Bad Bentheim is a town in the Lower Saxony region of Germany. Since it lies very close to the Dutch border it made an epic day trip from Groningen and was one of the reasons why we set out to explore it. The highlights of the town include the Bad Bentheim castle and the thermal springs.
There are however loads of things to do in Bad Bentheim that can keep you busy for the entire weekend. This is especially true if you are headed here during spring or summer.
Oh and did I mention that there are some epic spots for camping here too?
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Bad Bentheim – Table Of Contents
- Getting To Bad Bentheim
- Bad Bentheim – The Town
- Where To Stay In Bad Bentheim
- Things To Do In Bad Bentheim
Getting To Bad Bentheim
The easiest way to get to Bad Bentheim is via a car. You can rent this from one of the bigger cities or drive your own. Just make sure that you have a valid license. Germany being Germany has the famous Autobahn where the speed limits do not exist in many spots.
Bear in mind that the Autobahn does have speed limits in many areas. Just because there are no speed limits at others is no excuse for rash driving. Please remember that like us, there are people who drive on the roads with children in their vehicles.
Bad Bentheim – The Town
There are so many things to do in Bad Bentheim which is why this was on our bucketlist!
Bad Bentheim is a small town. You can literally walk all over the town which makes it super easy to explore.
Full disclosure: We visited it on a snowy but sunny day in March. Yes! I’m not kidding. After a couple of days of great weather, the heavens opened up and dropped white fluff on us.
The kids were ecstatic obviously. They had never seen snow in their lives before so we had to pause for snowball fights everywhere.
The best part about Bad Bentheim is the nice quiet pace of the town. While it is one of the iconic landmarks in the North of Germany, there were few tourists. I expect that it changes a bit in summer BUT trust me, the trip is totally worth it.
Where To Stay In Bad Bentheim
There aren’t a lot of options when it comes to staying in Bad Bentheim because the town is really small. Luckily a limited choice does not necessarily mean that you have to miss out on quality.
Hotel Grossfeld – Luxury
⭐️ Rating: 8.0/10 (1,135 Reviews) Price: $179 per night 📍Location: Schloßstraße 6, Bad Bentheim Details: Read more on booking.com now!
Hotel Grossfeld is located bang in the heart of the city.
The rooms are super comfortable. You’ll find each room comes with a seating area and a bathroom with all the accessories.
Did you know that it also comes with a indoor pool and even a spa.
“I like the location of the hotel. Everything from food, bars and the castle were within walking distances. My hotel view of the wind turbines was a nice touch too”
Kevin (read more reviews now!)
After a day of walking in the park and exploring the castle you can sink into a hot tub or indulge in a steam bath. There’s even private parking on site for those of you who drive over!
Oh and before I forget, there’s also a great Viennese café on site. This is where breakfast is served every day.
Hotel Diana – Mid Range
⭐️ Rating: 8.5/10 (434 Reviews) Price: $139 per night 📍Location: An der Diana 15, Bad Bentheim Details: Read more on booking.com now!
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a bit of luxury in the city. Hotel Diana is the perfect mid range location.
Not only is it located in the heart of the city, it comes with all the bells and whistles. The hotel even has a heated pool and a sauna.
“The pool was great and the staff were very friendly. Perfect for a quick stop over. Very close to a nice park with space for children to play.”
Steven (read more reviews now!)
Pretty much an ideal accommodation irrespective of the weather you are traveling so make sure to pack your swimwear!
Oh and don’t forget to catch a drink at the hotel’s bar in the evening. It is a great way to network with the other guests!
Hotel Am Berghang – Budget
⭐️ Rating: 8.7/10 (576 Reviews) Price: $109 per night 📍Location: Am Kathagen 68-69, Bad Bentheim Details: Read more on booking.com now!
The Hotel Am Berghang is located just a kilometer away from the city and is perfect for both business and personal travelers.
It has clean rooms with comfortable beds. There is a great breakfast buffet that everyone raves about.
“Clean, modern room. Comfortable bed. Superb breakfast in very nice setting. Friendly staff. Will definitely stay here again.”
Esther (read more reviews now!)
If you have a cycle, the hotel has a great place to park your bikes. Oh and if you have an electric bike, there is also a place where you can charge it.
Oh and there are some great places to eat around the hotel too. All in walking distance!
Things To Do In Bad Bentheim
1. Bad Bentheim Castle
The Bad Bentheim castle is the top thing to do in the city!
One of the most iconic things to do in Bad Bentheim is to visit the Bad Bentheim castle or Burg Bentheim as it is called in German. Set on a hill, you will find it easy to spot as soon as you reach the town.
The parking lot is very close to the castle. In fact, there is underground parking too in case you can’t catch a spot in the top parking areas.
The Bad Bentheim castle has a huge wall that you can walk around, an inner courtyard and the castle itself. The rooms inside are majestic and display a lot of well preserved artifacts. From tiny baby clothes to a suit of armor, we spent a lot of time just taking it in.
Oh and while you are at it, don’t miss the old church in the courtyard. It is really pretty and should not be missed.
2. Bentheimer Mineraltherme
One of the best things to do in Bad Bentheimer is to visit the Bentheimer Mineraltherme. This is a mineral spring or a hot spring that is said to have a lot of health benefits. This however is an activity for summer.
Did I mention that it also has a spa? Located in the heart of the Bentheim forests, this is really an experience for the body and the mind.
Since we had pretty unsightly weather, we decided to give this a pass and come back another time. Plus we had two toddlers in tow so we really were not in a mindset yet. Next time we visit, we will come back prepared!
Pro Tip: If you head here in August, there is a lantern festival. It isn’t just about the lanterns though. There are all sorts of activities and entertainment to indulge in. The weather is great so it’s all held outdoors!
3. Sauna Bad Bentheim
If you are looking for some things to do in Bad Bentheim which isn’t dependent on seasons, then think about heading to the sauna.
If you do head to Bad Bentheim in winter, you can swap the hot spring for a sauna. There are a couple in the area. This is such an amazing way to warm up and relax after coming in from the cold.
Do check and see what the opening timings are so that you can plan in advance. You could also call in advance and book a slot for yourself.
4. Bad Bentheimer Sansteinmuseum
Did you know that Ban Bentheim was famous for its sandstone? If you pay close attention to the town, you will realize that there is sandstone everywhere. In fact, the Bad Bentheim Castle is made from the very same stone.
The reason why this stone is so coveted is because it is very weather resistant and porous. Despite the porosity, the stone is still very hard. The sale of the sandstone earned the town a lot of money which is why it is often referred to as Bentheimer Gold.
The Bad Bentheimer Sansteinmuseum is a museum that is dedicated to learning about the sandstone that made the city rich. It is an interesting visit and one that should not be missed if you are in the vicinity.
5. Camping
One of the cool things to do in Bad Bentheim is to head out camping!
Bad Bentheim is also a great place to head to if you love to camp. There is an amazing RV park very close to the castle. It is open all year round and it has free wifi. Plus you can easily walk to the town or the castle which is such a big bonus. It is a very scenic place to spend a couple of quiet days.
Campingplatz am Berg is the next closest location to the city. It has bathrooms, showers, electricity and Wifi. It doesn’t however have much entertainment for young kids which can be a drawback for some.
The place however is very clean and during peak season you will find this really lively. Honestly, if you don’t mind exploring the things to do in Bad Bentheim at a slow pace, think about camping. It is pretty economic too!
And there you have it! These are the 5 top things to do in Bad Bentheim. It is a great place to visit. It is also a great place to kickback and relax if you want to do more than a day trip!
