Dortmund

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Dortmund

Located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of the country, modern Dortmund is vibrant and cultural, known for its good shopping, beer and football. But there is another, altogether gentler, side to this former industrial powerhouse. Dortmund has great theatres and cultural centres, a range of fascinating museums and, with half the city given over to parks and gardens, enough green areas to sooth the senses.

The City

In the 19th century Dortmund was a smoky, sweaty and extremely prosperous city. The industrial revolution bought mines, mills and manufacturing – and jobs by the thousands. Within a century, the population grew from a paltry 4,000 to a staggering 140,000, making Dortmund the largest city in the Ruhr region. The Second World War devastated much of the city – around 70 percent of the buildings were flattened – and the 1950´s saw an intense period of rebuilding. Much of what you see in Dortmund today was built in the last 50 years. The coking plants, mines and steel plants have gone or be turned into funky museums, while Dortmund’s citizens work in the city’s burgeoning I.T., insurance and services industries. Nor is leisure time neglected – Germans flock to Dortmund for the excellent shopping and the city has good restaurants, bars and theatres (cabaret being a particular speciality), including a superb purpose-built concert hall.

Do & See Dining Cafes Bars & Nightlife Shopping Tourist Information

Do & See

Dortmund offers visitors a wide range of interesting museums, theatres and of course, world-class football. The city has a lively and versatile cultural life, and there are a million ways to spend your time, such as visiting the Museum of Art and Cultural History or going to the widely praised opera. There is also the brewery where you can learn more about the history of industrially brewed beer in Dortmund.

Museum of Art and Cultural History

The Museum of Art and Cultural History is a delight for every history, art and design enthusiast. The museum takes its visitors step by step through the centuries and shows them paintings, furniture, handcrafts and all sorts of collections from the dawn of time until the 21st century. You can even feel the historical importance …

Museum Ostwall

Museum Ostwall is a modern and contemporary art museum with a permanent collection boosted by temporary exhibitions. One of the styles of art that the museum focuses on is Fluxus, which is the connection between art and life. You can expect to see works by expressionists Dieter Roth, Martin Kippenberger and Anna and Bernhard Blume. …

Steinwache Memorial and Museum

Steinwache Memorial and Museum is a museum that documents persecution and resistance during the Nazi regime. Established in a former police station that, under the Gestapo, was known as ’’West Germany’s Hell’’ because of the torturing of the opponents of the Nazi regime. The museum exhibits documents, photographs and even the interior of the prison …

The Zollern Colliery

The Zollen Collierly is a fascinating insight into coal mining and the lives of Dortmund’s colliers. The collier was the first technical building that was of international importance in Germany. The exhibition will takes you in the world of rough working conditions, and teaches you about the stories of the men and women who worked …

Brewery Museum

You cannot come to Dortmund without tasting at least a sip of their beer. Prepare to get thirsty by taking a tour that consists of learning about the interesting history of industrially brewed beer in Dortmund, and follow the production of beer itself. You can even see beer caps, old advertisements and the vehicles …

Church of St Reinoldi

The oldest church in Dortmund, dating from the 13th century is named in honour of the city’s patron saint, Reinold. Climb more than 200 steps to the bell-tower for fabulous views over the city. Not only the view is spectacular, in the church you can also discover artifacts which have been preserved since the Middle …

Florianturm

Dortmund’s TV tower, 212 metres high, and located in Westfalenpark. At one point in time, it was the tallest building of Dortmund. The views will show you the impressive views of the Westfalen Park and the city itself. Take the lift up towards the sky, eat and have a drink in the revolving restaurant and …

DASA

This museum is all about history, technology and work combined together in one building. It gives you a peek into the world of how work has changed during the ages. Live the life of a pilot, construction worker or a doctor for a day. No, it's not just reading of signs, it's a museum that …

Dortmund Zoo

Dortmund Zoo specialises in South American flora and fauna and is home to a staggering amount of 1.500 animals. Here you can admire animals such as lions, Angolan giraffes, green Iguanas, Sumatran tigers and more than you could possible dream …

Signal Iduna Park

If you like football, this is the place to visit for an exciting game. Signal Iduna Park opened in 1974 and holds 80,720 (25,000 standing) spectators. You can buy your ticket for Borussia Dortmund games online or by phone. You can also discover the Signal Iduna Park with a stadium tour accompanied by a guide. …

Westfalenpark

Westfalenpark is a green oasis where you can relax and enjoy your time. This is a great place to stroll around, or why not have a picnic? It is also where the Florian Tower is located with a 360 degree panoramic view. Besides the tower, one of the highlights are the rowing boats and the …

Theater Dortmund

The theatre of Dortmund is one of the largest in the entire country. Because of the constantly updated array of concerts, music theatre, drama, ballet and children's and young people's theatre performances, there is plenty of choice for all …

Dortmund CityTour

For great city sightseeing, take the Dortmund CityTour hop on-hop off bus which includes a guided tour. You can discover Dortmund from the top deck of a red double-decker bus. One trip takes about 100 minutes, but you choose when to get off. There are twelve stops which include interesting facts, figures and stories …

Dortmund Concert Hall

Dortmund Concert Hall is a well-designed building and a feast for the eyes. It opened its doors in 2002 and ever since world-famous artists have been queuing up to give their performances. Here you can listen to all kinds of music, from classical to modern and even …

Children's Museum Mondo Mio

The Children's Museum Mondo Mio is a magical place where everyone can enjoy their time by learning, touching and participating. This is a journey where the kids can discover various cultures of the world and explore how people live on other continents. Unusual and interesting musical instruments and toys made of recycled rubbish are also …

Dining

Dortmund’s traditional food is simple and hearty. Local dishes include Westphalian Grünkohl – ham and cabbage soup – and Pfefferpotthast, a stew made with peppered beef and onions. There are a number of traditional German restaurants in the centre of the city near Alter Markt and along Wallring, just outside the centre. International food is well-represented in the city, with a range to suit all tastes and budgets.

Il Golfo

Il Golfo is one of the few Italian restaurants which offers customers traditional dishes and grappa, served by Italian waiters. A couple of their all-time favourite dishes are the deep fried zucchini flowers and the anchovies bruschetta. The restaurants is loved by the Dortmund locals who appreciate the authenticity and quality of the food. The …

Hoppy's Treff

If you want to go to a popular pub restaurant run by a former player of Borussia Dortmund, Hoppy's Treff is the place to visit. Dieter Kurrat offers solid, simple German dishes, as well as a tête-à-tête to share his glorious football stories. A bit of advice, Hoppy's Treff explicitly states that you shouldn't show …

Zum Alten Markt

Zum Alten Markt is a small and cosy restaurant, with a traditional German interior that dates back 400 years. The restaurant is known for refined Bavarian and international cuisine with a modern twist. They are known for the impeccable quality of their freshwater fish, which includes salmon, speckled trout and catfish. On Sunday they serve …

Mongo's

You can let your imagination run free at Mongo's. This restaurant has an exotic and diverse all-you-can-eat buffet. Choose the ingredients you like from the fresh food bar and the chefs will prepare your creation in front of you. Here you can mix different types of vegetables with a wide variety of meat or seafood, …

Sausalitos

Sausalitos is not just focused on the traditional Mexican cuisine, but also offers a special Californian twist! The vision of the restaurant is to create dishes that are a melting pot of diverse cultures. This is something that you can definitely see if you take a look at the menu: queso y tomato quesadillas, …

Mandarin

Mandarin is one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Dortmund. The decor is in traditional style and makes you feel like you are having dinner in China itself. They are known and famous for their tender Peking …

Rodizio Steakhouse

If you would like to eat a juicy steak, head over to Rodizio Steakhouse. This South American restaurant serves a wide selection of traditional steak dishes all the way from Argentina. Through daily delivery from South America, the chef guarantees you the best quality that you can find. …

Pfefferkorn's No. 1

With a great location on the square, this restaurant and pub provides a great view from the terrace. Inside you can find a warm atmosphere with a vintage touch. They even have their own brewery, which you can make use of by ordering a local beer. You can also eat traditional German dishes, a few …

Uncle Tom's

Uncle Tom's offers the charm of the southern United States and traditional American dishes and drinks. The food is inexpensive and the menu has a wide variety of meals, everything from steaks to barbecued chicken wings to salads. Make sure the get here with an empty stomach, the staff serves huge …

Taverne Athen

From starters to desserts; the menu lists nearly everything the Greek cuisine has to offer. Whether you are craving fresh vegetables, roasted meat or fish, you will find it at Taverne Athen The restaurant is decorated in a traditional Greek style with wooden tables and the iconic white/blue …

Brauhaus Wenkers

The restaurant and pub Brauhaus Wenkers is located in the city centre and has a great vibe. On the menu you will find local German specials like bratwurst with sauerkraut and roasted pig with coleslaw. During summer time you can have your dinner on the lovely outside …

Cafes

A quick cappuccino or home-made cake in a pleasant atmosphere are the things that you need for reading your newspaper in peace and quiet or leisurely observing people. You will find some cafes around the Alter Markt (with outdoor seating in the summer time). When the weather turns to being a bit colder, there are plenty of cafes with interiors you wouldn't want to miss.

Flayva Coffee & Tea Lounge

Sometimes all you need is a cup of coffee or tea with a snack. Look no further, Flayva Coffee & Tea Lounge has everything that your heart desires. From a White Velvet Macchiato to a Fresh Mini-Ingwer tea, they are known for their creative concoctions. Children are also more than welcome, they have a special …

Herr Liebig Kaffeehaus

Bagels. If there has to be one word to describe this cafe, it's bagel. Every kind of bagel and everything that you want with it - they have it. They are also well-known for their very own mix of coffee beans and their delicious …

Kieztörtchen

It's impossible to be grumpy in the morning when you had breakfast at this little cafe. Fresh coffee, homemade cakes and delicious savoury dishes. Combine all of this with a cosy atmosphere and you will feel at home right away! It's one of the favourite cafes of the Dortmund locals, which says a lot. …

OmaRosa

The philosophy of this cafe is that everything that is homemade, doesn't only taste better but its also healthier. OmaRosa only offers products that have been made from scratch at the bakery. That's definitely something that you can taste when you take a bite of one of their delicious snacks and take a sip …

Neues Schwarz

Imagine the smell of freshly ground coffee beans. When you step foot in the Neues Schwarz, you will be intoxicated by that smell. The cafe roasts and grinds the coffee beans on its own, and makes sure that the beans are of the highest quality. If you fell in love with their coffee, you …

cafeMinze

Cupcakes, cakes, and chai lattes, craving for these sweet treats? cafeMinze is the place to go. If you visit during breakfast and lunch, chances are that the place will be packed because of the popularity that the cafe rightfully deserves. Their most popular cake is the homemade egg liqueur cake. In the mood for …

Cafe Kleimann

This cafe has something that hardly any other cafe on this list can boast: parrots! That's not the only reason for this cafe becoming so popular over the last years, they also have an immense cake buffet. From apple cake to black forest cake - they have it …

Linus

Shopping can make you hungry, that's a given fact. Don't want to stroll too far away from the shopping area but still want a good meal? Visit Linus, a cafe that has German traditional dishes such as flammkuchen and schnitzel, along with Italian risotto and Japanese soups. A perfect time to visit Linus is …

Schönes Leben

Who wouldn't want to have a bite to eat at a cafe which is translated to 'Beautiful Life'? Schönes Leben is a bistro which focuses on the Mediterranean part of the world. You can expects a huge variety of pastas, bruschetta and quiches. Remember to save some room for their scrumptious cakes! …

Bars & Nightlife

Dortmund used to produce more beer than virtually any other city in the world, so do not leave without trying a glass or two. Dortmund’s bars cater to all tastes, and with so many students in town, cheap and cheerful is as easy to find as chic or cool.

Hövels Hausbrauerei

Hövels Hausbrauerei is a traditional micro-brewery that has existed for over 160 years, which serves traditional German pub food. Visit the Hausbrauerei for the full German experience. The atmosphere is warm with an open fire and gives you a relaxed …

Subrosa

Subrosa is a vibrant bar that you can find in the Nordstadt. They describe their bar to be one for football, music and a relaxed vibe. They have poetry readings on normal weekdays and live acoustic sets on the weekends. The venue is simple but offers a great …

ALEX

ALEX in Dortmund is great place to spend the evening with a cocktail in your hand and good friends by your side. You don't just have to enjoy the bar in the evening, you can also start the day there with some breakfast, since it opens early in the …

Nightrooms

If you are a fan of 90s music, you're in luck. This club is famous for playing the golden oldies all through some nights of the week. Nightrooms is a huge place with three dance floors and two lounge areas. The prices of the drinks are not too high compared to other clubs, so …

Domicil

Had enough of DJs? Visit Domicil, which identifies as a live music and jazz bar and club. On the ground floor you will find their bar and lounge, with a selection of classic cocktails and countless spritz varieties. Obviously, you can also order a famous German beer. You can find the club on the …

HappyHappyDingDong

This is a simple and fun bar where you are guaranteed to have a great time. If you do not have a specific plan regarding the evening, then HappyHappyDingDong is a superb start for a pub crawl. Every Thursday and the first Saturday of the month you can go and sing your heart out …

FZW

FZW is known for being the number one place for Dortmund's locals to hang out at. FZW offers many thrilling live performances, with the latest sound and music ranging from the 80s to straight off the …

Shopping

Shopping is one of Dortmund’s principal attractions, attracting consumers from all over the country. Much of the shopping is done in the very heart of the city. As many as 12,000 shoppers an hour pass through Westenhellweg and its continuation, Ostenhellweg, attracted as much by the huge range of shops as the highly competitive prices. Department stores like Kaufhof, electronic retailers, chain stores, food stores, health and beauty stores: they’re all here. If you are looking for designer fashion and accessories head to Hansastrasse, where you’ll find designer names such as Escada at no. 61, or head to more discrete Kleppingstrasse. Brückstrasse has a more youthful vibe and is the place to go for trend fashion, sports fashion and hair salons. Once scruffy and known for its fast-food joints, Brückstrasse today likes to think of itself as Dortmund’s Carnaby Street. On neighbouring Kampstrasse you’ll find the huge department store Karstadt, which is a good place for the casual shopper, while the Esprit store is a few stores up at no 28.