Information about flights to Dortmund
Dortmund in North Rhine-Westphalia is home to a number of historic buildings located in the old core of the city. These include a castle, several splendid churches and, from 2014, a brand new German Football Museum which English fans of a sensitive disposition may wish to avoid. It is also home to a number of major cultural attractions including the legendary music club Domicil which showcases jazz, world and avant-garde acts. The city enjoys a great reputation for its nightlife, attracting people from across the region, and is excellent for shopping and has many good restaurants.
Attractions
Among Dortmund's most spectacular sights are the 14th-century Petrikirche and its massive 16th-century altar featuring more than 600 individually carved and gilded figures depicting the Passion. Or visit Castle Horde situated by a lake, which contains a museum of the city and which was begun in the 13th century. Wander along the Kleppingstrasse, an attractive boulevard with lively street cafés, created around the modern Europa Fountain. Or why not take a trip to the top of the 140-metre Florianturm Tower in Westfalenpark and enjoy spectacular 360 degree views over the city?
You could also take a tour around Dortmund Brewery Museum which explores the proud legacy of brewing in the city as well as the modern cultural history of beer.
Arts and culture
Dortmund is home to a number of art galleries including the Museum of Art and Cultural History which is housed in a former Art Deco bank. Its 19th-century art collection includes paintings by Caspar David Friedrich, while temporary exhibitions have featured Kirchner, Cezanne and Monet. The East Wall Museum houses modern and contemporary art from Expressionist art onwards, as well as sculpture, objects and photographs. And, in the evening, why not take in a film? At least two of the city's five cinemas show subtitled foreign films. Or visit the opera house, a venue for plays, concerts and ballet as well as opera. Enjoy top acts and promising newcomers at Domicil, or take in a classical concert at Dortmund Concert Hall by the resident orchestra or visiting musicians.
Eating and Drinking
Dortmund has a range of restaurants from Zum Alten Market in the heart of the old city which offers traditional Westphalian food, such as pepper beef stew with onions, to Rigoletto, a vibrant bistro serving Mediterranean classics. International cuisine is available at the Steigenberger Hotel and Restaurant, minutes from the botanical gardens and zoo. This features antique furniture, a shaded terrace, an American-style bar with a wide selection of wine and local and regional beers on tap. Or, if you're just after a beer, why not visit one of the beer gardens on Alter Market or Kleppingstrasse?
Nightlife
If you're not up for a night at the opera or a gig, try your luck at the city's casino or head to a nightclub like Absolute, which features electronic music, or Black Gold which offers music ranging from rock and pop to Hip-Hop, Reggae and Dancehall. Or lash out at upmarket Chita, venue of choice for celebrities including footballers and actors.