This university town in Hesse has a lively student population, 17th-century architecture, and green parks near the Vogelsberg Mountains. The local food scene includes both German and global dining.
Gießen, a city of 90,000 in central Hesse, pulses with student life as one-third of its population studies at its universities. You'll find students conducting experiments at the Mathematikum science museum, reading in Germany's oldest botanical garden from 1609, or learning about chemistry history at the 19th-century Liebig laboratory. The Lahn River runs through the city, where you can paddle kayaks or watch the sunset from riverside cafes.
Getting Around Gießen
You can walk across the compact city center in about 20 minutes. Local buses connect all city districts, and you'll find Nextbike rental stations throughout town charging €1 per 15 minutes. The inner ring road follows former defensive walls, but avoid driving within it due to pedestrian zones and one-way streets.
University Life
The Justus Liebig University and Technical University of Applied Sciences occupy buildings across town, with 37,000 students filling cafes along Ludwigstraße and organizing private parties that often replace traditional nightclub scenes.
Museums and Science History
At the Mathematikum, you can touch and experiment with exhibits that explain mathematical concepts through physical interaction. The Liebig Museum maintains the original laboratory where Justus von Liebig worked, with daily demonstrations of 19th-century chemical experiments. Visit the Old Cemetery to find the grave of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, the first Nobel Prize winner in Physics and discoverer of X-rays.
Natural Spaces and Gardens
Walk through 8,000 plant species at the Botanical Garden, which combines research facilities with public paths in the city center. The Schiffenberg Forest contains an arboretum where you can identify more than 200 tree species. On the Lahn River, rent kayaks or pedal boats for trips to nearby Wetzlar.
Shopping and Local Markets
Walk down Seltersweg, the main pedestrian shopping street, to browse stores and stop at cafes. Every Wednesday and Saturday from 7:00 to 14:00, local farmers sell produce, meats, and cheeses at the Brandplatz market. At the southern end of Seltersweg, you'll see Gründerzeit buildings from the late 19th century that remained standing or were rebuilt after World War II.
Nearby Castles
Climb to Burg Gleiberg or Burg Vetzberg, two medieval castle ruins built on ancient volcanic hills near the city. Both castles give you clear views across the region and make good hiking destinations. The Schiffenberg Monastery, 5km from the city center, hosts concerts in its courtyard during summer evenings.
