Whether Cologne, Düsseldorf or Dortmund - North Rhine-Westphalia, or NRW for short, is known for its carnival cities and soccer clubs, but also for the Ruhr region and the Teutoburg Forest. Germany's most populous federal state has produced many famous artists such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Heinrich Heine and Joseph Beuys and is one of Europe's great cultural regions.
Discover this beautiful region with B&B Hotels and stay in our modern rooms, which have a TV, free Wi-Fi access and a private bathroom with shower. Parking is usually available directly at the hotel. The helpful staff at B&B HOTELS look forward to your visit.
Let's go on a journey through NRW, where you can taste dominoes and cinnamon stars from Aachen, conquer Cologne Cathedral, take part in a guided tour of the Zeche Zollverein in Essen and visit places like Neuss, Lindlar and Bergisch Gladbach.
In addition to major cities such as the state capital Düsseldorf, Cologne, Dortmund, Duisburg, and Bochum, smaller cities also offer a wonderful setting for a successful vacation. Below is a small selection of charming cities away from the big cities.
Aachen could also be described as Europe in miniature. This international city is located in the border triangle with the Netherlands and Belgium, whose influences can be felt in Aachen's architecture, cuisine, and culture. Charlemagne built his residence here because of the hot springs. The beautiful, traffic-calmed old town with its numerous historic buildings is a great starting point for a short city tour.
Start right in front of Aachen Cathedral and the town hall. The neighboring Katschhof is within walking distance from here. The Katschhof was the inner courtyard of Charlemagne's palace and the connection between the royal hall (today Aachen City Hall) and St. Mary's Church (today Aachen Cathedral). In the north of the city, around the Ponttor, the many students of Aachen traditionally meet in numerous bars and restaurants.
Münster, the “capital” of Westphalia, is a young and bicycle-friendly city with an attractive mix of tradition and modern culture. Guests are delighted by the pretty historic old town, whose narrow streets host one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany every year, as well as the trendy bars and pubs of the Hansaviertel district. Rustic meals are typical of the region, including pumpernickel, which is famous throughout Germany.
Bielefeld is the birthplace of Dr. Oetker, Miele, Bertelsmann, and many other well-known brands. This typical trading town with its large market and beautiful half-timbered houses became famous for its linen weaving. Today, the historic old town center, the diverse cultural offerings, and the excellent gastronomy delight numerous visitors.
Our B&B Hotels in Bielefeld-City and Bielefeld-Ost offer guests the ideal starting point for their trip. A visit to Bielefeld's 13 museums and the city's landmark, the Sparrenburg castle, is a must. From here, you have a magnificent panoramic view of the city. The castle is open to visitors free of charge all year round, including the underground passages. An experience for young and old alike!
The Sauerland is the ideal place for a peaceful and relaxing spa & wellness vacation. Alongside Willingen and Winterberg, Schmallenberg is the third of the three major vacation resorts in the Sauerland. Picturesque villages and romantic landscapes make the region well worth visiting. This also includes Altena Castle. It is located in the middle of the Märkisches Sauerland and, with its central powder tower and keep, has a distinctly military appearance. As one of the most beautiful hilltop castles in Germany, it is the town's landmark.
Another top spa resort is Olsberg in the upper Ruhr Valley. Kneipp cures have been carried out here since 1895, making it the oldest spa in North Rhine-Westphalia. Well over half of the state is covered by forests, rivers, meadows, and pastures. Enjoy this diversity and hike along well-marked trails in one of the most popular nature parks, for example: The Eifel National Park is rich in lakes and beech forests. Powerful volcanic eruptions and kilometer-long lava flows once shaped the present-day landscape of the Vulkaneifel.
Numerous museums, theaters, orchestras, concert halls, and musicals are just waiting for you to visit! In addition to the events, the Augustusburg and Falkenlust palaces in Brühl and Corvey Castle with its beautiful gardens are among the state's cultural achievements.
The Ruhr region is much greener than one might think, yet visitors are more drawn to the imposing industrial monuments. With around 200 lakes, North Rhine-Westphalia also offers canoeists exceptional leisure and recreation areas. And last but not least, there is the carnival, which brings people together from all over the world.
Come and visit us at the B&B Hotels in North Rhine-Westphalia – it's worth the trip!