Sat next to the Rhine River, Bonn is a city full of old charm and history. Once the Capital of the Federal Republic of Germany after the world war, Bonn has always had big political ties, but there’s so much more to see here. Blooming cherry blossoms, incredible palaces, the birthplace of Beethoven and more are waiting to be discovered during one day in Bonn!
My one day itinerary for Bonn is pretty packed but perfectly doable! You’ll explore the city center and Bonn’s Old Town in the morning before enjoying the gardens at Poppelsdorf Palace in the afternoon. You’re in luck if you’re visiting during April and you might even get to see the amazing cherry blossoms!
One day in Bonn: What to do, see and visit
What you need to know
- Is Bonn worth visiting for tourists? Absolutely! I loved visiting Bonn, there are so many different things to see so many sides to the city with so much to see and do.
- Is Bonn a fun city? Bonn is brimming with charm, I certainly had a lot of fun during my visit.
- Which is better to visit, Bonn or Cologne? This completely depends on your preference. If you’re looking for a big city vibe, Cologne is your choice. If you want more quaint and historic, I recommend a day in Bonn.
- How do you get around Bonn Germany? I’ve listed all you need to know about public transport in Bonn below!
Public transportation in Bonn
I found Bonn really easy to get around and only used public transport to visit places outside of the city. Most of the major sites are centrally located, so if you can, you can easily walk around and take in all Bonn has to offer on foot.
The two main kinds of public transport in Bonn are the bus and the Stadtbahn (think a kind of tram and underground hybrid). Tickets can be purchased at stations, on trams and from bus drivers as well as online.
Important – You must validate your tickets using the yellow machines in all buses and trams
Map of attractions in Bonn
How to use this map: Click on the markers for more information about each destination. The blue line shows the fastest walking route between each point. To save this map to your Google Maps, click the star in the top left corner.
A morning in Bonn
For your morning in Bonn, you’ll be exploring the main part of the city, taking in all the top historical sites and, if you’re lucky, seeing the cherry blossoms!
Cherry blossoms (Seasonal)
If you’re visiting in early April and only have one day in Bonn you have to see the cherry blossoms. The most famous spot is Heerstraße, an entire street blooming on both sides with cherry blossoms. It feels truly magical to walk beneath the pink canopy here, with many of the shops and cafes along the street embracing the theme with their pink decorations. If you’re after the perfect Instagram shot be sure to get there early in the morning to beat the crowds!
Tip – Check out this blog which is updated frequently during cherry blossom season to make sure you don’t miss out!
Beethoven House
The birthplace of Ludwig Van Beethoven, now known as the Beethoven Haus, is a museum dedicated to the world-famous composer. Within its walls, you’ll find manuscripts, instruments, and numerous personal artefacts that once belonged to Beethoven, offering a captivating journey through his life and work. This is a great spot to visit for classical music lovers if you only have one day in Bonn!
Sterntor City Gate
Once a Roman fortress, a visit to the Sterntor offers a glimpse into Bonn’s rich history. While the original gate made way for the city’s expansion, the structure you see today stands within earshot, constructed with original bricks and stone, echoing the city’s medieval past.
Altes Rathaus – Old town hall + Market
No visit to a German town is complete without seeing its historic town hall. With its Rococo style, the building exudes a royal, almost palace-like charm. Just in front of the town hall, a daily market is overflowing with fresh produce and delicious food stalls. It’s a must-visit spot, especially if you have just one day in Bonn!
Bonn Münster – Minster of St. Martin’s
Unmissable in the city skyline is the incredible Bonn Minster, a domineering structure boasting Gothic architecture and five spires, the tallest of which reaches over 80 meters high. It’s one of the oldest churches in Germany and is supposedly the site the site of the martyrdom of two Roman officers, commemorated by the two giant head statues in front of the Minster.
Haribo store
Haribo are my favourite sweets so visiting the Haribo store was essential for my one day in Bonn. The store has all varieties to choose from, including different flavours from around the world and even a pick ‘n’ mix! There are even things like Haribo keyrings and luggage tags which are only around three euros and make great souvenirs!
Haribo factory outlet
I can’t lie, this is pretty much what I planned my day in Bonn around. Imagine the Haribo store, but bigger. I was in paradise. There’s even more Haribo to choose from, most of which I’d never seen before. The majority of bags were only 99 cents each and as I was there just after Easter all the seasonal varieties were only 89 cents. This is one of the most unique things to do in Bonn and I really recommend it!
An afternoon in Bonn
After dinner, it’s time to see one of the best parts of Bonn, Poppelsodrf Palace. After that, you can take time to head out of the city centre and into nature at Wildpark Venusberg.
Poppelsdorf Palace
Poppelsdorf Palace is a must-visit destination if you have just one day in Bonn. Dating back to 1715, this baroque fairytale palace, now owned by the University of Bonn, houses incredible botanical gardens and a mineralogical museum. This was one of my favourite places I visited in Bonn, even if you’re not into plants I can’t recommend seeing the gardens enough!
Wildpark Venusberg
Head into nature with a visit to Wildpark Venusberg. Explore Bonn city forest, feed the wild boar and see the deer, all located just outside the city. I had a great afternoon here, the forest and park area is huge and there’s a great cafe just by the entrance. Don’t forget to visit the wild boar and deer enclosures! Plus, there are vending machines with animal food for feeding them.
An evening in Bonn
After a busy day in Bonn, it’s time to relax. Brauhaur Bronnsch is a great spot to head for a drink and a bite to eat in the evening.
Brauhaus Bronnsch
Heading over to Brauhaus Bronnsch for some food or a drink is the perfect way to end your day in Bonn. This place has a great atmosphere with even better food. Traditional German cuisine is on the menu alongside beer served in their unique wavy glasses.
Got more time?
Museum Mile
Museum Mile is made up of five incredible museums showcasing the very best in nature, art and history. All you have to do is pick which one sounds the most interesting to you! This is an especially great place to stop if the weather isn’t on your side during your one day in Bonn.
Summary
I loved my time in Bonn, it’s full of personality and history. Not many cities can say they’re a stone’s throw away from an 18th-century palace! Even if you’re just thinking of coming on a day trip, I can’t recommend a visit enough, even if you only have one day in Bonn!
