Dortmund is a must-see for football fans and beer lovers, with stadiums and museums dedicated to these two famous arts, and the requisite beer gardens for pre- and post-game fun. It’s also got a lovely old town, a superlative Christmas market with the world’s tallest tree, and it’s a great place to start your visit to other nearby German charms such as Köln (Cologne), Düsseldorf or Münster.
Fly to Dortmund, Germany for
Dortmund is home to Borussia (BVB), one of the most successful teams in the Bundesliga, and it’s got museums dedicated to the team and the sport. It’s also known for DAB beer and a brewery museum to match. In winter, add glühwein to the mix as you stroll the wooden stalls of the Christmas market, or take a train to more sports history, beer gardens and old-town charms in nearby towns.
The story of football, beer and more
Catch football fever in Dortmund, home to Bundesliga team BVB and the Deutsches Fussball Museum, or German Football Museum, which opened in 2015. The museum is an emotional, multimedia trip through the history of the world’s most popular sport. A tour of Dortmund stadium, BVB’s home ground, is also a must, complete with the Borusseum museum of the club’s history. Beer is the other passion in Dortmund, with DAB brewery and (surprise, surprise) the Brauerei Museum drawing visitors from near and far. The latter, in the production halls of the former Hansa Brewery, features a beer truck from 1922 and bottling machines from the ‘50s for a walk through commercial brewing history. Speaking of history, visit the Altermarkt old town square, peek into the Marienkirche, with altars that date from 1385 and 1420 and are lucky to have survived the war. Nearby St Reinoldi dates from 1280. By those standards, the red sandstone Altes Stadthaus isn’t old at all – it’s a Renaissance Revival masterpiece from 1899. Visit Dortmund in December for its Christmas Market, which claims the tallest Christmas tree in the world (45 metres!) with 48,000 lights, surrounded by 300 wooden stands selling toys and gifts, glühwein and baked goodies. Dortmund can also be your base for visiting Köln (Cologne), Düsseldorf or Münster, each an hour away by train.
Hearty local dishes and beers
For classic German fare (think wurst, schnitzel, pork knuckle) in a classic old town setting, Wenkers am Markt has been serving the city since 1430, or relax into Zum Alten Markt for enormous portions of hearty Westphalian specialities. For succulent steaks in a stunning setting of leather seats and stained-glass windows, head to Pfefferkorn, or stroll to Der Schneider for more upscale versions of local dishes. Dortmund has plenty of other options, such as Nhy Star for Vietnamese, Emilio for Italian or Miss Mai for Chinese (try its dumplings!) Naturally the brewing capital has plenty of beer gardens and brewpubs for your quaffing pleasure. Hövels Hausbrauerei is perhaps the most classic, with timbered ceilings, wooden bar and colourful tiles to accompany your beer and schnitzel. Strobels is your choice for pre- or post-match beers in a true garden setting near the stadium. For something a little out of the ordinary, visit the beer garden at Schloss Rodenberg, a moated castle dating from the 13th century.
Brew up some fun
Thier-Galerie is a glass shopping centre with winding ‘streets’ in the heart of the city. Or visit Dortmund U, a massive former brewery that now houses an excellent art museum, café and restaurant, and is surrounded by small shops and streets. Head to the top for the view! Nightlife in Dortmund is focused on brewpubs and beer gardens, so feel free to hop from one to the other. If you like, move on to Tanzcafe Oma Doris and Village Disko for DJs and dancing.
More sports and beer
Take a train to Cologne, or Köln, to see one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring cathedrals or take a scented tour through the history of eau de cologne. If you’ve chosen Dortmund for football and beer, follow your passion to Cologne’s Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum and its beer gardens dedicated to the local brew, a hoppy ale called Kölsch. Or choose a day trip to Düsseldorf, which has a charming old town, avant-garde harbour area and a vibrant art scene. To the north, Münster is another old town with a massive cathedral, but it stays young with a hive of students and the accompanying bike-based culture and pub and club scene.
Dortmund airport
Dortmund Airport is just 10 kilometres from the city by AirportExpress bus. Airport Shuttle buses run to and from nearby regional train line stations for travel into Dortmund or points beyond. Taxis and rental cars are also available. As for shopping and dining, there’s a duty free shop, a restaurant, specialty coffee shop and delis.
Dortmund weather
Dortmund has mild summers and cold-but-not-freezing winters. It’s windy as well in winter, so choose other seasons unless you want to experience Dortmund’s unforgettable Christmas market. Average temperatures range from 2°C in January to 18°C in July and August.
FAQs for booking flights to Dortmund
How to get cheap flights to to Dortmund?
Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Dortmund flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.
When is the best time to visit Dortmund?
Dortmund has rather gentle summers and cold, windy winters. The best time for visiting is during the spring and summer seasons from April to September. This time of year, the weather is pleasantly mild (temperatures range between 15°C and 25°C), which is perfect for experiencing outdoor festivals and cultural events. April is also highly recommended - spring is a beautiful time to visit the most popular attractions, such as Westfalen park, Dortmund U-Tower Museum, and the German Football Museum, without the crowds.
How to get from Dortmund Airport to Dortmund Hbf?
There are a few ways of getting to Dortmund Hbf from Dortmund Airport. The Airport express bus guarantees a direct link to the city centre, which is just 10 kilometres away; the trip takes 22 minutes. That is the best bet for most travellers. Other ways to reach the station are by catching a regional train line connecting from nearby stations, which will take 41 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi, and the drive will take 17 minutes. You could rent a car or take a town car service for the same length of time it takes to get a taxi. The most convenient and economical way, however, is by bus. The fastest is by taxi.
How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Dortmund flight?
As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Dortmund flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.
