The Best Day Trips From Mnster Germany

If you find yourself in the Münsterland region and are lost for things to do, don’t despair. There are plenty of sights and activities waiting to be discovered, whether you fancy exploring a couple of Baroque and medieval castles or forts, escaping to nature or taking a dip in a nearby lake. Here’s our pick of the best day trips around.

Nordkirchen Castle

One of the most impressive palatial builds of the region is located half an hour south of Münster. Schloss Nordkirchen carries the nickname ‘Westphalian Versailles’ due to the sheer size and grandeur of the complex. The best way to explore the lavishly-decorated rooms and sprawling parks and gardens is by joining a guided tour. English-only speakers should inquire about availability in advance.

LWL-Römermuseum

Lüdinghausen

Historical documents first mentioned Lüdinghausen in 800 AD and to this day, the city, which lies 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of Münster, oozes with medieval charm. The city is known for its three moated castles which you can explore within a day. While not much is left of Burg Wolfsberg, both the picturesque 12th-century Burg Lüdinghausen and Burg Vischering should go on your list. Being surrounded by water and lush greenery, the castles create a fairytale-like scene.

Recker Moor nature reserve

If you want to escape the urban areas and enjoy a day of nature, an hour-long drive north to the Recker Moor nature reserve offers just that. The landscape is composed of wet meadows, bogs and moorlands which give a home to dozens of bird species, some of which are on the endangered list, frogs, lizards, vipers and more. You can explore the reserve along the hiking trails and climb up several raised vantage points for better views and watch the unique mix of flora and fauna.

Hermannsweg hiking trail

One of Germany’s most popular hiking trails connects Rheine and Horn Bad Meinberg with one another, and along the way passes adorable hilltop villages, natural wonders and cultural hotspots. Münster is the perfect gateway to explore various sections of the 156 kilometre (97 mile)-long trail. Depending on your interest, you can pick and choose a destination for a day-long hike. The trail’s highlights include the bizarre Externsteine rock formations and the village of Tecklenburg.

Silbersee lake

Those warm summer days are best spent at a lake, and the Münster region leaves you spoilt for choice. One of the most popular waters is the Silbersee lake, 45 kilometres (28 miles) southwest of the city. The lake does not only offer the perfect spot to go for a swim, but also has a plethora of other activities in store for both kids and adults – be it building sandcastles of the wide sandy beach, windsurfing, cycling tours, hiking or even scuba diving. On top of that, the Treibsand restaurants puts on a range of events and parties throughout the summer

Maximilianpark

Germany’s Ruhrgebiet region boasts a ton of sights and activities which celebrate the industrial heritage of the area. One of the most prominent sites is the Maximilian colliery in Hamm, which was redeveloped as leisure park in 1984. The coal preparation plant was turned into a piece of art in the form of a giant glass elephant, which now looks over the vast parkland. Kids can run riot on playgrounds and enjoy the butterfly house, while grown-ups flock to the park to see one of the many events happening each year, ranging anywhere from live music performances, stand-up comedy and dance to flea markets.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.