What to do in Paderborn

Activities, attractions and tours

Paderborn featuring street scenes as well as a small group of people
Rathaus which includes a square or plaza, a city and a fountain
Paderborn Cathedral featuring interior views, a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Paderborn showing a park as well as a couple
Paderborn featuring street scenes, heritage elements and a square or plaza

Paderborn Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Paderborn has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Paderborn is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Paderborn to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Paderborn Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Paderborn.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Paderborn attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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What to do in Paderborn

Discover the most popular places to visit in Paderborn

Neuhaus Castle which includes heritage architecture

Neuhaus Castle

This former residence of bishop princes from the Renaissance era has a Baroque garden, an open-air theater and a nature museum and art gallery in its former stables.

Neuhaus Castle
Paderborn Cathedral showing heritage elements and street scenes as well as an individual female

Paderborn Cathedral

See the most important religious building of Paderborner Land and browse the mosaic vault chambers in the crypt of this Romanesque-Gothic cathedral.

Paderborn Cathedral
Marienplatz Paderborn featuring a statue or sculpture and a fountain as well as a small group of people

Marienplatz Paderborn

Stroll over this cobblestoned square in the heart of Paderborn to see its ornamental Maria statue, attend a market or enjoy the sunshine on a café terrace.

Marienplatz Paderborn
Theater Paderborn which includes modern architecture

Theater Paderborn

Whether you like musicals, opera or classic comedy and theater, Theater Paderborn introduces young and old to the tradition of Westfälische Kammerspiele.

Theater Paderborn
Rathaus showing heritage architecture

Rathaus

Paderborn’s fairytale-like formal city hall with its three gables has seen multiple uses over the years and has become a symbol for this historic river city.

Rathaus
Paderborn featuring heritage elements and a square or plaza

Diocesan Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Diocesan Museum during your trip to Paderborn. Experience the theater scene and museums in this walkable area.

Diocesan Museum

University of Paderborn

Take a campus tour or just explore the area of University of Paderborn, during your trip to Paderborn. You'll find more to see and do in this walkable area.

University of Paderborn

Adam and Eve House

You can learn about the history of Paderborn with a trip to Adam and Eve House. Experience the theater scene and museums in this walkable area.

Adam and Eve House

Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum

You can enjoy some culture when you stop by Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum in Paderborn. You'll find more to see and do in this walkable area.

Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Paderborn

Photo "Bad Lippspringe" by Tsungam (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Tsungam (CC BY-SA)

Bad Lippspringe

Photo "Delbrueck" by Tsungam (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Tsungam (CC BY-SA)

Delbrueck

Photo "Salzkotten" by Tsungam (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Tsungam (CC BY-SA)

Salzkotten

Photo "Elsen" by Athde (page does not exist) (CC0) / Cropped from original
Photo by Athde (page does not exist) (CC0)

Elsen

Photo "Schwaney" by Tsungam (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Tsungam (CC BY-SA)

Schwaney

Photo "Sennelager" by Athde (page does not exist) (CC0) / Cropped from original
Photo by Athde (page does not exist) (CC0)

Sennelager

Frequently asked questions

Is Paderborn worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Paderborn is visit Neuhaus Castle. Tick this major attraction off your itinerary, then discover more of the area's history and family-friendly attractions.
How do I spend a day in Paderborn?
Once you've visited popular attractions like Neuhaus Castle and German Tractor and Model Car Museum, spend the rest of your day exploring Paderborn's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Paderborn?
Don't go home without visiting Neuhaus Castle, rated the top tourist attraction in Paderborn.
Is three days enough to stay in Paderborn?
Three days will be enough time to check out the leading city highlights, including Neuhaus Castle, Theatre Paderborn and German Tractor and Model Car Museum. The average stay in Paderborn is two days. If you have the urge to extend your break, Bielefeld isn't far away.
Is Paderborn a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and top sights within walking distance of the city centre, Paderborn is a good destination to visit on foot. Wander between Neuhaus Castle and Theatre Paderborn. Then take a stroll through Kernstadt, located 0.64 kilometres from downtown, and Schloß Neuhaus, which is about 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Paderborn with kids?
Deciding what to do in Paderborn with kids has never been simpler. Whether you have teenagers or toddlers, there are lots of family-friendly sights and activities to keep them entertained here.

What to do in Paderborn for adults?
Malts of Scotland and Westfalen-Therme are just two of the things to do in Paderborn. With lots of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Paderborn?
From relaxing in parks to wandering around exciting neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Paderborn. If you need new ideas, get some tips from a local tour guide. Diocesan Museum is a top spot for anyone wanting to save on their travel adventures.