'''Munster'''[http://www.muenster.de/] is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, in the west of Germany.

Understand

Munster originated as a monastery founded in 794 by the Frisian missionary Liudger to aid Charlemagne's campaign to gain control over the Saxons. In 805, Munster was made a bishopric and, in 1170, it obtained its town rights. In 1648, a peace treaty was signed at the Rathaus, marking an end to the Thirty Year's War. Today Munster is a city of about 270.000 inhabitants known for its university and as an administration center.

Get in

Munster has good links via the Deutsche Bahn main station Munster Hauptbahnhof. Dusseldorf Flughafen (Airport) is about 1 hour 20 minutes by train from Munster. Munster Osnabruck Airport is about 30 minutes drive from Munster. This airport has grown in recent years offering flights throughout Europe including to London (Stansted), Berlin and Amsterdam. By car travelers can reach Munster by the Autobahn 1 from north and south and Autobahn 43 from south east.

Get around

Munster has a huge number of bikes which creates a really special atmosphere. There are about 50,000 students in Munster so by bike and on foot are the key modes of transport. All sidewalks have a red-brick section reserved for cyclists. The complete city has a pedestrian/cycle path around it. The '''Promenade''' follows the route of the long-gone medieval walls. It makes for a very nice walk around the city and takes you past the lovely Aasee (a large artificial lake surrounded by a park). There is also a good city bus system. You can get tickets from the bus driver.

See

The Peace Hall, where the Treaty of Munster - part of Peace of Westphalia which ended Thirty Years War and established the Westphalian system of interaction between sovereign states - was finalized, is at the old city hall.

The Cathedral (''German:'' Dom) is very impressive and well worth a visit. Also, the City Museum (free entry) in Salzstrasse is really interesting. (Although displays are only in German)

Do

  • There is an all weather zoo in Munster.
  • Pablo Picasso Museum of Graphic Art, the only museum devoted exclusively to the graphic works of Pablo Picasso http://www.graphikmuseum-picasso-muenster.de/
  • There is a nice modern indoor swimming Pool near the town centre. http://www.muenster.de/stadt/sportamt/baeder.html
  • Buy

    Eat

    There is a huge choice of restaurants in Munster. The cuisine of almost every country in the world is represented. For Italian the Mocca Dor is a nice choice. Some recommended German restaurants and bars include Stuhlmacher (by the Town Hall/Rathaus)on Prinzipalmarkt. Or just round the corner the Kiepenkerl has tables outside by the Maypole.

    Drink

    Take advantage from being in Munster by drinking an Altbier at Brauerei und Altbierkuche '''Pinkus Muller'''. The Pinkus Muller restaurant and bar has its own brewery producing some really tasty beers. Munster has a large student community so there are a range of bars such as Cafe Extrablatt and Markt Cafe (on the market square by the Cathedral).

    The Judefelder Strasse (located north west of the city center) gathers many bars and pubs such as Gorilla, Die Rote Liebe, Davidschwach and more. Alternatively, you can find a huge amount of bars in the "Hafen" area (south east of the city center, behind the main train station). Prices are usually reasonable (starting at around ?2 for a beer and ?4/5 for a cocktail).

  • '''Markt Cafe''',Modern Bar and Cafe opposite the Cathedral
  • '''Stuhlmacher''',Traditional Pub next to the Rathaus (town Hall) on Prinzipalmarkt
  • Sleep

    For conveniently located hotels near the Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) the Ibis Hotel is a good option about 5 minutes walk from the main station. Or directly opposite the station is the Hotel Conti.Another Hotel opposite the station that is a really nice choice with modern rooms is the Hotel Kaiserhof. From the outside it doesn't look much (just a modern office block type building) But inside it is really nicely decorated it the style of a traditional older hotel. There is also a free Sauna for guests.
  • '''Kaiserhof Hotel''', http://www.kaiserhof-muenster.de/
  • '''Hotel Conti''', http://www.hotel-conti-muenster.de/,
  • Get out