Over 1,200 years of Munster's history are reflected in the medieval layout of its Old Town and numerous historic buildings.The Prinzipalmarkt central market place with St. Lambert's Church and the town hall where the Treaty of Westphalia was signed, as well as the Cathedral and Domplatz (Cathedral Square) are only a few of the buildings of international renown in the Old Town dating from eight centuries.

Today, the Westphalian metropolis presents itself as a city of internationally renowned universities, with some 50,000 students, and a place of innovative ressearch and technology transfer centers.

Since October 2004, Munster is privileged to bear the title of "most livable city in the world". The Westphalian metropolis was the first major city in Germany to win first prize in the LivCom-Award contest in the category of cities between 200,000 and 750,000 inhabitants.