Top 5 Things to Know Before Visiting Bonn, Germany
What do you need to know before visiting Bonn, Germany?
#1 - Bonn Was the Former Capitol of Germany
It may surprise some to know that Bonn was the capitol of Western Germany after World War II. When the country was split between Western and Eastern Germany, Bonn was responsible for the Western side. It officially became the capitol of Western Germany in 1949. After the German reunification occurred, the capitol was later moved to Berlin in 1990. You can still see the buildings that were used for the capitol, such as the Town Hall building, which was built in the early 1700’s in Rococo style architecture. There is a great market right in front of the hall, so we suggest grabbing some fresh fruit and sitting by the steps of the Hall for a lovely afternoon.
#2 - Bonn is a University City
With the prestigious University of Bonn being in the heart of the city, you may notice a younger population here than in other parts of Germany. There are definitely people of all ages, but we’ve noticed some tourists being surprised when they visit here for the first time. The population (as of 2021) is close to 350,000 people. About 20 percent of the population is between the ages of 10-24. That doesn’t seem very significant, but when you factor in that many students are not permanent residents of Bonn, it is actually much more. The University of Bonn is the only 6 Cluster research university in Germany, so people travel from all over the world to study here (including myself many years ago).
#3 - Bonn is the Birthplace of Beethoven
While you see many people coming to Bonn to study, there are several others who come here to witness the birthplace of Beethoven - the world renowned composer. Here, you can check out the home where he was born as well as see classical instruments that were actually used during his concerts, old letters and manuscripts, sheet music, and more. You can walk in his footsteps. He is a very popular figure in Bonn, so you will see images of him throughout your stay and hear the famous composer’s music in many areas of the city.
#4 - Bonn is Not as English Friendly as Other Cities
People do not travel to Bonn as much as other German cities. We’re not sure why because we feel Bonn is definitely worth visiting. With not many tourists coming to Bonn and the students from the university expected to speak German in classes, there isn’t much opportunity to speak English for the locals. Therefore, when you come and visit, most of the restaurants, signs, museums, and shops are all in German. This is different compared to other German cities who usually have everything written in English and other languages as another option for communication. Here, that is not the case (of course generalising - there are places that have options, but it isn’t as common). When you order something, there is more of an expectation to speak German. While some can be helpful and speak in English, we’ve observed that many will not. Just be prepared for that and maybe brush up on some German words and phrases.
#5 - Bonn is A Quieter City
In Cologne and other major cities in Germany, you get a great atmosphere of the hustle and bustle of city life. In Bonn, it is much quieter and calmer. Honestly, I like the hustle and bustle, but I also appreciate the more laidback, calming charm of Bonn. The people are very friendly and kind. When the weather is nice, you will see many locals going to the parks near the university and taking in the sun. It’s a very family-friendly environment that is perfect for little kids. Bonn is a gorgeous city with much to offer. We highly recommend exploring Bonn if you have the opportunity!
