Best Western Plus Hotel Ostertor

Bielefeld

In the heart of Bielefeld's Old Town, the Alter Markt is surrounded by historic facades and ornate gables. Find a cheap weekend break for the whole family and discover the impressive patrician villas, which are definitely worth seeing. One of the main attractions is Crüwell, the house with its late-Gothic staircase dating back to 1530. The staircase is decorated with 7,000 Delft tiles from the 16th to 18th centuries. The "Alter Markt" has become a favourite place for events in Bielefeld. Wine festivals and Christmas markets are held here.

For art lovers, Kunsthalle Bielefeld is an interesting destination. As a modern art museum, you can enjoy German and international art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Four times a year they change the exhibitions with a new exhibition in the field of, for example, classical modern or German expressionism. Find an affordable weekend break and a child-friendly hotel at Risskov.

Sparrenburg Castle

High above Bielefeld town on the Sparrenberg hill lies Sparrenburg Castle. Its mighty fortress is located right next to one of the most beautiful ridge walks in Germany, called Hermannsweg at 156 km. The castle was built in the mid-13th century by the counts of Ravensburg and became the sovereign administrative centre and residence of the county. It also protected the town and the trade routes through the Bielefeld pass. There were many alterations to the castle and in the 16th century it acquired its present outline. From April to October you can explore a vast 300-metre system of underground passages and enjoy panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside. The castle also provides the impressive backdrop for the annual medieval Sparrenburg Festival.

Hermann Monument

The Hermann Monument is a colossal statue near Hiddesen, southwest of Detmold in the southern part of the Teutoburger Wald. It was built from 1838 until 1875, when it was finally inaugurated in August. The monument is said to commemorate the Archbishop of Arminius, and in particular the so-called "Schlacht im Teutoburger wald" (Battle of the Teutoburger Forest), in which the Germanic tribes, under his leadership, secured a decisive victory over the three Roman legions XVII, XVIII and XIX led by Publius Quinctilius Varus. The statue is 53 metres high and is the tallest statue in Germany. If you are interested in history and want to experience this magnificent monument, a mini break or a long weekend stay here is definitely recommended,

Berlebeck Eagle Sanctuary

Find a cheap holiday at Risskov and take the whole family to the famous bird park Adlerwarte Berlebeck, located in the Detmolder district of Berlebeck. It was founded in 1939 and today houses 46 species of birds of prey with more than 200 specimens. During the season there are several daily bird shows, where you can get a very special experience, from one of the 160 spectator seats. Also find child-friendly hotels for the trip and go on holiday at your own pace.

Falkenburg ruins

The Falkenburg ruins are located in the south-eastern part of the Teutoburger Wald and are a relic of a former stronghold built around 1100. The Falkenburg, now registered as a protected monument, has been under investigation by an archaeological excavation team since April 2005. Already during the first 6 months, there were great successes and large parts of the hidden castle have since been excavated. As the excavated masonry is unstable after being buried for centuries, visits to the ruins are only allowed during guided tours.

Externsteine

Take a cheap car holiday in Germany and discover the Externsteine, a distinctive sandstone formation located in the Teutoburger Wald. The curious formation consists of several high sandstone cliffs standing, almost as if carved out, as narrow columns of stone and rising strikingly out of the surrounding forest landscape. Archaeological investigations show that parts of the monument date back as far as 10,700 BC. Over the centuries the site has been used both as a hermitage and a Christian chapel, and around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries both nationalist scholars and members of the Völkisch movement took an interest in the monument. This interest reached its peak during the Nazi regime, when the Externsteine began to be used in various propaganda campaigns. Today, the site is one of the area's most popular tourist attractions and an ideal place to visit on a self-drive holiday or mini-vacation in Germany.