Münster’s main sights: the highlights of the old town
Cathedral, Prinzipalmarkt, St. Lambert’s Church and the Aasee — Münster’s best-known places lie surprisingly close together. Here’s an honest overview: what you’ll see, the stories behind them, and how to best connect the highlights.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
The cathedral is Münster’s landmark and the heart of the diocese. The highlight inside is the astronomical clock (16th century), which shows not only the time but also planetary positions and a perpetual calendar. The large weekly market — one of the loveliest in the region — takes place around Cathedral Square on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Prinzipalmarkt & Town Hall
The distinctive gabled houses on the Prinzipalmarkt are Münster’s postcard motif. In 1648 part of the Peace of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years‘ War, was negotiated in the historic town hall — the Hall of Peace can still be visited today. Shops and cafés line the arcades.
St. Lambert’s Church
Three iron cages hang from the spire of St. Lambert’s Church. In 1536 the bodies of the leaders of the Anabaptist movement were put on display in them, after their radical „Anabaptist kingdom“ in Münster had been brutally crushed — one of the most dramatic episodes in the city’s history. To this day, a watchman still sounds his horn from the tower in the evening.
Aasee & Promenade
The Aasee is Münster’s green lung: a large lake on the edge of the old town with meadows, boat hire and walking paths. Around it runs the Promenade — a car-free green belt on the former city fortifications that encircles the entire centre. For many locals it’s the loveliest way to move through the city.
By the way: these places lie so close together that they connect well into a single loop. The most relaxed way to do it is seated — and along the way we’ll also show you what lies between the famous names.
Everything on one ride — and tips for the rest
We’re Leezen Heroes and we take you by rickshaw to exactly these places — across the car-free Promenade and right to the water, where buses can’t go. Along the way we tell you the stories. After two hours you’ll know Münster: you’ve seen the essentials and have our tips for food, shopping and the evening. After that you could head home happy — or stay three days, because you fancy more.
Discover the tourBook the classic city tour
Our guided tour connects the highlights — with the stories along the way.
FAQ about Münster’s sights
How much time do I need for the old town?
On foot and at a relaxed pace, easily half a day to a full day. The highlights themselves lie close together though — connected on a tour you’ll see them in about two hours.
Are the sights wheelchair / mobility accessible?
The Cathedral, Prinzipalmarkt and Aasee are easy to reach and car-free. If you can’t or prefer not to walk far, you can comfortably reach everything seated.
What shouldn’t you miss in Münster?
Besides the Cathedral, Prinzipalmarkt and St. Lambert’s, the Aasee, the Botanical Garden and the harbour in the evening — a lively counterpart to the old town — are well worth it.