Top 25 Must-Do Activities in Dortmund, Germany

Once driven by heavy industry, Dortmund, the largest city in the Ruhr area, has transitioned into a high-tech manufacturing hub. The historical mines, steelworks, and breweries now serve as monumental reminders of the thriving post-war era. Noteworthy sites, such as the Zeche Zollern colliery, still proudly showcase their impressive steam turbines and exquisite Art Nouveau architecture.

At the heart of the city, the former Dortmunder Union Brauerei has transformed into a vibrant cultural center housing the Ostwall art museum, renowned for its collection of Expressionist art. Beyond the borders of Germany, Dortmund is perhaps best recognized for its football club, Borussia Dortmund, which boasts a significant following. Be sure to visit their remarkable stadium, Signal Iduna Park, which transforms into a lively arena on match days.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Dortmund:

1. Borussia Dortmund

It is rare for a football team to epitomize the essence of its city, yet Borussia Dortmund does just that.

Historically, BVB ranks as Germany’s second most successful team after Bayern Munich, playing at the colossal Signal Iduna Park.

Regardless of your level of interest in football, experiencing this 81,359-capacity stadium is a must.

The Signal Iduna Park, the second largest club stadium in Europe, achieved its massive capacity through a redevelopment in the early 2000s that strained the club’s finances.

A stadium tour is essential to see the southern terrace, famously known as the “Gelbe Wand” or “Yellow Wall”. If you can attend a match, you will witness the electrifying atmosphere created by 24,454 enthusiastic fans.

Consider attending a Bundesliga fixture, planning ahead to be dazzled by the unparalleled noise generated in what is arguably one of the greatest sporting arenas globally.

2. German Football Museum

After the decision was made to reinvest the profits from Germany’s 2006 World Cup into a football museum, North Rhine-Westphalia emerged as the obvious location.

Dortmund was ultimately chosen due to its high concentration of passionate football fans and well-supported teams.

Opened in 2015, this museum delves into the rich history of German domestic football and the national team, known as the “Mannschaft.”

Visitors can learn about legendary players such as Franz Beckenbauer and relive iconic matches, including the 1954 World Cup Final held in Bern.

The museum showcases the World Cup and European Championship trophies, along with a plethora of memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and engaging quizzes.

The experience culminates with a small indoor pitch, perfect for a friendly kickaround.

3. Westfalenpark

Located under the watchful eye of the Florianturm on Dortmund’s southern side, the Westfalenpark is a paid-entry green space spanning 70 hectares, featuring numerous attractions to occupy an entire afternoon.

The park’s horticultural areas merit exploration, particularly the Deutsches Rosarium, which houses 3,000 varieties of roses and hosts annual events like the electronic Juicy Beats festival in summer and the Lichterfest (Festival of Lights) in winter.

During summer, patrons can enjoy the chair lift, operational on Sundays, which connects the “Mountain” and “Valley” stations, separated by 500 meters.

Other attractions include a miniature railway, a bird enclosure with flamingos, and a pond for rowboat rentals.

4. Florianturm

The entrance to Dortmund’s television tower is located on the north side of Westfalenpark.

The cost to use the lift to the observation deck is €2.50, in addition to the €1.50 entry fee for the park.

Standing just below 220 meters, the Florianturm is the 14th tallest structure in Germany, and, for a brief period after its completion in 1959, it was the tallest television tower.

The elevator rapidly ascends to two observation decks at 140 meters above ground.

While there is no orientation board available to identify landmarks below, visitors can utilize a smartphone map as a handy substitute.

Located below the lower deck is a revolving restaurant, providing an opportunity to enjoy the view for a little longer.

5. LWL-Industriemuseum Zeche Zollern

One might not typically associate beauty with a colliery, but Zeche Zollern defies expectations with its stunning Art Nouveau elements from the early 20th century.

Architect Bruno Möhring, known for his work in Berlin, designed the main machine building, adorned with a stained glass window featuring blue and green panels.

The colliery ceased operations in 1969 and has served as the headquarters for the LWL Industrial Museum since 1981, which comprises eight locations throughout Wesphalia and Lippe.

The exhibition at Zeche Zollern explores the social and cultural history of the Ruhr industrial region. The adjacent buildings have been meticulously restored and opened to the public: The machine hall’s 100-year-old conveyors, converters, and compressors are exhilarating reminders of the steam age.

6. Dortmunder U

This prominent high-rise, formerly a brewery, has been a landmark of Dortmund since 1927. It was the home of the Dortmunder Union Brauerei, once West Germany’s most productive brewery.

The iconic “U” atop the building was added in 1968 and stands an impressive nine meters tall.

In 2010, coinciding with the designation of the Ruhr as the European Capital of Culture, the Dortmunder U was transformed into a hub of culture and creativity, featuring the Ostwall Museum, exhibition spaces, a restaurant, an art association, and a campus for the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences.

Throughout the day, the grid of panels beneath the “U” showcases the “flying pictures” installation by the cinematic artist Adolf Winkelmann.

7. Museum Ostwall

Dortmund’s modern and contemporary art museum was established in 1948 and relocated to the Dortmunder U in 2010. Initially, the museum focused on Expressionist and New Objectivity artworks that had been labeled “degenerate art” by the Nazis. Following the acquisition of the Gröppel Collection in 1957, the museum expanded its offerings significantly. Expressionism remains the foundation of the permanent exhibit, featuring works by renowned artists from Die Brücke and Der Blaue Reiter, including Emil Nolde, Kandinsky, Kirchner, Franz Marc, and August Macke.

Additionally, the museum houses works from later movements, featuring pieces by Alberto Giacometti, Otto Dix, and Paul Klee. The graphics collection is particularly impressive, showcasing works by Picasso, Chagall, Joan Miró, and Salvador Dalí.

8. Museum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte

Housed in a beautiful Art Deco building constructed in 1924, the Dortmund Savings Bank serves as the home of the museum of art and cultural history since 1983.

Originally founded in 1883, the museum relocated to Cappenburg Castle after being destroyed during the war.

Most of the collection features 19th-century works by notable painters such as Caspar David Friedrich, Anton von Werner, Lovis Corinth, Max Liebermann, and Max Slevogt.

The museum also boasts an extensive decorative arts exhibition, incorporating furniture, sculptures, and crafts from the medieval period through to Art Nouveau.

Among its treasures is a “cabinet of curiosity” from the Renaissance period, a Romanesque cross, as well as the Dortmunder Goldschatz, a collection of 444 late-Roman coins discovered beneath Ritterstraße in 1907.

9. DASA – Arbeitswelt Ausstellung

Established for Germany’s Expo 2000, the DASA is dedicated to exploring the world of work.

The museum features exhibitions of both historical and modern work environments, displaying typewriters, early computers, and vintage manual printers alongside a contemporary office and a factory robot.

Dive into Dortmund’s industrial past by examining the control room of a coal-fired power plant and a massive arc furnace within the steel hall.

For young individuals contemplating their career paths, the museum offers insights into fields such as medicine and civil engineering.

Additional noteworthy items include one of the city’s vintage trams and the burnt-out wreckage of a bus involved in a significant accident in Herborn in 1987.

10. Botanischer Garten Rombergpark

Covering 65 hectares, Dortmund’s botanical gardens are among the largest in the world.

Named after the Romberg family, whose estate was landscaped as an English park in 1822, the park became municipal property in the 1920s, featuring thousands of perennials, flowering plants, medicinal herbs, and trees.

The gardens are equipped with four greenhouses dedicated to tropical flora, succulents, ferns, and a combination of camellias, lemon trees, and jasmine.

Many of the tall trees remaining from the Romberg estate period are considered some of the tallest in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The carefully curated perennials are categorized by color within yew hedges, making them a highlight worth visiting.

The herb garden is remarkable, boasting over 400 plant species that fill the air with delightful fragrances during the spring and summer months.

11. Alter Markt

Dortmund’s marketplace, in existence for nearly 900 years, may have adopted a modern persona but remains the vibrant heart of the city.

During warm weather, the outdoor seating of bars and cafes fills the plaza. If Borussia Dortmund achieves a significant victory, celebrations are often held at Alter Markt.

Historical reminders of the square’s trading legacy can be found at the Bläserbrunnen fountain: the horn-player statue sculpted in 1901, and the pool beneath was once a drinking fountain for livestock.

Currently, the water changes to a bright yellow hue when BVB secures a trophy.

Prior to World War II, the town hall for the Free and Hanseatic City was located here as well.

12. St Reinold’s Church

The Baroque spire of St Reinold’s Church soars over Willy-Brandt-Platz, marking the geographical center of Dortmund.

This structure, built in the 13th century, replaced an earlier church lost to fire and features a Romanesque nave and Gothic chancel.

In the Middle Ages, St Reinold’s Church was the spiritual nucleus of Dortmund and served as the primary parish church until the Reformation in the 16th century.

Inside, visitors can discover rich history, including a 14th-century statue of St Reinoldus, a unique stool dated from 1462 on the south side of the choir, and a magnificent high altar retable carved by the Master of Hakendover from Flanders around 1420. Climb the tower for views from the observation platform just below the clock.

13. Brauerei-Museum Dortmund

Alongside coal and steel, beer has long been one of Dortmund’s chief industries.

Brewery traditions in the city date back to the 13th century, and at one point, Dortmund boasted nine major breweries during the peak of industrialized production in the 20th century.

Established in the 1980s, the Brewery Museum relocated to the former Dortmunder Hansa Brewery just over a decade ago.

The tour commences in the machine room, showcasing a sizeable power generator and refrigeration apparatus.

As you navigate the facility and its brewhouse, complete with original copper kettles, you will trace Dortmund’s illustrious brewing history from 1950 to 1970. The exhibit provides insights into the entire brewing process, including storage, barrel-filling, and bottling, complemented by vintage posters and an antique Krupp truck from 1922.

14. Westenhellweg

The pedestrianized center of Dortmund is a shopping paradise, where major retail brands line the streets and squares.

The most bustling of these streets is Westenhellweg, extending horizontally through the city center.

This street boasts the highest rental rates in North Rhine-Westphalia and ranks among Germany’s busiest shopping thoroughfares, attracting around 13,000 visitors per hour.

Department stores like Karstadt and Saturn are prominent here, in addition to well-known brands such as Zara, H&M, and Mango.

Take a quick detour into the Krüger Passage on the east side, a shopping gallery with a captivating Fin-de-Siècle theme highlighted by its skylights, decorative elements, and iron gaslights.

15. Marienkirche

Located at the eastern extremity of Westenhellweg, the Marienkirche is the oldest standing church in Dortmund’s Innenstadt.

Exhibiting a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles, its earliest sections were constructed in the 1100s, while later Gothic elements date from the 14th century.

Regrettably, the church was completely destroyed during World War II; however, its medieval art was salvaged, including the central panel of the Beswordtaltar from 1380, featuring a Gothic painting depicting the Swoon of Mary.

The Marienaltar, crafted by the Dortmund artist Conrad von Soest in 1420, though modified in 1720 to fit a new Baroque reredos, remains a remarkable example of International Gothic art.

16. Kokerei Hansa

The Hansa Coking Plant stands as a remarkable industrial monument northwest of Dortmund and is an essential stop along the Ruhr’s Industrial Heritage Trail.

Guided tours and audio tours reveal the processes employed at this massive facility, which received anthracite from nearby collieries and transformed it into coke or coke-oven gas.

Construction commenced in the late 1920s, and most of the structure still remains standing after being decommissioned in 1992. Bring your camera along, as there are countless opportunities for captivating photographs, particularly in the compressor room, where the imposing steam-powered gas piston compressors appear as if they were just momentarily inactive.

17. Dortmund Zoo

If you’re searching for ideas for a family day out, zoos are consistently an excellent choice, and Dortmund Zoo stands out for its cleanliness, management, and lush greenery.

The zoo features an extensive variety of species native to South America.

Dortmund Zoo actively participates in breeding programs for South American wildlife such as giant anteaters, giant otters, and tamanduas, who are relatives of the anteater.

It is home to the largest population of giant otters in any zoo worldwide, with an entire building dedicated to these fascinating creatures.

Elsewhere, the three-storied Amazon building creates a humid environment conducive to rainforest plants, while its enclosures and glass cases showcase giant spiders, primates, birds, reptiles, and sloths.

18. Steinwache

For a moment of contemplation, head to Steinwache, a former police station directly across from the Hauptbahnhof.

In 1933, the Gestapo assumed control of the premises, and the station earned the grim title “Die Hölle von Westdeutschland,” translating to “The Hell of West Germany.” Initially, communists and social democrats were imprisoned here, followed by thousands of forced laborers from Eastern Europe incarcerated for minor or fabricated offenses.

The Steinwache survived the war and continued to function as a police station until the 1970s.

Threatened with demolition in the late 1980s, the building was repurposed to house the city archives, and a permanent exhibition titled “Resistance and Persecution in Dortmund, 1933-45” was installed within the station.

Those who suffered and were imprisoned at the Steinwache are honored, with impactful displays addressing National Socialist persecution and a cell adorned with graffiti from that era located in the cellar.

19. Hohensyburg

Located south of Dortmund, the remnants of a medieval castle perch on an outcrop above the Ruhr valley.

This site is part of a protected park and has been occupied by a fortress since the Carolingian era in the 8th century.

The existing ruins are from a castle constructed in the 12th century, with the remnants of the keep, defensive towers, and walls remaining in reasonably good condition despite the castle being abandoned around 450 years ago.

The Vincketurm, an octagonal Gothic Revival tower erected in 1857 at the highest point, honors Prussian statesman Ludwig von Vincke.

In addition to the scenic views, the hilltop features a miniature golf course and a casino; however, on sunny days, relaxing in the park while enjoying the vistas can be equally enjoyable.

20. St. Peter zu Syburg

The Romanesque church adjacent to the ruins was consecrated in the 8th century, and like the castle, took its final form in the 1100s.

Before entering, take the time to explore the graveyard, which features Westphalia’s oldest gravestones.

Two of these gravestones date back to the 8th or 9th centuries, and another can be found inside the church.

The oldest decoration within the church is a cross sculpted from white Carrara marble in 1580, displayed on the first floor of the tower.

21. Wasserschloss Haus Rodenberg

Situated in an eastern suburb of the city on the way to the airport, the gatehouse of a Baroque moated castle stands out.

The first documented reference to Haus Rodenberg dates back to the 13th century, and it has been passed down through local noble families, including Bodelschwingh and Vogt von Elspe.

The black-domed tower dates from the 1690s, and viewed from the park in front, it is noticeable that it leans slightly.

Sadly, the majority of the castle was demolished in the 1800s, but the remaining sections are quite picturesque and play a central role in a public park.

If you desire a meal in a scenic setting, consider securing a table at the restaurant on the terrace.

22. Binarium

Explore the fascinating history of video gaming at this museum, located in a former administrative building for the Hansa Colliery.

The exhibition begins with the primitive early days of gaming, featuring a large selection of Pong devices, and progresses through the console wars of the 90s and 2000s between Nintendo and Sega, and later Playstation and Xbox.

Lastly, there’s a section dedicated to mobile and immersive gaming, offering insights into the industry’s future.

In total, the museum houses 160 video game consoles, 270 home computers, and a variety of nostalgic accessories, including the PAX Power Glove from the 80s.

Many of these machines are functional and connected to monitors, allowing visitors to relive their memories on a NES, Atari 2600, or Sega Master System, as well as experience more modern systems like the Playstation 4 or Xbox One.

23. Christmas Market

Dortmund truly embraces the festive spirit during the holiday season.

At the end of November, Hansaplatz and Alter Markt in the city center come alive with 300 stalls offering handmade arts, crafts, and delectable Christmas treats such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Glühwein (mulled wine). This event ranks among Germany’s largest Christmas markets; however, what sets Dortmund apart is its spectacular decoration.

Hansaplatz sparkles with nearly 50,000 lights, and at the center of the square stands the tallest Christmas tree in the country, towering at 45 meters and composed of 1,700 individual trees, adorned with a four-meter angel atop it.

24. Stößchen

While visiting a tavern (Kneipe) around the Alter Markt, consider trying something unique to Dortmund.

A Stößchen is a specific beer format, characterized by its small serving size, typically around 0.2 liters, although this can vary by pub.

The custom of the Stößchen originated in the 19th century, as patrons waiting at the level crossing for the Nordstadt Railway Line to cross into the Nordstadt district would appreciate having quick refreshment served by local innkeepers.

25. Salzkuchen

If you find yourself in a tavern in Dortmund and desire a perfect accompaniment for your Stößchen, consider ordering a Salzkuchen, a delicacy unique to Dortmund and parts of the Ruhr district.

A Salzkuchen is a round bread roll with a depression in the middle resembling a bagel.

The roll is coated with caraway seeds and salt, and if you order it with meat (mit Mett), it is filled with raw, seasoned minced pork and onions.

The recipe for this roll was conceived at Fischer am Rathaus bakery, which has been operating since 1848.