tourism in north rhine westphalia

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North Rhine-Westphalia – a year-round destination

Ludwig van Beethoven, Heinrich Heine and Joseph Beuys – the region of Germany with the biggest population has produced many influential artists and is considered to be one of Europe's main cultural regions. Countless museums, theatres, orchestras, concert halls, musicals and events attract several million visitors every year. The biggest cultural attractions include five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Cologne Cathedral, Aachen Cathedral, the Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust in Brühl, the Princely Abbey of Corvey and the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen. Cologne's signature landmark is actually the most visited attraction in the whole of Germany.

North Rhine-Westphalia is an ideal destination for active holidaymakers. Around 14,000 kilometres of cycle paths pass through vast parks and wetlands and take in castles, palaces and impressive industrial monuments along the way. A whole host of certified routes awaits hikers, who may have heard of the picturesque Rothaarsteig trail across the highlands. But North-Rhine Westphalia has plenty to offer on the water as well as on land. 1,500 kilometres of rivers and 200 lakes are perfect for canoeing and rowing, whilst the 78 reservoirs are excellent spots for leisure and recreational activities .

On top of the remarkable cultural scene and sporting activities in the area, North-Rhine Westphalia is also home to traditional events, such as carnival and the Kirmes fair . Shopaholics are bound to be in their element here too. Especially if they plan a trip to one of the two biggest city-centre shopping centres in Europe: CentrO in Oberhausen and Limbecker Platz in Essen.

And once they're all shopped out, it'll be time for a spot of relaxation in the many health resorts and spas in the area. Modern thermal baths, saline and mud baths and wellness cycling are all excellent ways to recharge those batteries.

Foodies will feel right at home in North Rhine-Westphalia too, with more than 40 Michelin-starred restaurants to take their pick from. And there are plenty of local specialities to try, including Aachen's Printen gingerbread and Westphalian ham... yum!

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Car museums: fascination with steel and chrome, amusement parks, to your own taste, nightlife cities: paradise for night owls, creative and refreshing: the 'workation' travel trend, children are welcome: where the little ones take the main stage, experience nature and national parks as completely accessible, explore the surroundings.

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Cologne & Northern Rhineland

Cologne's iconic Dom has twin towers that might as well be exclamation marks after the word 'welcome'. Flowing behind the cathedral, the Rhine provides a vital link for some of the region's highlights – Düsseldorf, with its great nightlife, architecture and shopping; and Bonn, the former capital, which hums to Beethoven. Away from the river, Aachen still echoes to the beat of the Holy Roman Empire and Charlemagne.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Cologne’s geographical and spiritual heart – and its single-biggest tourist draw – is the magnificent Kölner Dom. With its soaring twin spires, this is…

Aachener Dom

It’s impossible to overestimate the significance of Aachen’s magnificent cathedral. The burial place of Charlemagne, it’s where more than 30 German kings…

Abteikirche Maria Laach

Serenely tucked within beautiful Eifel countryside, Abteikirche Maria Laach is one of the finest examples of a Romanesque church in Germany. Part of a 900…

Ruhr Museum

The Ruhrgebiet

The former coal-wash plant at the Unesco-listed Zeche Zollverein provides a suitably atmospheric setting for accessible and engaging exhibits on the…

Zeche Zollverein

A key site along the Ruhr area's Industrial Heritage Trail, the former Zollverein coal mine was a marvel of efficiency while in operation from 1932 until…

Archäologischer Park

The Roman Colonia Ulpia Traiana has been reborn as an archaeological park, an open-air museum that features faithfully reconstructed buildings to help…

Felix Nussbaum Haus

Osnabrück-born Jewish painter Felix Nussbaum (1904–44), who emigrated to Belgium and was murdered at Auschwitz, hauntingly documented life, exile,…

Römisch-Germanisches Museum

Sculptures and ruins displayed outside the entrance are merely the overture to a full symphony of Roman artefacts found along the Rhine. Highlights…

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Art and Culture

Sep 28, 2021 • 6 min read

North Rhine-Westphalia is morphing into a destination ideally suited for digital nomads and international mobile creatives to live, work, learn, and play.

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The Best Things to do in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany has it all: captivating landscapes, fascinating historical monuments, beautiful churches and fairytale castles. We cherry-picked the best of the best attractions and compiled present to you the best things to do in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Visit cologne cathedral.

Cologne Cathedral might be the most impressive landmark in the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The masterpiece of Gothic architecture miraculously survived World War II, which turned much of the city to rubble, and was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996. The twin spirals soar into the sky and overlook the city centre, with the cobbled streets of the old town, the central station and the main shopping promenade. And while the façade is quite impressive, much of the fascinating details await inside, including the Shrine of the Three Wise Men, the treasury, and beautiful stained glass windows.

Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany

Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was the first Emperor of the Roman Empire and chose Aachen as his seat in 800 AD. Today, you can follow a self-guided tour around the city to explore how the ruler has shaped Aachen, both the city and the entire region. The tour passes many of the city’s architectural and historical highlights, from the jaw-dropping Aachen Cathedral and several museums to historical buildings, the Gothic Town Hall and more. Themed stations along the way revolve around different aspects of life, such as history, science, religion and power.

Centre Charlemagne, Katschhof 1, Aachen, Germany

Step into a fairytale at Drachenburg Castle

Drachenburg Castle, or Dragon Castle , near Bonn does look like it’s straight out of a fairytale, but no kings or queens have ever lived here. The dreamy building was constructed as a private mansion in the late 19th century, but the baron never moved in and it was used as a Catholic school and a Nazi elite college before World War II bomb raids damaged it heavily. Luckily, a private investor jumped to help preserve the castle for future generations and converted it into one of the region’s most popular tourist attractions.

Schloss Drachenburg, Drachenfelsstraße 118, Königswinter, Germany

Learn about the region’s industrial heritage

The otherwise unimposing town of Essen is home to what is known as the world’s most beautiful coal mine – former coal mine we should say. The Ruhr region north of Dusseldorf was once the coal producer in Germany, and the Zeche Zollverein XII stands as a witness of that time. After 140 years in operation, the mine was decommissioned in 1993 and the industrial complex was listed as a UNESCO site and converted into a museum and event space.

Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, Gelsenkirchener Straße 181, Essen, Germany

Explore Benrath Palace

Dusseldorf’s pompous mansion dates back to 1755, when it functioned as the residence for the widowed Electress Palatine Elisabeth Auguste . The complex of the Maison de Plaisance, hunting lodge and the vast parks and gardens, is an architectural masterpiece of Baroque and Rococo elements. Guided tours take you around the overwhelming rooms, including the vestibule and the main hall. And if all this pomp and splendour leaves you envious, you can add a detour to Germany’s poshest boulevard, the city-center Königsallee, for a shopping spree afterwards.

Schloss Benrath, Benrather Schloßallee 100-108, Düsseldorf, Germany

Go wine tasting in the Ahrtal

When the Romans established their strongholds along the Rhine River, they brought wine with them, and to this day vines clad the rolling hill of the Ahr Valley . Summer weekends see people from all across the region come to the major hubs of Ahrweiler and Bad-Neuenahr to explore the surrounding vineyards. The area is traversed by scenic hiking trails, dotted with medieval monasteries and ruins, and vineyards that produce award-winning red wines. Many of them offer cellar tours, overnight stays and wine tastings, which make for an ideal stop if you’re crossing through North Rhine-Westphalia.

Ahr Valley, Ahrweiler, Germany

Marvel at surreal rock formations

In the midst of the Teutoburg Forest, the so-called Externsteine juts out and up from the surrounding trees. This bizarre rock formation ranks among the most renowned natural monuments in Germany and draws more than half a million people to the nature reserve each year. The mystical implications and sagas revolving around the rocks also caught the attention of the Nazis, who used the site for their Third Reich propaganda. Today, people are interested in the jagged sandstones from a geological point of view and spend their pastime exploring the walking trails of the area.

Externsteine, Horn-Bad Meinberg, Germany

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Elisabeth and Alain Wilbois

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With its population of around eighteen million actually exceeding that of the neighbouring Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen) is by far Germany’s most populous Land, though it’s by no means the biggest geographically. As the name suggests, it’s an artificial construction, cobbled together by the occupying British after World War II from the Prussian provinces of the Rhineland and Westphalia. Perhaps that explains why, for all its size and economic clout, it lacks the sort of breast-beating regional patriotism found in Bavaria. Instead, loyalties tend to be more local: to the city – particularly in the Land’s great metropolis, Cologne – or to the region, as in the Ruhrgebiet, which straddles the historic boundary between Rhineland and Westphalia.

On the trail of the Ruhr’s Industrial Heritage

The lower rhine, the sauerland, the siebengebirge.

Occupied at various times by the French and British and with Charlemagne’s capital, Aachen , at its western tip, North Rhine-Westphalia is an outward-looking, European-minded place. Several of its cities have played a decisive role in European history: in the north, the handsome cathedral city of Münster was the scene for the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia which ended the Thirty Years’ War, while in the south the university city of Bonn – birthplace of Beethoven – strutted the world stage more recently as capital of West Germany during the Cold War. Though it lacks the alpine drama of Germany’s south, North Rhine-Westphalia has its share of scenic beauty, along the mighty Rhine, in the charming Siebengebirge and in the wooded, peaceful Sauerland .

Urban attractions are nevertheless to the fore, particularly in thriving, multicultural Cologne and chi-chi Düsseldorf , its near-neighbour, rival and the Land’s capital. The increasingly postindustrial cities of the Ruhr conurbation – such as Duisburg , Essen and Dortmund – also have their charms, not least in their inventive reworking of their rich industrial heritage. Further afield, the ham-and-pumpernickel wholesomeness of the smaller Westphalian towns like Soest , Paderborn , Detmold and Lemgo couldn’t be less like the Ruhr, while along the Lower Rhine – around Kalkar and Xanten – the proximity of the Netherlands makes itself felt in place names, architecture and landscape.

Getting into and around the region is easy. Three major airports – at Cologne-Bonn, Düsseldorf and Dortmund – are well-connected internationally, while there’s a dense web of public transport links, with the core of the region well-served by rail, U-Bahn and bus. This is also one of the easiest parts of Germany to explore by bicycle, with well-equipped Radstations at many train stations and well-signposted cycle paths along which to explore the countryside.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Germany, created by local experts

9 days  / from 2221 USD

A self drive exploration of UNESCO Sites in Southern Germany

Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites across different German states. This self drive trip allows you to design your own days with recommendations stated for each day.

7 days  / from 2851 USD

Explore Berlin and Potsdam in depth

The German capital Berlin has plenty to offer: from historical sites to world-class museums and a vibrant nightlife. Enjoy this private tour to explore a wide range of activities in Berlin and Potsdam, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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Explore Northern Germany on Your Own

From Bremen to Stralsund - Northern Germany offers plenty of gems to explore. With well-developed public transportation links, this itinerary is suited for everyone wanting to explore on their own - getting lost on the cobble-stoned streets of many UNESCO World Heritage Highlights.

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Few places can claim such proudly European credentials as AACHEN (known as Aix-la-Chapelle in French, Aken to the Dutch). Its hot thermal springs were known to the Celts and Romans, but it wasn’t until Charlemagne took up residence in 768 AD that the city briefly took centre stage as the capital of his vast Frankish empire. At its height, this encompassed much of what would form – more than a millennium later – the original core of the European Union. But it didn’t long survive his death, and nor did Aachen’s political importance, though for six centuries afterwards the city remained the place where German emperors were crowned. Charlemagne’s chief legacy is the magnificent domed court chapel – now the city’s cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – that is still the most splendid thing in the city.

During World War II, Aachen was the first German city in the west to fall to Allied invasion, after a six-week battle in the autumn of 1944 that laid waste to much of it. However, the cathedral escaped destruction and the heart of the city, at least, retains a pleasing sense of history. These days, Germany’s most westerly city is a lively, medium-sized place, its municipal boundary forming the international frontier at the point where Belgium and the Netherlands meet, creating an easy-going and cosmopolitan feel, with the student population supporting a vibrant nightlife scene and the spa bringing in a steady stream of more genteel visitors.

Though its slightly eccentric exterior hints at the building’s unique riches, the dark, Byzantine interior of Aachen’s Dom nevertheless comes as a surprise. As you enter the cathedral through the massive, twelve-hundred-year-old bronze doors you’re immediately presented with its great glory, the octagonal palace chapel built for Charlemagne and inspired by the churches of San Vitale in Ravenna and Little Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. It was the first domed church north of the Alps and though it was the work of Otto von Metz, Charlemagne himself contributed his own ideas to the design. If you can, take the guided tour as much of the interior is off limits for casual visitors and you’ll only gain the most superficial impressions without it. In particular, it’s only on the tour that you’ll see the modest marble Imperial Throne in the upper gallery which was used for coronations for six centuries, from Otto I in 936 to Ferdinand I in 1531. At the time of writing, ongoing restoration work meant parts of the octagon were obscured from view.

The vast twelfth-century gilded Barbarossa chandelier , which hangs low in the centre of the octagon, catches the eye, along with the nineteenth-century mosaics inside the dome high above; but the octagon’s marble pillars are altogether more ancient, having been brought to Aachen from Rome and Ravenna with the permission of Pope Hadrian I. So prized are they that French troops hauled 28 of them off to Paris in 1815, where four can still be seen in the Louvre. As the burial place of Charlemagne and a place of pilgrimage, the cathedral was embellished over the centuries with various chapels, and in the fourteenth century a soaring, light-filled Gothic choir – the so-called “Glass House of Aachen” – was added to ease the crush of visiting pilgrims. It houses the gilded thirteenth-century shrine that contains Charlemagne’s remains. The choir’s original stained glass was destroyed by hail in 1729; the present windows are post-1945, and replaced glass destroyed during World War II.

The placid university town of BONN was “provisional” capital of West Germany for fifty years, from 1949 until the Bundestag and many government departments began relocating to Berlin in 1999. Bonn was dubbed “Federal Capital Village” for the sheer improbability of its choice as capital; likelier candidates included Frankfurt, which even built a parliament building to fulfil its anticipated role. But Bonn prevailed, and it was changed by the experience, so that by the time the federal government moved to Berlin it was no longer quite the “small town in Germany” of John Le Carré’s Cold War spy story. The two houses of the German parliament may no longer reside here, but several ministries do, along with the United Nations and the headquarters of Deutsche Telekom, T Mobile and Deutsche Post.

Bonn’s pleasant, traffic-free Altstadt benefits from its associations with Ludwig van Beethoven, who was born here, while the setting – at the beginning of a particularly scenic stretch of the Rhine – is a delight, and easily explored on foot, but the modern city stretches far along the Rhine. Sandwiched between the city proper and its spa-town suburb of Bad Godesberg is the old government quarter, the Bundesviertel , and its strip of modern museums along the so-called Museumsmeile , planned before the Berlin Wall fell but which, in the event, proved to be a generous goodbye present to the city. Facing Bonn across the Rhine are the inviting, wooded hills of the Siebengebirge – a hugely popular destination for walkers and day-trippers alike, right on Bonn’s doorstep.

The Museumsmeile

From the Hofgarten, a boulevard named for three of Germany’s political giants leads south through the Bundesviertel or former government district. It begins as Adenauer Allee, continues as Willy-Brandt-Allee and then becomes Friedrich-Ebert-Allee, named after the Weimar-era socialist who was Germany’s first democratic president.

The western side of this avenue constitutes the Museumsmeile , an impressive strip of museums that ensures Bonn’s heavy-hitter status among Germany’s cultural centres.

Museum Koenig

The first museum on Museumsmeille is the Museum Koenig , a stately sandstone pile that was the venue for the first elected postwar national assembly on September 1, 1948. The museum’s zoological exhibits have been given a child-friendly makeover, though the lack of English labelling limits its rainy-day appeal slightly – pick up the English-language leaflet at the entrance. Displays are grouped by habitat and include African savanna, rainforest and the Arctic; the Vivarium in the basement has live lizards, snakes and fish, as well as the Zwergmaus – a particularly tiny rodent.

Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

A little way to the south of Museum Koenig, the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland charts the history of the Federal Republic of Germany in a lively and entertaining way; as you leave the U-Bahn the first thing you see is the luxurious railway carriage used by chancellors Konrad Adenauer and Ludwig Erhard but originally built for Nazi bigwig, Hermann Göring. Rubble marks the start of the story in 1945, with grim footage of concentration camps and of destroyed German cities; it continues through the beginnings of democratic politics and of artistic rebirth to the 1950s Wirtschaftswunder – the “economic miracle” – the Cold War and division of Germany, and moves finally to the period post-1989.

A recent revamp to the exhibition has put the years of division in stronger focus, with an examination of the way both halves of Germany were bound into opposing ideological camps. Along with the political developments post-1989, recent German history is also examined in the light of globalization, the life of migrant groups and the increasing deployment of German forces overseas. It’s not all dry politics by any means: along the way, fun exhibits like the 1950s-style ice -cream parlour lighten the mood. Labelling is now in English as well as German.

Kunstmuseum Bonn

The most architecturally refined of the area’s museums is the Kunstmuseum Bonn , whose starkly beautiful modernist interior provides a fitting home for its collection of works by August Macke and the Rhine Expressionists. Macke, who was born in 1887 and killed in action in France in 1914, grew up in Bonn but was no mere “regional” artist, as his gorgeous, colour-filled canvases demonstrate: poignantly, the most confident are the 1914 Tightrope Walker and Turkish Café . The museum has a substantial collection of post-1945 German art, with works by heavyweights including Gerhard Richter, Georg Baselitz and Joseph Beuys; a recent re-hang has given stronger emphasis to photography, video installation and film.

Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

The Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland next door to the Kunstmuseum provides a venue for large-scale touring art exhibitions and is big enough to host several simultaneously. Don’t miss the striking roof garden, dominated by three ceramic-clad light spires.

Deutsches Museum Bonn

The Deutsches Museum Bonn is a resolutely contemporary museum of science and technology whose themed displays allow you to find out how a car airbag works, learn about medical research and see various Nobel Prize-winning discoveries. There’s also a Transrapid hoverrail train.

The industrial southern fringes of Cologne seem an unlikely setting for an outburst of fantasy, frivolity and surrealism, yet all are on display in copious quantities in the otherwise unassuming commuter-belt town of BRÜHL , home to one of Germany’s most magnificent palaces and one of Europe’s best theme-parks, as well as a museum devoted to the Dadaist artist, Max Ernst.

Schloss Augustusburg

It was in 1725 that the elector and archbishop of Cologne, Clemens August, first commissioned a new palace on the ruins of a medieval moated palace, but the results – by Westphalian builder Johann Conrad Schlaun – were judged insufficiently fabulous for a member of the Wittelsbach dynasty, and so the Bavarian court architect François de Cuvilliés was commissioned to vamp things up. The result is Schloss Augustusburg , a Rococo Xanadu of extraordinary panache that is one of Germany’s most magnificent palaces and, since 1984, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Treppenhaus

The moment you see the breathtakingly lavish, ceremonial Treppenhaus (staircase) by Balthasar Neumann with its frothy rocailles and vivid stucco marble effects, you’ll understand why this was Clemens August’s favourite residence, for as you ascend the staircase the sheer exuberance of the design becomes apparent, even as you try to decide precisely how far over the top it all is. Napoleon, who visited in 1804, is said to have remarked that it was a pity the Schloss wasn’t on wheels so he could take it with him. The dizzying reception rooms at the top of the staircase continue in a similar vein.

The gardens and Jagdschloss Falkenlust

The gardens , with their parterres and fountains, offer an outdoor equivalent to the indoor excess. An avenue leads across the park to the little lodge of Jagdschloss Falkenlust (same hours as Schloss) which, though smaller in scale, is similar in spirit, and for which you don’t have to join a tour. Clemens August used it for entertaining and for trysts with his mistresses.

High above DETMOLD on the forested ridge of the Teutoburger Wald 35km north of Paderborn stands a remarkable monument to one of the founding legends of the German nation-state, the Hermannsdenkmal – a solitary, wing-helmeted warrior raising his sword high over the canopy of trees.

The Hermannsdenkmal

The Hermannsdenkmal was the vision of one dogged obsessive, the sculptor Joseph Ernst von Bandel, a bust of whom stands outside the hut he occupied while struggling to complete the 53.46-metre-high monument, begun in 1838 and finally completed with financial support from the Prussian state in 1875. The copper-green warrior commemorates Arminius (or “Hermann”), chieftain of the Cherusci, who united local tribes in 9 AD to annihilate three Roman legions at the battle of Teutoburger Wald and thus struck an early blow for German unity. Though the impetus for Hermann’s construction was blatantly nationalistic, these days he cuts a romantic figure, and there’s no denying the beauty of the views from the platform at his feet.

Perched at the Ruhr’s eastern extremity, DORTMUND is a former free imperial city and Hanseatic League member that grew rich in the Middle Ages from its position on the Hellweg, a major trading route, before declining after the Thirty Years’ War. In the nineteenth century it re-emerged from provincial obscurity thanks to coal, steel and beer: at one point only Milwaukee brewed more. All three industries declined in the late twentieth century and there’s now just one major brewer, the Dortmunder Actien-Brauerei. Information and biotechnology are the economic motors of the “new” Dortmund, which seems to have mastered the transition from heavy industry relatively well; the old Union brewery with its giant illuminated “U” still looms over the city, but nowadays it houses art, not beer, and shares the skyline with a scattering of funky modern office towers. Nevertheless, the surviving medieval street pattern and a scattering of worthwhile sights ensure that Dortmund preserves a sense of its long history.

Straddling the Rhine at the point where the Ruhr empties into it, DUISBURG is the Ruhrgebiet’s westernmost city and, with a population of half a million, its third largest. Surviving medieval defences point to a long history, but it was the Ruhr’s nineteenth-century industrialization that transformed it into a major city, the largest inland port in Europe and a centre for steel, coal and engineering. From the mid-1960s onwards the heavy industries declined, but Duisburg has faced its challenges with imagination, hiring British architect Norman Foster to oversee its physical transformation, and though it’s no great beauty the city’s engrossing galleries, reworked industrial landscapes and funky, revitalized docks ensure it’s worth at least a brief stopover.

The Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord

In the north of the city is Duisburg’s most original attraction, the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord , until 1985 a giant steelworks belonging to the Thyssen group. Since its decommissioning, nature has reclaimed large parts of the two-square-kilometre site, with rose gardens planted in former ore hoppers and trees growing up and through rusty blast furnaces, one of which can be climbed for a vertigo-inducing – though perfectly safe – closer look. The atmosphere is eerie, almost post-apocalyptic, yet it works, both as a park and as an awe-inspiring piece of industrial archeology. It’s also a clubbing venue and activity centre, with alpine climbing gardens and Europe’s largest artificial diving centre housed in a flooded gasometer. At weekends a stunning light installation turns it into pure science-fiction after dark.

The reinvention of the Ruhr

A tough working-class cop with a complex personal history and a fondness for drink sounds like an unlikely rescuer for a depressed industrial region. Yet when Duisburg Kriminalhauptkommissar Horst Schimanski burst into German homes in the television series Tatort in 1981, initial outrage at his unorthodox methods quickly turned not just into adulation, but also to a resurgence of interest in the Ruhr’s history and identity. Played by Götz George as a soft-centred macho with a combat jacket and huge moustache, Schimi’s rise to cult status was greatly aided by the show’s use of gritty Ruhr locations, and is credited with having rallied the region’s morale, badly battered by the decline of its coal and steel industries from the 1960s onwards. Gradually the idea arose that the Ruhrgebiet – or Ruhrpott as it’s affectionately known by its inhabitants – could be cool too.

Germany’s largest urban area, the Ruhrgebiet consists of a string of interlinked towns and cities stretching east of the Rhine along the often surprisingly green valley of the Ruhr. It straddles the historic boundary between Rhineland and Westphalia and the confessional divide – Dortmund was traditionally Protestant, Essen Catholic. The Ruhr’s cities nevertheless have a shared history of sleepy provincialism abruptly transformed by coal and steel in the nineteenth century. It is an important footballing region , with teams like Gelsenkirchen’s Schalke and Borussia Dortmund numbered among the nation’s most successful. In recent years the Ruhr has also burnished its cultural credentials. Rather than demolish and forget its redundant steelworks and mines, the Ruhr reinvented them as design centres, art galleries or museums, in the process creating some of the most strikingly original visitor attractions in Europe and providing a memorable setting for the region’s stint as European Capital of Culture in 2010.

The Ruhr’s image became a touch trendier still when it took over as the host for the Love Parade after Berlin tired of hosting the annual techno-fest in 2007; the following year in Dortmund, 1.6 million dance-music fans partied on the Bundesstrasse 1 highway, shattering all previous attendance records. Alas, disaster struck at the 2010 parade in Duisburg, when the crush of visitors at the entrance to the festival site resulted in 21 deaths and the end – after more than twenty years – of the Love Parade itself.

First-time visitors expecting vistas of belching chimneys are likely to be surprised by Essen , for the Ruhr’s “secret capital” is a modern, unashamedly commercial city with a modest forest of office towers and a vast central shopping zone. Though it contests with Dortmund the status of biggest city in the Ruhr, Essen is the one with the unmistakable big-city feel, and it’s this, as much as its central position in the region, that gives it an edge over its rival. It’s an enjoyable place to spend a day or two, with plenty of high culture, a smattering of interesting sights including one UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a lively nightlife scene.

Basic orientation is straightforward: the city centre is immediately north of the Hauptbahnhof, with the main cultural zone to the south; further south still is some of the most enticing eating, drinking and sightseeing, while the gritty north preserves reminders of the city’s industrial greatness.

From comedy to Krupp

For many Germans, Essen ’s best-known son is Heinz Rühmann (1902–94), Germany’s greatest screen comic, whose extraordinary film career spanned the Weimar Republic, Third Reich, Cold War and post-reunification eras and whose best-loved film – the school comedy Die Feuerzangenbowle – still enjoys Rocky Horror -style cult status more than sixty years after it was first shown. For the rest of the world, however, the city’s name is synonymous with that of the Krupp family, the powerful steel-to-armaments dynasty whose rise mirrored the city’s own ascent to industrial greatness during the nineteenth century, and whose commercial genius and questionable political judgement accurately reflect the experience of Germany in the first half of the twentieth century.

Museum Folkwang

The superb Museum Folkwang is reason enough for a visit to Essen. David Chipperfield’s coolly understated modernist extension – which opened in 2010 – has created a series of spacious galleries grouped around serene internal gardens; the new building seamlessly incorporates the old, with separate areas devoted to nineteenth-and twentieth-century art, contemporary art, graphic art and temporary exhibitions.

The collection’s undoubted highlight is the nineteenth- and twentieth-century section, kicking off with the Romantic period and works by Caspar David Friedrich and Karl Friedrich Schinkel before romping through a treasure-trove of French Impressionists and post-Impressionists: paintings include some wonderful late Van Goghs, Cézanne’s Le Carré de Bibémus and Signac’s pointilliste Le Pont des Arts . German Expressionist works include Schmidt-Rottluff’s spiky Leipziger Strasse with Electric Tram from 1914 and the near-abstract Forms at Play by Franz Marc, painted the same year. The roll call of modernist greats continues with works by Braque, Léger, Picasso, Beckmann and Kandinsky; post-1945 highlights include work by Mark Rothko, Yves Klein and Gerhard Richter.

LEMGO , 11km north of Detmold, preserves a beguiling small-town atmosphere that harks back to its Hanseatic League prime, its streets a photogenic blend of Weser Renaissance pomp and picturesque half-timbering. Not everything in the town’s history is as charming as its architecture, however. Converting to Protestantism after the Reformation, from 1583 to 1681 Lemgo was gripped by an anti-witchcraft frenzy that was cynically exploited by politicians – most notoriously by Hermann Cothmann (1629–83), the so-called Hexenbürgermeister or “witch mayor”, who presided over the last, bloodiest, wave of trials. The last woman prosecuted for witchcraft, Maria Rampendahl, survived, but 254 men and women were not so fortunate.

Bicycles rule in studenty MÜNSTER , which, with twice as many bikes as people, is Germany’s most cycle-friendly city. Its history is intertwined with that of its bishopric, the name Münster deriving from the monastery founded at Charlemagne’s behest in 793 AD, while in the twentieth century, Bishop Clemens August von Galen was one of the few prominent clerics to defy Nazi rule. In the Middle Ages Münster was a Hanseatic city; during the Reformation it experienced a brief, bloody tyranny under an extreme Anabaptist sect, but soon returned to the Catholic fold. In 1648, it was the venue for the signature of the Peace of Westphalia; later, during the Napoleonic wars, the city was briefly the capital of the French département of Lippe, before in 1816 becoming capital of Prussian Westphalia.

Built – or rather rebuilt – on a human scale, Münster is easy to explore on foot: defined by the continuous green Promenadenring along the line of the old defences, the Altstadt contains the main sights. Beyond it, you’ll find fresh air and space to picnic around the Aasee lake southwest of the centre, and cool bars and restaurants on the Stadthafen ’s waterside strip. Watch your step though, for those cyclists are not to be messed with.

The Ruhr has experienced the same structural difficulties faced by similar “rust belt” regions elsewhere, but it has risen to the challenge of re-using its redundant industrial sites in a very different way. Instead of bulldozing them, many have been preserved in acknowledgement of the historical significance and tourist potential of these so-called “cathedrals of industry”. Today, a 400km road route and a well-signposted 700km cycle trail form the Route der Industriekultur (Industrial Heritage Trail; route-industriekultur.de) link former steelworks, coal mines and slagheaps to offer a fascinating insight into the technology of heavy industry, with a healthy injection of contemporary culture. Some of the most significant attractions are dealt with in the individual city sections here, but others are listed here. You can rent bikes for €1 per hour from one of the 300 cycle stations scattered across the region – you just have to register free first (metropolradruhr.de).

Religion and power meet at PADERBORN , where Charlemagne discussed his coronation as emperor with Pope Leo III in 799 AD. Its bishopric blossomed in the Middle Ages into a prince-bishopric and in 1929 into an archbishopric. The compact cathedral city remains a strongly religious place, with a theology faculty that traces its roots back to the Jesuit university founded by Prince-Bishop Dietrich von Fürstenberg in 1614. Its religious monuments, combined with its unique geographical location at the source of Germany’s shortest river, make it an engrossing place for a short visit.

Nuns and beer

Paderborn’s cathedral is dedicated to St Liborius, an early Christian bishop from Le Mans whose remains were transferred to the town in 836 AD. The obscure Gallo-Roman cleric is the focal point of the annual nine-day Libori festival in late July, when the golden shrine containing his reliquary is paraded through the streets and the city centre becomes a riotous mix of nuns and beer, attracting a million visitors.

Set in rich farming country fifty minutes by train east of Dortmund, idyllic SOEST was another medieval Hanseatic League member on the Hellweg, with trade links reaching as far as Russia. Cologne’s archbishops founded a Pfalz or residence here around 960–965 AD, and were for centuries the town’s overlords; Soest’s fifteenth-century struggle to be rid of them triggered its decline and by 1500 its glory days were over, leaving an enchanting townscape of half-timbered houses and striking, sage-green sandstone churches whose charm even wartime bombs couldn’t erase. Most of what’s worth seeing is within the surviving medieval defences , a circuit of which makes a pleasant way to spend an hour or two.

North of Duisburg the Rhineland’s heavy industry gives way to a peaceful, agricultural region dotted with small towns, the place names and flat terrain reflecting the proximity of the Dutch border. Under the Holy Roman Empire the Duchy of Cleve counted for something – famously supplying the English king Henry VIII with one of his wives – but these days the region is mainly of interest as an excursion from the Ruhr, with hourly trains from Duisburg making historic Xanten a magnet for day-trippers. Beyond it, placid Kalkar preserves a more low-key charm.

Modest by Alpine standards, the swathe of unspoilt wooded hills known as the Sauerland nevertheless represents a precious taste of the great outdoors for the millions who live in North Rhine-Westphalia’s major cities, as well as attracting holiday-makers from further afield. The region, which strays across the Land boundary into western Hesse, is above all popular for activities, from hiking , mountain biking or Nordic walking in the summer to skiing in the winter, while its artificial lakes – the target of the famous RAF “Dambuster” air raids during World War II – offer a focus for all kinds of water-based activities, from canoeing and fishing to swimming, sailing and windsurfing. If that’s too energetic, you can take a sedate coffee-and-cake excursion aboard a comfortable cruise boat on the Möhnesee ( moehneseeschifffahrt.de ).

Five natural parks together comprise almost three-quarters of the region’s territory, crisscrossed by a number of themed hiking-trails such as the Sauerland-Höhenflug – a high-altitude route that takes in four 800m peaks – and the 240km Waldroute , which links the towns of Iserlohn, Arnsberg and Marsberg to provide a close-up view of the region’s forests and fauna. For mountain-bikers, the 1700km Bike Arena Sauerland is the draw, supported by cyclist-friendly hotels and guesthouses. With so much fresh air and wholesome exercise, it’s perhaps no surprise the Sauerland was the location for the first ever youth hostel – at Altena, southeast of Dortmund. Möhnesee is the closest of the Sauerland lakes to Soest; a bus service – the #R49 – takes around 25 minutes to connect Soest Bahnhof with the lakeside town of Körbecke . For more information, visit the helpful web portal sauerland.com, which is in English as well as German.

Facing Bonn and Bad Godesberg across the Rhine, the extinct volcanic domes of the Siebengebirge are perfect mountains in miniature. None rise higher than 500m, yet the hills are steep-sided and thickly wooded enough to create a plausible impression of alpine ruggedness. Much mythologized and immortalized in song, the Siebengebirge were rescued from destruction by quarrying in the nineteenth century and now comprise one of Germany’s oldest nature reserves. There are in fact many more hills – 42 in all – than the name (which means seven mountains) would suggest, and several are topped by ruined fortresses, which merely adds to their mystique. The entire range is crisscrossed by hiking trails, including the 320km Rheinsteig long-distance path which passes through on its way from Bonn to Wiesbaden. Given their picturesque charm and very close proximity to the Rhineland’s big cities, the Siebengebirge are, not surprisingly, highly popular. Of all the hills, the most visited is the 320m Drachenfels (or “dragon rock”), which rises above the riverfront resort of Königswinter.

Around 40km northeast of Cologne in the hilly Bergisches Land, WUPPERTAL is not so much a city as an amalgam of towns strung out along the narrow, wooded valley of the River Wupper; they united in 1929 and shortly afterwards adopted the name Wuppertal. Known internationally for its unique suspended-monorail system, the Schwebebahn , and for the Tanztheater Pina Bausch – one of the world’s most renowned modern dance troupes – it’s also the place where aspirin was invented, and was a major centre of the German textile industry. Despite some down-at-heel stretches Wuppertal is redeemed by its hilly, leafy site and by the survival of a large number of buildings from its nineteenth-century heyday, particularly in Elberfeld , which is the larger and more attractive of the two main centres, the other being Barmen , a little to the east.

Wuppertal’s swinging railway

The Schwebebahn system – suspended from massive girders above the course of the River Wupper – was an ingenious solution to the problem of providing a rapid-transit system in an extremely narrow valley where space was at a premium. The idea of Cologne engineer Eugen Langen, it was built in the 1890s. Kaiser Wilhelm II took the inaugural ride in 1900 and the system opened to the public a few months afterwards. It takes some getting used to, as the trains are noisy and sway from side to side in slightly disconcerting fashion, but the Schwebebahn has a good safety record, and on weekend afternoons you can take a “ Kaffeefahrt ” on one of the original 1900 trains, departing from Vohwinkel station.

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Andrew Eames | 26 March 2023

Travel guide to north rhine-westphalia, germany.

Germany’s industrious west once powered the country’s 20th-century post-war rebirth, until the decline of coal saw it shift gears. Now its cities are turning industrial decay into art...

As destinations go, North Rhine-Westphalia is a rather unconventional one. This is not the Black Forest or Bavaria , with their castles, cobblestones and half-timbered villages. Instead, its heartland is a densely populated and scenically underwhelming region of factory chimneys, blast furnaces and slag heaps, known as the Ruhrgebiet. This is a region whose combination of bountiful coal seams and a generous waterway (the river Rhine) created the perfect conditions for Germany’s wirtschaftswunder, the economic miracle that followed the Second World War, as steel works, chemical plants and car factories sprouted up across the region. So why does it feature in a travel magazine? The answer lies in a world-leading regeneration.

Over the last couple of decades, all the coal mines have closed, as have some of the heavy industries, but instead of leaving their sites to dereliction, creative thinking has set about repurposing what were once the afterthoughts of industry. This has included the conversion of a coal mine (Essen’s Zeche Zollverein) into what is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a blast furnace (Duisburg’s Landscape Park) into a mecca for film directors and scuba divers. The industrial city of Essen was even declared European Capital of Culture back in 2010, and visitor numbers have increased ever since. To a new generation of traveller, these converted mines and mills are as interesting as any castle or church.

Duisburg Nord, a former steelworks, was turned into a public park in the early 1990s (Alamy)

Altbier is a Düsseldorf delicacy (Alamy)

The key entry points to the region are still Cologne and Düsseldorf. The former offers an intersection with more traditional tourism, thanks to its famous cathedral as well as river cruises down the vineyard-lined Rhine. Düsseldorf is better known as the Ruhr’s writing desk, filled with company headquarters; a place where workers relax and industrialists can spend their salaries. All that cash pays for some eye-catching architecture from names like Daniel Libeskind and Frank Gehry, and it patronises a succession of big public galleries. It is what makes Düsseldorf (according to many listicles on the subject) the second most liveable city in Germany, after Munich.

Venture out from Düsseldorf to the likes of Essen and Duisburg and you enter the sort of industrial landscapes that have long since disappeared from the UK’s shores. There have, of course, been serious consequences to the environment, particularly subsidence from the mineworkings. If it wasn’t for dikes and pumps, much of the Ruhr would be a giant lake. But the many industrial scars are relieved by sculptural installations on slag heaps, such as Duisburg’s ‘Tiger and Turtle’, or art galleries in gasometers, such as at Oberhausen.

Art in the region has always been cutting edge, so much so that it is not always recognised as art. Back in the 1980s, Düsseldorf artist Joseph Beuys placed five kilograms of butter in an exhibition in the art academy and called it ‘Fat Corner’. Eventually a gallery cleaner mistakenly cleared it away. Ever since then, there has been a popular German saying: Ist das Kunst oder kann das weg? (Is it art, or can I throw it away?)

A five-day guide to North Rhine-Westphalia

The illuminated gangway to the Ruhr Museum at Zeche Zollverein turns its industrial setting into a light show (Alamy)

Day One: Classical Cologne

Start with Cologne’s iconic Dom, reputedly Germany’s most visited cathedral. Stand amid the street artists to admire its ornamental exterior, then walk to the river. The route is filled with installations telling the story of 2,000 years of city history. You’ll finish on a riverside strip of the Altstadt (Old Town) that’s lined with eateries. It’s the place to be when the sun goes down.

Day Two: Urban Düsseldorf

It’s a short train ride to the commercial capital of the Ruhr. Walking its mostly pedestrianised centre shows what a model city this is. Seek out Daniel Libeskind’s curvaceous Kö-Bogen building, which sprouts with greenery, and the nearby Kö-Bogen II, a shopping centre disguised under beech hedges. Have dinner in Japantown, along Immermanstrasse, where the popular noodle bars attract lengthy queues.

Day Three: Artistic Düsseldorf

It’s a culture day! Düsseldorf’s academy has set many a modern artist – Richter, Beuys – on their way, and their work has ended up in a clutch of the city’s well-funded art museums, including the K20, K21 and NRW-Forum. Afterwards, stroll across into the adjacent Altstadt (Old Town) for less spiritual refreshment on Bolkerstrasse, Düsseldorf’s famous street of bars.

Day Four: Industrial Duisburg

Strike out into the Ruhr’s hinterland. At Duisburg station hop on tram 903 out to the Landscape Park, a converted blast furnace beloved by film directors, then swing south on the 903 to the Tiger & Turtle, a walkable rollercoaster of a sculpture sat on a former slag heap.

Day Five: Coal-fuelled Essen

Take a train to Essen, then hop on tram 107 to reach Zeche Zollverein, a UNESCO-listed former coal mine. If you’ve got time, take the tram 107 to cross back through town to explore Margarthenhöhe, a garden city created by the Krupps, a family of wealthy industrialists.

Ask a local

"The Altbier we have in Düsseldorf is much darker than most German beers. The colour comes from the roasting of the malt, which also gives it its more chocolatey or coffee-like flavour. It is unpasteurised, so best drunk fresh at traditional taverns like Füchschen or Schlüssel in Düsseldorf’s old town, where they brew on site. You are served by specialist waiters, usually middle-aged men (Köbes) wearing blue aprons who will continue to bring more, recording your tally with marks on your beer mat until you cover your glass. Beware of asking them for anything else, as it makes their lives more complicated. There’s a reason why one of the most traditional taverns is called Uerige, which means ‘grumpy old guy’.

- Karen-Svenja Busse,

Düsseldorf’s Rhine promenade (Shutterstock)

Düsseldorf’s Rhine promenade

The city sits right on the Rhine, with fully laden barges lumbering laboriously around its giant bend. Sheep graze on the floodplain on the far bank, while the near bank is lined with a long promenade that is hugely popular among locals when the weather is kind. There are bars here, but the most dramatic view is from the top of the 240m-high Rheinturm looking down on the river and the parliament building.

Rent a bike, Essen

Zeche Zollverein has a bike rental station. Staff will point you to a route that heads out along a former freight railway and through a landscape much affected by subsidence from the labyrinth of mine workings below ground. Turn back at the Emscher river – formerly much polluted, but now coming back from the brink.

Rent a bike, Duisburg

As with Zeche Zollverein, the Duisburg Landscape Park has bike rental and a cyclepath to the waterside. This one ends up in the Duisburg Inner Harbour, whose warehouses have been converted into restaurants and bars according to plans laid out by the British architect Sir Norman Foster.

The former mining site of Zeche Zollverein is one of many industrial sites given a new lease of life (Alamy)

The Dom, Cologne

There’s a majesty and a mystery to Cologne’s much-loved cathedral. The majesty is in the loftiness of the interior (the tallest twin-spired church in the world tops a mighty 157 metres) and the generous welcome that it extends. The mystery is how it managed to escape the complete obliteration of the city by Allied bombers in the Second World War.

Zeche Zollverein, Essen

This former coal mine is the place to dig deep into the Ruhr’s industrial heritage and admire the artistry of its brickwork. There are two sections: the mine and the coal-washing plant, which contain key museums, and the coking plant, which has a seasonal ice rink and swimming pool among the girders.  zollverein.de

Uerige, Dusseldorf

One of the most traditional of the brewery bars of Düsseldorf serves up plenty of beer and food in a warren of wood-panelled rooms decorated with cartoons of celebrated clients. Its menu features local black pudding (always a treat), and waiters come around with trays of fresh frikaddelle – meat patties – to keep you thirsty.  uerige.de/en/

Four top things to do in North Rhine-Westphalia

Duisburg’s Tiger & Turtle (Alamy Stock Photo)

Watch the film RUHR 360º in the Portal of Industrial Heritage in Zeche Zollverein . A mix of music and great imagery recreates the whole dance of industry that has been the lifeblood of the Ruhr. Then climb the steps to its rooftop for a full panoramic view of the city.

Walk the Rheinauhafen, a regeneration of a former commercial port on a finger of land right by Cologne’s city centre. Some of the old warehouses have been colonised by the likes of the Chocolate Museum, but the eye-catching sights are still the cantilevered new office buildings, now home to cutting-edge tenants such as Microsoft.

Taste Kölsch beer in Cologne, then try a glass of Altbier in Düsseldorf. The former is pale in colour, delicate in flavour and served in a 200ml glass called a stange. Altbier is more like a British ale and is brewed in just a few key locations in the heart of Düsseldorf’s Altstadt.

Climb Duisburg’s Tiger & Turtle , one of a handful of giant artworks placed atop mining spoil heaps. This metal walkway looks like a rollercoaster and is thus named because it swoops like a tiger, but you should only walk it at the speed of a turtle. It is very popular with visitors at sunset, when you can scan the industrial landscape in the fading light.

Where to stay

The Altstadt of Düsseldorf (Alamy)

The Rheinauhafen after sunset (Alamy)

Art’otel, Cologne This new-build hotel is filled with paintings – as its name suggests – but its main appeal is its location, which overlooks the regenerated Rheinauhafen, while also being within walking distance of the restaurant-rich riverside Altstadt. artotelcologne.com

Breidenbacher Hof, Düsseldorf A traditional luxury property nestled right by the city’s famous Kö shopping street. Interiors of hardwood, marble and chrome make a plush setting for its wealthy clientele, typically celebs and high-rollers from the Middle East. It’s a glitzy crowd. breidenbacherhof.com

Meandall Hotel, Düsseldorf This hip and innovative hotel sits in the heart of Düsseldorf’s Japantown, midway between the city centre and the railway station. It’s particularly good value, with great breakfasts up on the 11th floor, plus there’s free bikes for guests if you prefer to explore the city on two wheels. meandallhotels.com

Friends Hotel, Essen An industrial-chic new-build set within the coal mining complex of Zeche Zollverein. It is popular with corporate groups, but can be a bit isolated from other destinations if you don’t have your own transport. hotelfriends.de

Mintrops Stadt Hotel, Essen The handsome art nouveau exterior catches the eye, as does its location on a peaceful market square in Margarethenhöhe, a leafy garden suburb in the south of Essen. The interiors aren’t as exciting as the outside but it’s a great setting. mintrops-stadthotel.de

Essential travel information for North Rhine-Westphalia

International direct dialling : +49

Currency: Euro (€), currently €1.14 to the UK £1

Getting there: Düsseldorf International Airport is served by Eurowings  flights from London Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, costing from around £100 one way. British Airways  also flies to Düsseldorf from Heathrow and London City. Cologne/Bonn airport is served by Eurowings flights from London Heathrow and Edinburgh, and Ryanair  (from Manchester and London Stansted. Both routes take 1.5 hours. Cologne is also the gateway city for trains from Brussels (2 hours), where you can connect with the Eurostar.

Public transport: The clogged roads mean this is a destination well suited to trains and trams, which are frequent and efficient. Invest in a 24hr, 48hr or 72hr Ruhr WelcomeCard  which removes the hassle of buying a ticket for every journey.

Further information: Germany.travel

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11 Interesting & Beautiful Places to Visit in North Rhine-Westphalia

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The dynamic German state of North Rhine-Westphalia contains the most castles and fortresses in Germany, but there are also many cultural highlights to explore, with a little something for everyone.

And while some of the most famous places in NRW are cities like Cologne and Düsseldorf, there is plenty more to discover beyond city life.

In this list of beautiful places to visit in North Rhine-Westphalia, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite destinations in Germany’s most densely populated state, including the most beautiful natural locations, the best castles and the most fascinating cities.

We hope you enjoy our recommendations, and be sure to let us know in the comments if there are any North Rhine-Westphalia must-sees you would add to our list!

1. Aachen Cathedral

It could be argued that Aachen Cathedral is the most important of all places to see in North Rhine-Westphalia, as it was both the burial place of Charlemagne and one of the very first UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world.

The city of Aachen was Emperor Charlemagne’s preferred medieval Imperial residence and he had the Aachen Cathedral ( Aachener Dom in German) constructed there around 796. He was then buried in the cathedral following his death in 831 and the cathedral became an important site of pilgrimage.

Aachen Cathedral was one of the first 12 items listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site because it was so important to the Holy Roman Empire. The main Palatine Chapel was constructed in a Carolingian-Romanesque style, while the Gothic Choir was added later. The cathedral was damaged by bombing during WWII but extensively restored to its former glory.

Not only is Aachen Cathedral a historic and truly stunning construction but it also contains a number of important medieval art objects (aside from the remains of Charlemagne) which make it well worth a visit.

2. Cologne Cathedral & Old Town

Another one of the most important North Rhine-Westphalia attractions is the cathedral and old town area of Cologne, the state’s largest city.

Cologne Cathedral is the most-visited landmark in Germany, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the tallest twin-spired church in the world.

Around 20,000 people visit it every day, to marvel at the stunning Gothic architecture and the Shrine of the Three Kings – which is a gold sarcophagus believed to hold the remains of the Three Wise Men who visited Jesus after his birth.

Close to Cologne Cathedral is Cologne’s Old Town, an area with many preserved historic buildings, often in pretty pastel colours. The famous shot below shows the Great St. Martin Church as seen from behind, on the square that was once a fish market next to the Rhine River.

On the main Old Town square, visitors can also see the Cologne Town Hall, which was constructed in the 12th century and is the oldest city hall in Germany still in use.

3. Monschau

With its many picturesque half-timbered houses and a 13th-century castle overlooking it, Monschau is one of the prettiest places to visit in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The Rotes Haus (Red House – although it looks more of a peachy pink to us) is the most famous building in Monschau and a museum showing how the original wealthy cloth merchant owner would have lived. We definitely recommend heading inside to see the lavish Rococo, Louis XVI, and Empire-style furnishings on display.

And for those keen to sleep in a castle (on a budget, no less!) Burg Monschau was renovated into a youth hostel after WWI, and you can still stay there today in either dorm rooms or family villas. The castle courtyard is also where the Monschau Festival is held every summer, with performances by musical artists and orchestras.

The town of Xanten is one of the best places to visit in North Rhine-Westphalia if you’re interested in Roman history as it contains one of the largest archaeological open-air museums in the world.

Like many German towns, Xanten has a pretty medieval Old Town centre to explore, with an impressive cathedral. It’s also the only town in Germany to start with an X! But the main drawcard for most visitors is the impressive open-air museum showing ruins and reconstructions of the ancient Roman settlement of Colonia Ulpia Traiana .

This open-air museum is (not surprisingly) quite large, so you really get a sense of the size of the Roman town while exploring the remains of the amphitheatre and temple. There’s also an interior museum inside a reconstruction of the town’s bathhouse, with plenty of information about Colonia Ulpia Traiana.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR VISITING:  It costs €9 for adults to enter the Xanten archaeological park and children under 18 can enter for free. If you time your visit for the first Monday of the month then everyone can go for free! Opening times vary throughout the year so check the website before you go.

5. Eifel National Park

Eifel National Park borders Belgium and is one of the most beautiful places in North Rhine-Westphalia.

This wilderness area was shaped by volcanic activity hundreds of years ago, which made the landscapes very dramatic.

There are crater lakes, extinct volcanoes, quarries, domes, rubble hills, waterfalls and geysers almost everywhere you go. One of the best ways to explore is via the Germany Volcano Route, which connects areas of geological, natural and cultural significance between the cities of Bonn and Trier.

There are many opportunities for hiking or skiing within the national park, depending on the season of course, and while autumn is particularly stunning, it’s beautiful at any time of year.

6. Schloss Drachenburg

Schloss Drachenburg is easily one of the most popular North Rhine-Westphalia tourist attractions, especially for anyone who loves picture-perfect fairytale-looking castles!

One of the most fascinating aspects of this gorgeous palace is that it only took two years to build (between 1882–1884) which is not usually the case for castles. It was commissioned by Baron Stephan von Sarter, who was a broker and banker, although he never actually lived in it.

In the years since it was built, Schloss Drachenburg was used as a tourist attraction, a women’s convalescent home, a boarding school and a training facility for the Federal Railways, before it began to fall into disrepair. Luckily the castle has been restored and is once again a tourist destination, although it’s closed in January and February.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR VISITING: General entry costs €7 for adults and while the castle is mostly open daily from at least midday – 5pm (and longer in summer) there are some closures throughout the year, so make sure you check the website before you plan to visit.

7. Externsteine

One of the most incredible things to see in North Rhine-Westphalia is the sacred sandstone rock formation known as Externsteine, which also has a very strange history.

The stones are naturally occurring but many myths and misinformation sprung up around them in the centuries following the late 700s when Christian monks settled there and then began carving stairs and reliefs into the stones.

When Germany was under Nazi rule, Heinrich Himmler was the head of the Nazi’s occult division “Ahnenerbe,” and his pseudo studies of the site led to it becoming a focus of nationalistic propaganda. Apparently, the Nazi Youth even gathered at Externsteine to sing pagan hymns on the summer solstice and Hitler’s birthday.

Today, the stones are a popular site of pilgrimage for Neo-pagans and regular tourists. There’s also still a Woodstock-like festival held every year at the site on the summer solstice.

8. Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex

The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most fascinating North Rhine-Westphalia places to visit.

As one of the anchor points on the European Route of Industrial Heritage, the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex provides a physical example of both the evolution and decline of the mining industry in the past 150 years. Operating between 1847 and 1986, it was one of the largest coal mines in Europe and is still sometimes called the most beautiful coal mine in the world.

Today the site is a fascinating museum complex, with exhibitions on the geology, archaeology, industrial and social history of the region located within different sections of the mine. There are also regular special events, exhibitions and talks held on the site, while in summer you can even go for a swim in the middle of the former coking plant!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR VISITING: There are four main sections to the site, each with different opening hours and prices, so we suggest checking out the official website for all the info you need.

9. Schloss Benrath

If you’ve ever wished you had your own life-sized Barbie Dreamhouse then a trip to Schloss Benrath will probably fulfil all of your pastel pink fairytale fantasies!

This Baroque-style pleasure palace was constructed between 1755 – 1770 for the Elector Palatine Charles Theodor and his wife. Even parts of the opulent interiors are pink as well, so this is definitely a popular spot with the Instagram crowd.

The complex features a main building, which was the Elector Palatine’s residence, flanked by two arched wings on either side, which was where the servants lived. Today there are three museums within the three buildings, the Museum Corps de Logis (where you can explore the castle interiors), the Museum of Garden Art and the Museum of Natural History.

We also recommend spending some time in the expansive formal gardens, which are gorgeous. There’s a pretty Christmas market held in the forecourt of the palace during the festive season and a spectacular festival of lights one night in August with music by the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION FOR VISITING: Tickets to see the palace museum, garden and Natural History Museum cost €14 for adults, while a ticket for just the two museums on the wings (the Natural History Museum and Museum of Garden Art) costs €6. The museums are closed on Wednesday and Thursday with differing opening hours on the other days, so check the website if you are planning a visit.

10. Düsseldorf-Hafen

While the city of Düsseldorf is known for its fashion and art scene, we think the port borough of Düsseldorf-Hafen is actually the most interesting spot to visit.

Located on the River Rhine, Düsseldorf-Hafen is the city’s docks area, but it’s additionally become a very hip spot with many restaurants, bars, and a few clubs to experience. This is also where you can find the most modern architecture in the city, particularly the Neuer Zollhof landmark (next to the TV tower in the photo below) of three crooked-looking buildings designed by architect Frank O. Gehry.

The Rheinturm Tower is the tallest building in Düsseldorf, used to carry TV and radio signals, but it can also be visited for spectacular views over the city. There’s a revolving restaurant, bar and observation deck inside for visitors to enjoy, perhaps with a romantic meal or cocktail.

There’s even a light sculpture on the tower shaft that functions as a clock, which is the largest digital clock in the world!

11. Hattingen

For charming historic timber-framed houses and three different castles in one town, you can’t go past Hattingen on the Ruhr River.

The town was first mentioned in 1396 and contains many preserved medieval buildings, with the Old Town still partly enclosed by the original city walls. Hattingen was part of the Hanseatic League, an important trading city and a centre of coal production in the region.

There are also three castles around Hattingen to visit; the ruins of Burg Isenberg, Burg Blankenstein and Haus Kemnade, which actually still has a moat surrounding it! Both Burg Blankenstein and Haus Kemnade have restaurants on-site as well, so either one would make a very romantic spot for a meal while in Hattingen.

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North Rhine-Westphalia

• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 Tourist information
• 6.1 By plane
• 6.2 By train
• 7 Get around

North Rhine-Westphalia (German Nordrhein-Westfalen ) is the most populous state in Germany , with 17.5 million inhabitants, located in the west of the country. It consists of two historically independent parts - Nordrhein , the urbanized area across the river Rhine in the southwest, and Westfalen in the northeast, which is quite diverse as it includes both the heavy industrialized and densely populated Ruhr Valley and the very green Teutoburg Forest .

The region contains several of the most-often visited cities of Germany, both for business and pleasure. Here you can find numerous headquarters of Germany's large and mid-sized corporations, European outposts of Asian and American multinationals, as well as world-renowned factories. Many of the globally important trade fairs take place in Düsseldorf and Cologne , the latter is also a major cultural centre. The beautiful historic city of Bonn was West Germany's de facto capital until 1990 and still contains many federal institutions, both governmental and cultural.

With the large population accumulated within a small area, as well as equally sizeable tourist traffic, North Rhine-Westphalia possesses the appropriate transportation infrastructure, with three major international airports and a very efficient - if sometimes overcrowded - railway and motorway network. NRW, as it is frequently abbreviated, also contains the first "cycle highway" of Germany which is planned to grow to over 100 km of fully grade separated extra broad cycle route. Accommodation and gastronomic opportunities are aplenty as well. There is always a lot going on and getting between destinations is easy and quick.

Regions [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

• 51.216667 6.816667 1 Düsseldorf — the state capital on the Rhine, known as a major professional services hub
• 50.774167 6.0825 2 Aachen — Spa and university town founded in Roman times and Charlemagne's favorite residence
• 50.733889 7.099722 3 Bonn — seat of government and de facto capital of West Germany 1949-1990/98, the "Bundesstadt" still has many federal and international institutions remaining and big city trappings you wouldn't expect from what author John le Carré called "a small town in Germany"
• 50.942222 6.957778 4 Cologne ( Köln ) — the fourth largest city in Germany, famous for its cathedral, location by the Rhine, and being the media capital of Germany.
• 51.513889 7.465278 5 Dortmund – biggest city of the Ruhr district, home of frequent Bundesliga champion Borussia Dortmund and transforming industrial centre
• 51.432222 6.761111 6 Duisburg — the world's biggest inland harbour, spectactular at night
• 51.450833 7.013056 7 Essen – centre of the Ruhr agglomeration, transforming from an industrial site into a cultural metropolis
• 51.966667 7.633333 8 Münster — a historic city with a particularly bike-friendly infrastructure and population
• 51.266667 7.183333 9 Wuppertal — with the vintage suspended monorail ( Schwebebahn ) over the river Wupper

Other destinations [ edit ]

The Middle Rhine Valley is traditionally considered to end in Bonn , although the demarcation is anything but dramatic. You may want to continue to explore the valley upstream to Rhineland-Palatinate when in North Rhine-Westphalia .

Understand [ edit ]

North Rhine-Westphalia (often abbreviated to NRW) is a German state founded after World War II by British occupation authorities. The state capital is Dusseldorf while Cologne is the most populous city. It consists of, as the name indicates, the province Westphalia in the east and the northern Rhinelands in the west. The hyphen symbolizes the attempt to bind people and regions that are so very different and stands also for the gap between the ethnic groups. This gap runs from the southeast to the northwest for 283 km across the state.

While the Rhineland is famous for its carnival and the "Rheinische Frohnatur" is a cliché throughout Germany, the Westphalians are said to be much more reserved and introverted. All over the state, but especially in its former industrial heart, migration has played a major role since at least the 19th century. Last names give an indication where much of the labor force came from when coal and steel built a nation and the stars of Schalke 04 during its glory days in the 1930s had names like Kuzorra or Szepan. Today the descendants of the earliest immigrants are hard to distinguish from people whose ancestors lived here even earlier, but new migrations of Turks, Italians and Yugoslavs after the war have left their mark on certain neighborhoods – not least in the ubiquitous (and delicious) döner and pizza restaurants.

The geography is also varied from the Cologne "bight" (Kölner Bucht) that represents the southernmost reaches of the North German Lowlands to the moderately high mountain ranges that surround it, like the Eifel or the Sauerland. In general the north is flatter than the south and the west is more urbanized than the east.

In the middle of all aspects, geographic and ethnic, lies the Ruhr Area (Ruhrgebiet), the name of the river at whose banks the region is situated. It arose during the past 150 years by immigrants from all over Europe but has strong roots in Westphalia and the Rhinelands as well. The region was and still is the heart of heavy industry in Germany, based on coal and steel. Although mining has mostly come to an end, the people strongly derive their identity from heavy industry. And there are still some successful manufacturers of specialist steel or products made from it. Car manufacturers like Opel in Bochum were once thought of as the replacement for heavy industries, but they are in the news more for threatened closures and layoffs than anything else. The City of Essen was named European Capital of Culture in 2010. This gave a boost to the cultural scene in the region, put it on the map for something other than "rust belt" doom and gloom, and helped right many inaccurate stereotypes about the region. Finally, Dortmund is internationally known for its football club Borussia Dortmund, which has managed to carve out one of the most respectable club images in world football.

North Rhine-Westphalia has about 18 million inhabitants, which makes it the most populous state in Germany and the fourth largest in area. The Ruhr is the third or fourth largest urban region in the European Union, after London and Paris and either ahead of or behind Madrid. Also, 34 of the 100 largest companies in Germany and 9 of the 100 largest European companies have their headquarters in North Rhine-Westphalia. Despite this, the region was hit hard by deindustrialization, and while many cities have managed to diversify their economies, others are still struggling to move on.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• North Rhine-Westphalia tourism website

Talk [ edit ]

In most large cities the regular Hochdeutsch is spoken everyday, due to the communities there being mixtures of locals and immigrants from all parts of Germany, Europe and the world. The local dialects are mostly present in the form of unique vocabulary, otherwise you should find local German easy to understand (if you know any, that is).

The area, particularly the economic heartland of the Ruhr , has been a destination for millions of immigrants since the mid-19th century. As a result, immigrant languages can be found spoken by many. However, although someone has, for example, an ethnically Polish last name, they may not speak or think of themselves as Polish — their ancestors may have come to the area before the German Empire was even founded.

In larger cities, English can be spoken by those performing service jobs, and chances are any person you encounter will speak at least basic English too. This is not a rule, and you may still encounter people, mostly seniors, who do not speak communicative English. In fact, English proficiency in the region is quite low, despite the presence of economic centres like Düsseldorf and Cologne.

Thanks to a history of immigration and the region's geographic location, it can be possible to hear languages such as Arabic, Dutch, French, Italian, Polish, and Turkish in major cities.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

The major airports within North Rhine-Westphalia sorted by passenger numbers are:

Additionally, both Bonn, Cologne and Düsseldorf, as well as many other cities in the region, can be reached by a direct high-speed train from Frankfurt Airport .

By train [ edit ]

Several ICE high speed lines go through the state, among them the Frankfurt Cologne mainline with speeds reaching 300 km/h. Regional trains are sometimes cheaper and often take more "scenic" routes that are too curvy for high speed trains . In the immediate border area with Belgium and the Netherlands (the Euregio) special discount tickets for local trains apply making day trips across the border very affordable indeed.

By bus [ edit ]

see also: Intercity buses in Germany

There are a number of inner-German as well as international bus lines with stops in most major cities of the state. As the domestic market only became deregulated in 2012, there is still a lot of change and routes may appear and disappear on relatively short notice.

By car [ edit ]

As this is the most densely populated state of Germany, numerous long distance Autobahnen run through this state and across the border. Due in part to the high population density, they are however also prone to congestion, especially at the first and last weekend of major holidays or during rush hour.

Get around [ edit ]

Public transport is very good with a high density. You need only one “NRW Ticket” from the Deutsche Bahn to be able to use all local, regional train RB and regional express trains RE (no high-speed trains, though their top speed is usually 160 km/h (99 mph)), light rail systems S-Bahn , metro (U-Bahn/Stadtbahn), trams/streetcars (Straßenbahn) and buses in the whole North Rhine-Westphalia. You don't need to purchase another ticket when you change from local train to bus, light rail and tram.

Example: You purchased a ticket from Aachen to Wuppertal for local, regional and express trains. With this ticket, you can use the monorail (Schwebebahn) and the city buses in Wuppertal.

See [ edit ]

There is plenty to see and explore in the NRW. The most obvious recommendations are the large cities, with both rich history and bustling contemporary life, full of events, including the famous Carnival of Cologne . But if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle, the Eifel mountains in the southeast are a very different environment, peaceful, quiet and full of great sights. Aachen Cathedral with parts of the building dating back to the 800s is well worth a visit. For more modern history check out the German Mining Museum in Bochum .

Do [ edit ]

The abundance of rivers provides for plentiful river cruising opportunities. Many locals own boats and, as the Rhine is also connected naturally and via canals to many other major rivers and bodies of water, enjoy travelling around Europe's waterways at their whim.

North Rhine-Westphalia is also home to many sports clubs. Borussia Dortmund soccer club has been particularly successful in the 2010s.

Eat [ edit ]

There is no particular North Rhine or Westphalian cuisine, but this doesn't mean you are not in for some culinary delights. Due to the abundance of ethnic minorities, there is a variety ethnic restaurants of all shapes and sizes - from the local Döner Kebab stand to exquisity fine dining establishments. Of note is the fact that Düsseldorf has a sizeable Japanese population (1% of the city), which is there mostly due to Japanese companies having their European headquarters there. Therefore, you will find quite a few higher-end Japanese restaurants in the city.

Drink [ edit ]

Beer is the drink of choice in the region, with every city being proud of local breweries and the unique kinds and brands of beer that they make - like the Kölsch in Cologne . Head over to the local Bierkeller and mingle with the locals if you speak some German (or just enjoy the atmosphere and people-watch, if you don't). In larger cities you will also find other kinds of busy nightlife, with nightclubs catering to various cultural groups and music tastes.

Sleep [ edit ]

As the area is densely urban and well-travelled by both business and leisure travellers, the accommodation base is plentiful and offers a wide choice, from exquisite boutique hotels in historic monuments, through efficient and comfortable business-oriented hotels down to small and cozy (and inexpensive) local Pensions .

Go next [ edit ]

• Lower Saxony forms a geographic continuum with Westphalia, and offers all kinds of attractions, both natural, historic and modern.
• Rheinland-Pfalz and Hesse are farther up the river Rhine, and you can get there by all means of transportation, including boats. Apart from beautiful natural landscapes and world-famous wineries, you can also visit another major German city, Frankfurt , which has frequent and fast railway connections with Düsseldorf , Cologne and Bonn .
• Netherlands and Belgium border North-Rhine Westphalia, and there are many transportation options to get there, even for a day trip

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10 Top attractions and things to do in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Table of Contents

North Rhine-Westphalia is a state in western Germany . In this region, you can find the city of Cologne, known for its Gothic Cathedral with two spires and views of the Rhine River. There’s also the Museum Ludwig, which displays art from the 20th century. The state capital, Düsseldorf, is famous for its stylish shopping street called Königsallee and the tall modern tower called Rheinturm.

Düsseldorf is the main city of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most crowded state in Germany. It’s the second-biggest city in the state and the seventh-largest in all of Germany , with about 617,280 people living there. Let’s explore the 10 top attractions of North Rhine- Westphalia, Germany

About North Rhine- Westphalia

After World War II, in 1946, North Rhine-Westphalia was formed from the merging of Westphalia and the northern part of Rhine Province (North Rhine), along with the Free State of Lippe. The British military administration in Allied-occupied Germany played a role in its establishment. In 1949, it officially became a state within the Federal Republic of Germany.

2. Geography

It shares borders with Lower Saxony to the north and northeast, Rhineland-Palatinate to the south, and Hesse to the southeast. About half of the state lies in the flat areas of the Westphalian Lowland and the Rhineland, which stretch into the North German Plain.

3. Education

North Rhine-Westphalia is also the home of dozens of accredited German universities, universities of applied science  and private universities. North Rhine-Westphalia offers a wide variety of study choices. Some universities are- the RWTH Aachen University, the University of Bielefeld, the University of Bochum , the University of Bonn, the University of Cologne.

North Rhine-Westphalia has consistently been the strongest economic force in Germany, boasting the largest economy among all the German states in terms of GDP. Many companies, both German and international, find North Rhine-Westphalia appealing. In 2009, it led all German states in foreign direct investments (FDI), attracting around 13,100 foreign companies. These companies, from key investment nations, use North Rhine-Westphalia as a base to oversee their operations in Germany or Europe.

10 top attractions of North Rhine- Westphalia, Germany

1. aachen cathedral.

Aachen Cathedral is a really special place in North Rhine-Westphalia. It’s considered super important because it’s where Charlemagne was buried, and it was also one of the first places in the world to become a UNESCO World Heritage site.

2. Cathedral and old town in Cologne

One of the top attractions in North Rhine-Westphalia is the cathedral and old town in Cologne, which is the biggest city in the state. Cologne Cathedral is the most popular landmark in Germany. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has the tallest twin spires of any church in the world.

3. Monschau

Monschau is one of the most beautiful places to explore in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Rotes Haus, or Red House (though it’s more like a peachy-pink color), is the most famous building in Monschau. It’s a museum that gives a glimpse into the life of the wealthy cloth merchant who originally owned it.

Xanten is a great spot to check out in North Rhine-Westphalia, especially if you love Roman history. It’s home to one of the world’s biggest open-air museums with lots of archaeological treasures. In addition to its Roman history, Xanten has a charming medieval Old Town center to wander around, featuring a really impressive cathedral.

5. Eifel National Park

Eifel National Park, located on the border with Belgium, is one of the most stunning places in North Rhine-Westphalia. This wild area was formed by volcanoes long ago, creating really dramatic landscapes.

6. Schloss Drachenburg

Schloss Drachenburg is a top pick for tourists in North Rhine-Westphalia, especially if you adore castles that look straight out of a fairytale!

What makes this palace extra interesting is that it was built surprisingly quickly—just two years, which is quite unusual for castles.

7. Externsteine

One of the amazing sights in North Rhine-Westphalia is Externsteine, an unique rock formation made of sandstone, and it comes with a fascinating and somewhat strange history.

These stones are natural, but back in the late 700s, Christian monks settled there and started carving stairs and reliefs into them. Over the centuries, lots of myths and wrong stories developed around these rocks.

8. Schloss Benrath

If you’ve ever dreamt of having a life-sized Barbie Dreamhouse, visiting Schloss Benrath is like stepping into your pink fairytale dreams!

Built in the Baroque style between 1755 and 1770 for Elector Palatine Charles Theodor and his wife, this pleasure palace is not only extravagant on the outside but also has some pretty pink interiors. No wonder it’s a favorite among the Instagram crowd!

9. Düsseldorf

In Düsseldorf, famous for fashion and art, the coolest place to visit might surprise you – Düsseldorf-Hafen, the port borough. Situated along the River Rhine, Düsseldorf-Hafen is not just a regular docks area; it’s a trendy spot with lots of restaurants, bars, and even a few clubs. Plus, it boasts the most modern architecture in the city.

10. Hattingen

If you’re into charming old houses and three castles all in one town, Hattingen on the Ruhr River is the place to be. Dating back to 1396, Hattingen has a bunch of well-kept medieval buildings. The Old Town, still partly surrounded by its original walls, has a rich history – it was a significant trading city and a hub for coal production in the region, once part of the Hanseatic League.

Local dishes of North Rhine- Westphalia, Germany

1. bergische waffles.

Bergische waffles are traditional German waffles originating from the Bergisches Land area. They’re usually made with a combination of flour, sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, baking powder, and milk.

This delicate smoked blood sausage from the Rhineland region consists of lean meat and small pieces of fat. Flönz has been popular in Cologne for a hundred years, and it is the least expensive local sausage.

3. Halve hahn

Halve hahn, a Rhenish sandwich, comprises a split rye roll (röggelchen), usually buttered, with a thick slice of medium-ripe Gouda cheese, pickles, and raw onions on top. People commonly add mustard. This sandwich enjoys popularity throughout the Rhineland.

4. Aachener Printen

This is a special variety of brown, firm gingerbread that has been baked in Aachen since the 1820s. The term  printe  refers to the use of carved wooden molds into which the dough is pressed during production.

In conclusion, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, enchants with a blend of historical landmarks like Aachen Cathedral and the fairytale-like Schloss Drachenburg. Diverse landscapes, from the Eifel National Park to the charming town of Monschau, create a visual feast. Xanten brings Roman history alive, while Schloss Benrath and Düsseldorf-Hafen offer opulence and modern charm. Hattingen’s historical significance unfolds with old houses and castles. Culinary delights, including Bergische waffles and Aachener Printen, add flavor to the exploration. North Rhine-Westphalia invites visitors to immerse in its rich tapestry, seamlessly blending history and modern allure.

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The Magnificent Sights of North Rhine-Westphalia

Ah, NRW. We might not be the most beautiful federal state as we don’t have Neuschwanstein, but instead, a lot of post-war architectural sins. Nevertheless, there is plenty to see between the Rhine, Ruhr, and Ems rivers. Six Unesco World Heritage Sites are located in this region, and all of them are worth exploring. Here are our 8 picks for must see attractions in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Cologne Cathedral | Cologne

Arguably, no building in North Rhine-Westphalia is as famous as the Cologne Cathedral . This Gothic cathedral is not only one of the oldest buildings in the entire state but, at over 157 meters, is also the third-highest church in the world . With six million visitors annually, the impressive landmark welcomes you as you enter the main train station. Despite ongoing restoration work on various sections adorned with impressive sculptures, a visit is still worthwhile.

After climbing the South Tower (533 steps), you’ll have the best view of Cologne and its surroundings – on a clear day, even as far as the Siebengebirge. A favorite spot in the cathedral is the Gerhard Richter window in the southern transept, especially around noon when the light is at its best.

Drachenburg Castle | Königswinter

Perched high above Königswinter with a fantastic view of the Rhine, Drachenburg Castle looks like it belongs in Disneyland . Built in the late 19th century by Bonn merchant Stephan von Sarter, the romantic mansion resembles a late medieval retreat. Today, the castle is a protected monument and a popular year-round destination.

Guided tours provide insights into the castle’s fascinating history, and the castle park offers a picturesque setting for Instagram-worthy photos . Special events, such as a fairytale-like Christmas market, also attracts visitors. You can reach the top of the hill with a historic cogwheel railway, which continues to the Drachenfels viewing platform.

Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex | Essen

In the past, the Ruhr region was Germany’s industrial engine, driven by the coal extracted from the earth in dozens of mines. Today, numerous winding towers and slag heaps along the Ruhr River remind us of the region’s rich history and serve as characteristic attractions in North Rhine-Westphalia. One of the most striking is the bright red winding tower at Shaft XII in the Zollverein Coal Mine in Essen. Now housing the Ruhr Museum, the site provides comprehensive information about the Ruhr region, its nature, and history. Special tours trace the coal’s journey from extraction to transport, with options tailored for children.

The Red Dot Design Museum , located on the premises, showcases not only award-winning designs but over 2,000 contemporary design objects. The former factory swimming pool in the old coking plant, a one of a kind worldwide, adds a touch of elegance. In winter, a 150-meter-long ice rink is installed on the premises, offering a full day of recreational activities.

Externsteine | Horn-Bad Meinberg

The imposing Externsteine rocks in Lipperland exude mystique. The distinctive, freestanding rock formation appears as if giants rammed it into the landscape in ancient times. In reality, these colossi, reaching up to 47 meters, are around 70 million years old , stretching for several hundred meters. No wonder the rocks have fueled people’s imagination for centuries. Probably the oldest of the attractions in North Rhine-Westphalia . The Externsteine attracts nature lovers and mystics alike and serves as a retreat for stag beetles and even owls. While some selected rocks can be climbed, the general rule is, as always, “Please respect nature!”

Prinzipalmarkt | Münster

Shop like you’re in the Middle Ages! At least visually, you can do this on Prinzipalmarkt in Münster. This picturesque street in the city center is characterized by the unmistakable facades of old gabled houses. Interrupted only by the passage to Michaelisplatz with the Münster Cathedral, this row of facades is always bustling, whether in summer, winter, weekdays, or weekends. Window shopping along the stores housed in the historic buildings is a favorite activity of Münster residents. This tradition dates back to the late Middle Ages when merchants of the Hanseatic city were located here.

Animal Encounters

Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces | Brühl

In the tranquil town of Brühl, located about halfway between Cologne and Bonn , lies a true Baroque gem: Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces . These two Rococo buildings are among the first Unesco World Heritage Sites in Germany , awarded in 1984. Nowadays there are six Heritage Sites among the attractions in North Rhine-Westphalia. Augustusburg Palace was built from 1725 by the then Archbishop of Cologne and Elector Clemens August I of Bavaria as a summer residence. A few years later, Falkenlust Palace was added as a hunting lodge. The magnificent palace garden connects the two buildings and is still an excellent place for a Sunday stroll. You can enter the palaces (Augustusburg by guided tour only) and immerse yourself in the opulent past of the Rhine nobility.

Gehry Buildings in the Media Harbor | Düsseldorf

World-class architecture in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia? You’ll find it in the Media Harbor in the state capital Düsseldorf. There stand the Gehry Buildings (officially known as Neuer Zollhof), which, at first glance, appear as if architect Frank Gehry lost his ruler while designing them. The walls of the building ensemble reach out in all directions, except in the usual 90-degree angle directly upward. The contrasting building materials – plaster, brick, and stainless steel – add to the effect. Inaugurated in October 1999, these three buildings have been causing amazement amongst Düsseldorf residents as well as tourists ever since. While in the area, you can also visit the state parliament or enjoy some of the finest bars in the Media Harbor.

Hermannsdenkmal | Detmold

The tallest statue in Germany, with an impressive total height of 53.46 meters, stands in the middle of the Teutoburg Forest : the Hermannsdenkmal . Recently, the old Hermann gained attention through the Netflix production “Barbarians” (regarding its historical accuracy, let’s leave that discussion aside for now). In Roman times, he was named Arminius, and his “German” alter ego, “Hermann the Cheruscan,” is more of a creation of the 19th-century national spirit.

Whether the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD really took place there is a topic of academic debate. What is certain is that the Hermannsdenkmal has lost none of its grandeur, especially in the summer and autumn months , making it an excellent destination for a hearty hike. Wearing Roman sandals during the hike is entirely up to you.

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North Rhine-Westphalia

Attractions in North Rhine-Westphalia

The top 10 attractions in north rhine-westphalia.

Grimberger Sichel

Bike Touring Highlight ( Segment )

Get on your bike at the Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum, cycle on the Erzbahn route to the Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen and then continue on the tour through the Emscherbruch up … read more

Drachenfelsplateau

Hiking Highlight

The Drachenfels viewing plateau is the attraction of Königswinter. For hikers, the plateau is interesting and accessible via the village of Röhndorf. Once at the top you have a breathtaking … read more

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Externsteine

One of the highlights on the Hermannsweg through the Teutoburg Forest is definitely the imposing Externsteine. They are among the most important natural and cultural monuments in the entire Teutoburg … read more

Burgruine Drachenfels (Siebengebirge)

You can do it, the view is great, but it is natural, and not surprisingly crowded, if you go to the weekend in the summer. If you do not like … read more

Blick über den Baldeneysee auf Villa Hügel

Bike Touring Highlight

From the south bank of Lake Baldeney you have a beautiful view of Villa Hügel on the north bank and the sailing boats on the lake. The paths are very wide, but it can get quite crowded on the weekend.

Erzbahnschwinge – Brücke zur Erzbahntrasse

A spectacular entry into the Erzbahntrasse. Architecturally interesting, but above all beautiful to look at and quite practical for cyclists and pedestrians. Actually, the route could also be called the … read more

Kahler Asten

When the weather is good, you have a fantastic all-round view, especially from the Asten Tower, but when the weather is bad, you can't see your hand in front of … read more

Kemnader See

The Ruhr reservoir lies between Bochum and Witten, so to speak, at the foot of the Ruhruni Bochum. It is a popular destination for the residents of Bochum and the … read more

Tip by Martin Donat

Schloss Burg

The ascent on foot to Burg Castle is short and crisp, with an ascent of 16 to 19 percent, but the goal is sufficiently rewarding. The view of the lower … read more

Ruhrtalfähre

When driving along the river, a ferry is a great way to take a break! There are not many of them in the Ruhr, this one is a highlight. It … read more

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Popular around north rhine-westphalia.

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Explore the most popular Tours in North Rhine-Westphalia

Discover the most popular attractions in north rhine-westphalia.

Are you keen on exploring more awesome places nearby? Browse our guides:

• Detmold District
• Düsseldorf District
• Teutoburg Forest
• Münster District
• Arnsberg District
• Cologne District

Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:

• Saxony-Anhalt
• Rhineland-Palatinate
• Baden-Württemberg
• Lower Saxony
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
• Brandenburg
• Schleswig-Holstein
• Mühlenberger Loch/ Neßsand

it­in­er­ary ideas

Pro­pos­als and in­spir­a­tion.

UN­ESCO Route

For Cul­ture En­thu­si­asts: Fol­low this route along to see the six Un­esco World Her­it­age Sites in North Rhine-West­phalia e.g. Co­logne Cathed­ral and Ab­bey Cor­vey.

Nature & Wild­life Route

Re­laxed, scen­ic driv­ing ex­cur­sions that take you in­to the heart of the coun­try are the fea­tures of the Nature and Wild­life route through North Rhine-West­phalia. Head to­wards the Schwalm-Nette nature park, for this is where your wild­life ad­ven­ture be­gins.

Big met­ro­pol­ises Route

Fol­low the route along big met­ro­pol­ises in North Rhine-West­phalia. Ex­plore the Düs­sel­dorf, Co­logne, Mün­ster, Bonn, Aachen and the Ruhr Area.

Foot­ball Route NRW

This train­trip con­nects the four European Cham­pi­on­ship host cit­ies Co­logne, Düs­sel­dorf, Gelsen­kirchen and Dortmund and their high­lights - in­clud­ing min­ing, world her­it­age, city beaches and chocol­ate.

The Beer route through North Rhine-West­phalia takes you through a vari­ety of loc­a­tion and taste-based beer des­tin­a­tions.

His­tor­ic­al cit­ies Route

Fol­low the route along his­tor­ic­al cit­ies in North Rhine-West­phalia from Freuden­berg to Mon­schau. Ex­per­i­ence the par­tic­u­lar charme of these places.

More trips through NRW

Be­sides nature ex­per­i­ence trips a lot of culin­ary and unique spots can be dis­covered in North Rhine-West­phalia.

World-fam­ous vis­ited at home: Brands from NRW

No mat­ter if it’s about pastries, drinks, or per­fumes: many dif­fer­ent products to be eaten, drunk, and en­joyed are at home in North Rhine-West­phalia and pop­u­lar around the world.

Ex­cur­sion Ideas for River Cruises

River cruises in NRW: No more than an hour’s drive from the re­spect­ive har­bour in onn, Co­logne, Düs­sel­dorf, Duis­burg, and Xanten, or less than that in the Ruhr Area, you will find im­press­ive spots.

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Kocherscheid, North Rhine-Westphalia

Kocherscheid.

North Rhine-Westphalia

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