German Sights
Find a place to stay in Marburg an der Lahn
Check accommodation availability at hotels, guesthouses and apartments in Marburg an der Lahn. No reservation fees.

Marburg, Germany

Marburg is a historic university town on the River Lahn in central Hesse. The university is one of Germany's oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions, while the Old Town is home to over 800 years of architecture.

The narrow, cobblestone streets are lined with iconic half-timbered buildings. St. Elizabeth Church, a masterpiece of Gothic design, towers over the cityscape. Ascending to the hilltop Landgrave Castle reveals panoramic vistas enjoyed by centuries of nobility.

A view of Schloss Marburg and the old town below
A view of Schloss Marburg and the old town below

There's more to Marburg than just the history, though. The town is full of lively festivals, open-air markets and cosy brewpubs serving local specialities.

Marburg might be a small town, but it has a unique feel thanks to the international students and academics who study and work there. The lively intellectual community here creates a unique, youthful energy that sets it apart from larger German cities.

Where is Marburg?

Marburg is located in the Lahn River valley, midway between the cities of Frankfurt and Kassel. Although it's a fairly small town with around 75,000 residents, Marburg has great transport links.

Marburg is conveniently located for other attractions in the area. You can get to the towns of Wetzlar and Gießen in about an hour by car, while the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park to the north and the Vogelsberg Mountains to the southeast offer networks of hiking trails.

International visitors will find Marburg a great place to experience traditional rural German life. The town is compact and relatively flat, so it's easy to explore on foot.

How to get to Marburg

Nearest airport to Marburg

Frankfurt Airport is the closest major international airport to Marburg with good road and rail connections to the town. It is the busiest airport in Germany and offers the widest range of destinations out of the three airports below.

Distance to Frankfurt Airport: 97km
Distance to Dortmund Airport: 160km
Distance to Cologne-Bonn Airport: 184km

Dortmund Airport and Cologne-Bonn Airport are both medium-sized airports and offer a range of flights to domestic and European destinations.

Train station in Marburg

Marburg Bahnhof - officially known as Marburg(Lahn) - is located just under two kilometres to the north of the old town. The train station offers InterCity connections to cities such as Hamburg and Karlsruhe, as well as regular regional services between Kassel and Frankfurt.

Driving to Marburg

Marburg lies just off the major A49 (Kassel - Giessen) and A5 (south to Frankfurt and Switzerland) motorways. Highway B3 runs through the centre of the town on its way from Kassel to Frankfurt.

Drivers should note that only vehicles with green emission stickers are allowed in much of the central town.

Where to stay in Marburg

Marburg accommodation map

If you know when you are planning to go but haven't decided on accommodation, then use the map below to get an idea of which properties are available and to compare prices during the period you wish to travel.

Enter your proposed dates and use the '+' to zoom in on a location and reveal more properties. Click on the price above a property to see more information.

(Please note that this selection will also include some pensions and self-catering apartments for those who are interested in that form of accommodation!)

Check accommodation availability in Marburg

Alternatively, if you would like a list of properties available on your proposed dates of travel, use the search box below to find accommodation:

Booking.com

History of Marburg

Marburg's origins date back to the early 8th century, although it remained a modest settlement for several centuries. Its rise began in 1227, when the reigning Landgrave of Thuringia founded the town near the new Marburg Castle.

The Landgrave Conrad of Marburg set up the Teutonic Order's base there around the same time. During the German feudal period, the town grew as a religious centre and military outpost that controlled a key river crossing.

The 13th century was a turning point when the Franciscan Order arrived and started building the Church of St Elizabeth. This impressive Gothic cathedral remains Marburg's most striking architectural feature today.

Marburg on the Lahn river
Marburg on the Lahn river

In 1527, Marburg played host to the historic Marburg Colloquy, an influential theological debate between Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli on the doctrine of Holy Communion. Even though no agreement was reached, this made Marburg an even more important centre for the Protestant Reformation.

The 1600s saw the founding of Marburg University, which is the oldest Protestant university in the world that is still teaching.

The town is connected to the Brothers Grimm as Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm attended the University of Marburg in the early 19th century. Their time at the university influenced their interest in folklore and linguistics, leading them to collect and publish their famous collection of fairy tales.

Marburg suffered heavy damage during World War II air raids, although post-war reconstruction efforts were successful in restoring the historic town centre.

Marburg may already be a familiar name to some visitors through its connection to the Marburg virus, a virulent infection which was discovered during an outbreak at research laboratories in the 1960s.

What to see in Marburg

Marburg Castle (Landgrafenschloss Marburg)

Marburg Castle is a medieval fortress perched high above the town, and it's got quite the presence. It was built in the 11th century and has served as a residence for the Landgraves of Hesse ever since. These days, it houses a museum that displays Marburg's history, medieval artefacts and art collections.
What's the appeal?
The castle offers visitors stunning views of Marburg's lovely old town and the surrounding countryside. The castle is a must-see for its historical significance and its blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

St Elizabeth’s Church (Elisabethkirche)

St Elizabeth's Church is one of the first purely Gothic-style churches in Germany. It's dedicated to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, who is buried here. It was finished in the 14th century and is still a popular place of pilgrimage.
What's the appeal?
The church's amazing stained glass windows, intricate stone carvings and relics of Saint Elizabeth provide insights into medieval religious life and architecture.

The church of St Elisabeth in Marburg on the Lahn
The church of St Elisabeth in Marburg on the Lahn

The Old Town (Oberstadt)

Marburg's old town is a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and cozy cafés. It's a real treat to explore the area on foot, with its lively streets and charming medieval architecture.
What's the appeal?
It's like stepping back in time for visitors. There's so much to see and do, and the market square and surrounding areas are particularly photogenic.

Rathaus (Town Hall)

Marburg's Town Hall is right in the heart of the old town. It's a striking late-Gothic building that has served as the city's administrative centre since the 16th century. The tower has a mechanical clock and plays the hour on the bells every hour.
What's the appeal?
The Rathaus is a symbol of Marburg's history and boasts some stunning architecture. It's also a great place to catch cultural events and a perfect spot for a photo.

The town hall in Marburg
The town hall in Marburg

Philipps University (Universität Marburg)

Set up in 1527, Philipps University is the oldest Protestant university in the world. The university campus is home to some historic buildings, including the Old University library and lecture halls.
What's the appeal?
The university is a big part of Marburg's identity and history. Visiting the historic sites gives you a great insight into the intellectual and cultural traditions that have shaped the city.

The historic buildings of Marburg University
The historic buildings of Marburg University

Castle Park (Schlosspark)

The Castle Park is a lovely garden surrounding Marburg Castle. It has walking paths that wind through wooded areas and manicured lawns.
What's the appeal?
It's a good spot for a picnic, and you get amazing views of the castle and the old town. The park looks different every season, and it's always worth a visit.

Marburg Tourist Office

There are two tourist information offices in Marburg. One is located in the train station and is open weekdays and on Saturday mornings. The other is situated in the historic centre and is open six days a week from Monday-Saturday with slightly shorter opening times on the Saturday.
Website: www.marburg-tourismus.de