Weekend in Osnabrück

The main Gothic church in the old town, built from the 13th to 15th centuries. Free to enter, it features a tall spire visible across the city and simple, elegant interior with med

Tip: Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the Altstadt. It costs €2 and the narrow spiral stairs are not for the faint-hearted, but the view is worth it.

Romanesque cathedral with twin spires dating from the 11th century. Inside, look for the 13th-century bronze baptismal font and the medieval cloister.

Tip: The cloister garden is quietest at 8am. Free guided English tours on Saturdays at 11am—ask at the information desk.

A self-guided walk through the medieval core: Steinweg cobblestone lane leads to the Heger Tor gate, passing half-timbered houses and the Gothic St. Marien church.

Tip: Start at the Heger Tor at 10am to avoid crowds, then cut through the narrow Ghetto street (Faulenrebenweg) – it’s barely two metres wide and shows the old city layout.

The Heger Tor is a large neoclassical gate built in 1817 as a memorial to soldiers. Just behind it, the Marienbrunnen is a fountain with a statue of Mary. The area is a meeting point and offers a view

Tip: Stand under the gate and look back towards the cathedral for the best photo of the old town silhouette. The benches by the fountain are good for a cheap ice cream from Eiscafe Roma across the street.

The 17th-century baroque palace of the Prince-Bishops. You can walk the grounds and formal gardens for free; the interior houses the university but the courtyard is open.

Tip: Go on a sunny weekday morning when the garden is quiet and the roses in the Parterre are in full bloom. The view from the Schlossgarten down to the city is the best photo spot.

Formal baroque gardens surrounding the university's main building (the former residence of the Prince-Bishops). Well-kept lawns, hedges and a fountain. A calm spot for a break from the city bustle.

Tip: Bring a picnic blanket and sit by the fountain on sunny days. The university canteen (Mensa) on the south side has cheap coffee and cake from 14:00.

Three museums under one roof: art gallery, cultural history museum, and a natural history section. Free entry on the first Sunday of each month.

Tip: Head to the rooftop terrace for an unblocked view of the cathedral. The café serves decent but pricey cake—bring your own flask.

Architect Daniel Libeskind’s striking building houses works by Jewish painter Felix Nussbaum. Entry to the building costs, but the exterior, the plaza, and the glass-walled ground

Tip: Stand on the angled plaza at dusk – the reflections in the glass and the sharp angles create an optical illusion. Best free bit of modern architecture in the city.

A flat, well-maintained gravel path following the Hase river through the city. Runs from the old town upstream past parks and old mills. Popular for walking, running and cycling. F

Tip: Start near the Heger Tor gate, walk east for 20 minutes to reach the lake at the Botanischer Garten. The path is mostly tree-shaded, so good on hot days.

Local history museum in a former monastery, covering Osnabrück from prehistory to the 20th century, with free entry on the first Sunday of each month.

Tip: Check the website for rotating exhibitions; the permanent collection includes a medieval torture chamber, not for the faint-hearted.