Paderborn

Travel Guide
Rathaus featuring a fountain, a square or plaza and heritage architecture
Having sprouted up from the springs that feed into Germany’s shortest river, this cultural and religious city’s history is intertwined with its waterways.

Discover the turbulent history of the Paderborn as you explore its Old Town, pleasant parklands with fresh-water springs, cultural attractions and castle grounds. This historic river city is in northwest Germany.

Paderborn services the North Rhine-Westphalia region and is easily reached by car or train from Dortmund, some 60 miles (100 kilometers) away. Charles the Great (Charlemagne), founded a castle on the site of the city in A.D. 777. Visit his rebuilt residence in the Museum in Der Kaiserpfalz (Imperial Palace Museum) to see some of the ruined walls, murals and artifacts of the original palace.

The city takes its name from the Pader River, Germany’s shortest river, which sprouts from 200 springs in the city center. Nowadays, these bubbling streams help climatize the city’s central dwellings through the latest hydraulic technology.

While heavily bombarded during World War II, not all of the historic city was lost. The centrally located Rathaus, the restored City Hall, showcases the Weser Renaissance architecture of the region. From Rathausplatz, stroll to the nearby Marienplatz with the Mariensäule (Virgin Mary Column) at its core. Then follow the Westernstrasse to admire the decorated façade of the 17th-century Franciscanerkirche.

The 13th-century Paderborn Cathedral in Domplatz (Cathedral Square) is another survivor. Visit the adjacent Diocesan Museum (Diözesanmuseum) to admire religious art from the last 10 centuries.

Just to the north, discover the natural realm of the Paderquellen and visit the City History Museum in the Adam and Eve House, Paderborn’s oldest half-timbered house.

Other Paderborn museum experiences include the Heinz Nixdorf Museum, which has exhibits about computing, and the German Tractor and Model Car Museum. The remodeled Stadtmuseum Paderborn opened in the former Abdinghof cloisters in late 2017.

If you love live performances, catch a show at the Theater Paderborn - Westfälische Kammerspiele. Also don’t miss the cultural events held in the Schloss Neuhaus Open Air Theatre of Neuhaus Castle (Schloss Neuhaus). Stay in the area to enjoy the family-friendly attractions in the adjacent Schloss und Auenpark.

In this corner of the city, the Pader joins the Lippe River. This connection once allowed Paderborn to join the Hanseatic League and the effects of the prosperity it brought can still be felt today.

IBB Hotel Paderborn
IBB Hotel Paderborn
Angelnweg 2, Paderborn
The price is ¥8,294 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥8,294
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this hotel in Paderborn. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions Heinz ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (217 reviews)
"It was very clean"

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2023

IBB Hotel Paderborn
Hotel Vivendi
Hotel Vivendi
4 out of 5
Balhorner Feld 11, Paderborn, NRW
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥19,978 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
¥19,978
per night
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Paderborn. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Benteler-Arena and Rathaus are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
Brand new hotel
"Very clean fresh hotel"

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2024

Hotel Vivendi
Intercityhotel Paderborn
Intercityhotel Paderborn
Bahnhofstrasse 29, Paderborn
The price is ¥12,740 per night from Apr 5 to Apr 6
¥12,740
per night
Apr 5 - Apr 6
Stay at this hotel in Paderborn. Enjoy breakfast, a 24-hour front desk, and a flat-screen TV. Popular attractions Rathaus and Marktkirche are located nearby. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
Das Frühstück ist eine Frechheit
"Ich schlafe 4 mal die Woche im Hotel und kann inzwischen einschätzen, ob etwas vernünftig ist oder nicht. Aber dieses Frühstück was hier angeboten wird grenzt nahezu an einer Frechheit und ich warne davor, dass mir zu buchen. Neben an ist direkt ein Bäcker, lohnt sich mehr."

Reviewed on Feb 20, 2024

Intercityhotel Paderborn
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.
☆STAYWELL: XXL for 7 I parking lot I kitchen I Netflix
☆STAYWELL: XXL for 7 I parking lot I kitchen I Netflix
Paderborn
Stay at this apartment in Paderborn. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a Smart TV. Popular attractions Rathaus and Marktkirche are located nearby. Discover ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (8 reviews)
A very clean and well presented apartment.
"From booking the property, staying at the property and enjoying ing the local area, this was a trouble free and very enjoyable stay."

Reviewed on Dec 31, 2022

☆STAYWELL: XXL for 7 I parking lot I kitchen I Netflix
Family-friendly apartment with parking space
Family-friendly apartment with parking space
Paderborn
Stay at this apartment in Paderborn. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Benteler-Arena and Rathaus are located nearby. ...
8/10 Very Good! (2 reviews)
Eindruck
"Wir waren zufrieden, es war ein schönes Familienwochenende"

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2024

Family-friendly apartment with parking space
Ferienwohnung am Lippesee
Ferienwohnung am Lippesee
Paderborn
Stay at this apartment in Paderborn. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a balcony. Popular attractions Schloss Neuhaus Open Air Theatre and Neuhaus Castle ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
Kurzurlaub
"Bis auf das Wetter, super"

Reviewed on Nov 2, 2023

Ferienwohnung am Lippesee
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.

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