This historic German university town has narrow cobblestone streets lined with medieval buildings, active student bars, and a respected Max Planck research institute.
In Göttingen, you'll walk past the 14th-century Old Town Hall, watch doctoral students kiss the Gänseliesel statue for good luck, and explore Emil Wiechert's 1903 earthquake observatory. This central German university city maintains its medieval street layout while housing over 30,000 students. You can attend performances at the International Handel Festival in summer or catch local bands at Nörgelbuff any night of the week.
Getting Around Göttingen
You can walk or cycle through the car-free city center. Bike paths connect all commercial areas, and several shops near the train station rent bicycles. From the railway station west of the medieval center, you can catch one of 100 daily ICE trains to major German cities.
Academic Legacy and University Buildings
The Georg-August University's main building sits in the city center, its 18th-century facade facing the town square. White marble plaques throughout the streets mark where more than 300 scholars lived and worked, including 44 Nobel laureates. Inside the university library, you'll find one of Germany's largest collections of books and manuscripts.
Medieval Old Town Layout
Medieval ramparts surround the historic center, where narrow streets lead to the market square. The 14th-century Old Town Hall dominates the square, while students gather at the Art Nouveau Gänseliesel fountain to celebrate their doctorates. Four Gothic churches mark the compass points: St. Albani (east), St. Michael (south), St. Jacobi (north), and St. Johannis (west).
Museums and Scientific Collections
The Old Botanical Garden dates to 1736, with its original greenhouses still growing rare plant species. At the Ethnological Collection, you can examine artifacts from global expeditions, while the City Museum runs exhibitions about local history. The university's physics collection includes Emil Wiechert's earthquake observatory, where you can see the original 1903 seismographs still working today.
Cultural Events and Entertainment
Musicians perform Handel's works in the Stadthalle and local churches during the summer festival. The Deutsches Theater runs classical and contemporary productions across three stages. At Nörgelbuff, local bands play most nights. Throughout the year, you can attend jazz concerts and pop music festivals.
Local Food and Drink
Cron & Lanz, a coffee house operating since 1876, serves traditional breakfast spreads and house-made pastries. Students and locals fill the outdoor tables at university-area cafes during summer. Around Lange Geismarstraße, you'll find traditional German restaurants next to African and Japanese eateries.
