Bonn

Travel Guide
Beethoven House
Discover the musical and historic heritage of this former capital city of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Bonn is the former administrative seat of West Germany and continues to host important events related to national and international politics, despite having been replaced by Berlin as unified Germany’s capital. The city was originally a college town and continues to maintain a vibrant youth culture. Visitors can experience that at Bonn’s many cafes and beer gardens.

Tour the University of Bonn, which is an important educational institution in the country. The college has a number of famous alumni, including Pope Benedict XVI and Friedrich Nietzsche.

Bonn is perhaps most well-known as the birthplace of the renowned composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, who was born in Beethoven-Haus. The house is now a museum where visitors can see some of the composer’s possessions, including a number of his writings and musical instruments. 

The city contains several other museums, such as the Kunstmuseum Bonn, which displays one of the largest art collections in the area. Learn about German history at the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

Wander through the city’s southern Südstadt district, where you will see 19th-century buildings. Explore the 17th-century church, Kreuzbergkirche, which showcases Baroque architecture. The Das Bonner Münster basilica, located in downtown Bonn, is another example of the city’s diverse architecture.

Try the area’s unique red wine known as “Dragon’s Blood,” which is produced in the region’s mountains. You will find the wine in a number of pubs and cafes throughout the city. Bonn has a large performing arts schedule, carrying on its musical history. Opera houses put on ballets and operas throughout the summer, while the city’s orchestra performs a number of concerts, beginning in September. Head to the city’s smaller theatres for comedy shows and jazz gigs. If you are in the area in summer, you might catch Beethovenfest Bonn.

The city is located on the Rhine River, south of Cologne. Several picturesque train routes from the city travel to other major cities past the Siebengebirge Mountains. Bonn’s location makes it a practical area for day 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 Deutsches Museum Bonn.

Bad Godesberg
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 Old Town Hall 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
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, Golf Course Bonn and Rhine 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

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
Alexander Koenig Research Museum

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
URBAN LOFT Cologne
URBAN LOFT Cologne
Eigelstein 41, Cologne
The price is S$142 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
S$142
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (875 reviews)
Bed in a box!
"Very small room, but clean. Comfortable bed, good shower. Just the essentials. Good for short stay."

Reviewed on 24 Mar,2024

URBAN LOFT Cologne
Maritim Hotel Bonn
Maritim Hotel Bonn
Godesberger Allee, Bonn, NW
The price is S$145 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$145
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Bonn. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Museumsmeile and Freizeitpark Rheinaue are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (295 reviews)
"overall clean but a little dated"

Reviewed on 2 Jan,2024

Maritim Hotel Bonn
Dorint Hotel Bonn
Dorint Hotel Bonn
Berliner Freiheit 2, Bonn
The price is S$168 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$168
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Bonn. Enjoy a full-service spa, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Opera Bonn and Werkstatt Opernhaus are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (60 reviews)
"Quite and cozy place to stay in Bonn. Within walkable distance to the center of the city."

Reviewed on 26 Dec,2023

Dorint Hotel 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.
Bob W Beethoven
Bob W Beethoven
Bonngasse 7, Bonn, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Bonn. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Bonn Marketplace and Beethoven House are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (8 reviews)
Best center located hotel.
"Location is the best, the fastest check in, everything was clean and neat, quiet area. At first i was sceptic about it, but im glad i booked this place."

Reviewed on 9 Dec,2023

Bob W Beethoven
numa I Bona Rooms & Apartments
numa I Bona Rooms & Apartments
Kölnstraße 360-364, Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia
Stay at this aparthotel in Bonn. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Popular attractions Arte Fact and Bonn Women's Museum are located nearby. Discover ...
8/10 Very Good! (239 reviews)
Amazing value for money
"Amazing room, property was very clean and they provided some amenities like drinks and snacks that were very nice too. Check-in and -out was seamless and very easy/convenient. Location was great too, as there are both supermarkets and food places nearby and the city center was only a short bus ride ..."

Reviewed on 26 Dec,2023

numa I Bona Rooms & Apartments
limehome Köln Friesenplatz
limehome Köln Friesenplatz
Friesenpl. 15, Cologne, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a Smart TV. Popular attractions Cologne Cathedral and Musical Dome are located nearby. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (28 reviews)
Would not recommend this place
"The stay part was ok. Getting into the property was a major hassle. It has no lobby, so no one to answer questions or help. Also, it was not close to the city center or the train station."

Reviewed on 7 Jun,2023

limehome Köln Friesenplatz
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

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Reviews of Bonn

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
9
" "5 - Excellent 39.130434782608695%
4 - Good
11
" "4 - Good 47.82608695652174%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 13.043478260869565%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Jenni
28 Feb 2020

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
1 Dec 2019

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Nov 2019

A cute little historic town.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
24 Sep 2019

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
21 Sep 2019

No time to see anything other than hotel and office.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Sep 2019

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.