Bonn lies on the west bank of the Rhine at an average elevation of 64 meters above sea level – at the southern edge of the Cologne Lowland where the Rhine leaves the Rhenish Massif. The Rhine flows at 45–50 m; south of the city, the Siebengebirge hills rise steeply to 461 m.
That works out to roughly 210 feet above sea level. The nearby cities compared on this page average 99 m, putting Bonn about 35 m lower.
Quick Facts
| Elevation (above sea level) | 64 m |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50.7374° N, 7.0982° E |
| Country | Germany |
| Continent | Europe |
Compare elevations – nearby cities
| City | Elevation (m) | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Cologne | 59 | Germany |
| Aachen | 174 | Germany |
| Düsseldorf | 42 | Germany |
| Mainz | 122 | Germany |
Cities with a similar elevation
The following cities sit at an elevation similar to Bonn (64 m above sea level):
| City | Elevation (m) | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Münster | 68 | Germany |
| Manchester | 60 | United Kingdom |
| Mönchengladbach | 59 | Germany |
| Hanover | 58 | Germany |
| Magdeburg | 56 | Germany |
| Gelsenkirchen | 49 | Germany |
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Bonn above sea level?
Bonn averages 64 m above sea level. The Rhine flows at 45–50 m; the Siebengebirge to the south starts at 100 m and peaks at 461 m at the Ölberg.
How high is the Siebengebirge near Bonn?
The Siebengebirge rises directly south of Bonn. The Drachenfels (321 m) is the most famous summit; the Ölberg (461 m) is the highest. The hills are of volcanic origin, formed 25 million years ago.
Was Bonn really Germany's capital?
Yes – Bonn served as West Germany's capital from 1949 to 1999, a 'provisional' arrangement that lasted 50 years. After reunification in 1990, the government gradually relocated to Berlin.