Kassel

Travel Guide
Loewenburg Castle featuring heritage architecture
Go hiking, attend a hockey game and immerse yourself in art, all in one day. 

Kassel is a central German city, defined by contradictions. Located next to the Fulda River, this place is a unique blend of nonstop entertainment against a serene backdrop.   

Many visitors come to Kassel to relax. For guests who want rejuvenating spa treatments and natural wellness clinics, Kurhessen Therme and the Habichtswald-Klinik are welcome destinations. Almost two-thirds of the city is covered in parkland to create a calming air in this metropolis of nearly 200,000. One recreational area to visit is Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, a Baroque-era castle and park that sits at the base of the Habichtswald mountain range. 

The city holds a prominent place in literary history. In the 1800s, the Brothers Grimm lived in Kassel, where they wrote the world famous Grimms’ Fairy Tales. Be sure to visit the Brothers Grimm Museum for a historical and nostalgic afternoon.  

After exploring the area, visitors will not be surprised to hear that it has one of the highest ratios or museums to people of all German cities. Kassel is home to documenta, a world-renowned contemporary art exhibition that comes to the city every five years. If you aren’t visiting during this exposition, rest assured that there are plenty of other impressive art museums to occupy you: The Fridericianum and Schloss Wilhelmshöhe both have beautiful collections that are rivaled only by their buildings’ stunning architecture.  

Although much of the city was bombed during World War II, Kassel has rebuilt itself to possess a blend of traditional and modern designs.

The city is easy to get around, and easy to get to, thanks to numerous transportation options. Within the city limits, a tram system can get you virtually anywhere. The Kassel Calden Airport is ten minutes outside the city proper and the rest of the metropolis is connected to Germany’s rail network and major highways. About two hours from both Frankfurt and Cologne, Kassel is an exciting central stop on your Germany vacation.

Where to stay in Kassel

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Nord-Holland

While Nord-Holland might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Bergpark and GRIMMWELT Kassel.

Nord-Holland
Bergpark Wilhelmshoehe showing flowers, heritage architecture and a garden

Bad Wilhelmshoehe

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the bars and gardens in Bad Wilhelmshoehe. You might want to make time for a stop at Wilhelmshoehe Park or Schloss Wilhelmshoehe.

Bad Wilhelmshoehe
Kassel which includes heritage architecture, a garden and street scenes

Mitte

4/5(12 area reviews)

Well-liked for its museums and churches, Mitte is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like GRIMMWELT Kassel and Fridericianum, and jump on the metro at Rathaus-Fünffensterstraße Tram Stop to get around the city.

Mitte
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Vorderer Westen

5/5(1 area review)

You might enjoy the restaurants on your visit to Vorderer Westen. Visitors recommend a visit to Kassel Congress Center, and you can get around town on the metro at Wintershall Tram Stop.

Vorderer Westen
Karlsaue Park which includes a river or creek and a park

Sued

Well-liked for its restaurants and museums, Sued is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Karlsaue Park and Auestadion, and jump on the metro at Bahnhof Niederzwehren Tram Stop to get around the city.

Sued
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Niederzwehren

While Niederzwehren might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Messe Kassel Exhibition Centre and Eissporthalle Kassel.

Niederzwehren
Wyndham Garden Kassel
Wyndham Garden Kassel
Heiligenroder Strasse 61, Kassel, HE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥11,570 per night from Apr 4 to Apr 5
¥11,570
per night
Apr 4 - Apr 5
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kassel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Popular attractions Bergpark and Astronomy and Physics Exhibition ...
7.4/10 Good! (859 reviews)
"The staff were excellent marks on the walls and bathrooms a bit shabby Expedia photos look waaaay nicer"

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024

Wyndham Garden Kassel
Schlosshotel Bad Wilhelmshöhe
Schlosshotel Bad Wilhelmshöhe
4.5 out of 5
Schlosspark 8, Kassel, HE
The price is ¥25,236 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥25,236
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kassel. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Schloss Wilhelmshoehe and Wilhelmshoehe ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (443 reviews)
"Good location for walks and outdoor space but out of town if you’re looking for something lively. Breakfast was good, staff very polite. Room very spacious although bathroom a little dated."

Reviewed on Nov 7, 2023

Schlosshotel Bad Wilhelmshöhe
H4 Hotel Kassel
H4 Hotel Kassel
Baumbachstraße 2, Kassel, HE
The price is ¥18,505 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
¥18,505
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kassel. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (663 reviews)
Stay at H4 hotel Kassel
"Hotel room is spacious with great views. Internet speed should be improved"

Reviewed on Nov 11, 2023

H4 Hotel Kassel
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.
Apartmenthaus Wesertor
Apartmenthaus Wesertor
Schützenstraße 23, Kassel, HE
Stay at this aparthotel in Kassel. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Bergpark and Martinskirche Kassel are located nearby. Discover ...
9/10 Wonderful! (80 reviews)
"Just to be clear this is like staying in a simply-furnished one-bedroom apartment in a residential area close to downtown. There are some hotel-like amentites: they'll make up your room and provide fresh towels, but there is no room service and their English is just workable. Overall we loved it. ..."

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2022

Apartmenthaus Wesertor
Ferienhaus
Ferienhaus
Bad Arolsen
Stay at this golf vacation home in Bad Arolsen. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Twistesee and Schloss Arolsen are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (58 reviews)
Kurz Urlaub
"Zu Kurz und schön."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Ferienhaus
Holiday directly on the Reinhardswald
Holiday directly on the Reinhardswald
Trendelburg
Stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Trendelburg. Enjoy private pools, WiFi, and a sauna. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
Excellent holiday home
"A lovely house, very clean and tidy with a modern interior. The garden shown in the picture is smaller than it looks as you only rent the back half of the house but there is a great outdoor decking space for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sven was very helpful showing us around the house when we arrived. ..."

Reviewed on Aug 25, 2018

Holiday directly on the Reinhardswald
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

Things to do

Reviews of Kassel

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
6
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
4
" "4 - Good 33.333333333333336%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 16.666666666666668%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Aug 2, 2019

Large city, lots of people. Busy areas in the city and some nice quiet places to get away. Good public transportation (if you can figure it out!) Rich historical areas, beautiful scenery, good food. Enjoy it while walking to fully experience it.

5/5 - Excellent

hmt
Apr 22, 2019

Kassel in spring is literary green. Besides cherry blossoms are full bloom. Perfect venue for holidays.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 22, 2019

No inappropriate graffitti in surrounding area.