Bonn, Germany

DATE OF VISIT

12th November 2022

WHERE DID I STAY?

I stayed at the Bonn Marriott Hotel (https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cgnbo-bonn-marriott-hotel/overview/). The hotel was very nice and typically well appointed as you would expect from the Marriott Group. It is also very well located with very accessible parking on-site and within a short walk from the front door of the hotel, you can find yourself on the "tow-path" beside the River Rhine and from there a walk of about 30 minutes, (stroll), will take you into the city, past the University buildings and then to the Altstadt.

PERSONAL FEEDBACK

I was visiting Bonn on a Saturday and so by the time that I had walked into the city from the hotel it was mid-morning and very busy. 

I had not planned my visit and am embarrassed to admit that prior to arriving in Bonn, I was unaware that the city was the birthplace of Beethoven.

The city is very easy to walk around with a number of churches located in the city centre including the one which still holds the baptismal font where Beethoven was christened, and which are all worth a visit. The fruit and vegetable market which is located in a square close to the Rathaus, (Town Hall), is worth a visit if for no other reason than to see the range of colours of the fruit and vegetables all very neatly arranged on the stalls.

If you are very interested in classical music and in particular Beethoven, then I recommend visiting the Beethoven-Haus in the city, (https://www.beethoven.de/). There are many displays in the Beethoven-Haus including many manuscripts in his own hand.

I also recommend visiting the Botanical Gardens in the city, (https://www.botgart.uni-bonn.de/en) which are located very close to the University and also the Museum Koenig, (https://bonn.leibniz-lib.de/en), which has hundreds of really interesting exhibits, but please be advised that to explore the Museum Koenig well you will need a minimum of three hours.

Overall my visit to Bonn was a real pleasure. I would not say that Bonn is one of the "prettiest" German cities, but it is absolutely well worth a visit and the city has a very nice friendly feel. Just stopping during my exploration to have a coffee in Starbucks, I was approached by two different people, (I really must have looked like a visitor!), who provided me with some useful tips about what to do and to see in the city, and were most friendly.

PLACES TO SEE

1. The River Rhine and a walk along the bank of the river, (tarmac pavement)
2. The University and University Buildings
3. Bonner Münster
4. Beethoven Haus
5. The Rathaus, (Town Hall)
6. Museum Koenig
7. The fruit and vegetable market

PLACES TO EAT

1. Brauhaus Bonnsch (https://www.boennsch.de), very authentic German fare and beer - recommended
2. Gasthaus Im Stiefel (https://www.gasthausimstiefel.de/), again, excellent German fare and beer - also recommended

I was only in Bonn for 24 hours and so I only ate at Bauhaus Bonnsch and Gasthaus Im Stiefel, both of which whilst being excellent were quite expensive, but certainly value for money. I recommend looking at TripAdvisor for a wider selection of places to eat.