Göttingen: The Complete Guide

Göttingen is a city located in Lower Saxony, Germany, and it is also a stop on the Fairy Tale Route. The city is known for its historical and cultural landmarks, including the Göttingen Old Town, which is home to several half-timbered buildings and the St. Johannis Church, a Gothic-style church built in the 14th century.

In terms of the Fairy Tale Route, Göttingen is famous for its connection to the Grimm Brothers. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm worked at the University of Göttingen as professors of linguistics and philology from 1829 until their dismissal in 1837 due to political conflicts. During their time in Göttingen, they continued to research and collect fairy tales, and published several volumes of their famous fairy tales.

Visitors to Göttingen can explore the Grimm Brothers’ legacy by visiting the historic university campus, which includes the Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Center, a library dedicated to their works. The city also hosts an annual fairy tale festival, where visitors can enjoy fairy tale performances, art exhibitions, and other cultural activities. Additionally, the Göttingen International Handel Festival is a major cultural event that takes place every year, celebrating the life and works of composer George Frideric Handel.

Visiting Göttingen for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Göttingen on the first visit. Top help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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1 Best places to See in Göttingen

This complete guide to Göttingen not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Göttingen and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

Adelebsen Castle

Burg Adelebsen
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Johan Bakker
Adelebsen Castle is a well-preserved medieval castle located on a sandstone cliff above the Schwülme river about 10 miles (16 km) west of Göttingen, Germany. The castle was built in the 12th century as a fortified residence for the lords of Adelebsen and served as a border fortification for the principality of Göttingen. Their line […]
Location: Burg Adelebsen, Offenser Straße, Adelebsen, Germany | Distance: 12.20km
Visiting Adelebsen Castle

Tours and Activities from Göttingen