Hi-tech in its modern attractions yet charmingly medieval at its heart, this destination is a fascinating blend of the old and the new.
Discover both local wonders and delights further afield when you rent a car in Paderborn. There’s plenty to explore.
Turrets, towers and magic
Drive around town and you won’t be able to escape the pull of the powerful cathedral.
Known as Paderborner Dom to locals, this historic place looks more like a palace than a place of worship. Take in the beauty of the Romanesque-Gothic white tower and green-roofed spire, or step inside to see the treasury and hear the organ in action.
Enchanting buildings aren’t confined to the city’s center either. Wewelsburg is a beautiful Renaissance castle that was built in a distinctive triangular shape. This is a truly unique place to feel like you have been transported back in time, and it holds fascinating secrets within.
Here you’ll find a permanent exhibition on the terror of the SS during the Second World War, and special displays on painting, illustration and elements of the region’s history. You can also learn more about the unusual past of the fortress itself, which was once used to train Nazis in occult and pagan rituals.
Schloss Neuhaus is a charming castle park and another must-visit attraction. But here, the focus is on family activities rather than history. Weave through the on-site maze, take the little ones to a playground or catch an open-air event during the summer. There are huge lakes and natural wonders too.
Feast on local knowledge
Paderborn is home to many brilliant museums, so tour them to soak up some interactive knowledge. The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum is the world’s largest computer museum – it’s great for tech-savvy adults and children alike.
Instead of treating computer technology as a purely recent phenomenon, this fascinating center looks at 5,000 years of human history and how it led to the digital age. From the creation of numbers and writing to the digital age, almost 20,000 square feet of exhibition space tells the full story from a social and economic perspective.
Other museums of interest include the LWL Museum in the Imperial Palace, which is based around the remains of the ‘father of Europe’, Charlemagne. Inside, you can learn about the history of the region and see artifacts from the Middle Ages.
Escape to nature
Once you’ve experienced all the charm of the city, take a break in the magnificent German wilderness.
The Egge Hills Nature Park is a great place to unwind, with old abbeys and timbered towns speckled between the mountains. Park up and wander in the woodlands or find respite in one of the many spa resorts.
From castles to nature, car rental in Paderborn helps you get even more from your German vacation.