Historic German town known for its university, cultural events, and nearby nuclear power plant.
Lingen (Ems), a town of 56,542 residents in Lower Saxony, welcomes you with its Renaissance-era Rathaus rising above the medieval market square. You can watch sailing boats glide across the 180-acre Speichersee Geeste reservoir, explore the twin-gabled staircases of the old town hall, or join the locals at the weekly farmers' market. Every three years, the Kivelingsfest transforms the town center into a living medieval spectacle with 1,000 costumed participants.
Historic Market Square
The 16th-century Rathaus dominates the pedestrian Marktplatz with its twin gabled staircases leading to an elevated entrance. In the restored timber-framed post house next door, you'll find a restaurant serving regional specialties like Emsland ham and local beef dishes. On weekends, local farmers set up their stalls selling fresh vegetables, regional cheeses, and seasonal fruits. Walk the surrounding streets to see merchant houses from the 1700s with their steep roofs and ornate wooden carvings.
University Life
The Lingen Campus of Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences runs programs in theater pedagogy, engineering management, and communication design from its buildings throughout the town center. Students work on community projects with local businesses and organize cultural events in public spaces, adding to the town's social life.
Water Activities
The Speichersee Geeste reservoir has a sailing school where you can take lessons or rent boats. Several rowing clubs welcome new members, and you'll see teams practicing early mornings. Walk or cycle along the Ems River path to see the 19th-century weirs and lock systems. The riverside trail connects to the Emsland cycling network, which extends into the Netherlands.
Festivals and Events
The Kivelingsfest fills the streets every three years with medieval market stalls, craft demonstrations, and more than 1,000 residents in period costumes. In autumn, food stalls and local musicians gather for the Old Town Festival in the lanes around the Marktplatz. The town's concert hall hosts classical performances throughout the year, while the municipal park becomes an outdoor stage for summer concerts.
Getting Around
Catch hourly trains from Lingen station to Münster (1-hour journey) or connect to Düsseldorf every two hours. Buses from the station terminal run to nearby villages and throughout the Emsland region. A 10-minute walk takes you from the station to the town center along marked paths.
Climate and Weather
Lingen has mild weather with summer temperatures around 22°C (72°F) and winter temperatures near 5°C (41°F). Rain falls evenly throughout the year, totaling 771.5mm annually. The months from May through September have moderate temperatures ideal for walking tours and outdoor activities.
