Discover Lingen

The broader destination of Lingen (Ems) offers everything from local history and art to events, cycling tours and leisure activities. Which of these interests you can help you choose the focus of your stay.

History and Culture in Lingen (Ems)

In the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), the Emslandmuseum Lingen is a regional museum dedicated to the history and culture of the city of Lingen and the southern Emsland region. Its permanent exhibition covers the period from the Middle Ages to the Second World War. The museum also displays the throne treasure of the Lingener Kivelinge, including royal chains dating back five centuries.

In the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), the Emslandmuseum in the former coach house of Palais Danckelmann showcases the building and domestic culture of the Emsland region. The half-timbered house, dating from 1728, contains, among other things, a bedroom with an original Butze—a bed cupboard—as well as a Baroque room, an 18th-century bourgeois room and a Biedermeier-era living room. The different rooms offer insights into the ways people lived in various periods.

In the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), the Pulverturm is the last surviving remnant of the Lingen fortress, which was dismantled in the 17th century. At the marketplace in the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), the Historic Town Hall occupies a dominant position in the urban landscape; it documents the civic pride of past centuries. Both sites offer a perspective on the city’s history through historic buildings and their significance in the townscape.

Art, Exhibitions and Events

In the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), the present-day art and culture villa opened in July 2024, after renovation work on the listed building began in 2021. It is a venue for exhibiting historical and cultural collections belonging to the city of Lingen. These include works from the municipal art collection, books from the Baroque library of the Georgianum, old photographs, a work of art by Harry Kramer and historic toys from the former Adelmann shop.

In the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), international, national and regional artists present contemporary art in changing exhibitions. The Kunsthalle also preserves, cares for and presents part of Harry Kramer’s estate. The artist was born in Lingen in 1925 and took part in documenta III in Kassel in 1964. The Kunsthalle thus brings together current exhibitions and a connection to Lingen’s art history.

In the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), the municipal theatre has been located at Wilhelmshöhe in the Kulturpark Wilhelmshöhe since 1977. The programme at the EmslandArena in the broader destination of Lingen (Ems) includes concerts, sports, shows, comedy and trade fairs. The Kivelingsfest in Lingen is celebrated every three years at Whitsun; the next edition is scheduled for Whitsun 2027. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, check the specific event dates.

Leisure, Cycling Tours and Activities

In the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), the Linus Lingen leisure pool has more than 1,000 square metres of water surface. Its attractions include the Brodelberg, a current channel and a Black Hole slide more than 100 metres long. The sauna area covers 6,000 square metres and offers saunas at different temperatures indoors and outdoors, across two levels. The options for a visit to the pool therefore differ considerably from those in the sauna area.

In the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), there are dozens of signposted cycling tours that start in Lingen, end there or pass through the city. For the tours described, the Tourist Information Centre at Neue Straße 3a in the broader destination of Lingen (Ems) serves as the starting point. In the 2026 city tour programme for the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), Lingen Wirtschaft + Tourismus GmbH offers a wide range of guided tours with insights into Lingen’s history. Tickets for these city tours in the broader destination of Lingen (Ems) are available in 2026 at the Tourist Information Centre, Neue Straße 3a, 49808 Lingen. Check the dates and ticket information before your visit.

In the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), children have various ways to explore the city centre. In the Emslandmuseum’s city game in the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), children aged eight and over decipher secret codes that reveal the next destination. As part of the Lingen City Experience 2026 programme in the broader destination of Lingen (Ems), children could explore the city centre on their own during the Kids Safari. For trips in later years, check whether this activity will continue.

Discover more destinations: Werpeloh, Herzlake, Papenburg, Dohren, Walchum, Freren, Lähden, Werlte

Back to the broader travel overview: Emsland.