A compliment for Bonn

Bonn's city center has its charm not only at cherry blossom time: Wilhelminian villas, many small cafés, restaurants and stores add up to the charming flair of the former capital. No one misses the hustle and bustle of big politics here.

Back to the university again? In Bonn, that wouldn't necessarily involve lectures for visitors, but sightseeing: The university's main building is located in the former Electoral Palace, a lofty building with a park-like courtyard garden lawn - a fine beer garden is also nearby. It doesn't get any more beautiful or cozy to study in Bonn ... Other attractions such as the Old City Hall with its impressive rococo façade or the Beethoven Monument on Münsterplatz are also nearby - all within walking distance. Beethoven is after all a son of the city, was born in Bonngasse 20. You can visit his birthplace with numerous exhibits from the life of the musician.

Fun fact: Bonn's probably most colorful sight is right next to the Bonn Cathedral. It's the HARIBO house - the gold bear empire was founded in Bonn in 1920 ... But back to the "serious" sights of Bonn, which is easily accessible due to its proximity to Cologne and the international airport. Don't miss the Poppelsdorf Palace and the Botanical Garden: it doesn't get any greener or more chic than this in the former capital of North Rhine-Westphalia. (Which only became a capital because the then Chancellor Adenauer lived nearby and didn't want to leave - if that's not a compliment for Bonn ...).

By the way, you can find tips on how to travel comfortably and inexpensively on long-distance and local trains with Deutsche Bahn here.

Cover image: ©istock.com/Elisabeth Schittenhelm