Kassel is a city in northern Hesse, Germany, located on the Fulda River. It is the third-largest city in Hesse, with a population of approximately 200,000 people.

The city has a rich cultural heritage, and it is known for its museums, parks, and historic landmarks. One of the most famous attractions in Kassel is the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features the impressive Hercules monument and the Wilhelmshöhe Palace. The Bergpark is also home to the largest man-made cascading fountain in the world, the spectacular water features are turned on regularly during the summer months.

Another famous attraction in Kassel is the Documenta, an international contemporary art exhibition that takes place every five years. Documenta attracts art enthusiasts from around the world, and it is one of the most important contemporary art events in the world.

Kassel is also home to several other museums, including the Fridericianum, which is one of the oldest public museums in Europe, and the Brothers Grimm Museum, which celebrates the lives and works of the famous Grimm Brothers who collected and published many fairy tales.

The city has a vibrant cultural scene, and it hosts several annual events, including the Kassel Documentary Film and Video Festival, the Kassel Literature Festival, and the Kassel Jazz Festival. The city also has a variety of restaurants, bars, and cafes, and it is known for its regional cuisine, including schnitzel, bratwurst, and apple wine.

Kassel has a strong industrial and economic base, with a focus on automotive manufacturing and engineering. The city is home to several universities and research institutions, which contribute to its innovative and forward-thinking culture.

Visiting Kassel 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 Kassel 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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This complete guide to Kassel 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 Kassel and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

Museum for Sepulchral Culture

The Museum for Sepulchral Culture (Museum für Sepulkralkultur in German) is a museum in Kassel, Germany, that focuses on burial customs and funeral rites from various cultures and time periods. It was founded in 1992 and is housed in a former church building, the Wehlheider Church, which was built in 1900. The museum’s exhibits cover […]

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Location: Museum für Sepulkralkultur, Weinbergstraße, Kassel, Germany | Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m | Price: Adult €8.00 | Website | Distance: 0.70km

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Visiting Museum for Sepulchral Culture

Hessian State Museum

The Hessisches Landesmuseum, also known as the Hessian State Museum, is a museum in Kassel that displays a variety of artworks and artifacts related to the cultural and natural history of Hesse. The museum’s collections are spread across three locations in Kassel, including the main museum building at the Brüder-Grimm-Platz, the Museum Fridericianum, and the […]

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Location: Hessian State Museum, Kassel, Brüder-Grimm-Platz, Kassel, Germany | Hours: Tue–Sun and public holidays 10 am–5 pm | Price: Adults: 6 € | Website | Distance: 0.70km

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Visiting Hessian State Museum

Grimm World

Grimmwelt or Grimm World is a museum dedicated to the life and work of the Brothers Grimm, who are famous for their collection of German fairy tales such as Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Snow White. The museum is located in Kassel and showcases the history of the Grimm Brothers and their works. It features interactive exhibits, […]

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Location: GRIMMWELT Kassel gGmbH, Weinbergstraße, Kassel, Germany | Hours: 10am-6pm Tue-Sun, to 8pm Fri | Price: adult/concession €8/6 | Website | Distance: 0.80km

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Visiting Grimm World

New Gallery (Neue Galerie), Kassel

The New Gallery, or Neue Galerie, is a museum of modern and contemporary art located in Kassel, Germany. The building was designed by architect Alfred Roth and opened in 1877 as a museum of fine art, showcasing works from the 16th to the 19th century. In 1976, the New Gallery was repurposed as a museum […]

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Location: New Gallery, Schöne Aussicht, Kassel, Germany | Hours: Tue–Sun and public holidays 10 am–5 pm | Price: Admission: 6 € Reduced rate 4 € Children and young people under 18 free admission | Distance: 1.00km

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Visiting New Gallery (Neue Galerie), Kassel

Museum of Natural History Ottoneum

The Museum of Natural History Ottoneum is a natural history museum located in Kassel, Germany. It was founded in 1603 by Landgrave Moritz of Hesse-Kassel and is the oldest museum in the world that is still in its original building. The museum features a large collection of fossils, minerals, and other natural history specimens, including […]

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Location: Natural History Museum, Steinweg, Kassel, Germany | Hours: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm | Distance: 1.30km

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Visiting Museum of Natural History Ottoneum

Karlsaue Park

Karlsaue Park is a large public park located in the city of Kassel, Germany. It was established in the 16th century as a garden for the nearby Kassel Castle, and was later transformed into a public park during the 18th century. The park covers an area of 1.5 square kilometers and is home to numerous […]

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Location: Karlsaue, Auedamm, Kassel, Germany | Distance: 1.40km

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Visiting Karlsaue Park

Schloss Wilhelmshöhe

Schloss Wilhelmshöhe is a palace located within the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe in Kassel, Germany. The palace was built between 1786 and 1798 for Landgrave Wilhelm IX of Hesse-Kassel, who later became Elector Wilhelm I. The building was designed by the architect Simon Louis du Ry in the neoclassical style, and it served as a summer residence […]

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Location: Schloss Wilhelmshöhe, Weißensteinflügel, Schlosspark, Kassel, Germany | Hours: 10am-5pm Tue-Sun, to 8pm Wed | Price: adult/concession €6/4, Weissenstein wing incl tour €4/3, audioguide €3 | Distance: 4.50km

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Visiting Schloss Wilhelmshöhe

Löwenburg Castle

The Löwenburg Castle is located within the beautiful Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, the is a mock-ruin constructed between 1793 and 1801, designed in an ornately romantic “medieval” style that borders on the comical. Visitors can explore the Museum of Armaments and the Museum of Chivalry during tours. While the castle is currently undergoing a lengthy restoration process, […]

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Location: Löwenburg, Schloßpark, Kassel, Germany | Price: adult/concession €4/3 | Distance: 4.90km

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Visiting Löwenburg Castle

Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe

Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe is a baroque park located in Kassel, Germany. It is one of the largest and most unique hillside parks in Europe, covering an area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 square kilometers). The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. The centrepiece of Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe is the impressive Hercules monument, which […]

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Location: Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, Kassel, Germany | Hours: 9am-sunset, visitor centre 10am-5pm May-Sep, to 4pm Sat & Sun Oct-Apr | Website | Distance: 5.20km

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Visiting Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe

Schloss Wilhelmsthal

Wilhelmsthal Palace is a baroque-style palace located in the Wilhelmsthal Park, approximately 10 kilometers north of the city of Kassel in Germany. The palace was commissioned by Landgrave Wilhelm VIII of Hesse-Kassel in the mid-18th century and was completed in 1761. It was designed by the French architect François de Cuvilliés in the style of […]

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Location: Schloss Wilhelmsthal, Calden, Germany | Hours: 1 April–31 October Tue–Sun and public holidays 10 am–5 pm last tour at 4 pm1 November–31 March Fri–Sun and public holidays 10 am–4 pm last tour at 3 pm| Price: 4 € Adults, Children and young people under 18 free admission | Website | Distance: 10.00km

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Visiting Schloss Wilhelmsthal

Castle Sababurg

Castle Sababurg, also known as the Sleeping Beauty Castle, is a medieval castle located in the Reinhardswald forest, near the town of Hofgeismar in northern Hesse, Germany. It is believed to have been built in the 13th century and was originally used as a hunting lodge by the Landgraves of Hesse. The castle was abandoned […]

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Location: Sleeping Beauty Castle Sababurg, Hofgeismar, Germany | Hours: April to the end of October, Fridays to Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 18:00 | Price: Outdoors free | Distance: 26.00km

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Visiting Castle Sababurg