The city of Dortmund is the sports center of Germany, known throughout the world as the place where the Borussia Dortmund football club appeared. The symbol of the city is also associated with sports – this is the largest stadium in Germany, which seats 80 thousand spectators.
General information
Dortmund is a German city in the western part of the country. It is the largest settlement of the Ruhr region. The population is 600 thousand people. It covers an area of 280 square meters. km 88% of Germans and 12% of representatives of other nationalities live in Dortmund.
Dortmund consists of 12 districts, three of which are considered central. The nearest big cities are Essen (47 km), Munster (54 km), Cologne (89 km), Düsseldorf (75 km), Bonn (111 km).
For a long time, Dortmund was known as a coal mining center and a city where the steel industry was developing rapidly. At the end of the 19th century, a railway was built here, thanks to which the city today takes 4th place in the list of the most important and largest railway junctions in Germany.
Sports enthusiasts Dortmund is known as the “home” of the Borussia Dortmund football club, which is considered one of the most famous and successful football clubs in Germany.
sights
Dortmund cannot be called the famous historical or cultural center of Germany, but sports lovers and tourists who want to learn more about the industry and economic development of the country will definitely like this place. On our list are the best sights of Dortmund in Germany.
Since Dortmund is the very place where the football club “Dortmund Borussia” was born, the German football museum is on the list of the most visited attractions of the city.
The attraction was built after the 2006 World Cup, which took place in Dortmund. More than 40 million euros were spent on the construction of the museum, but neither the authorities nor the local residents consider these expenses excessive, because the city lives by football.
The attraction is located in an area of 7 thousand square meters. km Inside the building there are just over 50 halls, which talk about the political, economic and sports aspects of football. Tourists recommend a glimpse into the following exhibition halls:
- World Championship. In this room you can learn all about the world championships in football in 1954, 1966, 1970, 1974 and 2014. It was during these years that the German national football team showed its best results, becoming world champions.
- Women’s football. In this exposition hall you can find out interesting facts about the first girls-football players and about the development at the present stage.
- Commentary booth. This is one of the smallest but most interesting halls in which everyone can try himself as a commentator.
- Historical exhibits. For example, in this room you can see the ball of Gerd Müller (striker) and a number of personal items of famous German football players.
- Hall of Fame. Here are all the trophies won by German football players over the past 70 years.
If you come to the football museum with a child, pay attention to a special tour that is designed for children. In 1.5 hours you will get acquainted with the most important facts from the history of German football, and you will be accompanied by the Paule eagle, a symbol of the German football union.
Also at the end of the tour you will be offered to go to a cafe where you can try your favorite dishes of the legendary football players.
- Location: Platz der Deutschen Einheit 1, Dortmund.
- Opening hours: 9.00 – 18.0
- Cost: 15 euros for an adult. Discounts are provided for students and organized groups.
- Official website: www.fussballmuseum.de
Westfalenpark is one of the largest and most beautiful gardens in West Germany. Previously, in its place was Bushmyulenpark, a large dump and several abandoned summer cottages. The authorities spent more than 10 years creating a new tourist site, and today this park is considered one of the best.
When walking around the sights, be sure to pay attention to:
- Germany’s largest national rose collection (over 3,600 species);
- the Asian part of the park, in which there are Japanese-style gazebos, elegant stone bridges are built, and in the evening large lanterns shine brightly;
- cable car that connects the lower and upper part of the park (cost – 3 euros);
- “Pink Library” – a building that stores over 1800 books about roses;
- “Pink path” – a tourist route that is designed for lovers of roses. During the walk you will see historical and modern rose gardens, look behind the “flower walls” and meet famous German breeders.
Practical information:
- Location: An der Buschmuhle 3, Dortmund.
- Opening hours: 9.00 – 21.00.
- Cost: 6 euros.
Tourists consider the Westphalian Museum of Industry one of the most interesting in the city. It is dedicated to the history and development of the mining and coal industry at the present stage. In addition to numerous documents and photos, the museum displays:
- rock samples mined in Germany;
- personal belongings of miners;
- mock mines.
In addition, in the building of the attraction you can find out everything about the life of the miners, the features of their work and the danger that they expose themselves to. The disadvantages of the museum tourists include the lack of plates in English or Russian (everything is written in German). There are also no audio guides.
- Location: Grubenweg 5, Bovinghausen, 44388, Dortmund.
- Opening hours: 10.00 – 18.00.
- Cost: 8 euros for an adult, children – 6 euros.
As in any self-respecting German city, Dortmund annually hosts the Christmas Market. In colorful shops (usually at least 250), which are located on the main square of the city, you can buy Christmas decorations, souvenirs, greeting cards with wishes and hundreds of other interesting gizmos.
Be sure to buy something edible: it can be pretzels, cheesecakes, a piece of strudel, German sausages or chocolates. Tourists also recommend trying German mulled wine.
On Christmas Eve, only in Dortmund you can mint a Christmas thaler and send a letter directly from the fair to friends in a beautiful envelope depicting the sights.
- Location: Hansplatz, 44137, Dortmund.
- Opening hours: December 18-30.
Floriantrum is a television tower located in Dortmund’s Westphalian Park. Previously, this attraction was the tallest building in Germany (its height is 211 m.), But now it occupies only 14th place.
This landmark of Dortmund still fulfills its main function, but today tourists can visit the tower. The observation deck is one of the best in the city: it offers a picturesque view of the park and the surrounding area. Here you can make many beautiful photos of Dortmund in Germany.
- Location: Markishe Stabe, Westfalenpark, Dortmund.
- Opening hours: 9.00 – 21.00.
The Dortmunder U Museum or Ostwall is a place to touch contemporary art. The museum’s collection contains hundreds of sculptures, paintings and installations that are no more than 100 years old.
The most significant meetings are:
- Grappel Collection. It includes 200 paintings, which today are considered the most significant exhibits of the museum.
- The work of Kirchner, Muller, Nolde and Schmidt-Rotluf, who in the middle of the last century founded the Bridge movement in Dresden.
- The works of Kandinsky, Mark, Macke and Yavlensky, who were representatives of the Blue Horseman society.
- The main exhibits of the museum include graphic paintings by Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall and Salvador Dali.
Since the museum is dedicated to contemporary art, the number of exhibits is constantly increasing, and every year the museum becomes more and more popular among tourists.
Also at the Museum of Modern Art operates the “Youth Art Club”, which deals with youth education. Thanks to the work of this association, master classes in painting and drawing are often held, special exhibitions are organized and meetings with famous artists and sculptures are organized. Anyone can attend the above events.
- Location: Rheinischer Platz, 44137, Dortmund.
- Opening hours: 11.00 – 18.00 (Tuesday-Wednesday), 10.00 – 17.00 (weekends).
- Cost: adults – 8 euros, children – 7 euros.
Signal-Iduna Park is the largest stadium in Germany, which seats more than 80,000 spectators.
The attraction was erected in Dortmund in 1970, and accommodated 50 thousand people. After the reconstruction, which took place in the 1990s, the number of seats was increased to 80 thousand. The south tribune of the stadium and today is the largest standing tribune in Europe.
The most significant competition the Signal-Iduna Park stadium has ever hosted is the 2006 World Cup.
Anyone can visit the attraction by buying a ticket for one of the football matches that are held here regularly.
Location: Strobelallee 50, 44139, Dortmund.
Where to stay
There are just over 160 accommodation options in Dortmund, which is quite a lot for such a small city.
The average price per night at a 3 * hotel for two in high season varies from 80 to 120 euros. This price includes a spacious room with free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and all the necessary equipment. Most rooms are suitable for disabled guests.
There are few 5 * hotels in Dortmund in Germany, and the cost of a double room in the high season varies from 160 to 220 euros per day. This price includes excellent (according to most tourists) service, a good breakfast and a room with a view of the sights.
Food in the city
Dortmund has a large selection of restaurants and cafes of different price categories, so tourists will definitely not stay hungry. Experienced travelers advise having lunch or dinner in small cafes that are located far from attractions.
| Name of dish, product | Cost (Euro) |
|---|---|
| McMeal at McDonalds | 7 |
| Grilled Sausages (2) | 4 |
| Strudel Slice | 3.50 |
| Cappuccino | 2.50 |
| Tea | 2 |
| A glass of German beer | 3.50 |
The average bill in a restaurant for a dinner for two is 35-40 euros. This price includes alcohol.
How to get there
Dortmund is located in a very good location, and since the city is one of the most important transport hubs in Germany, it will not be difficult to get to it.
Nearest airports:
- Dortmund Airport (Dortmund, Germany) – 10 km;
- Airport Ronda (Ronda) – 55 km;
- Munster Osnabruk International (Munster) – 71 km;
- Cologne Airport (Bonn) – 76 km.
If you decide to visit Dortmund while already in Germany, you can get to it by bus, ferry or train. Here are the most convenient options for getting to Dortmund from Berlin:
You need to catch the Ice train at Berlin Hbf station and get off at Dortmund Hbf. Travel time will be a little more than 3 hours. Ticket prices range from 25 to 120 euros (depending on time and class of compartment). Trains from Berlin to Dortmund run 5-6 times a day. You can buy tickets at Berlin Central Station.
You need to take bus number 038 from Flixbus carrier at the Berlin Central Bus Station. Get off at Dortmund Bus Station. Travel time is 6 hours. The fare is from 25 to 60 euros. Buses run 4 times a day. Tickets can be purchased on the official website of the carrier: www.flixbus.de
If for some reason trains and buses are not suitable, you can fly from the German capital to Dortmund in one hour. You must board a plane at Berlin Tegel and fly to Dortmund Airport. The cost of the flight can vary significantly, since if you buy a ticket during the promotions that airlines often like, you can save a lot. The standard ticket price starts at 25 euros. Tickets can be purchased on the airline’s official website or at the airport ticket offices.
All prices on the page are for July 2019.
Interesting Facts
- During World War II, the word “Dortmund” was used as a code word, and served as a signal for the start of Operation Barbarossa.
- The Borussia Football Club was created by young men studying in a theological seminary. They liked the new (at that time) game so much that they decided to move away from spiritual affairs and take up sports seriously.
- Every Christmas in the main square of Dortmund, they put the largest Christmas tree in the world, which is decorated with thousands of candles, toys and garlands.
- Despite the fact that the Signal Iduna Park stadium is very large, it is very difficult to buy a ticket for matches in which Borussia plays – this team is so popular and loved here.
The city of Dortmund is worth a visit to all football and nature lovers, but historical sights are better to look elsewhere.
Short walk through the center of Dortmund:
