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Aparthotels & serviced apartments in Bielefeld

12 stays · 3 aparthotels and 9 serviced apartments

Bielefeld is the largest city of the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region in north-eastern North Rhine-Westphalia, with around 331,000 residents, a university founded in 1969 and a long-established food and welfare sector. Aparthotels and serviced apartments in Bielefeld suit people who are here for more than a night or two: business travellers working with local employers, visiting academics and students' families, and anyone using the city as a base for the Teutoburg Forest. A kitchen and a separate living area make a week-long stay far easier than a standard room.

12 stays

Where to stay in Bielefeld

Altstadt (Old Town)

  • first-time visitors
  • walkability
  • dining

The Altstadt around Alter Markt has restored townhouses from the 16th and 17th centuries, with Gothic and Renaissance details. The Leineweber monument here recalls the city's linen-weaving past, and the Stadtbahn underground stops in the centre are a short walk away, so you can reach most of the city without a car.

Stays in or near Altstadt (Old Town)

Hauptbahnhof and Bahnhofstraße

  • business travel
  • rail connections
  • short stays

The area around Bielefeld Hauptbahnhof is the most convenient for rail travellers: ICE and regional trains call at the station, and all Stadtbahn lines serve its underground platforms. Bahnhofstraße leads from here towards Jahnplatz, where the LOOM shopping centre stands, and the Altstadt is a short walk south.

Stays in or near Hauptbahnhof and Bahnhofstraße

Sparrenburg and Kunsthalle

  • sightseeing
  • couples
  • museum visitors

South-west of the Altstadt, Sparrenburg is the castle above the city, first mentioned in 1256, with a 37-metre tower that visitors can climb from April to October. The Kunsthalle Bielefeld art museum stands on the south-west edge of the old town.

Stays in or near Sparrenburg and Kunsthalle

Bethel

  • longer stays
  • quiet stays
  • residential feel

Bethel is the district around the Bethel Foundation, one of Europe's largest Protestant welfare institutions, and it lies on the Stadtbahn network south of the centre. It is a calmer residential district and suits visitors with business at the foundation or its facilities.

University district

  • academic visits
  • long stays
  • business travel

Bielefeld University lies north-west of the centre, and a Stadtbahn line to the university area was added in 2002. Staying nearby suits visiting researchers and conference guests, with the Hauptbahnhof reachable on the same network.

Stays in or near University district

Brackwede

  • longer stays
  • residential feel
  • south of the city

Brackwede is a southern district served by the Stadtbahn, with direct links to the Hauptbahnhof. It is a residential area rather than a sightseeing base, but it works for stays centred on the south of the city or the nearby forest hills.

Stays in or near Brackwede

Getting around Bielefeld

Bielefeld Hauptbahnhof opened in 1910 and has ICE and IC services on the Hamm–Minden line: hourly ICE trains run between Cologne, the Ruhr cities, Hanover and Berlin, with further connections to Stuttgart and Dresden. Regional trains link Bielefeld with Minden, Osnabrück, Paderborn, Münster and Hanover. The nearest major airport is Hanover, and the Paderborn Lippstadt and Münster Osnabrück airports are also in the region; the Ruhr and Cologne airports can be reached by train.

Local transport is run by moBiel, which operates the Stadtbahn and the bus network, including a night bus (NachtBus) and the express line S15. The Stadtbahn has four lines and runs through seven underground stations in the city centre, with trains every 5 to 10 minutes in the daytime. The moBiel ServiceCenter at Jahnplatz station can help with tickets, and the Deutschlandticket is among the ticket options it lists. The centre itself is compact enough to walk.

Living in Bielefeld for longer

For longer stays, the Altstadt and the area around the Hauptbahnhof keep shops, cafés and transport within easy reach. Bielefeld Marketing names the Leineweber-Markt among the city's popular events, and the tourist information office on Wilhelmstraße can advise on current events and opening hours.

The city's 16 museums and its Olderdissen animal park, which has free admission, give plenty to do on days off, and the Botanischer Garten Bielefeld is another green space. Anyone working in the city will find that the Stadtbahn runs until about 1 a.m., so evening plans do not depend on a taxi. If you want a quieter base, Bethel and the university district offer residential streets on the same network. Our guide to long-stay accommodation covers what to ask about before booking.

When to visit Bielefeld

Bielefeld has an oceanic climate: Wikipedia gives average annual highs of 14.6 °C and lows of 5.4 °C, with around 866 mm of precipitation a year, which points to a mild, damp climate.

The Sparrenburgfest, an annual medieval-style festival at the castle, takes place on the last weekend of July and draws reenactors, merchants and entertainers. The city's marketing body also promotes the Nachtansichten event and the Leineweber-Markt, so check Bielefeld Marketing's calendar before you book if you want to coincide with, or avoid, a busy weekend.

The historic centre lies in the Ravensberg Basin, just north of the Teutoburg Forest hill range, so countryside is close to the pavements. Bielefeld is also well placed on the rail network, which makes it practical to combine with neighbouring cities such as Hanover or the Ruhr towns; see our Hanover and Düsseldorf guides, or the wider Germany overview.

Long-stay tips for Bielefeld

Of the 12 properties here, 5 offer an in-apartment washing machine, 2 list a laptop-friendly workspace and 4 include some form of housekeeping. For longer stays, the facts box on each property page shows exactly what the apartments include.

8 properties list a full kitchen and 4 only a kitchenette, so check the room type if you plan to cook more than simple meals.

Where room sizes are published, the median apartment here is 25 m².

Moving for work? Our guide to serviced apartments for relocation explains what to look for.

Other cities in Germany

Planning a longer trip? See aparthotels in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt/Main, Leipzig, Düsseldorf, Nürnberg and Dresden.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Bielefeld?

The Altstadt suits first-time visitors who want to walk to sights, while the Hauptbahnhof area is the most convenient for rail travel and business. Bethel and the university district are calmer residential options on the Stadtbahn network.

How do I get to Bielefeld from the airport?

The nearest major airport is Hanover, from which you continue by train. Paderborn Lippstadt and Münster Osnabrück airports are also in the region, and the Ruhr and Cologne airports are reachable by rail, with ICE and regional trains serving Bielefeld Hauptbahnhof.

How does the Stadtbahn work in Bielefeld?

The Stadtbahn is a light-rail system with four lines run by moBiel, with underground stations in the city centre and trains every 5 to 10 minutes in the daytime. It connects the Hauptbahnhof with districts such as Bethel, Brackwede and the university area.

Is Bielefeld worth visiting?

Yes, for a compact old town, the Sparrenburg castle with its 37-metre tower, 16 museums and easy access to the Teutoburg Forest. It also works well as a base for rail trips to Hanover, Münster or the Ruhr.

When is the Sparrenburgfest?

The Sparrenburgfest is held on the last weekend of July at Sparrenburg castle, with medieval-style reenactments, merchants and entertainers.

How many aparthotels are there in Bielefeld?

We currently list 12 aparthotel and serviced apartment properties in Bielefeld.

Do aparthotels in Bielefeld have kitchens?

12 of the 12 properties we list have a kitchen or kitchenette in at least one apartment type.

Which aparthotels in Bielefeld have a washing machine?

5 properties list an in-apartment washing machine. Use the facts box on each property page to check.

Sources

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