Kassel: The Complete Guide

Kessel

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. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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11 Best places to See in Kassel

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!

Hessian State Museum

Hessian State Museum
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Dontworry
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 […]
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: 0.7km
Visiting Hessian State Museum

Click here to read our blog about Exploring Germany's Fairy Tale Route

Museum for Sepulchral Culture

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 […]
Location: Museum für Sepulkralkultur, Weinbergstraße, Kassel, Germany | Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m | Price: Adult €8.00 | Website | Distance: 0.7km
Visiting Museum for Sepulchral Culture

Grimm World

Grimmwelt Kassel, Eingang
CC BY-SA 1.0 / XenonX3
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, […]
Location: GRIMMWELT Kassel gGmbH, Weinbergstraße, Kassel, Germany | Hours: 10am-6pm Tue-Sun, to 8pm Fri | Price: adult/concession €8/6 | Website | Distance: 0.8km
Visiting Grimm World

New Gallery (Neue Galerie), Kassel

Neue Galerie Kassel
Copyleft / A.Savin
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 […]
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: 1.0km
Visiting New Gallery (Neue Galerie), Kassel

Museum of Natural History Ottoneum

Ottoneum
Copyleft / A.Savin
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 […]
Location: Natural History Museum, Steinweg, Kassel, Germany | Hours: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm | Distance: 1.3km
Visiting Museum of Natural History Ottoneum

Karlsaue Park

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 […]
Location: Karlsaue, Auedamm, Kassel, Germany | Distance: 1.4km
Visiting Karlsaue Park

Schloss Wilhelmshöhe

Schloss Wilhelmshöhe
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Tsungam
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 […]
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: 4.5km
Visiting Schloss Wilhelmshöhe

Löwenburg Castle

Löwenburg Bergpark Kassel
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Jens Haines
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, […]
Location: Löwenburg, Schloßpark, Kassel, Germany | Price: adult/concession €4/3 | Distance: 4.9km
Visiting Löwenburg Castle

Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe

Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe
CC BY-SA 3.0 / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kaskaden1.JPG
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 […]
Location: Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, Kassel, Germany | Hours: 9am-sunset, visitor centre 10am-5pm May-Sep, to 4pm Sat & Sun Oct-Apr | Website | Distance: 5.2km
Visiting Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe

Schloss Wilhelmsthal

Schloss Wilhelmsthal
Public Domain / Dorado
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 […]
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: 10.0km
Visiting Schloss Wilhelmsthal

Castle Sababurg

Castle Sababurg
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Bytfisch
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 […]
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: 26.0km
Visiting Castle Sababurg

Best Time to Visit Kassel

Kassel, a city known for its rich cultural heritage and beautiful parks in Germany, offers different experiences throughout the year, depending on what you’re looking for in your visit. Each season has its unique attractions:

Spring (March to May)

Spring is a delightful time to visit Kassel as the city begins to bloom, especially in the famous Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, one of Europe’s largest hillside parks. The weather is gradually warming up, making it pleasant for exploring outdoor attractions. The tourist crowds are still sparse, allowing for a more relaxed visit to popular sites like the Hercules monument and water features, which usually start operating in April.

Summer (June to August)

Summer is the peak season for tourism in Kassel, primarily because of the documenta, one of the world’s most significant exhibitions of contemporary art, which takes place every five years. The next documenta is scheduled for 2027. During the summer months, the weather is warm and sunny, perfect for enjoying the numerous parks and outdoor activities. The city buzzes with energy, and there are various cultural events and festivals to enjoy.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is another excellent time to visit Kassel, as the crowds diminish and the city’s parks turn into stunning hues of orange and yellow. The temperature cools down, creating ideal conditions for enjoying long walks in Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe or along the Fulda River. Additionally, autumn cultural events and fewer tourists make it a good time to explore museums and historical sites more thoroughly.

Winter (December to February)

Winter in Kassel is cold, with occasional snow, which adds a picturesque quality to the city’s landscapes. The Christmas market in Kassel is a particular highlight, offering traditional crafts, festive foods, and warm drinks. The cold weather is perfect for enjoying indoor cultural offerings like the Brothers Grimm Museum, where you can delve into the lives and works of the famous storytellers who once lived in Kassel.

Best Times to Visit

The best time to visit Kassel really depends on your interests:

  • For outdoor activities and cultural festivals: Summer is ideal, especially if you’re interested in attending major art events like documenta (every five years).
  • For pleasant weather and natural beauty without the crowds: Late spring and early autumn are fantastic, offering mild weather and the opportunity to see the city’s parks in bloom or in fall colors.
  • For a festive atmosphere: Winter is wonderful, particularly in December when the Christmas market creates a magical holiday spirit.

Each season in Kassel offers something special, so choose the time that aligns best with your interests and the experiences you wish to have.

Average Temperatures in Kassel

  • January 5°C 7
  • February 9°C 7
  • March 13°C 5
  • April 18°C 5
  • May 21°C 8
  • June 24°C 9
  • July 27°C 9
  • August 27°C 9
  • September 24°C 7
  • October 17°C 7
  • November 10°C 7
  • December 8°C 8

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