Dortmund is the 9th largest city in Germany and it's located in the Ruhr region in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Back in the 12th century, the court day was held in Dortmund under King Frederick Barbarossa and became a place for craftsmen and traders.
While exploring the city, you don't get the impression that Dortmund has such a historical importance in medieval times. But, during mid 19th century, Dortmund became a key player in Germany's coal and steel industries.
Dortmund is considered a city of Students. Many local and international students live here, but the city isn’t that International.
I have lived for more than 6 months in Dortmund during my student life so I have a special association with the city. I always love the city vibes, and it has a special place in my heart.
Dortmund is a football fan's paradise, renowned for its iconic Signal Iduna Park and the celebrated Borussia Dortmund (BVB) football club.
Check out our blog about City of 3 Rivers, Passau Travel Blog.
How to reach Dortmund:
Dortmund is well connected by Train and bus. You can choose different options depending on your convenience. Click below to find out the best ticket prices to reach Dortmund.
How to commute within Dortmund:
Most of the main attractions of the city are a bit far from the city center but you can reach them conveniently using Bus, U-Bahn, or S-Bahn. the city has a very effective transportation system.
Check out our blog about Kirmes Soest: German Cultural Festival in Soest.
In this blog, we'll provide you with a guide on the best things to do in Dortmund:
1. Guided Tour to Signal Iduna Park (Westfalenstadion):
Dortmund City is a fanatic about football and Dortmund holds a special place in the hearts of football fans around the world due to its football club, Borussia Dortmund (BVB).
Westfalenstadion is the largest football stadium in Germany with seating and standing capacity of 81,000 people. The stadium is known for its electrifying atmosphere and passionate supporters. The stadium has a famous south terrace known as the "Yellow Wall" which is the largest standing terrace.
We opted for the guided tour in English. During the tour, we visited different areas of the stadium like the changing rooms and player tunnel, and our guide shared some very interesting information throughout the tour. It's important to book the tour in advance as it's not possible to book the tour on the spot.
You can also have a tour of the museum after a guided tour where you learn about the legacy of the club.
Borussia fans:
Whenever there’s a match of Borussia Dortmund (BVB), the city is fully packed with fans. There are always people on the streets after and before the match and celebrating their team.
How to buy a ticket:
The tickets sell out pretty quickly after the start of the general sale. You can buy tickets online at BVB.
How to reach the Stadium:
The stadium is located in the South of Dortmund and around 3 km from Dortmund Central Station. The stadium is highly accessible with Public transport. You can either take U-bahn or S-Bahn.
Check out our blog about the Most beautiful German Town, Garmisch Partenkirchen.
2. Football Museum:
The Museum has unique Architecture and celebrates the history, culture, and passion of football in Germany and around the world.
You can get a sneak peek of the early days of football to iconic moments and milestones in the world of football in Germany. There are historical trophies, rare memorabilia, and interactive displays. If you're a football fan, it's a must-visit for you.
4. Westfalenpark Dortmund:
Westfalenpark Dortmund is one of the most popular parks in Dortmund and is ideal for spending long summer days. One unique aspect of this park compared to others in Germany is that it has an entrance fee.
The park covers around 70 hectares and is known for its beautiful gardens, activities, and events. You shouldn't miss the following things to do in Westfalenpark Dortmund.
a. Seilbahn (Cable Car):
The cable car is a must experience to do in Dortmund as it's a cable car ride over the park and you can enjoy the beautiful view of the park.
b. Florianturm:
The Florianturm was built in 1959 and located in the center of the park and
you can enjoy the view of the city from the top of the tower.
c. Train Ride:
The park is quite huge but you can also take a small train ride which starts from Florianturm and you can go on the round tour of the park.
d. Relax by the Lake:
You can also enjoy a peaceful time near the lake and you can also do the boating.
e. Visit the German Rosarium:
German Rosarium is home to over 3,000 varieties of roses and especially during the spring season, the park is blooming with the beautiful.
f. Cultural Events:
There are also different events, concerts, and light festivals that take place across the year.
Check out our blog about Guideline to find GOT filmed spots in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
4. Phoenix Lake:
The Phoenix Lake is an artificial lake located in the Hörde neighborhood of Dortmund. The lake is the best place to enjoy the summer.
The outdoor market is also set up during the summer, selling artistic pieces. You can also go Paddle boating in the lake.
There are many restaurants and cafes located on the Lakes. The surrounding lake has a beautiful residential neighborhood.
How to reach to Pheonix See:
The Hörde is well in contact with Public Transport. You can take a Regional train or U-Bahn from the Central station.
5. Dortmunder U:
Dortmunder U is one of the iconic towers of the city and it used to be a Brewery but it's a vibrant hub for arts and sciences. There are different galleries and interactive exhibitions take place. It also organizes different workshops and events.
Do you want to experience one of the best cities in Germany, check out our blog on 5 Must Things to Do in Nuremberg.
6. St. Reinoldi Church:
St. Reinoldi Church is a significant landmark of Dortmund and is dedicated to Saint Reinold, the city's patron saint.
The church is a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. It was heavily damaged during the 2nd world War, but later on, it was restored.
The surroundings of the Church are happening and always crowded. There are many cafes and restaurants and the big square near the Church.
In the summer, it’s the best place to hang out and enjoy the sun, along with the ice cream. The church is well connected with Public transport (U-Bahn and buses).
7. Explore the city center Westenhellweg:
The best way to explore Dortmund city center is to go out from the Main exit of Dortmund Central station. The station and the surroundings are always packed with crowds.
When you go out, you need to cross the road, and you can find the Bibliothek in front of you and on the right side you can find the Football Museum.
You walk straight from the stairs. You can find yourself in Westenhellweg. It’s a long Pedestrian and has a famous shopping street in Dortmund.
The Pedestrian has almost all the famous local and International brands. The Pedestrian also has a shopping mall called “Thier- Galerie”. The pedestrians are always full of people who are busy shopping.
There are also different squares like Hansaplatz which is famous for its Christmas market. You can also find the Dortmund Rathhaus at Friedensplatz. You can also walk around the Alter Markt and Altes Stadthaus in Dortmund.
Read out our blog and learn about Things to do in Zagreb, Croatia.
8. Stadtgarten Dortmund:
Even in the right of Dortmund city center, you can enjoy nature in Stadtgarten Dortmund. It's also a place where locals enjoy and socialize. The park also has playgrounds, benches, and picnic areas.
Where to stay in Dortmund: NYCE Hotel Dortmund Thier Galerie
The best place to stay in Dortmund is definitely in the city center. We would like to suggest staying in the NYCE Hotel Dortmund Thier Galerie which is located right next to the famous Shopping mall of Dortmund.
The hotel is within the city center and you can walk around the city center and reach Dortmund Central station on a walk.
Public transport is also highly accessible. Moreover, the hotel also offers a perfect stay and a comfortable stay at a reasonable price.
You can also find out our experience of staying at NYCE Hotel Ulm in our blog.
Restaurants in Dortmund:
The Brückstrasse in Dortmund has lots of Restaurants and cafes and provides many options to eat and take away. I lived in Dortmund for almost 6 months and have tried almost all the restaurants. There are also restaurants which are also open till late at night.
The Döner places are even open until 3 AM. A few of my favorite restaurants are below:
Roasters:
If you're in the mood to try out some burgers, Roasters is the best halal burger in Dortmund.
They have different options for chicken and beef, but our favorite is Chilli Chicken - It's chicken with Cheddar cheese, Jalapenos, and Salad.
Pan Pizza:
We are a deep-pan pizza fan and normally it's hard to find American Pan Pizza in Germany. You can enjoy the best place at Pan Pizza. They have the best deep-pan pizza and also offer pasta and Lasagna.
Alex:
Alex is located in the center of the city and it offers a variety of food it also offers a good breakfast buffet and you can also enjoy their desserts, waffles like crepes, and coffee.
Shisha Places in Dortmund:
IROOM:
If you are looking for a Shisha cafe with a terrace view, IROOM is the place to go. It’s located around 500 meters away from the Dortmund Central station. They also have good options for cocktails and smoothies.
Medusa:
Medusa has the best Shisha in Dortmund. It’s also located near Dortmund Central station. It has a good ambiance but often gets fully crowded during weekends.
Mato Lounge:
Mato is located near Brückstrasse. The cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s small but offers good shisha and cocktails.
Events to Attend in Dortmund:
Street Food Beach Festival:
For three days in July, Kampstr. & Katharinenstrthe turns into a Caribbean oasis with big stages and performances. The party is full of music and food and is worth attending.
Hansemarkt Dortmund - Medieval Festival in November:
Dortmund was one of the most important Hanseatic cities in Germany and it turned into a small medieval town in Autumn and offers the best experience of a Medieval town. Read our blog on the Medieval Festival in November.
Dortmund Christmas Market:
Dortmund has the tallest Christmas tree and offers one of the best Christmas festivities in the region of NRW. Read our blog on the Dortmund Christmas Market.
Ending Note:
You can also take a day trip from Dortmund to Düsseldorf and Cologne to enjoy the bigger cities in NRW along with the Rhine River. The cheapest and most convenient way is to go with an NRW day ticket.