Naturally green! More than 1/3 of the town area consists of rivers and lakes, woods, meadows and farmland.

Those who approach the town by plane, train or car can’t help noticing it: We are surrounded by a charming countryside with a whole host of recreational activities. Osnabrück is the largest German town situated in a nature reserve.

Embedded between the Teutoburger Wald and the Wiehengebirge (two ranges of wooded hills), the green traces of this nature reserve – or, as we call it: our “green fingers” – stretch right into the inner city.

Right in the middle of the city you will find the Schlossgarten (palace gardens): an enchanting place in autumn with fiery red-coloured trees and full of brightly coloured, fragrant flowers in spring. And then there are the Botanical Gardens. Exotic plants from all over the world thrive and flourish here –from palms to water lilies. The 1,220 square kilometres of the UNESCO Geo Park TERRA.vita are wide open for you to go on a cycling tour, for hiking, running, skating, sailing, windsurfing, rowing or for improving your handicap on one of the many golf courses around Osnabrück.