Best known for blossoms, Beethoven and b….. eautiful houses, Bonn is a lovely German city perched on the Rhine River in between Cologne and Frankfurt, a middle child of sorts that’s too often overshadowed by its larger, more famous neighbours.

But that doesn’t mean Bonn is boring. Or lacking in activities. I discovered this first hand during my trip to see the city’s eye-gougingly wonderful cherry blossoms… and honestly? There’s a surprising amount of things to do in Bonn for visitors, whether you’re looking to stalk Beethoven sights, get nerdy at a museum, or venture out to some truly magnificent castles.

So, read on for a list of the best things to do in Bonn, Germany, humble birthplace of the gummy bear. (Yes, this is indeed true).

1. Admire the cherry blossoms 

In spite of the fact that cherry blossom season occupies only the tiniest sliver of the annual calendar, the image ubiquitous with Bonn is that of its bright cotton candy canopies, created by cherry blossom trees scattered around the city, but certainly on the famous Heerstrasse, which has been photographed incessantly by photographers, Instagrammers, and probably a distant relative of yours for decades.

If you are lucky enough to time your visit to Bonn with cherry blossom season (usually mid-March to early April), then this is hands down the best thing do in Bonn. You can learn more in my guide on where to find Bonn’s cherry blossoms.

2. Follow in the footsteps of Beethoven 

This might seem like a random one, but when you consider that Bonn’s most famous ever resident, Ludwig van Beethoven was born here in 1770, the many Beethoven-themed attractions suddenly make a lot of sense.

So, whether you’re a Beethoven mega-fan or just a curious, snooopy tourist, do know that there’s many things you can do in Bonn that follow in the footsteps of this ultra-famous composer.

If you’re interested, you can pop by the tourism office and pick up a self-guided Beethoven walking tour (or access a digital copy here, although you will no doubt stumble upon a few of these spots yourself as they’re marked by Beethoven plaques. 

Here are a few spots to check out: 

• Beethoven House, Bonngasse 20: It was in the rear building of this address that Beethoven was born
• The “Beethon” Sculpture and the Beethovenhalle: Created by sculptor Klaus Kammierchs in 1986, the Beethon is an impressive concrete bust of Beethoven located in front of the Beethoven Hall
• The Palace Church an der Schlosskirche: This is where Beethoven at a young age learned to play the organ

3. Enjoy a gummy bear in the place that it was invented 

In a city that birthed one of the most famous composers of all time, you’d be forgiven if you assumed that Beethoven was Bonn’s best and most famous export.

But I’d like to offer up another (very worthwhile) achievement with just as dramatic a cultural impact…

The almighty gummy bear!

Yes, indeed, candy mega-brand Haribo has its roots in Bonn, a fun fact hidden in the company’s ubiquitous name, which actually comes from Hans Riegel Bonn… the very same man who pioneered the now beloved Gummibärchen in 1922.

So, stock up on Haribo in Bonn! You have my blessing.

4. Wander around Bonn’s Südstadt

The Südstadt neighborhood of Bonn is situated along the banks of the Rhine River, offering scenic views and picturesque walking paths. On my visit, I found that one of the best things to do in Bonn was just to wander around this pretty area and snoop around its picturesque streets.

Südstadt is known for its beautiful, well-preserved historic buildings, many of which date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The neighborhood also features a mix of architectural styles, including Art Nouveau, Neo-Gothic, and Art Deco (i.e. all the prettiest ones). It’s home to a variety of cozy cafés, trendy restaurants, and traditional beer gardens to enjoy, making it a fairly difficult place to leave.

Add on its many boutique shops and vintage stores to browse through, and you’ll see why I consider this to be one of the nicest areas to explore in Bonn.

5. Look for street art

Many cities in Germany are known for their street art scene, Berlin in particular, but Bonn has a surprisingly cool selection of street art to find as well.

Traditional and historic as it may look at first glance, the city has been increasingly embracing street art as a form of public expression and cultural enrichment… so be sure to check out this side of the city when you’re visiting!

Some iconic spots for street art in Bonn include the Nordstadt neighborhood, with its eclectic mix of cafes, shops, and street art-covered walls, or the Legale Graffiti-Wand on the river behind the Ameron hotel – both easy to explore on foot to discover street art gems for yourself.

Or, if you don’t fancy trying to hunt down the art by yourself, you can check out this website for more precise locations of murals in Bonn or join the free Alternative Street Art Tour.

5. Imagine Bonn’s past at the Sterntor city gate

And for history lovers, here’s another must-see in the city: looking out over the pretty Bottlerplatz in the middle of Bonn is a medieval remainder of the city’s original defensive walls: the Sterntor.

The Sterntor (which means Stargate) was one of the four main gates for entering Bonn, and was first constructed in 1244. Granted, the one you can now admire on Bottlerplatz isn’t actually the original, which was demolished in 1898… but it was reconstructed partially from the original materials at this location in 1900 and is a very cool little piece of architecture to spot in the middle of the city.

As you can see in my photo, it looks particularly pretty in spring with cherry blossoms and during the festive season when one of Bonn’s Christmas markets is held here.

6. Admire the Bonn Minster

Bonn’s beautiful church of Bonn Minster (also called the Minster of St. Martin’s) is another building you can’t really miss as you wander through the city.

Originally founded as a collegiate church in the 9th century, it was dedicated to Saint Cassius and Saint Florentius, two Christian martyrs who were believed to have been executed in Bonn during the Roman era. It’s one of the oldest churches in Germany and even influenced the style of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin (since Kaiser Wilhelm II studied in Bonn).

The Minster is a prime example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, with an impressive facade featuring twin towers and intricate stone carvings. If you head inside, you can also enjoy the soaring vaulted ceilings, ornate stained glass windows, and elaborate sculptures – definitely worth taking a look.

7. Take a day trip to Schloss Drachenburg

If you’re going to be in Bonn and want to see some of the fairytale-esque castles that Germany is so famous for, you can head south of the city to visit Schloss Drachenburg! This is a bit of a detour, but honestly one of my favourite things to do in the area, so well worth mentioning.

Schloss Drachenburg is situated in a scenic setting atop the Drachenfels hill in Königswinter, offering panoramic views of the Rhine Valley and surrounding countryside. It was built in the late 19th century by Baron Stephan von Sarter, a wealthy banker and businessman, as a private residence.

Designed in the historicism style, blending elements of Gothic Revival, Renaissance Revival, and Baroque architecture, nowadays you can visit the castle interior to see the opulent rooms and explore the landscaped gardens surrounding it. The entire place is totally magical, with turrets and towers that wouldn’t look out of place in a Disney princess movie, so definitely worth going to see.

The castle only about a half-hour drive from Bonn (and also accessible by public transport), so it would make a perfect day trip from the city!

PS: Check out my guide on things to do in the village of Königswinter if you plan on staying a little longer.

8. Enjoy a Rhine river cruise

Since Bonn is located on the oh-so-picturesque Rhine River, it would be almost rude to visit and not spend some time cruising down the waters!

A river cruise is a lovely way to relax and enjoy the sights, this particular cruise even goes all the way down to Königswinter where Schloss Drachenburg is located, so you’ll also be treated to views of the fairytale castle from the water. And one of the best things about sightseeing from a boat means you can rest those legs while perhaps enjoying something to eat and drink along the way.

If you’re looking for something particularly romantic you could also join this sunset cruise to see the city skyline as the sun goes down, followed by drinks and a DJ in the dark!

9. Take a stroll along the river

Of course you don’t have to only enjoy the river by boat, as there are plenty of excellent walking and biking paths next to the river that are ideal for a leisurely walk (especially in spring!).

There are over 10 kilometers of flat paths on both sides of the river in Bonn, although doing a 9km loop from the Kennedy Bridge to the Konrad-Adenaue Bridge is a popular choice. You’ll get to enjoy views over the river and to the city plus there are lots of cool places to stop off at to explore more, like Villa Hammerschmidt or the beautiful Freizeitpark Rheinaue (state park).

10. Head to Poppelsdorf Palace

Another beautiful palace, this time in the middle of the city, can be visited in Bonn; the Poppelsdorf Palace.

It was constructed between 1715 and 1740, during the Baroque period and was commissioned by Elector Joseph Clemens of Bavaria, who wanted to create a grand residence for the prince-electors of Cologne. Surrounding Poppelsdorf Palace are extensive gardens, which were originally laid out in the formal French Baroque style. In the 19th century, the gardens were redesigned in the English landscape style, incorporating naturalistic elements such as winding paths, wooded areas, and picturesque vistas.

Today, the palace is part of the University of Bonn’s campus, housing administrative offices and academic facilities. You can’t visit the interior (unless you’re a student, I assume) but you can explore the gardens which are now part of the university’s botanic gardens – and free! Plus, you can then take nice photos of the palace while you’re there…

11. Get your culture on at Kunstmuseum Bonn

And if non-street art is more your thing, then another fun culture-forward thing to do in Bonn is head the city’s main art museum, Kunstmuseum Bonn.

This museum was founded in 1947 and originally housed in the Villa Obernier before moving to its current location, a modern building designed by the architect Axel Schultes. Its primary focus is on German art from the post-war period to the present, with an emphasis on Expressionism, Informel, and contemporary art movements.

Today, the Kunstmuseum Bonn boasts an impressive permanent collection featuring works by renowned German artists such as Joseph Beuys, Gerhard Richter, Sigmar Polke, and Georg Baselitz. On-site facilities include a bookstore, a café, and spaces for public events or workshops., with its location near the banks of the Rhine River also providing visitors with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.

12. Visit a museum dedicated to math

Alright, and if you’re looking for truly nerdy things to do in Bonn, then be sure to visit the Arithmeum, a fascinating museum dedicated to the history of calculation tools and their significance in mathematics, science, and technology.

Founded in 1995 by Professor Dr. Gerhard Mercator in collaboration with the University of Bonn, the Arithmeum houses a unique collection of historical and contemporary calculating machines… which is low-key pretty interesting even if you hated math in school, given that these are the wonderful inventions that mean we don’t need to do the calculations ourselves.

Today, the collection includes mechanical calculators, slide rules, abacuses, and other artifacts spanning several centuries showcasing the development of different types of calculating machines, from early mechanical devices to modern electronic computers.

There are also interactive displays and demonstrations to keep things interesting and I think this would be a great way to spend a rainy day in Bonn, or a must-see for any math fans (I know you’re out there).

13. Embrace your inner history nerd at the Haus der Geschichte

From math nerds to history nerds, another geeky but fun thing to do in Bonn is a visit to the The Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (House of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany).

This is a museum dedicated to chronicling the history of post-World War II Germany, particularly focusing on the development of the Federal Republic of Germany. Obviously, that might also be a bit of a niche interest, but if you’re looking to understand modern Germany, it covers events such as the Cold War, the rise of democracy, the Berlin Wall, the economic miracle (Wirtschaftswunder), cultural changes, and the challenges of reunification.

PS: If you’re really into museums, there’s also the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Bonn, which focuses on the archaeology, history, and art of the Rhineland region from prehistory to the Middle Ages.

Did I miss any of your favourite things to do in Bonn?

Let me know in the comments so I can add more of the best Bonn activities to the list. Happy and safe travels! 🙂