Regional and leisure activities
What can I do in Osnabrück and Lingen?
Osnabrück is the third largest city in Lower Saxony with a population of about 160,000. About 26,000 students shape the lively city. The City of Peace is located between the Wiehengebirge and the Teutoburg Forest. Small shops and large chain stores invite extensive shopping tours. Afterwards you can relax and wind down the day in the many cafés and student pubs in the downtown area and the beautiful old town. And the best part: Thanks to short distances, you can easily explore Osnabrück on foot or by bike. The green Osnabrück countryside is also within easy reach.
In Lingen, campus, shops, cafés and bars are only a stone's throw away from each other. About 56,600 inhabitants live in the city in Emsland.
We have put together some of the highlights you should experience during your studies in the Osnabrück-Lingen region on this website for you.
Parties and festivals
After diligent studying, you should give yourself a break. Whether study out parties, beach parties, campus in concert with live bands in the Lingen campus halls, the Park Festival on the Haste Campus with a barbecue and private-label campus beer or first semester parties, the student councils, as well as the General Students' Committee (AStA) organize many university parties. The next party dates are in the calendar of events of the Friends of the University, the AStA and the student councils websites.
The Terrace Festival on the cafeteria forecourt at the Westerberg Campus is also legendary. For 40 years, the biggest student party in Northern Germany has been organized by students alone. On three successive days each spring, celebrations with regional bands and DJs are held. Even Robin Schulz has been seen there. During the day, a versatile program with sports, games and fun takes place including breakfast and Flunkyball and table football tournaments. To get into the mood, there are some videos on the Terrace Festival website.
Osnabrück and Lingen have a colorful pub scene - including many discounts for students. The club scene offers the right parties with something for every musical taste from rock, pop and Indie to electro, house and hip hop and pop hits and metal.
Many open-air events are held throughout the year in Osnabrück. Every year in May, a state of emergency prevails in the city for ten days. It's May week and that means: There is music outside and it's free. Various open-air stages provide a colorful musical program. Many food and drink stalls scattered throughout the city provide refreshments. There are, among other things, the traditional May wine and venison, sausage, pancakes and falafel.The Africa Festival, the Osnabrück Cultural Night, the European Media Art Festival and the Castle Garden Open Air take place in the spring and summer. Once the cold season arrives, you can meet with a mulled wine at the historic Christmas market.More events tips in city and district of Osnabrück are listed in the events calendar of the City of Osnabrück.Events for Lingen and the surrounding area are listed, among others, in the events calendar of the City of Lingen.
Leisure tips for Osnabrück, Lingen and surroundings
Those wanting to explore their new home should not miss the town rallies and pub crawls organized by the Student's Committee and the student councils. Dates are announced on the Friends of the University website, the AStA and the student councils websites.
Osnabrück is, by the way, Germany's only city in the middle of a natural park, the UNESCO Global Geopark TERRA.vita. The Piesberg is located in the center. There, you can explore Earth's history through the 300-million-year old stone quarry or enjoy views of the Wiehengebirge and the Teutoburg Forest from the highest viewing platform in Osnabrück.
In addition, Osnabrück and Lingen offer special guided tours and have compiled tips how you can explore Lingen, Osnabrück and their surroundings on your own. The cities of Osnabrück and Lingen websites provide an overview of this.
The district Osnabrück has collected excursion destinations in the Osnabrück district.
The Rubbenbruchsee is surrounded by forests in the west part of Osnabrück - an ideal place to take a deep breath, jog, walk, play mini golf or take a pedal boat ride.
A trip on the Alfsee for water skiing or swimming on the bathing beach is worthwhile. The reservoir is situated in the District of Osnabrück, in Lower Saxony.
The Dümmer Lake in the Dümmer Nature Park is one of the largest water sports areas in Lower Saxony and is located in the northern district of Osnabrück. In addition to sailing and surfing, you can also kayak or try out stand-up paddling.
A day trip to the North Sea also possible. With the public transportation ticket, students can even travel to the sea free-of-charge. Destinations include Cuxhaven, Wilhelmshaven, Emden or Norddeich. The current route network, which may be used with the public transportation ticket, is on the AStA website.