There are many examples of what every tourist should see in Dortmund. Read our review, it lists the most fascinating and interesting sights of Dortmund.
What is the first thing to see in Dortmund?
When compiling our rating, we took into account the reviews of experienced guides and the recommendations of seasoned travelers. In our general opinion, such excursions in Dortmund as:
1. The old market
Historical sights of Dortmund on the Old Market Square Lucas Kaufmann
When listing the sights in Dortmund, any local will start with this vast pedestrian square of the 12th century. Currently, it is also actively trading, as before. There are various restaurants and cafes, galleries, boutiques and supermarkets on site. We recommend that you make a trip here and explore the local town hall with the figure of an eagle on the facade, as well as the ancient fountain.
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2. The Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall on the Peace Square in Dortmund
As well as some other interesting places in Dortmund, the town Hall is located on the Peace Square. It is a real architectural masterpiece in the neo-Renaissance style. The facade of the 1899 building is richly decorated with the coats of arms of the Hanseatic regions. During the Second World War, the building was almost destroyed, but later it was reconstructed.
3. The Eagle Tower
Eagle Tower on the south side in the city of Dortmund Alexander Ostrovsky, Kiev
The date of restoration of the historical site is 1992. The height of the tower reaches 30 meters (6 floors). Inside there is a museum with ancient armor and weapons from the 13th and 14th centuries, a model of defensive walls and a city in the era of the Great Dortmund Dispute.
4. St. Rinald’s Church
Night illumination of St. Rinald’s Church on Ostenhellweg street in the old town
A majestic sanctuary, the foundation for which was built in the 13th century. Construction work continued until the 18th century, so the appearance of the temple has a variety of elements, including Gothic and Romanesque styles. Over the long history of its existence, the church was destroyed several times, and then reconstructed. About 60 years ago, she was presented with a new organ. It should be noted that before the church belonged to Catholics, but today it is the property of evangelicals. If you don’t know what to visit in Dortmund, but are passionate about historical, religious and architectural monuments, come here.
5. St. Mary’s Church
View from the Ferris wheel of St. Mary’s Church in Dortmund user:Mbdortmund
The only Catholic church that you will find in the city center. Its construction was started by the monks of the Dominican Order in 1354. Your trip to this landmark should be accompanied by a guide: the history of the monument is really fascinating – it is associated with numerous destructions and reconstructions.
6. St. Peter’s Church
The Church of St. Peter of the XIV century Ostrovsky Alexander, Kiev
The ancient church of the 14th century, which was also built for many centuries. So, it received its colorful spire only in the 18th century. The main value of the temple is a unique altar depicting sacred scenes from the Gospel. The object is deservedly included in all the lists of “the best sights of Dortmund”.
7. Florianturm TV Tower
Florianturm TV Tower in Westphalian Park User:Riessdo
The Dortmund TV and radio tower of the 20th century, rising to more than 210 meters. A restaurant and an observation deck are available for guests. In the old days, bungee jumping services were offered here, but after an accident that led to the death of a person due to a cable break, they are prohibited. But all the guides in Dortmund recommend visiting the observation deck of the famous German tower.
8. Dortmund Zoo
An inhabitant of the Dortmund Riessdo Zoo
Where to go in Dortmund with the whole family? To the city zoo, whose inhabitants are all kinds of birds and animals. Note that there is a separate area for birds such as owls, pheasants, peacocks and parrots. Many animals and birds are allowed to be fed together with the park staff.
9. Westenhelweg Street
Westenhelweg Street is Dortmund’s main shopping street Tbachner
The main shopping street of the city. As well as many attractions in Germany, it is located near the train station. After you arrive in Dortmund by train, you will need to walk two or three hundred meters, and you will see numerous travel agencies, restaurants, souvenir shops and shopping malls. A wonderful place for relaxation, entertainment and shopping.
10. Sculptures of the winged rhinoceros
The winged rhinoceros is the business card of the city of Dortmund JosefLehmkuhl
A rhinoceros with wings is a symbol of the city. This animal has an ideal musical ear, and therefore was chosen to decorate the Philharmonic square. Now you can find rhinoceros sculptures with different designs, but identical shapes, both in the center and in the inconspicuous alleys of Dortmund.
11. Hohenziburg Casino
The main entrance to the Hohenziburg Casino in Dortmund Lucas Kaufmann
What can a gambling person see in Dortmund in 1 day? Pay a visit to this huge three-level entertainment complex, where you can play both traditional card games and roulette of all types, as well as slots (over three hundred machines). Every year, the gambling complex hosts more than one million guests. The best hotels in Dortmund are located nearby.
12. The Brauerei-Museum Dortmund Brewing Museum
Facade of the Brewing Museum in Dortmund Mathias Bigge
It is in Dortmund that the maximum volume of foam drink in the whole country is produced. Therefore, it is not surprising that a beer museum is open in the city. Visitors can look at antique beer bottles and mugs made of clay, rare steam machines and machine tools, and, of course, taste and purchase their favorite products.
13. The Museum of the “Cookbook”
An exhibit of the “Cookbook” museum in Dortmund WormforEnnio
The center, opened in 2010, is located in a beer brewing plant built in 1926. The collections contain over 2.5 thousand different samples: photos of the 20th century, art objects, canvases and sculptural compositions.
14. German Football Museum
The building of the German National Football Museum in Dortmund Lucas Kaufmann
The project for the construction of the complex was created by leading European specialists. Therefore, not only the museum complex itself is interesting, but also its building. The interactive exhibition shows the incredible emotions of the players and fans of the number 1 game during the matches. Modern technologies allow the guests of the institution to experience these emotions and temporarily become participants in a particular football competition.
Official website: https://www.fussballmuseum.de
15. Cultural center “Dortmund U-Tower”
The cultural center “Dortmund U-Tower” in the former building of the Fred Romero brewery
The city has a long-term “industrial” history, but at the same time it contains many cultural monuments. The main center of culture and creativity is the large–scale Dortmund U-Tower. Formerly a factory, now it is an exhibition area for Dortmund and regional photographers and filmmakers, artists. In addition, there is the East Wall Museum, examples of which are graphics and statues, paintings by masters of the 20th century.
Official website: https://www.dortmunder-u.de
16. Opera House
View of the Dortmund Opera House M Bigge
The founding date of the first Dortmund Opera is 1904. Later, the building was destroyed. The new theater with its futuristic “appearance” is a joint work of E. Tritthart and G. Rosskotten. You can explore the building itself, or buy a ticket to one of the wonderful opera productions, which often involve world-class stars.
17. Delvig’s House
Castle on the water or the old house of Knight Delvig in Dortmund Tbachner
An ancient castle on the lake, the first mention of which dates back to the 12th century. Now the building houses a museum with exhibitions of Borussian history. Guests are invited to inspect the bakery and shoemaker’s workshop, living rooms and dining room – all objects have undergone a full restoration, as a result of which they received their original appearance. In addition, the Delvig house has a museum of culture and arts with rich collections of medieval paintings, gold coins, and ancient furniture. If you dream of being transported back to the age of knights, you will not find a better place to visit.
18. Wasserburg-Anholt Castle
Wasserburg-Anholt Castle surrounded by a huge park with the Gouwenaar Nature Reserve
The 14th century building is now owned by the German Duke. The house is decorated in the Baroque architectural style. One wing of the medieval castle is reserved for a 4-star hotel, the other for a museum complex. Everywhere you can see unusual interiors, antique furniture and household items from previous centuries. No less interesting is the surrounding area – a giant nature reserve-park, where deer and pheasants walk quietly.
19. The House of Bodelschwings
View of the castle and the Bodelschwings landscaped garden from the Frank Vincentz pond
A real knight’s estate, towering on the shore of the lake. Please note: the property is owned by a family. Therefore, you will not be able to explore the park complex and the castle itself. But you should still take a look at the building at least from afar. Moreover, the structure has such impressive dimensions that it is not difficult to see it.
20. The Zollern Workshop Mine Museum
Buildings on the territory of the Zollern Workshop Mine Museum
An original industrial monument created in the 20th century. It is of international importance. The Gothic-style castle is decorated with Byzantine domes. Every year it organizes the famous DASA exhibition, which gathers guests from different parts of the world. For fifty years, coal mining has been carried out in the operating mine. Currently, the object is not used for its intended purpose. Its visitors are invited to visit the machine room, the mining museum and the mine itself with the railway. You will learn about how miners lived and worked, and you will be able to observe how minerals are extracted.
Official website: https://www.lwl.org
Dortmund attractions: what else to visit in Dortmund?
If you have already seen all those sights of Dortmund, photos with names and descriptions of which we have just given, make a visit to such urban sites as:
21. Coke plant “Hansa”
Aerial view of the former Hansa coke plant in Dortmund by Christian A. Schröder
A monument to the industry of the 20th century. Currently, the plant is not working, and is one of the attractions of the city. Guests can watch the coking of coal, and how it is processed, and various valuable substances are obtained from it. Cultural themed festivals are often organized on the territory. A popular Nature and Technology tour has been laid through the Hansa.
Official website: https://www.industriedenkmal-stiftung.de
22. Westfalenpark
Panorama of the Westfalenpark in Dortmund
In the 19th century, wealthy residents of the city decided to build a public park, purchasing the southern territories of Dortmund for this purpose. Recreation grounds and trees were planted at their expense. In the 20th century, the park complex was expanded by erecting a restaurant on the lake shore, building several dance areas and pavilions. During the Second World War, the object was almost completely destroyed. Money for its restoration was found in the 50s. Later, an international garden exhibition was held in this grove every year. In honor of such a grandiose event, the territory was also significantly increased by equipping new flower beds, getting rid of the landfill of thickets. The modern Westfalenpark is one of the most favorite places for outdoor walks for both visitors and residents of the city.
23. Iduna Park Signal
Signal Iduna Park – football stadium in Dortmund Dmitrij Rodionov
According to FIFA, it is one of the most well-maintained football centers in the world. The largest German stadium is used by Borussia for training and home meetings. The total number of spectators who can accommodate here at the same time is over 80,000 people. It should be noted that during the competitions, the Signal Iduna Park stands never remain empty.
Official website: https://www.signal-iduna-park.de
24. Romberg Park
A picturesque corner of the Botanical garden of Dortmund
The territory of this urban botanical garden, created at the beginning of the 19th century, is 65 hectares, which makes it the largest in the world. The complex was built in the 19th century thanks to the Romberg family. About 4,500 flora specimens can be seen in local greenhouses: there are lemons and jasmine, camellias, exotic and medicinal shrubs, ferns, palms and cacti. The territory of the garden is allocated for 4 greenhouses of a thousand squares each. Woody plants grow in the large arboretum. Strolling through the blooming square, which even has a lake and palm terraces, you can feed numerous birds.
25. Lake Phoenix-See
Night landscape of Lake Phoenix See in Dortmund Lucas Kaufmann
An artificial reservoir appeared on the territory of the former Phoenix East metallurgical plant. In the process of implementing the urban reclamation project of an abandoned industrial zone, an elite residential complex with developed infrastructure, a marina and a floating stage were built around the lake. Now Lake Phoenix See is the most popular recreation area for citizens and guests of Dortmund.
We have told you about the main attractions of Dortmund briefly, and we hope that they have aroused your interest. When you arrive in a hospitable city, be sure to find time to visit them. Read also about the sights of Dresden and be inspired to travel further in Germany.
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