Dortmund Car Hire

Guide to Dortmund

Geography

Dortmund is the administrative, commercial and cultural centre of the eastern Ruhr region, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the third most populous city after Cologne and Düsseldorf and serves as Westphalia's capital. The city sits on the Rhine's tributary rivers, the Emscher and Ruhr.

Climate in Dortmund

Summers in Dortmund are generally pleasant, sunny, and warm. But winters are long, bitterly cold, with intense wind chill. Throughout the year, the temperature rarely falls below -5°C or climbs over 29°C.

Culture

During the 13th and 14th centuries, Dortmund was the "chief city" of Westphalia on the Rhine. During the Thirty Years' War, the city lost much of its importance. However, as industrialization progressed, Dortmund became one of Germany's major coal, steel, and beer centres. During WWII, it was extensively bombarded, resulting in the demise of its century-old steel and coal industries. Today, it has switched to high-tech biomedical businesses, microsystems technologies, and services.

Things to do in Dortmund

Stroll around the Alter Markt and Altes Stadthaus

The Alter Markt, or Old Market, is a major attraction in Dortmund's Old Town. In the 12th century, local merchants and traders used to set up shops in this vast pedestrian-friendly area to sell their items. It's still a popular shopping district today, with a slew of stores, boutiques, and galleries to choose from, in addition to a variety of cafés and eateries. The Old Civic Hall, or Altes Stadthaus, a beautiful building constructed in 1899, and the square's old fountain, erected in 1901 as a drinking trough for animals, are historical attractions. Architecturally, it's a Renaissance Revival structure. The office building was reconstructed in a more streamlined shape after World War II, when it had been badly damaged. The big eagle emblematic of Dortmund adorns the building's facade. Berswordt Hall, the Town Hall, is another interesting historic structure in the area.

Explore the German Football Museum

The German Football Museum is a must-see attraction for football fans visiting Dortmund. World Cup money was put into building this museum, which opened in 2015 and is now open to the public. The museum serves as a repository for knowledge on German football and the 'Mannschaft,' the country's national squad. Aside from its entertainment appeal, the sports exhibits showcase the sport's economic, cultural, and social relevance to the public. They look at how historical events like National Socialism and the Communist Regime both occurred in Europe during that time period (the 1930s and 1940s) and how that affected the game (the GDR). Legendary players like Franz Beckenbauer and the ball used in Germany's first World Cup victory in 1954 can be found in books and on exhibits. Trophies from the World Cup and the European Championships are on display, along with other memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and games. It's possible to hold a friendly game in a modest indoor stadium.

Relax in Westfalenpark

The 175-acre Westfalenpark is a lush green haven with a slew of activities. Three thousand different varieties of roses can be found in the German Rosarium — the world's third-largest collection. Festivals such as techno Juicy Beats in the summer and Lichterfest (Festival of Light) with a spectacular fireworks display in the winter are held in the park on an annual basis as well. On Sundays, a chair lift connects the 500-meter-distant 'Mountain' and 'Valley' stations, which were first erected in 1959. Additionally, there's a toy train, an aviary, and a pond with rowboat rentals. Another well-known landmark is the TV Tower, locally referred to as the Florianturm. Its observation platform, which rises to a height of 212 metres, provides sweeping views of the entire Westfalenpark. A picnic in the park is the perfect way to spend quality time with family and friends.

Pay a visit to the Zollern Colliery

Former industrial facilities like the Zollern Colliery are now part of the Westphalian State Museum of Industrial Heritage. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Paul Knobble built the colliery, which is known for its stunning red brick façade. This stained glass window with blue and green panels was designed by Berlin Jugendstil architect Bruno Mohring in 1904 and built to enclose the central machine hall. It's one of the most stunning Art Nouveau entrances in all of Germany. The exhibition at the now-defunct colliery explores the social and cultural history of the Ruhr region. The machine rooms' steam-era conveyors, converters, and compressors date back over a century. Explore the coal mine’s underground labyrinths to get a feel for the gruelling circumstances of mining down there today. It is Germany's first technical building, and tours are available in both German and English.

Discover the stunning Hohensyburg

It is an ancient castle complex about 12 kilometres south of Dortmund, sitting on a wooded cliff above the Ruhr valley and dating back to an 8th-century fortress called Syburg. A massive keep, dwelling chambers, and parts of an old wall are among the castle ruins that may still be seen today. The war memorial, erected in 1930 to honour the WWI dead, is a relatively modern addition. The Lords of Sieberg's Hohensyburg fortress complex was built on the site of a Saxon refuge that had been seized by the Franks under Charlemagne in 775. The wall ring and the walls that surround the courtyard complex, as well as the two keeps, are all still visible. A war memorial designed by Fritz Bagdons may be found inside the castle. There are several other attractions on the hill in addition to the Vincketurm, a 26-meter tower that offers panoramic views, and the Kaiser-Wilhelm Memorial, which was constructed in 1902. A dam was built in 1928 to create the artificial lake that lies below the Hengsteysee.

Eating out in Dortmund

Dortmund's traditional cuisine is simple and hearty, including dishes such as Westphalian Grunkohl - ham and cabbage soup – and Pfepotthast, a peppered beef and onion stew. International food is well-represented as well, with a broad selection to suit all palates and budgets. Some of our top picks are as follows:

Brauhaus Wenkers is a fun restaurant and pub with a nice outdoor patio in the summer. Local German specialities include bratwurst with sauerkraut and roasted pig with coleslaw. If you enjoy Mexican food, Sausalitos is the place to be. The menu includes some unique foods such as queso y tomato quesadillas, classic chilli, and a variety of mojitos. Zum Alten Markt offers a 400-year-old interior design. Their freshwater fish, which includes salmon, speckled trout, and catfish, is well-known for its exceptional quality.

Dortmund Transportation

Airport

Dortmund Airport (DTM) is a tiny international airport serving Dortmund and the eastern Rhine-Ruhr region. It is primarily used for low-cost and leisure charter flights.

Getting around Dortmund

Dortmund has a well-developed public transportation system, consisting of buses, streetcars, or trams (the S-Bahn), the metro or city train (the U-Bahn), and the monorail (H-Bahn). The DSW21 is primarily in charge of Dortmund's bus and train services. Tickets can be purchased through kiosks, shops, travel agencies, and lottery outlets. You can also easily move around the city centre on foot or using their popular bike-sharing schemes.

Many visitors also opt to hire a vehicle to get around Dortmund and its charming countryside with ease and flexibility. Some of the most reliable car hire agencies found in Dortmund include Enterprise and Europcar.