Event Summer at Rietberg Garden Show Park
During the summer season the Garden Show Park hosts events almost every weekend, from concerts and comedy to colourful family festivals. The park is a magnet for visitors from across East Westphalia.
Plizio Visual Lab
Rietberg
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Rietberg
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Get a day pass for the Gartenschaupark; it's well worth it for the extensive paths and gardens.
- Explore the historic town center on foot, as the distances between the half-timbered houses are short.
- Note that some small shops might close during lunchtime.
- Cycling along the Ems river is a great way to discover the land of the seven villages.
🍽 Food
🍽
Pickert
A typical Westphalian potato pancake, served sweet with jam or savory with liverwurst in local pubs.
🍽
Westphalian Pumpernickel
Try this dark rye bread with local ham at bakeries in the historic center.
🍽
Local Craft Beer
Sample regional brews at cozy taverns around the main street.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Rathausstraße
The main street features appealing boutiques, local crafts, and specialty food shops.
🛍
Rietberg Farmers Market
At the weekly market, you will find fresh regional vegetables, bread, and local flowers.
🧘
Gartenschaupark Obersee
The lake area inside the park is well-suited for a relaxing afternoon.
🧘
Emsauen (Ems floodplains)
Peaceful walking and cycling paths along the river nature reserve.
🧘
Franciscan Monastery Garden
A quiet, contemplative garden area near the historic monastery building.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Rietberg, situated in the district of Gütersloh in North Rhine-Westphalia, is a city with a distinguished past and a spirited present, often called the 'City of Seven Villages.' Its history as the former capital of the County of Rietberg is visible in every corner of its remarkably preserved historic center. The town square and adjacent streets are lined with ornate half-timbered houses, many dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, showcasing the wealth and artistry of previous eras. A modern transformation occurred in 2008 when the city hosted the State Garden Show, leading to the creation of the Gartenschaupark. This extensive green space remains a major draw for tourism, offering thematic gardens, ecological learning centers, and diverse leisure activities for all ages. Geographically, the city lies on the Ems River, and the surrounding floodplains are a sanctuary for regional biodiversity, accessible through numerous cycling and walking paths. Rietberg is also a cultural hub, famous for its energetic carnival celebrations and a strong sense of community spirit. Economically, the city benefits from a solid mix of traditional craftsmanship and modern medium-sized enterprises. This combination of historical elegance, environmental focus, and economic stability makes Rietberg one of the most attractive smaller cities in the region.
- Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Top sights: Rietberg Park · Rietberg Castle · Franciscan Monastery
- Nearby: Delbrück (10 km)
- Population: ~30.461
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 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 80 | 58 | 56 | 44 | 66 | 69 | 78 | 74 | 59 | 63 | 71 | 78 |
Geography
Facts
- Population: approximately 30,461 residents.
- Municipal area: 70.40 square kilometers.
- First mentioned in records around 1100.
- Capital of the County of Rietberg until 1807.
- The Garden Show Park covers about 40 hectares.
- The historic old town is almost entirely preserved.
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.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Rietberg (8)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Rietberg called the city of beautiful gables?
Because of its historic city center with over 60 listed half-timbered houses featuring magnificent gables.
What does the Gartenschaupark Rietberg offer?
Large playgrounds, themed gardens, and lakes. A day ticket for adults costs about 5 euros.
Does the Ems river flow through Rietberg?
Yes, the Ems river rises nearby in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock and flows directly through Rietberg.
Is parking free in Rietberg?
At many central parking lots on the edge of the historic old town, you can park for free for a limited time.
Is there a castle in Rietberg?
Rietberg Castle was built in the 14th century, but today it is private and can only be viewed from the outside.
Rietberg: where is it located?
Rietberg is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Rietberg: what is there to see?
Highlights include Rietberg Park, Rietberg Castle, Franciscan Monastery.
Rietberg: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Rietberg: why is it worth visiting?
Rietberg, situated in the district of Gütersloh in North Rhine-Westphalia, is a city with a distinguished past and a spirited present, often called the 'City of Seven Villages.' Its history as the former capital of the County of Rietberg is visible in every corner of its…
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Germany →
Nearby cities
Dortmund
Dortmund is the largest city in the Ruhr area, known for its industrial history, passion for football, and green parks.
Bochum
Bochum is a major city in the heart of the Ruhr Area, embodying the successful transition from heavy industry to a knowledge and service-…
Wuppertal
Wuppertal in the Bergisches Land is famous for the historic suspension railway, one of the oldest electric elevated railway systems in th…
Bielefeld
Bielefeld is the economic and cultural center of the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region in the northeast of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Münster
Münster is a large Westphalian city, known as Germany's cycling capital, a significant university city and the historic centre of the Pea…
Gelsenkirchen
Gelsenkirchen, centrally located in the Ruhr Area, was once known as the 'City of 1000 Fires' when the winding towers and smoking chimney…
Hagen
Hagen is called the gateway to the Sauerland.
Hamm
Hamm is known for its large glass elephant.
Herne
Herne is a core city in the Ruhr area, known for its major archaeological museum and the Cranger Kirmes, one of Germany's largest folk fe…
Paderborn
Paderborn is located in North Rhine-Westphalia and is known for its numerous springs.
Recklinghausen
Recklinghausen is known for the Ruhr Festival.
Gütersloh
A thriving economic hub in East Westphalia, internationally recognized as the headquarters of global giants Miele and Bertelsmann.
Iserlohn
The largest city in the Sauerland region, famous for its wire and metal industry and the stunning Dechenhöhle cave.
Marl
A modern industrial city in the Ruhr area, home to one of the world's largest chemical parks and famous for the Glaskasten sculpture museum.
Lünen
The 'Gateway to the Münsterland' on the Lippe river, a city in structural transition between its mining past and a green future.