Discover Leverkusen: Rhine, Gardens and Culture

Leverkusen combines its location on the Rhine with extensive green spaces and a diverse cultural scene. At Neuland-Park, attractions range from themed gardens and mini golf to open-air events; museums offer a different focus, with contemporary art and industrial history. There are also activities to suit different levels, from a five-kilometre themed trail to longer cycling and hiking routes. When planning, consider which experiences you want to shape your stay; this can help guide your search for accommodation and its location.

Riverside Scenery and Gardens

Neuland-Park lies directly on the Rhine and serves as both a local recreation area and a destination for visitors from across the region. Its themed gardens include an Eifel garden, a rose garden, the “Seasons of Life” garden, a Feng Shui garden and a witch’s garden. There is also a 16-hole mini golf course, as well as regular open-air events. The programme may vary; if you plan to play mini golf, it is worth checking the latest operating information in advance.

The roughly two-hectare Carl-Duisberg-Park, on the edge of the city of Leverkusen, offers a different kind of garden. It is laid out in the style of an English landscape garden, with wide paths and expansive, tree-lined green spaces shaping the grounds. Wuppermannpark adds three historic 19th-century landscape gardens to this selection, along with a playground, outdoor fitness equipment and a boules court.

The grounds of NaturGut Ophoven are freely accessible all year round. Across six hectares, you’ll find meadows, ponds and pools, a Climate Experience Park and a Path of the Senses. NaturGut is one of Germany’s largest environmental education centres. The five-kilometre Leverkusen Orchard Trail also starts here. For a stay with varied interests, the gardens and green spaces offer very different ways to enjoy the outdoors, from a landscaped park to a trail through extensive grounds.

The Japanese Garden was created in 1912 and covers about 15,000 square metres. Colourful plants, sculptures and lanterns from many parts of East Asia shape its grounds. Those interested in landscape gardens can compare these garden spaces with the roughly two-hectare Carl-Duisberg-Park: here, the design focuses on the English landscape garden style, while the Japanese Garden reflects East Asian influences.

Museums and Distinctive City Landmarks

Freudenthaler Sensenhammer was once an early industrial forge and is now a museum with original factory rooms and working machinery. Blacksmithing demonstrations take place there, alongside concerts, readings, exhibitions and educational activities. The programme of demonstrations and events may vary. Museum Morsbroich regularly exhibits contemporary art; the specific exhibitions change over time.

During the annual Leverkusen Art Night, galleries, studios and museums open their doors. The programme is complemented by readings, music and cabaret. The Bayer Cross is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest illuminated sign. Another perspective is offered by the 73-metre-high water tower operated by Energieversorgung Leverkusen in the Bürrig district: it serves as a viewing platform with panoramic views over Leverkusen and the Neuland-Park grounds.

Active Excursions and Different Distances

At Birkenberg in Leverkusen-Opladen, the climbing park has four courses, one of which includes a 13-metre free fall. It operates seasonally, so plan your visit for the appropriate time of year. Leverkusen and the surrounding area have more than 150 kilometres of signposted cycling routes. At the point where the Wupper meets the Rhine are the three boats of the Schiffsbrücke Wuppermündung. They are connected by a footbridge and are easily accessible on foot and by bicycle.

If you want to plan a longer hike in stages, Leverkusen has the 62-kilometre “Around Leverkusen” route, divided into ten sections. At five kilometres, the Leverkusen Orchard Trail is considerably shorter and starts at NaturGut Ophoven. Comparing the routes can help you plan the time commitment, without specifying how long the walks take. Stand-up paddleboarding is permitted on Hitdorfer See in Leverkusen. As local rules may change, check the current guidance before setting off.

Choose Accommodation Around Your Planned Activities

When choosing a location, consider what you would like to do during your stay. If you plan to spend plenty of time outdoors, parks, gardens and hiking trails may be more relevant points of reference; for a more active itinerary, consider cycling routes or the seasonal climbing park. Families can discuss in advance whether they would rather plan visits to museums, gardens or outdoor activities. Check the location of accommodation against the places that matter to your stay.

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