Car Hire Bonn - Mini guide to Bonn

Formerly the capital of West Germany, Bonn is a place of many attractions consisting of three once independent towns and numerous villages each with its own character and surrounded by beautiful countryside. Travellers come here to visit the city where Ludwig van Beethoven was born and Robert Schumann died.

The historic centres are compact, pedestrianised, and therefore best explored on foot. The river front of the city centre has been completely transformed after World War II with the construction of the modernist Opera House and a new road to the Rhine bridge, whereas most of the old town centre has preserved its medieval street plan. This is the main shopping area with a lively, daily fruit and vegetable market in the Markt (market square).

A short distance from the Markt is the Bongasse, Beethoven’s home and a museum exhibiting memoribilia and manuscripts from the great musician’s life.

The Baroque Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) stands on the southeastern end of the market square. Next to it is Em Höttche, one of Bonn's most traditional restaurants, dating back to 1389.

The two main shopping streets are Sternstrasse and Remigiusstrasse, where you’ll find affordable fashion and handicrafts, and vibrant night-time entertainment.

These streets lead to the second main square, the Münsterplatz, which is dominated by the Romanesque Münster basilica, Bonn's premier landmark.

Other sights include the Poppelsdorf Palace (with botanical garden) and the Bonn University (formerly the palace of the Prince-Elector of Cologne).

By car around Bonn one can visit the Jesuit Church, Bundeshaus (former Parliament House), Alter Friedhof (Old Cemetery) and Hofgarten park.