Poppelsdorf Palace (Poppelsdorfer Schloss) was one of my favourite places I visited in Bonn. This Baroque palace with its striking yellow facade and beautiful gardens creates the perfect fairytale setting. I went for a picnic in the gardens on a sunny day and had a great time. There’s so much to explore here, so I’ve put together this guide to make sure you don’t miss out!
Schloss Poppelsdorf is so much more than just a palace. There are botanical gardens, a mineralogical museum and more that can easily be missed. Make sure to check out my guide to make the most of your visit to Poppelsdorf Palace!
Poppelsdorf Palace – Everything you need to know
What you need to know
- Is Poppelsdorf Palace worth visiting? Absolutley! If you like palaces and nature you’ll love it here.
- Do you need to buy tickets to visit Poppelsdorf Palace? No! No tickets are required.
How to get there
Poppelsdorf Palace is really simple to get to.
On foot: You can easily walk there from Bonn Central Station, it takes about 10 minutes and it’s fully signposted.
With Public transport: Alternatively, you can take the 601, 602 and 603 buses to the Beringstraße stop which is just outside the palace
By Car: While you can drive to Poppelsdorf Palace, there are no provided parking spaces, and parking within the surrounding neighbourhood is extremely limited. I’d recommend walking or taking the bus.
Opening times
Poppelsdorf Palace Gardens and grounds have the following opening times:
- 1st April – 31st October: Daily, 10am – 6pm
- 1st November – 31st March: Mon-Fri, 10am – 4pm
The Mineralogical Museum has the following opening times:
- Wednesday & Friday: 3pm – 6pm
- Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Entry fee
Entry to the grounds and gardens is free.
The Mineralogical Museum has a small charge:
- Adults: €2.50
- Students & disabled: €1.50
- Children up to 16 years: Free
My tips for visiting
- Visit from late spring onwards: A big part of the castle’s appeal is in its beautiful gardens. If you visit in the winter months not much will be growing so you won’t be able to fully enjoy the experience.
- Don’t miss out on the greenhouses: You can easily overlook the greenhouses, but you shouldn’t miss out on them. They’re absolutely overflowing with plants and showcase the extremes of different regions perfectly.
- Arrive via Poppelsdorfer Allee: Walking down Poppelsdorfer Allee by the beautiful houses is all part of the experience. Be sure to pick this entrance!
All about Poppelsdorf Palace
Poppelsdorf Palace history
Construction of Poppelsdorf Palace commenced in 1715 on the grounds of a former ruined castle, under the supervision of Joseph Clemens, the Prince-Elector of Cologne. His nephew, Clemens August, ensured the palace’s full realization by its completion in 1753 after his uncle’s death. The impressive structure is beautifully symmetrical, featuring four wings and an inner courtyard. In 1818, the University of Bonn acquired the palace and developed the botanical gardens and Mineralogical Museum.
Poppelsdorfer Allee (Poppelsdorf Avenue)
Stretching for approximately 800 meters in front of the Palace is the enchanting Poppelsdorfer Allee. You’ll walk down here if you’re coming from the direction of Bonn Station and it makes for a beautiful walk. The tree-lined avenue has a long grassy section in the middle with pathways on either side lined by some truly beautiful houses. Adorned with columns and sculptures, the historic buildings exude a fairytale-like allure.
There are benches lining the pathway making it a great place to stop and relax on your way to the Palace!
Bonn University Botanical Gardens
The gardens of Poppelsdorf Palace are meticulously maintained and curated by the University of Bonn. They’re home to a never-ending list of around 10,000 plant species of every type and are some of the best botanical gardens I’ve ever visited! The gardens consist of three main sections: the Castle Gardens, Greenhouses and crop gardens. I’ve explained more about them below.
Castle Gardens
The Castle Gardens showcase a rich diversity of plant life, encompassing thousands of species, including rare and protected plants. The space is made up of themed sections including geographical areas and those which are closely related. The gardens are even home to trees that hold the record for being the largest of their kind in Germany!
The Dinosaur Forest brings to life the environment dinosaurs would have roamed in millions of years ago. Furthermore, there’s a special area dedicated to plants indigenous to Bonn, adding a local touch to the garden’s charm.
So much thought has gone into these Gardens, I loved walking around and seeing everything. Even the fountain in the middle of the garden is split into sections to show different species!
Crop gardens
Especially great if you’re visiting from late spring onwards are the crop gardens. Featuring vegetables, herbs, wildflowers and other edible plants, both native and tropical, these gardens offer an interesting insight into where your food comes from.
Greenhouses
For me, this was the best part of my visit to Poppelsdorf Palace. There are several greenhouses to visit including the Desert House, Monsoon House, and Mediterranean House. As you move from one to the next it feels like you travel into different worlds, each with its own climate and brimming with plants native to the region. There’s so much to see, my highlight has to be the giant water lilies in the Victoria House!
Mineralogical Museum
Situated within Poppelsdorf Palace and maintained by the University of Bonn is the Mineralogical Museum. The museum boasts an extensive collection of thousands of exhibits ranging from rocks and meteorites to precious stones. Even if you aren’t a budding geologist there’s sure to be something here to catch your eye!
With such a cheap entry price this is well worth a visit, especially if you’re looking for something to do on a rainy day.
Summary
I highly recommend a visit to Poppelsdorf Palace if you’re visiting Bonn. It offers the perfect little fairytale retreat in the middle of the city, especially for plant enthusiasts. There’s so much to see and it makes the perfect picnic spot – especially on a sunny day!
