Prinzipalmarkt, Münster

Square in Münster

Prinzipalmarkt
Prinzipalmarkt
© Andrew Ashton

Prinzipalmarkt, or Principal Market, is the elegant heart of Münster, a long, arcaded square framed by gabled houses that seem to step straight out of a storybook. Dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, these façades once belonged to wealthy merchants and guilds; today they shelter boutique shops, cafés, and restaurants, making this one of the must-see places in Münster for anyone who loves a mix of history, architecture, and everyday city life.

Strolling beneath the arcades, you can admire Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque details overhead while watching cyclists and locals glide across the cobblestones, shopping bags in hand. Prinzipalmarkt is a great place to visit on a walking tour of Münster, especially during seasonal events like Christmas markets or spring fairs, when lights, stalls, and street performers turn the square into a festive stage.

History and Significance of Prinzipalmarkt

Prinzipalmarkt has been Münster's commercial and civic spine for centuries, evolving from a medieval market street into the city's most recognisable square. The arcaded buildings that line both sides were originally home to powerful merchant families and guilds, who used their façades to showcase status and prosperity. Over time, fires, wars, and rebuilding have altered individual structures, but the overall rhythm of gabled roofs and covered walkways has remained remarkably consistent.

Architecturally, Prinzipalmarkt is a lesson in how different eras can coexist along a single street. You will spot Gothic pointed gables, Renaissance ornament, and Baroque flourishes sitting comfortably side by side, their stonework often adorned with dates, coats of arms, and decorative carvings. These façades are not merely pretty; they tell the story of a city whose wealth was built on trade, church connections, and its role as a regional administrative centre.

The square's political significance is anchored by the Historical City Hall, whose Gothic front dominates the eastern side of Prinzipalmarkt. This is where the Peace of Westphalia was signed in 1648, ending the Thirty Years' War and reshaping Europe's political map. Standing in the square today, with shoppers and café-goers around you, it is striking to imagine the diplomats and envoys who once walked these same stones to negotiate peace.

Things to See and Do in Prinzipalmarkt

The simple act of walking the length of Prinzipalmarkt is a pleasure in itself. Take your time under the arcades, pausing to examine the details above shopfronts: carved figures, heraldic shields, and dates that hint at each building's long story. Many visitors enjoy comparing the gables, spotting how some are stepped, others curved, and some elaborately crowned with pinnacles and finials.

Make sure to spend a few moments in front of the Historical City Hall, whose filigree-like Gothic façade is one of Münster’s most iconic sights. If you have time, step inside on a guided tour to see the Peace Hall and learn more about the treaties signed here. Back outside, you can look along the length of the square and see how the City Hall anchors the whole ensemble, framed by arcades and gables in both directions.

Between architectural highlights, Prinzipalmarkt offers plenty of modern distractions. Browse the boutiques for local design, fashion, or specialty foods, then settle at a café terrace for coffee and cake while watching the constant flow of pedestrians and cyclists. During Christmas, the square glows with lights and stalls selling Glühwein and seasonal treats; at other times of year, concerts and cultural events occasionally spill out into the open air, bringing extra energy to the historic setting.

How to Get to Prinzipalmarkt

Prinzipalmarkt sits in the very centre of Münster's Old Town, so once you are in the city it is easy to reach on foot. The nearest airport is Münster Osnabrück International Airport, with connections to various European destinations and onward bus or taxi links into the city centre. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Münster on Booking.com.

By rail, Münster (Westf) Hauptbahnhof is a major stop on regional and long-distance train routes, making the city straightforward to reach from elsewhere in Germany and beyond.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the station, you can either walk for about 15-20 minutes through the Innenstadt or take a short bus ride toward Domplatz and the Old Town; Prinzipalmarkt is just a few minutes' walk from these central stops.

If you are arriving by long-distance or regional bus, services typically drop you near the station or at central bus stops, from which you can continue on foot or via local buses into the historic core. For those travelling by car, follow signs for the Innenstadt and use one of the public car parks on the edge of the Old Town; from there it is an easy walk into the pedestrian-friendly centre and along the arcades of Prinzipalmarkt.If you are looking to rent a car in Germany I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting Prinzipalmarkt

  • Suggested tips: Walk the square at least twice-once during the day for the façades and shops, and again in the evening when lights and reflections give the arcades a completely different atmosphere.
  • Best time to visit: Mornings are peaceful and good for photos, while late afternoon and early evening are livelier, especially when cafés and terraces fill up.
  • Entrance fee: Free; Prinzipalmarkt is a public square open to everyone.
  • Opening hours: Open at all times; individual shops, cafés, and the City Hall follow their own opening hours.
  • How long to spend: Plan at least 30-60 minutes to wander the square, browse a few shops, and enjoy a drink or snack, longer if you combine it with City Hall or nearby museums.
  • Accessibility: The square is largely flat and pedestrian-friendly, though cobblestones and occasional steps under the arcades may be a consideration for some visitors.
  • Facilities: Numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops line the square, and public facilities can be found nearby in the Old Town or in adjacent shopping areas.
  • Photography tip: For classic shots, stand near the City Hall and shoot along the arcades; in winter or at dusk, capture the warm glow from shop windows against the stone façades.
  • Guided tours: Many city walking tours start or pass through Prinzipalmarkt, using the buildings and City Hall as visual aids to explain Münster's history.
  • Nearby food options: You will find everything from bakeries and traditional Westphalian restaurants to modern bistros and ice cream parlours in and around the square.

Where to Stay close to Prinzipalmarkt

Staying near Prinzipalmarkt puts you right in the centre of Münster's Old Town, with most major sights just a short walk or bike ride away. A convenient option within easy reach of the square is Stadthotel Münster, which offers modern, comfortable rooms and quick access on foot to Prinzipalmarkt, the cathedral, and the main museums. For a touch of industrial-chic design in a converted brewery complex, Factory Hotel provides stylish rooms and good bus or bike connections into the centre. If you prefer to be close to both the Hauptbahnhof and the Old Town, Hotel Kaiserhof makes a solid base, allowing you to stroll to Prinzipalmarkt in around 10-15 minutes.

Is Prinzipalmarkt Worth Visiting?

Prinzipalmarkt is absolutely worth visiting and quickly becomes the mental image many people carry away of Münster. It is not just a pretty square, but a place where centuries of mercantile wealth, civic pride, and everyday life come together in one coherent scene. Between its gabled façades, the Gothic City Hall, and the constant buzz of shoppers, cyclists, and café-goers, Prinzipalmarkt captures the city's character in a single glance and deserves a firm place on any Münster itinerary.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (464)

Historic City Hall, at Prinzipalmarkt 10 in Münster, is an eye-catching late medieval town hall dominated by an ornate Gothic gable and elaborate traceried windows; visitors praise its dramatic façade and recommend stepping inside to see the Peace Hall with its historic wooden panelling and decorative chambers, noting a small admission fee with concessions and that the tourist information is located there.

pramod menezes
3 months ago
"We visited Münster’s Historic City Hall 🏛️, renowned as the site of the 1648 Peace of Westphalia ✍️, which now also houses the Tourist Informationcenter ℹ️. The entry fee is reasonable 💶, with student discounts available 🎓...."
Fly On Tour
3 years ago
"When you're in the city, you easily spot the historical city hall, where you can visit the peace hall, for just 2€. Inside you can listen to thehistory of this room, and have a close look at the wooden panels...."
sumiethraa seenivasan
6 years ago
"On the east side of Prinzipalmarkt, the Historical City Hall is another symbol for Münster and one of the finest examples of secular Gothicarchitecture anywhere. The facade is jaw-dropping, and requires a few minutes for its tiers of traceried windows, ogival arches, gables and pi acles. This all dates from the end of the 14th century, and reflects the confidence that Münster’s citizens had in their episcopal landowners. The Peace Hall inside is as old as the 1100s and is clad with wooden panels carved in 1577. The hall was where one of European history’s most important treaties was signed. In 1648 the Peace of Westphalia brought an end to the Thirty Years’ War and gave birth to the Netherlands as a nation after it broke from the Holy Roman Empire...."

FAQs for Visiting Prinzipalmarkt

For the most part, yes-Prinzipalmarkt is heavily pedestrian-focused, with limited vehicle access, making it pleasant and safe to explore on foot.
Afternoons and early evenings, especially on market days, weekends, and during events like the Christmas markets, are when the square feels most vibrant.
Absolutely; the arcades provide shelter from rain and snow, so you can still stroll, shop, and enjoy the cafés even when the weather is less than perfect.
While the main weekly markets are usually held on nearby Domplatz, seasonal events and smaller markets often spill onto or alongside Prinzipalmarkt, especially at Christmas.

Nearby Attractions to the Prinzipalmarkt

The Prinzipalmarkt appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Münster!

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Moira & Andy

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Open at all times; individual shops, cafés, and the City Hall follow their own opening hours.

Price:

Free; Prinzipalmarkt is a public square open to everyone.

Address: Prinzipalmarkt, Münster, Germany
Münster: 0 km

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