- Paderborn is the oldest bishopric in Westphalia, founded by Charlemagne in 799.
- The Pader river is one of the shortest rivers in Germany, stretching only four kilometers.
- Every year, the city hosts the Libori festival, one of the oldest and largest funfairs in Germany, dating back over 1,000 years.
- The city's 'Three Hares' window in the cathedral is a famous architectural riddle featuring three hares with only three ears between them, yet each appears to have two.
About Paderborn
Paderborn is an ancient university city in North Rhine-Westphalia, recognized for its unique hydrology where the Pader river springs directly from over 200 sources in the city center. The skyline is dominated by the Paderborner Dom, a monumental structure housing the shrine of St. Liborius. Visitors can explore the world's largest computer museum, the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum, or enjoy the Baroque grounds at Schloß Neuhaus. The city serves as a regional religious center and a hub for high-tech industry.
Highlights of Paderborn
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
Explore the evolution of data processing and computing hardware in the world's largest computer museum.
Temples
Admire the 13th-century Gothic architecture and the iconic Three Hares window sculpture.
Historical places
Tour the impressive moated castle which exemplifies the Weser Renaissance architectural style.
Parks
Walk through the city center to see the unique karst springs where the Pader river emerges from the ground.
Museums
View significant medieval art and artifacts housed in one of the most important ecclesiastical museums in Germany.
Top things to do in Paderborn
The 83 highest-rated places in Paderborn, ranked by travellers.
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Museums
The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum (HNF) is the world's largest computer museum, housed in a distinctive red-brick building...
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Temples
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Zoos
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Venues
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Paderborn on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Paderborn
May to September, as the weather is most favorable for exploring the extensive city parks and the outdoor spring area.
2 days, which provides sufficient time to tour the historical core and the major technical museums.
The city center is highly walkable, supplemented by an efficient local bus network operated by PaderSprinter.
Stay in the Altstadt (Old Town) for proximity to historic sites, or near the University district for modern, transit-connected amenities.
Mid-range; standard German pricing for accommodation and dining, with many free public green spaces.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 83 curated attractions in and around Paderborn, ranked by traveller ratings.
Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum is the highest-rated place to visit in Paderborn right now.
The largest category is temples, with 40 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Berlin, Munich, Hamburg.
Explore more of Germany
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
