Göttingen

Old Town and University History

On the market square, in front of the Old Town Hall, stands the Gänseliesel statue, which has been there since 1901 and is considered Göttingen’s unofficial landmark. The original statue is no longer on the fountain. The town hall and market square give the city center a clear focal point, while Weender Straße, Göttingen’s longest shopping and pedestrian street, offers a different atmosphere. Many city-center attractions are within walking distance of the train station.

The university auditorium stands on Wilhelmsplatz and remains a central building of the Georg-August University. It was built in the Classical style from 1835 to 1837 and features a large ceremonial hall. The historic university jail is also located in the auditorium building. The walls of the individual cells are covered with chalk and charcoal drawings by former student offenders. These details tell the story of the building’s former use without obscuring its present-day role as part of the university.

The Forum Wissen on the Göttingen Campus features more than 1,400 objects from over 70 university scientific collections in its permanent exhibition. It also hosts changing special exhibitions on current research topics at the Göttingen Campus. Visitors interested in science and its collections will find a unique way to explore the city’s history and the university today. Together with the market square, town hall and auditorium, it offers a varied cultural program to consider when deciding how long to stay and which aspects of the city to focus on.

Göttingen’s Green Spaces

The Old Botanical Garden is in the center of Göttingen. Albrecht von Haller established it as a medicinal garden in 1736; today it is a green oasis where you can relax while exploring the city. The greenhouses showcase numerous exotic plants alongside native species. The garden therefore combines its historical origins with a variety of plants extending beyond the native flora.

The city ramparts offer another green perspective: once a fortification, they now form a green promenade around Göttingen’s old town. The city forest on Hainberg is suited to other activities. There are opportunities for walking, hiking and cycling. Whether you prefer strolling along a promenade or combining your stay with longer activities in the forest, these different options can shape your plans for the day.

A roughly 2.5-kilometer lakeside path runs along Göttingen’s Kiessee Lake and is used year-round by walkers, recreational athletes and picnickers. The path provides a clear route for a visit to the lake; you can set aside time to walk, exercise or enjoy a picnic. Rowboats and pedal boats are an option for exploring the lake from the water. Kiessee Lake and Hainberg offer different experiences from the city center, without requiring you to limit yourself to just one kind of city visit.

Discover Göttingen and Choose Your Focus

If you would like to learn more about the sights, the “Around the Gänseliesel” city tour provides additional information. It can be booked through the Tourist Information Office or online. The Tourist Information Office also offers weekly changing city walks on various themes. Choosing a theme can help you decide which aspects of Göttingen to focus on during your visit.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Göttingen, consider the mix of activities you want each day: the old town, university and city walks offer a cultural focus; the Botanical Garden, city ramparts, Kiessee Lake and Hainberg provide green spaces and different opportunities for exercise and relaxation. If you also plan to visit the lake or spend time in the city forest, take these destinations into account when choosing where to stay.

Discover Other Places

If you would like to explore destinations beyond Göttingen, you can find Duderstadt, Friedland, Hannoversch Münden, Bad Grund (Harz), Gieboldehausen, Gleichen, Ebergötzen and Fuhrbach.

For the overview of the wider region: Göttingen.