Freiburg Cathedral (Freiburger Münster)

The basics

With an easy-to-find location, curious architectural features, and history, Freiburg Cathedral is a highlight of many city walking tours and photography tours. While most standard tours don’t enter the cathedral, you’ll likely hear its history from outside, find good angles for photos, and get tips for a later visit.

Many people choose to visit it purely for the Münster Tower, which can be climbed for a small fee. Be aware that the winding staircase is narrow and steep, but the rewards at the top make the effort worthwhile; you’ll pass the cathedral’s historic bells, and then take in vistas that sweep from the city to the Black Forest.

Things to know before you go

• Music lovers should try to visit the cathedral on a Saturday morning at around 11.30am, when you can catch a short organ concert.
• Children under the age of 7 can go up the Münster Tower for free.
• Wheelchair users will find a ramp at the main entrance, but there is no elevator to go up the tower.

How to get there

Trains depart regularly from Basel to Freiburg im Breisgau station and the journey lasts between 30 minutes up to an hour, depending on which train you catch. From the station, the cathedral is an easy walk, located in the Münsterplatz on the outer reaches of Freiburg’s Altstadt. You can see its spire from wherever you are in the city.

When to get there

The cathedral is open to the public every day, from morning until late afternoon, although entry is limited when masses and other church services are being held. To visit the cathedral’s Münster Tower, visit on Monday through Saturday between mid-morning and mid-afternoon. On Sundays and major holidays, the tower is only open in the afternoon.

Farmers market in the Münsterplatz

Team a visit to the cathedral with a browse of the market stalls in the plaza just outside. Known as the Münstermarkt, this big market is held every morning between Monday and Saturday, offering local food treats, such as the langer rote sausage, along with stalls selling groceries, flowers, crafts, and souvenirs.