Discover Dortmund: culture, parks and industrial heritage

Dortmund combines art and culture in the city centre with industrial heritage, parks and watersports at PHOENIX Lake. When looking for a hotel in Dortmund, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: would you like to explore the Dortmunder U and Zeche Zollern, enjoy gardens and park attractions, or plan activities on the water? These places showcase different sides of the city and give you concrete points of reference when choosing where to go.

Culture and industrial heritage

The Dortmunder U is a centre for art, culture and creativity in downtown Dortmund. This focus makes it a clear point of reference if you are looking for a cultural experience. The restaurant on the top floor has an observation platform with sweeping views across downtown Dortmund. As access arrangements may vary, check the latest information before your visit.

Zeche Zollern offers a different perspective: it is a testament to Germany’s industrial past and a key site on both the Route of Industrial Heritage and the European Route of Industrial Heritage. Its steel-and-glass machine hall, with its colourful Art Nouveau glass portal, is considered an icon of industrial heritage. At the colliery, you can climb the headframe, follow the path of the coal and immerse yourself in the world of hard work underground.

Parks and gardens

Westfalenpark features a variety of gardens and the German Rose Garden. The Florian Tower offers panoramic views across Dortmund; access conditions may vary, so check them before planning a visit. The park also has creative playgrounds for children, sports facilities, family activities and educational programmes. If you would like to include these in your travel plans, bear in mind that individual facilities and programmes may change.

The outdoor grounds of Rombergpark Botanical Garden are open around the clock every day. You can also join public or booked guided tours; check specific dates in advance. This gives you the choice of exploring the outdoor grounds independently or visiting with a guide. When planning, also check the latest information about possible temporary closures.

Water and outdoor routes

At PHOENIX Lake, watersports enthusiasts can rent a pedal boat or rowing boat at the harbour from April to October, without needing their own boat. You can learn to sail at the sailing school there. Boat rentals are available only from April to October, so check seasonal availability before you travel.

For outdoor exercise, the Hoesch-Hafenbahn-Weg is another route to consider. It follows a disused railway line between PHOENIX Lake in the south and the Westfalenhütte in the north of Dortmund and forms part of a regionally significant north–south route for pedestrians and cyclists. As the path is being developed in stages, check the status of the relevant section when planning your trip. Unlike a stay at a single park or cultural attraction, this option focuses on a route and its two endpoints. This may help you decide whether you would rather visit a particular place or plan a route.

Discover more destinations

Eichlinghofen, Bottrop, Gelsenkirchen, Bochum, Herne, Mönchengladbach, Duisburg, Solingen

Go to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.