Best things to do in Dortmund
A former free imperial city, the surviving medieval street pattern and a scattering of worthwhile sights ensure that Dortmund preserves a sense of its long history.
Viewpoints and panoramas
The best districts
Kreuzviertel: The leafy Kreuzviertel district has fantastic visual appeal, particularly around Arnecke Strasse, Vincke Platz and Liebigstrasse. Here, lovely Jugendstil facades rise above relaxed neighbourhood cafés and bars, making this a good part of town to let the pace slip.
Nordstadt: A sprawling mix of docks, industry and close-packed 19th-century housing that has lately acquired an arty, hip overlay, with several artists’ studios and one or two interesting bars and restaurants.
Museums
Deutsches Fussballmuseum: Celebrating all things associated with German football, not least four World Cup victories – the most recent in 2014 – and the worldwide renown of the Bundesliga, of which local favourites Borussia Dortmund are a prominent member.
Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte: The eclectic and engrossing Museum for Art and Cultural History holds everything from Meissen porcelain and Tiffany glass to groovy modernist furniture by Marcel Breuer and Verner Panton.
Museum Ostwall: An impressive collection of 20th- and 21st-century art in reverse chronological order, including everything from Joseph Beuys and works of the Fluxus movement of the 1960s to Expressionist works by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.
Parks and gardens
Westfalenpark: One of the largest urban parks in Germany, Westfalenpark has all kinds of attractions, not least the Deutsches Rosarium and its 2,000-plus varieties of roses.
Rombergpark: Another vast green oasis, Rombergpark can rate botanical gardens and walking trails aplenty.
Historical monuments
Marienkirche: The oldest of the city’s medieval churches, and though it was heavily damaged during World War II, its treasures were saved. Foremost of these is the radiant red, gold and blue Gothic altar triptych painted by local boy Conrad von Soest in 1420 and considered one of the masterpieces of German medieval art.
Petrikirche: Its chief treasure is an extraordinary 16th-century Flemish altar originally carved for the city’s Franciscan monastery; the largest surviving Flemish altar of the period, it’s also one of the largest works of Gothic church art anywhere.
Day trips in the area
Essen: There are many good reasons to visit Essen, chiefly the Museum Folkwang, which houses superstars of French and German 19th-century art in elegant modernist premises designed by a British architect.
Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord: Industrial heritage meets nature and science fiction at this remarkable, recycled steelworks.
Activities for families in Dortmund
Dortmund offers a surprisingly diverse number of family-friendly things to do, from industrial heritage to football and zoos.
Industrial Heritage: Instead of bulldozing redundant industrial sites, many have been preserved in acknowledgement of their historical significance and tourist potential, such as Aquarius Wassermuseum, a splendid mock-medieval water tower housing a water-themed museum on 14 levels.
Signal Iduna Park: For family footie fans, pay a visit to the home of Borussia Dortmund, one of most atmospheric stadiums in Europe - and if you can’t get a ticket for a game, take a tour.
Aquariums and zoos: Home to over 1,500 animals from around the world, Dortmund Zoo is a great place for a family day out. The zoo focuses on South American species, and kids will love the interactive exhibits.
Free things to do in Dortmund
There are plenty of free things to do on your Dortmund holidays, from admiring the local street art to dancing in the open air.
Street art: Explore the vibrant Brückstrasse Quarter, an up-and-coming neighbourhood whose walls are adorned with murals and graffiti, providing a unique cultural experience at no cost.
Open air dancing: Yes, really! Every Friday in summer, dozens of people gather for Salsa Open Airs at Dortmund’s Westpark; everyone is welcome, regardless of whether you’re a professional or a newbie.
Public parks: Dortmund boasts several superb green spaces, notably Westfalenpark and Rombergpark, both of which are free to enter and where you can engage in various activities at no expense.
Nature and outdoor activities in Dortmund
Dortmund has used its industrial heritage to brilliant effect, fashioning all kinds of outdoor pursuits from the region’s many redundant sites - moreover, there are fantastic walks in the nearby Sauerland region.
Cycling: A major undertaking, this 200km of well-signposted cycle trails form the Route der Industriekultur (Industrial Heritage Trail), linking former steelworks, coal mines and slag heaps to offer a fascinating insight into the technology of heavy industry. You can rent bikes from one of the many cycle stations scattered across the region – such as Metropolradruhr.
Watersports: Head to Lake Phoenix, a former industrial site turned scenic lake, for some water-based fun, be it paddleboarding or kayaking, or just relax by the water’s edge with a picnic.
Hiking: Just a short drive from Dortmund, the Sauerland region is crisscrossed by a number of themed hiking trails such as the Sauerland-Höhenflug – a high-altitude route that takes in four 800m peaks – and the 240km Waldroute, which links the towns of Iserlohn, Arnsberg and Marsberg to provide a close-up view of the region’s forests and fauna.
