Warendorf Fat Market
Traditional fair and folk festival in October, one of the largest and oldest market events in the region with sales stalls and rides.
Plizio Visual Lab
Warendorf
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Warendorf
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the NRW State Stud (Landgestüt) to see the world-famous horses and historic stables.
- Explore the Emsauen floodplains, a restored river landscape excellent for cycling or walking.
- Admire the impressive gabled houses that line the historic market square.
- Go in the morning to watch horses being trained on the outdoor fields at the State Stud.
- Rent a bike to explore the flat, scenic 'Parklandscape' of the surrounding Münsterland.
🍽 Food
🍽
Westphalian Ham
Enjoy this famous air-dried ham served on dark Westphalian rye bread (Pumpernickel).
🍽
Pfefferpotthast
Try this traditional, peppery beef and onion stew at a historic local inn.
🍽
Münsterländer Töttchen
Sample this local specialty, a savory ragout made from veal or beef.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Emsstraße & Oststraße
Browse these streets for independent boutiques, crafts, and local Westphalian goods.
🛍
Equestrian Shops
As the 'Horse City', you'll find premium riding gear and horse-themed gifts here.
🛍
Weekly Market
Visit the market on Tuesdays and Fridays right in front of the historic town hall.
🧘
Emssee
A large park with a lake right next to the old town, convenient for a peaceful break.
🧘
State Stud Grounds
Wander through the grand alleys and historic stable areas of the NRW State Stud.
🧘
Kottruper Seen
Quiet lakes nearby that provide a serene backdrop for a nature walk away from the town.
Water temperature…
Warendorf is internationally celebrated as Germany's equestrian capital, but this historic town on the banks of the Ems river provides far more than just its prestigious horse culture. The North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud (Landgestüt) is undoubtedly a central attraction, drawing thousands of visitors to its annual stallion parades and offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of top-tier horse breeding. Beyond the stables, the historic old town is an excellently preserved ensemble of medieval architecture, featuring narrow alleys, elegant patrician houses, and an expansive market square dominated by the town hall. Strolling through the pedestrian zones, visitors will discover a mix of boutique shops, traditional bakeries, and cozy cafes great for an afternoon break. The surrounding Münsterland parkland, with its exceptionally flat terrain and extensive network of paved paths, invites cyclists and hikers to explore the natural landscapes, historic manor houses, and the nearby Emssee lake. Warendorf’s blend of deep-rooted equestrian traditions and outstanding historical charm provides a varied experience for all travelers.
- Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Top sights: Historic Market Square · West Prussian State Museum · St. Lawrence Church
- Nearby: Sassenberg (5 km)
- Population: ~37.847
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 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 79 | 59 | 56 | 43 | 64 | 66 | 77 | 76 | 59 | 64 | 71 | 78 |
Geography
Facts
- The State Stud of Westphalia was founded in 1826.
- First documented mention of Warendorf was in 1197.
- Total city area covers 128.91 square kilometers.
- The German Equestrian Federation moved here in 1968.
- The river Ems meanders through the city for about 12 km.
- Population is approximately 37,847 inhabitants.
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 Warendorf (8)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Warendorf known as a horse city?
It is home to the North Rhine-Westphalian State Stud and the German Equestrian Federation (FN).
When do the stallion parades take place?
The famous stallion parades of the State Stud usually take place in September and October.
What is there to see in Warendorf's old town?
The historic market square with its gabled houses and the winding alleys with half-timbered buildings.
Is Warendorf good for cycling?
Yes, the EmsRadweg leads directly through Warendorf, and the flat surroundings are good for tours.
What is the decentralized city museum?
It consists of various historical buildings in the city showing different aspects of local history.
Warendorf: where is it located?
Warendorf is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Warendorf: what is there to see?
Highlights include Historic Market Square, West Prussian State Museum, St. Lawrence Church.
Warendorf: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Warendorf: why is it worth visiting?
Warendorf is internationally celebrated as Germany's equestrian capital, but this historic town on the banks of the Ems river provides far more than just its prestigious horse culture.
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…
Oberhausen
Oberhausen is located in the western Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia and stands as a symbol of the region's successful structural tra…
Hagen
Hagen is called the gateway to the Sauerland.
Hamm
Hamm is known for its large glass elephant.
Mülheim an der Ruhr
Mülheim an der Ruhr is a green industrial city in the Ruhr area and home to major retail giants like Aldi Süd and Tengelmann.
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.
Bottrop
Bottrop is a city in the Ruhr area of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Gütersloh
A thriving economic hub in East Westphalia, internationally recognized as the headquarters of global giants Miele and Bertelsmann.