Kempen Summer Funfair
Summer funfair in June stretching from the Viehmarkt across the Moorenring to Burgstraße, with rides and stalls.
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Kempen
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Kempen
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The historic old town with its half-timbered houses is best explored on foot; leave your car outside the medieval ring.
- Rent a bicycle to explore the flat Lower Rhine countryside; the local cycle paths are exceptionally well-maintained.
- The Kuhtor (Cow Gate) looks most impressive at twilight when the old brickwork is illuminated.
- Check out the local artisan markets if you visit in autumn, but book accommodation well in advance.
🍽 Food
🍽
Rhenish Sauerbraten
Try this marinated pot roast in one of the traditional breweries or inns in the old town.
🍽
Himmel un Ääd
A classic dish of apple puree and mashed potatoes with blood sausage, found in local taverns.
🍽
Altbier
Enjoy the dark top-fermented beer in the cozy pubs around the Buttermarkt.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Buttermarkt area
The historic center is filled with small independent boutiques, delicatessens, and bookshops.
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Farm Shops (Hofläden)
Rent a bike and visit the farms just outside the city for fresh Lower Rhine asparagus or strawberries.
🧘
Kurkölnische Landesburg grounds
The park around the electoral castle gives a relaxing stroll under old trees.
🧘
Ziegelweiher Park
A peaceful lake and park area just outside the historic city walls.
Water temperature…
With its almost perfectly preserved circular old town and historic fortification walls, Kempen instantly transports its visitors back to the Middle Ages. The town in the Lower Rhine region is famous for its cohesive historical ensemble, at the center of which rises the imposing 14th-century Kurkölnische Castle. A stroll through the winding cobblestone alleys inevitably leads to the Kuhtor, the last surviving city gate of the former fortifications, and to the richly decorated burgher houses surrounding the Buttermarkt (Butter Market). Here, cozy street cafes and traditional bakeries offering regional specialties line the photogenic squares. The town achieved global fame as the birthplace of the mystic Thomas à Kempis, whose legacy can be traced inside the impressive Provost Church of St. Mary's Birth. During the holiday season, the historic old town transforms into one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in the entire region. Those looking to explore the flat surrounding countryside can easily hop on a bicycle and ride through the typical Lower Rhine landscape with its pollarded willows and wide open fields.
- Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Top sights: Kempen Castle · Kuhtor Gate · St. Mary's Provost Church
- Nearby: Tönisvorst (7 km)
- Population: ~34.888
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 76 | 62 | 58 | 42 | 61 | 64 | 76 | 80 | 57 | 64 | 72 | 79 |
Geography
Facts
- First documentary mention in the year 1186.
- Town privileges were granted in 1294.
- The municipal area covers about 68.81 km².
- Kempen consists of four districts: Kempen, St. Hubert, Tönisberg, and Schmalbroich.
- The castle was constructed between 1396 and 1400.
- The 'Kuhtor' is the last surviving of the original four city gates.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Kempen (11)
Frequently asked questions
What characterizes Kempen's old town?
It is very well preserved, featuring medieval town gates, half-timbered houses, and the electoral castle as a prominent landmark.
Who was Thomas à Kempis?
A famous 15th-century mystic whose work 'The Imitation of Christ' gained worldwide fame. A monument in the city is dedicated to him.
Are there typical festivals in Kempen?
The St. Martin's procession in Kempen is one of the largest and most magnificent in the Rhineland, attracting thousands of visitors annually.
Is Kempen good for cycling?
Yes, the flat Lower Rhine landscape around Kempen features an excellent network of cycle paths leading to castles and manor houses.
What are the shop opening hours?
Most shops in the city center are open weekdays from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM and Saturdays until 4:00 PM or 6:00 PM.
Kempen: where is it located?
Kempen is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Kempen: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kempen Castle, Kuhtor Gate, St. Mary's Provost Church.
Kempen: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Kempen: why is it worth visiting?
With its almost perfectly preserved circular old town and historic fortification walls, Kempen instantly transports its visitors back to the Middle Ages.
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