Dortmund

Travel Guide
Dortmund City Centre showing signage
Known as Westphalia’s green metropolis, this thriving city in western Germany is similarly renowned for its fine breweries and fashionable soccer club.

Located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund is one of the largest cities in the region, one of the oldest cities in the west of the country and one of the best known, and best loved, cities in Germany.

When you arrive in Dortmund, your eye is immediately drawn to the towers that line the cityscape with particular attention to one. The Florian Tower is the city’s famous TV and telecommunications tower, built in 1959 and reaching a height of 720 feet (220 meters), once the highest freestanding structure in the country.

Other skyline highlights include the towers of Reinoldikirche, Marienkirche and Petrikirche, gems of medieval architecture which hark back to the city’s heritage. Head to Marienkirche to see a one-time Protestant church, originally constructed in the 1100s, but rebuilt after the Second World War. Or opt for Petrikirche to take in a famous carved altar, the “Golden Miracle of Dortmund,” almost 600 years old and depicting 36 Easter scenes using 633 gilt carved oak figures.

While you're in Dortmund, don't forget the cultural scene. Get dressed up to enjoy popular social spots such as the Konzerthaus and the Opernhaus Dortmund. The latter was built in 1966 on the site of an old synagogue, destroyed by the Nazis in the 1930s, and now hosts a range of performances. You can also head out during the day to experience Dortmund's impressive museums and art galleries.

Despite the city’s history as an industrial center, with extensive coal and steel milling conducted within the city limits for a century, Dortmund is regarded today as a green haven, described by some as Westphalia’s “green metropolis.” Nearly half of the area that makes up Dortmund’s territory is made up of waterways, woodland, farmland and other green spaces—so make sure you go for a stroll.

Spacious parks around the city such as Westfalenpark and the Rombergpark are well worth a visit. Head to Westfalenpark to enjoy Rosarium, a rose garden boasting more than 3,000 species, or travel to Mergelteichstrasse to visit Zoo Dortmund.

It's this impressive blend of lush greenery and high culture that makes Dortmund such a captivating city.

Where to stay in Dortmund

Dortmund City Centre featuring street scenes and a city as well as a small group of people

Dortmund City Centre

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

Get to know Dortmund City Centre and its many features like its museums and monuments. You might want to explore sights like Hansaplatz and Dortmund Christmas Market, and you can jump on the metro at Kampstrasse U-Bahn or Reinoldikirche U-Bahn to get around the city.

Dortmund City Centre
Museum of Art and Cultural History featuring heritage architecture

Innenstadt-West

Spend some time visiting places like Dortmunder U while getting to know Innenstadt-West, and be sure to check out the lively bars. You can hop aboard the metro at Dortmund-Dorstfeld S-Bahn or Ottostrasse U-Bahn to see more of the area.

Innenstadt-West
Petrikirche showing heritage architecture, landscape views and a city

Innenstadt-Ost

If you're spending time in Innenstadt-Ost, check out sights like Westfalenpark Dortmund or Florian Tower and hop on the metro to see more the city at Maerkische Strasse U-Bahn or Kohlgartenstrasse U-Bahn.

Innenstadt-Ost
Rombergpark Botanical Garden

Hombruch

Hombruch is well-liked for its gardens and zoo. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Rombergpark Botanical Garden and Dortmund Zoo are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Eierkampstrasse U-Bahn or Harkortstrasse U-Bahn to get around.

Hombruch
Phoenix-West showing a park

Hörde

While you're in Hörde, take in top sights like Phoenix Lake or Spielbank Hohensyburg, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Hoerde U-Bahn or Willem-van-Vloten-Strasse U-Bahn.

Hörde
Dortmund Brewery Museum which includes interior views

Innenstadt-Nord

If you're spending time in Innenstadt-Nord, check out sights like Dortmund Brewery Museum or Resistance & Persecution Museum and hop on the metro to see more the city at Muensterstrasse U-Bahn or Lortzingstrasse U-Bahn.

Innenstadt-Nord
Hotel Excelsior
Hotel Excelsior
3 out of 5
Lange Straße 1, Dortmund, NW
The price is ¥6,933 per night from May 21 to May 22
¥6,933
per night
May 21 - May 22
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Dortmund. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (679 reviews)
"Great service"

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2024

Hotel Excelsior
stays design Hotel Dortmund
stays design Hotel Dortmund
Paderborner Str. 79, Dortmund, NW
The price is ¥7,672 per night from Jun 9 to Jun 10
¥7,672
per night
Jun 9 - Jun 10
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Dortmund. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (388 reviews)
"Very nice hotel with pretty good transport to and from Dortmund. No real problem, but the hotel seemed incongruous in a mainly residential area."

Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024

stays design Hotel Dortmund
Dorint An den Westfalenhallen Dortmund
Dorint An den Westfalenhallen Dortmund
4 out of 5
Lindemannstr. 88, Dortmund, NW
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥13,090 per night from May 22 to May 23
¥13,090
per night
May 22 - May 23
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Dortmund. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Westfalenhallen and Signal Iduna ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (335 reviews)
"Super friendly and helpful staff"

Reviewed on Dec 13, 2022

Dorint An den Westfalenhallen Dortmund
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Nena Apartments Bochum City
Nena Apartments Bochum City
Alleestraße 34, Bochum, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Bochum. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Starlight Express Theater and Anneliese ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (73 reviews)
Very pleased
"Modern and fresh nice new hotel apartment, spacious rooms with convenient small open plan kitchen, friendly staff, nice restaurant and coffee shop next to the hotel which is walking distance to the city centre and central station,"

Reviewed on Jan 23, 2024

Nena Apartments Bochum City
BRIGHT Dortmund City Center
BRIGHT Dortmund City Center
Südwall 17-19, Dortmund, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Dortmund. Enjoy free WiFi, Netflix, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Westfalenhallen and Signal Iduna Park are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (21 reviews)
"It was really close to where I was visi"

Reviewed on Apr 1, 2024

BRIGHT Dortmund City Center
TOP MODERN APARTMENT - 100sqm - 4 ROOMS - up to 10 people
TOP MODERN APARTMENT - 100sqm - 4 ROOMS - up to 10 people
Dortmund
Stay at this apartment in Dortmund. Enjoy cable/satellite TV service and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Westfalenhallen and Signal Iduna Park are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (15 reviews)
Gebucht zur Spielemesse
"Tolle Ferienwohnung, mit genug öffentlichen und kostenlosen Parkmöglichkeiten und nur 10 min Autofahrt zum Messegelände. Der Check-In verlief problemlos, der Kontakt vorab und währenddessen war super nett und ohne Probleme. Die Küche ist echt gut ausgestattet und lässt wenig Wünsche offen. Wir kommen ..."

Reviewed on Apr 28, 2024

TOP MODERN APARTMENT - 100sqm - 4 ROOMS - up to 10 people
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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