hours: Sun: 9am - 12pm; Mon - Sat: 11am - 6pm

Price: Free

7. Go on a three-in-one tour at Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte

Comprising three separate buildings, Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte or State Museum for Art and Cultural History will surely take you on a massive museum tour. Its three buildings are Oldenburg Castle, Augusteum, and Prinzenpalais.

Oldenburg Castle features handwritten documents and carved ivory, and Augusteum has paintings from great artists from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Meanwhile, Prinzenpalais houses 19th and 20th-century art pieces. With over 30,000 art pieces, such as decorative crafts, historical art, classic paintings, and modern art, this museum will take you on a joyous trip to different timelines.

Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte

Address: Oldenburg Castle: Schloßpl. 1, 26122 Oldenburg, Germany; Augusteum: Elisabethstraße 1, 26135 Oldenburg, Germany; Prinzenpalais: Damm 1, 26135 Oldenburg, Germany

Website: Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

Price: Day ticket: 1.50 EUR - 10 EUR (1.78 USD - 11.87 USD); Annual ticket: 30 EUR (35.63 USD); Guided tours: 50 EUR - 55 EUR (59.39 USD - 65.33 USD)

8. Snap some photos of the historic Lappan

One of Oldenburg’s finest historical sites is Lappan, a bell tower that used to be a retirement and nursing home. With a height of 35 meters (114.8 feet), this bell tower will definitely catch your eye. While the tower itself was renovated in 1909, the bell has been around since 1731. The building connected to the bell tower is the Tourist Information site. In the entrance area of the tower, guests can listen to an audio guide about Lappan and Oldenburg’s history.

Lappan

Address: Lange Str. 3, 26122 Oldenburg, Germany

Website: Lappan

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun)

Price: Free

9. Try out interactive exhibits at Horst-Janssen-Museum

Horst-Janssen-Museum highlights visual arts on paper and contemporary art. Named after the well-known and eccentric artist named Horst Janssen, this museum reflects his personality and provides an insight into his life.

The museum will drive you to learn more about drawing, such as its digital tools and forms, and how different kinds of artists understand and interpret it. You will also have the chance to try out interactive exhibits and witness temporary ones. If you are interested in art education and awareness, visiting Horst-Janssen-Museum is definitely a must.

Horst-Janssen-Museum

Address: Am Stadtmuseum 4-8, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany

Website: Horst-Janssen-Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

Price: Entrance fee: Free; Guided tours: 3 EUR - 55 EUR (3.56 USD - 65.36 USD)

10. Visit the attractions at Schlossplatz

Explore Schlossplatz, the main square of the city. Here, you can find the city’s top attractions, such as Schloss Oldenburg, which used to be the residence of various counts, dukes, and grand dukes before becoming a museum. Other attractions around Schlossplatz include the Schlosshöfe shopping mall and various outdoor markets. It’s one of the best places where you can walk around or hang out after a busy day.

Schlossplatz

Address: Schloßpl., 26122 Oldenburg, Germany

Have a memorable trip in Oldenburg

Try exploring Oldenburg, and it could be one of your most memorable trips. Filled with unique museums and historic sites, this amazing city will definitely offer you a fun and fulfilling day. Plan your trip ahead by taking inspiration from the list above to fully enjoy the breathtaking Oldenburg.