Discover Göttingen: Old Town, University and Green Paths

Market Square, Landmarks and the Old Town

The Gänseliesel statue stands in Göttingen’s market square, in front of the Old Town Hall. The statue has been there since 1901 and is considered the city’s unofficial landmark. The original statue is no longer on the fountain. Together with the Old Town Hall, the market square shapes the centre of Göttingen and provides a starting point for exploring the city centre.

Weender Straße offers another perspective on city life: it is Göttingen’s longest shopping and strolling street. Visitors who want to combine historic sites with a stroll through the city will find different aspects of urban life here. Location can also play a role when choosing a hotel, as many sights in the city centre are within walking distance of hotels in the Old Town.

Experience the University and Science

The auditorium of the University of Göttingen stands on Wilhelmsplatz. Built between 1835 and 1837 in the neoclassical style, it remains a central university building, with its large ceremonial hall. The historic university prison is also located in the auditorium building. The walls of its individual cells are covered with chalk and charcoal drawings by former student offenders. The auditorium and prison thus offer two different insights into the history of the university building.

The Forum Wissen on the Göttingen Campus offers a different focus. Its permanent exhibition displays more than 1,400 objects from over 70 university scientific collections. There are also changing special exhibitions on current research topics at the Göttingen Campus. The collection details on display may change over time, as may the special exhibition programme. If you are interested in a particular research topic, it is best to check what is currently on offer before your visit.

Green Spaces and Outdoor Activities

The Old Botanical Garden is located in central Göttingen. Albrecht von Haller established it as a medicinal garden in 1736; today, it offers a green oasis for a break while exploring the city. In addition to native plants, the greenhouses feature numerous exotic species. The garden’s historic origins and the plants in the greenhouses offer different points of interest for a visit.

The city rampart, a former fortification, recalls Göttingen’s earlier role. Today, it forms a green promenade around the Old Town. At Kiessee lake, by contrast, the focus is on the lakeside path: it is around 2.5 kilometres long and used year-round by walkers, recreational athletes and picnickers. Rowboats and pedal boats offer a way to explore the lake from the water; check in advance whether rentals are available during your visit. The city forest on Hainberg offers opportunities for walking, hiking and cycling.

City Tours and Personal Interests

If you would like more information about Göttingen’s sights, the “Around the Gänseliesel” city tour provides additional background. It can be booked at the Tourist Information Centre or online. As the current tour options may change, it is worth checking booking options before your trip. Göttingen Tourist Information also offers weekly changing city walks on a range of topics; you can check the current programme in advance here, too.

Your plans can therefore bring together a range of interests: the market square and Weender Straße for impressions of the city centre, the auditorium and Forum Wissen for university-related themes, and the Botanical Garden, city rampart, Kiessee lake and Hainberg for green spaces and outdoor activities. The many sights within walking distance of hotels in the Old Town or the train station also make the city centre a convenient reference point when looking for a hotel for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Obernfeld, Hattorf Am Harz, Staufenberg, Hannoversch Münden, Scheden, Adelebsen, Walkenried, Bovenden

Back to the main travel overview: Göttingen.