Dortmund is the largest city in the Ruhr region and the ninth largest in Germany with about 600,000 residents. It is best known as the home of Borussia Dortmund football club, but the city has far more to offer than its stadium. You will find a revitalised industrial landscape transformed into parks and cultural spaces, a world-class football museum, a landmark TV tower with panoramic views, and one of Europe’s most spectacular Christmas markets. Here are the top things to do in Dortmund, arranged by category with practical details on tickets, hours, and what to expect. For detailed information, see our Dortmund weather by month.
Things to Do in Dortmund: Sports and Stadiums
Signal Iduna Park
Signal Iduna Park is Germany’s largest football stadium with a capacity of 81,365. It is home to Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and features the famous Yellow Wall, the largest standing terrace in European football holding 25,000 fans. Stadium tours run daily and cost 12 euros for adults, 8 euros for children. The 90-minute guided tour takes you through the players’ tunnel, dressing rooms, the mixed zone, and the stands. Tours in English run at set times on weekends; weekday tours are primarily in German. Book online at bvb.de. Matches sell out, but a few tickets go on general sale a few weeks before each game. Expect to pay 30 to 70 euros for a Bundesliga match ticket. The stadium is a 20-minute walk from Dortmund Signal Iduna Park station (S-Bahn S4). For detailed information, see our best time to visit Dortmund.
German Football Museum (Deutsches Fussballmuseum)
Opened in 2015 directly opposite the main train station, the German Football Museum tells the story of German football from its 19th-century origins through World Cup victories to the modern Bundesliga. Entry costs 17 euros for adults, 13 euros for concessions. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 (closed Mondays except on public holidays). The exhibits include the 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014 World Cup trophies, interactive penalty shootout simulators, and a hall of fame. Budget 2 to 3 hours for a full visit. The on-site restaurant, Cheers, serves German classics like currywurst and schnitzel. For detailed information, see our Dortmund events and festivals.
Things to Do in Dortmund: Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Westfalenpark
Westfalenpark is Dortmund’s largest green space at 70 hectares (173 acres). Entry costs 3.50 euros in summer (April to October) and is free from November to March. The park’s centrepiece is the Florian Tower (Florianturm), a 220-metre (722-foot) TV tower with an observation deck at 140 metres and a revolving restaurant. The tower lift costs 3 euros (2 euros for children). The park includes a rose garden with over 3,000 rose varieties, a Japanese garden, a mini-golf course, and a narrow-gauge railway. The Juicy Beats music festival takes over the park in late July. The Winterleuchten light festival illuminates the park with illuminated art installations from January through early March (separate evening tickets required). The park is a 15-minute walk from Dortmund Mollerbruecke station. For detailed information, see our Dortmund neighborhoods guide.
Phoenix-See
Phoenix-See is an artificial lake built on the site of a former steelworks, opened in 2011. The 24-hectare lake is surrounded by a 3-kilometre walking and cycling path. It is popular with locals for jogging, picnicking, and paddleboarding in summer. The southern shore has upscale apartments and restaurants with lake-view terraces. The northern shore has a more natural landscape with wildflower meadows. Swimming is not permitted but there is a small beach area for sunbathing. The lake is in the Horde district, a 10-minute S-Bahn ride from Dortmund Hbf to Dortmund Horde station, then a 15-minute walk. It is free to visit. For detailed information, see our where to stay in Dortmund.
Rombergpark
Rombergpark is a 65-hectare botanical garden and arboretum in the south of Dortmund, free to enter year-round. It has over 4,500 plant species, four greenhouses with tropical and subtropical collections, and extensive woodland walking paths. The park is particularly beautiful in late April when the rhododendrons and azaleas bloom, and in October for autumn foliage. The greenhouses are open daily from 8:00 until dusk. It is a 20-minute walk from Dortmund Horde station or reachable by bus 440 to Rombergpark stop. A cafe near the main entrance serves coffee and cakes. For detailed information, see our Dortmund travel tips.
Things to Do in Dortmund: Museums and Culture
Dortmund U-Tower (Museum Ostwall)
The Dortmund U-Tower is the city’s most recognisable landmark, a former brewery building converted into a centre for art and creativity. The Museum Ostwall inside focuses on 20th and 21st-century art, including works by Fluxus artists and a strong collection of expressionist and modern pieces. Entry is 5 euros for the permanent collection, 9 euros for special exhibitions. The tower is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00 (until 20:00 on Thursdays). The panoramic terrace on the 6th floor is free to access and offers views over the city. The U-Tower is a 10-minute walk from the main train station, immediately visible on the skyline. For the complete overview, see our Dortmund travel guide.
LWL Industrial Museum Zollern Colliery
Located about 7 km west of Dortmund city centre in the Bovinghausen district, the Zollern Colliery (Zeche Zollern) is one of Germany’s best-preserved coal mining sites. The centrepiece is a stunning Art Nouveau machine hall built in 1902, nicknamed the “Cathedral of Labour.” Entry costs 5 euros for adults. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Exhibits cover the history of coal mining in the Ruhr region, the daily lives of miners, and the industrial architecture of the early 20th century. Reach it by taking the S-Bahn S2 to Dortmund Bovinghausen station, then walking 15 minutes. Budget 2 hours for a visit.
Museum of Art and Cultural History (MKK)
The MKK is Dortmund’s oldest museum, housed in a 1920s-era building on Hansastrasse. It covers Dortmund’s city history from the Middle Ages through the industrial era to the present, alongside a collection of paintings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Entry is 5 euros for adults, free for under-18s. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. The museum is a 5-minute walk from the main train station.
Things to Do in Dortmund: Historic Landmarks
Reinoldikirche (St. Reinold’s Church)
St. Reinold’s Church is Dortmund’s oldest surviving building, dating from the 13th century. Located on the main shopping street (Westenhellweg), its 104-metre tower defines the city skyline. The church is free to enter and open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Inside, you will find a late Romanesque nave, a Gothic choir, and a 17th-century altarpiece. Climbing the tower is possible on select days in summer for a small fee (around 2 euros). The church was rebuilt after heavy damage in World War II and serves as a symbol of the city’s resilience.
Hohensyburg
Hohensyburg is a ruined castle and monument complex perched on a hill 12 km south of Dortmund city centre, overlooking the Ruhr valley and the Hengsteysee reservoir. The site includes the ruins of the 12th-century Syburg castle, a Kaiser Wilhelm monument from 1902, and a small 8th-century church. It is a popular spot for panoramic views and sunsets. The area is free to access. Reach it by taking bus 442 from Dortmund Horde station to the Syburg stop, then walking 10 minutes uphill. There is a beer garden at the base of the hill during summer months.
Alter Markt
Alter Markt is Dortmund’s historic market square, dating back to the 12th century. The square is surrounded by reconstructed post-war buildings and features the city’s landmark Adler fountain (Adlerbrunnen) with a bronze eagle sculpture. It hosts the central hub of the Dortmund Christmas Market and a weekly farmers’ market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Several traditional pubs and restaurants line the square. The Reinoldikirche is a 2-minute walk away.
