north rhine westphalia tourist attractions

North Rhine-Westphalia Travel Guide

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

• roughguides.com
• north-rhine-westphalia
• Travel guide
• Local Experts
• Itineraries
• Travel Advice
• Accommodation

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 2242 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 2878 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.

8 days  / from 1487 USD

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.

15 days  / from 6206 USD

Capitals of Europe - Berlin, Prague, Vienna and more

This trip is ideal for all city & culture lovers: the Reichstag in Berlin, the castle in Prague, historical Cesky Krumlov, St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, the fortress above Salzburg and Schloss Neuschwanstein near Munich - these are just some of the highlights of this incredible roundup trip.

11 days  / from 4173 USD

Castles across Austria and Czechia

Austria and Czechia are home to some of the world's most beautiful architecture and culture gems, such as Schloss Schönbrunn in Vienna, Prague castle, the fortress above Salzburg and many more. Finish your tour with a visit to Schloss Neuschwanstein before flying out of Munich.

12 days  / from 4494 USD

Best of Germany

Germany has a lot to offer to visitors: history buffs will enjoy guided tours in Berlin and Dresden, children (and those at heart) will marvel at Schloss Neuschwanstein, scenery lovers will appreciate Rothenburg and the Black Forest. This trip truly has something for everybody!

11 days  / from 3478 USD

Exclusive trip to Prague and Austria

Explore the main highlights of Central Europe: fascinating Prague & historical Cesky Krumlov, the highlights of Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck in Austria and then further on to Germany - get in the Disney spirit at Schloss Neuschwanstein.

8 days  / from 1124 USD

Discover Saxony

Saxony is one of Europe’s most versatile destinations for art and culture. However, it is not just a treasure trove for culture buffs and city breakers but also features stunningly beautiful landscapes for adventures and active breaks in the great outdoors.

12 days  / from 5297 USD

Oktoberfest in Germany & Beer culture in Austria & Czechia

Oktoberfest is a 2-week festival held in Munich/Germany. The first weekend of October is traditionally the last weekend of the festival, so plan accordingly. Before or after, head to Austria and Czechia for some more insights in to European beer culture.

5 days  / from 1049 USD

Saxony - a first impression

Embark on an exploration tour through Saxony starting in ­Dresden. A 5-day “taster journey” combines cultural highlights and romantic spots in and around the state capital and make your way to Leipzig. The ideal tour for a perfect "first impression".

Beer culture in Czechia, Austria and Germany

Beer is an important part of Central European culture and this trip allows you to get to know this part in more detail - Pilsner brewery in Czechia, the famous Hofbräuhaus in Munich, the small and unique Stiegl brewery in Salzburg - get your taste buds ready for lots of Beer-liciousness.

8 days  / from 4259 USD

An active outdoor trip for the whole family in Germany & Austria

Discover 'The Sound of Music' in Salzburg, swim in the lake at Zell am See, go hiking in the mountains of Kitzbühel, and get to know the world's most famous castle Neuschwanstein in Bavaria. Start and end to the tour is Munich and you can easily extend your days here.

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.

Discover more places in Germany

• Cologne (Köln)

The Rough Guides to Germany and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Find even more inspiration here

Planning your own trip? Prepare for your trip

Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates

written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 27.04.2021

Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert

Book securely with money-back guarantee

Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support

Elisabeth and Alain Wilbois

This e-mail is to express how we enjoyed the trip we had with Henry as driver and guide, all over Malaysia. Henry was very committed in his role: he could ...

Ready to travel and discover Germany?

Get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

• Travel advice
• Where to stay

Top North Rhine-Westphalia Attractions

Things to do in north rhine-westphalia.

• Altstadt-Nord
• Altstadt-Süd
• Stadt-Mitte
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Cologne Cathedral

2. Aachen Cathedral

3. Chocolate Museum

4. Königsallee

5. Phantasialand

6. Museum Ludwig

7. Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen

8. Hohenzollern Bridge

9. Rheinturm

10. Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

11. Rheinuferpromenade

12. Signal Iduna Park

13. Classic Remise Dusseldorf

14. NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne

15. KölnTriangle

16. Koelner Zoo

17. Wuppertaler Schwebebahn

18. Landschaftspark

19. Playpaintball Jungle

20. Gasometer Oberhausen

21. Treasury of Aachen Cathedral

22. Wallraf-Richartz Museum

23. Schloss Drachenburg

24. MedienHafen

25. Botanical Gardens Flora

26. Historic Old Town

27. Wochenmarkt Muenster

28. River Rhine

29. City Hall Aachen

30. Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen

What travellers are saying.

Top North Rhine-Westphalia Attractions

Things to do in north rhine-westphalia.

• Altstadt-Nord
• Altstadt-Süd
• Stadt-Mitte
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Cologne Cathedral

2. Aachen Cathedral

3. Chocolate Museum

4. Königsallee

5. Phantasialand

6. Museum Ludwig

7. Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen

8. Hohenzollern Bridge

9. Rheinturm

10. Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

11. Rheinuferpromenade

12. Signal Iduna Park

13. Classic Remise Dusseldorf

14. NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne

15. KölnTriangle

16. Koelner Zoo

17. Wuppertaler Schwebebahn

18. Landschaftspark

19. Playpaintball Jungle

20. Gasometer Oberhausen

21. Treasury of Aachen Cathedral

22. Wallraf-Richartz Museum

23. Schloss Drachenburg

24. MedienHafen

25. Botanical Gardens Flora

26. Historic Old Town

27. Wochenmarkt Muenster

28. River Rhine

29. City Hall Aachen

30. Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen

What travelers are saying.

The Most Interesting Cities to Visit in North-Rhine Westphalia

Though North-Rhine Westphalia is often associated with declined heavy industry rather than holidays, those who make the effort to scratch the surface of Germany’s most populous state will find that it offers more diversity than any other in the country. Home to bustling urban centers and medieval gems unchanged by time, it offers a number of fascinating spots to visit – here’s our pick of the best.

View all trips.

Düsseldorf, by the River Rhine, is a city of amazing contrasts. The city skyline boasts lovingly preserved ancient churches, the ornate pink Benrath Palace and the Kaiserpfalz ruins, while at the same time dazzling visitors with glitzy futuristic architecture like the Gehry buildings. While a stroll along the old town square is equivalent to a walk down history, Königsallee treats you to some of the most glamorous shopping in Europe. Whatever you do, don’t leave town before feasting your eyes on a city panorama from the Rheinturm observation deck and sipping a chilled Altbier at the longest bar in the world by the Rhine.

Destinations Unlocked:

Looking for an expert's perspective.

CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

1. guatemala.

Beachy Belize

Colonial Mexico

Back to map, southamerica.

Adventurous Ecuador

Ancient Peru

Seductive Southern Italy

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

2. scotland.

Complete Portugal By Train

3. portugal.

Soulful South Korea

1. south korea.

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

2. thailand.

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

3. sri lanka.

Epic Morocco

Ultimate Egypt

Immersive Kenya

When it comes to exciting cities, Cologne has few contenders in Germany. The city is chock-a-block with attractions, the most noteworthy among which is undeniably the UNESCO-listed captivating Cologne Cathedral . Additionally, a holiday in Cologne promises picturesque bridges, unique museums and many nature spots. Thanks to its myriad attractions, adults and children enjoy the city alike. And, should you visit in February, you’ll get to witness the happiest carnival in all of Germany.

Münster is a 1,200-year-old university town that shyly awaits you with its treasure trove of stunning medieval architecture, rich culture and green oases. The ancient Münster Cathedral (St Paul’s Cathedral) defines the skyline of Münster and the Gothic architecture of Münster’s City Hall (Rathaus) right next door prompts every passer-by to stop and admire its beautiful facade. When you wish to break away from the concrete and unwind in the midst of nature, simply hop away to Münster’s very own lake, Aasee.

Become a Culture Tripper!

Sign up to our newsletter to save up to 800$ on our unique trips..

See privacy policy .

Bonn has many feathers in its cap – it is among the most ancient German cities, the legendary Beethoven was born in this town, it is the former capital city of Germany, has an enviable heritage and boasts top-notch educational institutes. When in town, don’t miss the stunning Poppelsdorf Palace, the 1,000-year-old Bonn Minster and a visit to Museum Koenig.

If bricks, arches and walls could talk, Aachen ‘s would tell stories of centuries of fascinating history. Today, thousands of travelers head to Aachen to treat themselves to luxurious spa and wellness holidays. However, the real appeal of Aachen for travelers lie in its painstakingly-preserved architecture dating back several centuries, the most important among which is the magnificent Aachen Cathedral .

Monschau , a gem of Germany’s Eifel region, arouses even the most pragmatic heart with its palpable air of romance. Set aside a few hours to simply get lost in its winding alleys lined with half-timbered houses. Fill the rest of your time in town visiting Rotes Haus (the former headquarters of the textile-industrialist Scheibler family turned into a museum), Monschau Castle and Glass Works. Hiking the Eifel region and taking a cruise down the Rursee are also tempting and vastly enjoyable options.

The entire town of Xanten resembles a page torn from a history book. While most of the world has changed beyond recognition in the past centuries, time seems to have overlooked Xanten . Each of its landmarks, like the medieval town square, the stunning cathedral, picturesque lakes, and museums – breathes stories of millennia of history.

Once a ‘steel city’, Dortmund has today acquired a worldwide reputation as the hub of technological advancement. But the city is not only for business travelers. This glitzy, bustling spot promises enormous doses of culture in the form of interesting museums, theater and media art. For families, the best destination in town is undoubtedly Dortmund Zoo, home to 1,500 creatures across 230 species.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

Meet our local insider.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

What do you love about your job, it's the personal contact, the personal experiences. i love meeting people from all over the world... i really like getting to know everyone and feeling like i'm traveling with a group of friends., what destination is on your travel bucket-list, i have so many places on my list, but i would really lobe to go to africa. i consider myself an “adventure girl” and africa feels like the ultimate adventure.

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

See Our Culture Trips

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Guides & Tips

Top tips for travelling in germany.

See & Do

A voyage through germany: the lowdown on river cruising.

Craft and Culture in the Lesser-Known Gems of Eastern Germany

Places to Stay

The best hotels to book in thuringia, germany.

The Best Spa Hotels in Baden-Baden

The Best Hotels in Germany for Every Traveller

The Best Hotels to Book in Garmisch for Every Traveller

Stay Curious: Experience Germany From Your Living Room

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Bavaria

The Story Behind Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle

Architecture

Breathtakingly beautiful buildings in germany.

Places in Germany for History Lovers

Black Friday Offers on Our Trips

Incredible savings.

• Post ID: 1000203762
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload

Privacy settings

Here you will find an overview of the types of cookies used on the website. You can set your consent for each category individually.

• Essential Cookies For the use of the website with all functions (e.g. user settings, watch lists, etc.)
• Statistics Statistics Cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website.
• Marketing In order to provide you with the best possible offer in cooperation with our partners, we use marketing tools. For example, in order to use our chatbot, you must activate this setting.
• External contents Required for viewing external media and third-party content. The provider may set cookies for its part. The respective data protection regulations of the provider apply.

Inspiring Germany

• Cities & Culture
• Nature & Outdoor Activities
• Royal Palaces & Castles
• Experience & Enjoy
• Current highlights
• Sustainable travel
• Barrier-free travel
• Easy language
• Federal states

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!

© Tourismus NRW e.V.

Discover more

Saarland – a small green region oozing charm, bavaria - inspiration and pure attitude to life.

• Route planner

North Rhine-Westphalia

Attractions in North Rhine-Westphalia

The top 20 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

Sign Up To Discover Places Like This

Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.

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)

From here you have a great view over Königswinter and the Rhine. Ideal for resting and recharging your batteries. There are restaurants and also the possibility to strengthen yourself with a snack.

Blick über 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

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

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

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

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

Leinpfad bei Hattingen

The nature reserve Ruhraue Hattingen Winz is a nature reserve on the Ruhr in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, covering about 119 hectares, ie just under 1.2 km². It is located entirely … read more

Baldeneysee

Today you can hardly tell that the Baldeneysee was created artificially. It not only attracts water sports fans, but the continuously developed footpath and cycle path around the lake is very attractive.

Baldeneysee - Stauwehr

The Baldeneysee near Essen Werden is not only particularly beautiful, but is also full of history. On the opposite slope is the Villa Hügel, once the home of the Krupp … read more

Ruhrtalradweg Werden – Kettwig

Simply always nice along the Ruhr. Completely car-free and relaxed. It gets a little busier with walkers at the weekend, but it's a delight to drive around in the evening during the week.

Schulenbergtunnel

The Schulenberg tunnel in Hattingen is an old railway tunnel that connected Hattingen to Wuppertal via the coal railway. Today the coal railway cycle route runs there and the tunnel … read more

Erzbahnbrücke

Where coal tenders once drove is now a good place to cycle. The many bridges testify to the wealth of ideas in the region when it comes to steel structures. … read more

Schloss Nordkirchen

The castle Nordkirchen is a baroque palace complex in the southern Münsterland. The landmarked moated castle is the largest and most important Baroque residence in Westphalia and is also referred … read more

Rheinfähre Walsum - Orsoy

For several centuries, there is a connection between Walsum and Orsoy. The ferry "Glück Auf" is the first motorized Rhine ferry on the section between Walsum and Orsoy. She commutes … read more

Erzbahntrasse Abschnitt Süd – Bahntrassenradeln

The railway line built at the beginning of the 20th century connected the Rhine-Herne Canal with the blast furnaces of the Bochum association and served to supply iron ore. Today, … read more

Tip by Moin Weite Welt (Markus)

RS1 Hochpromenade Mülheim Ruhr

There are only 650 meters, but every meter counts. Incidentally, this section of the RS1 is set up as a slow-speed zone. Too bad that there is no direct exit … read more

Tip by Naturliebhabär 🐻🚶🚴🏼‍♂️🏃

Map of the Top 20 in North Rhine-Westphalia

Popular around north rhine-westphalia.

Bike Touring Collection by komoot

Road Cycling Collection by komoot

Mountain Biking Collection by komoot

Running Collection by komoot

Mountain Climbing Collection by komoot

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:

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

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

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

• Route Finder
• Route Planner
• Travel Guide
• Places to visit
• Eat & drink
• Accommodation
• Ski resorts
• Current Conditions
• Avalanche Report
• Collections
• Travel Stories
• Publications

The best Places to visit in North Rhine-Westphalia

• Show images Hide images

The 10 most beautiful places to visit in North Rhine-Westphalia

Find many more places to visit here

Find places to visit in neighboring regions

More places to visit in the region.

THE way to start your next outdoor experience!

Top Things to Do in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany - North Rhine-Westphalia Attractions

Things to do in north rhine-westphalia.

• Altstadt-Nord
• Altstadt-Süd
• Stadt-Mitte
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

2401. TeamCrack DORTMUND - Live Escape Game Room

2402. Seiberts

2403. Printenbackerei Klein & Printen Museum

2404. MaasterMinds

2405. LaserZone LaserTag Duisburg

2406. Skweeze - Die Cocktailmanufaktur

2407. The Code Agency Dortmund

2408. Woods

2409. Kölner Kompass

2410. Agent Y - Escape Room Brühl

2411. Moulin Rouge! Das Musical

2412. Limbus Escape Center

2413. Therme Euskirchen

2414. HARIBO Factory Outlet

2415. Baldeneysee

2416. KD Day Cruises

2417. Little Link

2418. Leezen Heroes

2419. Try2escape Escape Adventure Rooms

2420. Deluxe Clubbing Cologne

2421. LYN Tours

2422. Adventure World Oberhausen

2423. Ona Mor

2424. Bunter Garten

2425. RuhrEscape

2426. Free Walking Tours Cologne

2427. Mondpalast von Wanne-Eickel

2428. vabali spa Duesseldorf

2429. Walking Cologne

2430. Escape City Hamm

What travellers are saying.

Family trips

Off to new adventures!

Around the Corner

Listen to the city whispers and take a look around the corner.

Have a look!

Per­son­al re­ports of travels to the state’s most beau­ti­ful places

Listen, Baby!

A feast for the eyes and ears, a mat­ter of the heart

Cul­tur­al High­lights

Cul­tur­al North Rhine-West­phalia brings you to majest­ic parks, gar­dens and great art. Dis­cov­er our world-class mu­seums and our in­dus­tri­al her­it­age.

Top-Ex­hib­i­tions 2023

In North Rhine-West­phali­a's mu­seums lots of dif­fer­ent ex­hib­i­tions open their doors through­out the year. Details

Ar­chi­tec­ture

North Rhine-West­pah­lia is a real para­dise for fans of ar­chi­tec­ture and pho­to­graph­ers alike. Well-known ar­chi­tects such as Frank Gehry, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Lud­wig Mies van der Rohe or Balthas­ar Neu­mann have all left their traces here, and en­riched the cit­ies in the fed­er­al state with their some­times ex­tra­vag­ant, some­times min­im­al­ist­ic, some­times lav­ish build­ings. Come and ad­mire the Baroque mas­ter build­ings, clas­sic­al spa ar­chi­tec­ture and fu­tur­ist­ic con­tem­por­ary struc­tures! Details

Beuys & Bike

Joseph Beuys set the art world in mo­tion. On his 100th birth­day, a new cycle route is fol­low­ing in his foot­steps through the far west of Ger­many. Details

Palaces & Castles

Dis­cov­er the im­pos­ing palaces and castles in the Kul­tur­land, which tell ex­cit­ing stor­ies from a wide range of epochs. Details

Mu­seums

Over 1.000 mu­seums in North Rhine-West­phalia await curi­ous vis­it­ors. Dis­cov­er the most pop­u­lar and im­press­ive es­tab­lish­ments with their unique, high-qual­ity ex­hib­i­tions. Details

UN­ESCO World Her­it­age

There are six UN­ESCO World Her­it­age Sites in North Rhine-West­phalia. The Lower Ger­man­ic Limes has also been al­lowed to bear the title since 2021. Details

In­dus­tri­al her­it­age of NRW

Back­drops for art, cul­ture and the cre­at­ive sec­tor The in­dus­tri­al her­it­age of North Rhine-West­phalia is huge: no oth­er fed­er­al state has such an abund­ance and vari­ety of in­dus­tri­al monu­ments. Themed routes lead across the coun­try to mines, gas­o­met­ers, cok­ing plants, blast fur­naces, pro­duc­tion fa­cil­it­ies and lifts. Details

Out­door-Fun

Green, green­er, North Rhine-West­phalia: More than half of the land is made up of forests, rivers, mead­ows and fields. Come and dis­cov­er our nat­ur­al beauty that will truly sur­prise you!

Nature Parks & Eifel Na­tion­al Park

Ex­per­i­ence the twelve nature parks in NRW and the only na­tion­al park: we present the most beau­ti­ful hik­ing and cyc­ling trails through nature, breath­tak­ing vant­age points and oth­er ex­cur­sion tips. Details

Nature ex­per­i­ence tours

Flower­ing heath land­scapes, dense forests and wild flood­plains Pack your bags and ex­plore the an­im­als and land­scapes of NRW on four nature tours. Dis­cov­er flamin­gos and high­land cattle in the Mün­ster­land re­gion, look for beavers on the Lower Rhine, be amazed at the sight of wis­ents by moon­light in the Teuto­bur­ger Wald forest, or fol­low the tracks of wild­cats in the Eifel re­gion. Ready to go? Details

Ex­cur­sions on the Rhine

On foot, by bike, in a cable-car or by don­key-ride – choose your way to dis­cov­er the de­lights of the Rhine. Details

Won­ders of nature

The land­scape of NRW is burst­ing with col­our. Dot­ted among the ex­tens­ive swathes of green, vis­it­ors will spot splashes of vi­brant col­our in places like Zwill­brock­er Venn in Mün­ster­land, the home of Europe’s most north­erly pink flamingo breed­ing colony. A sea of yel­low awaits in the Eifel, mean­while, both in early spring when the wild daf­fodils start to ap­pear and a little later when the broom shrubs be­gin to flower. Mys­ter­i­ous caves in Sauer­land, le­gend-steeped rock form­a­tions in the Teuto­burg Forest, a wild herd of European bison in Sieger­land-Wit­tgen­stein and the dis­cov­ery site of Neander­th­al man provide fur­ther col­our­ful at­trac­tions. Details

City ad­ven­tures

Im­merse in our urb­an jungle and start your city ad­ven­ture in nar­row, wind­ing streets. We in­vite you to dis­cov­er and linger.

aroundthe­corner

Six cit­ies in North Rhine-West­phalia, up close and per­son­al. Get to know who they really are, what makes them spe­cial and which of their less­er-known corners they no longer want to hide. Some­times, they are dreamy and emo­tion­al. Oth­er times, en­er­get­ic and col­our­ful. Each one, totally dif­fer­ent. But these NRW cit­ies have one thing in com­mon: They in­vite you to take a ma­gic­al stroll. Date?

His­tor­ic town and loc­al centres

In the his­tor­ic loc­al and town centres in NRW, vis­it­ors can im­merse them­selves in the past and ex­per­i­ence the par­tic­u­lar charm of these places in cosy cafés or on ro­mantic squares. Details

The ma­jor cit­ies of North Rhine-West­phalia have much to dis­cov­er: trendy neigh­bour­hoods, art gal­ler­ies and great shop­ping op­por­tun­it­ies. Details

Cowork­ing Spaces

New faces every morn­ing, new ideas every day, chats and scraps of con­ver­sa­tion. Brief con­tacts be­come friends, friends turn in­to busi­ness part­ners. This is what it’s like in a cowork­ing space. Details

Shop­ping

North Rhine-West­phalia is a true shop­per’s para­dise, with everything from lux­ury shop­ping miles to busy ped­es­tri­an zones and mod­ern ar­cades, and from trendy dis­tricts with small boutiques to shop­ping centres with everything un­der one roof. Details

Cyc­ling Ex­cite­ment

Re­lax along rivers and lakes or start ped­dling trails up and down: North Rhine-West­phalia is per­fectly suited for your bi­cycles.

Palaces and castles

No mat­ter if view­ing them only from a dis­tance, tak­ing the time for an ex­ten­ded stop to vis­it mu­seums and en­joy a lunch­time snack, or us­ing the castle park as the per­fect stop to re­lax for a little, these routes will take you to some of the most beau­ti­ful palaces and castles in your NRW. Discover more cycling paths!

On the old rail­way lines

Let your­self be in­spired by our cycle paths on old rail­way lines in North Rhine-West­phalia. Discover more cycling paths!

Cyc­ling routes with ath­let­ic chal­lenges

Hier gaat het altijd ho­ger, ver­der en sneller: deze fiet­s­routes in NRW vragen om spor­tieve top­prestaties, op de gravel­bike, de race­fi­ets of de moun­tain­bike. Discover more cycling paths!

River Cycle Paths

Routes full of high­lights, but mostly flat With the Ruhr, Rhine, Lippe, Lenne, or Sieg, rivers of all sizes shape the land­scape along their banks in NRW in dif­fer­ent ways. Those fol­low­ing them by bike from source to mouth will ex­per­i­ence nature, his­tory, and plenty of cyc­ling fun with little gradi­ent. Discover more cycling paths!

In­sider tips for bike tours

Quite a few cycle paths in North Rhine-West­phalia provide sur­pris­ing ex­per­i­ences and new im­pres­sions with of­ten less well-known sights along the way. Details

In­sider Tips

Look­ing for your next short trip, for spe­cial ac­com­mod­a­tions or for the best photo spot in North Rhine-West­phalia? Then you've come to the right place.

Un­usu­al gast­ro­nomy

We’ve com­piled a list of the most un­usu­al gast­ro­nom­ic ex­per­i­ences in Your NRW - in spec­tac­u­lar loc­a­tions and with very spe­cial gast­ro­nom­ic con­cepts and culin­ary of­fers. Details

Un­usu­al ac­com­mod­a­tion

Wheth­er it’s a stay in a tree­house on the Sorpe­see lake, camp­ing in the middle of nature or sleep­ing in a trail­er dir­ectly on the Ruhr river that you’re look­ing for - our list con­tains 37 un­usu­al ac­com­mod­a­tion op­tions in Your NRW. Unusual accommodation

Stor­ies from NRW

Get to know the spe­cial stor­ies of ex­cep­tion­al people from North Rhine-West­phalia. Be­cause they are what makes #Dein­NRW so unique. More Stories from NRW

Mu­sic Lov­ers

With the Sound of #urb­a­nana, we pave the way to a pop his­tor­ic­al tour through the Ruhr Area, Düs­sel­dorf and Co­logne. Details

Cus­toms & Tra­di­tions in NRW

In­dus­tri­al Cul­ture & His­tor­ic­al Crafts Shut-down mines and ma­chine halls, mills and grind­ing work­shops, steam-powered trains, and a sus­pen­sion rail­way that is unique in the world are some his­tor­ic­al des­tin­a­tions that in­vite to an up-close ex­per­i­ence to con­vey an au­then­t­ic im­pres­sion of the every­day work­ing lives of people in the 19th and 20th cen­tur­ies. Details

Fam­ily Time

From amuse­ment parks to dark caves, and from hands-on mu­seums to child-friendly walk­ing trails –we’ve got you covered for your next fam­ily get­away!

Zoos and zo­olo­gic­al parks

Wheth­er clas­sic zoos with an­im­als from around the world, wild­life parks with nat­ive spe­cies, or aqua parks that take vis­it­ors on jour­neys in­to the world of aquat­ic an­im­als: every single zoo in North Rhine-West­phalia houses some very spe­cial high­lights. Details

Mu­seums for chil­dren

Even bad weath­er will not stop ex­plorers of any age group in NRW. When the swim­ming lake or ski­ing slope are not par­tic­u­larly in­vit­ing, the pyr­am­ids or the plan­et­ari­um beck­on all the harder. Details

Col­lier­ies, mines, and iron­works

Min­ing has a long tra­di­tion in North Rhine-West­phalia. Fam­il­ies can ex­per­i­ence the sweaty un­der­ground work up close and see what used to be brought to light in an ex­cur­sion in­to col­lier­ies, mines, and iron­works. Details

Cyc­ling with chil­dren

Away from busy roads, fam­ily cyc­ling tours lead through a vari­ety of land­scapes. Not only is there plenty to see along the way, but ex­cit­ing ad­ven­tures and ad­di­tion­al op­por­tun­it­ies to let off steam are wait­ing for you as well. Details

Wild an­im­als

Ex­per­i­en­cing wild an­im­als in their nat­ur­al hab­it­ats is one of the most beau­ti­ful things. NRW of­fers some places where you can meet wild horses, arc­tic wild geese, or im­press­ive bison if you are just a little lucky. Let us tell you where to find these wild an­im­als. Details

Hik­ing with chil­dren

Wheth­er on nature ad­ven­ture trails, a guided tour with en­joy­able puzzles, or an­im­al com­pan­ions right by their side: NRW has great ad­ven­tures to of­fer to young hikers. The chil­dren’s hik­ing trails are no less en­joy­able for adults, how­ever, of­fer­ing great ex­per­i­ences for the en­tire fam­ily. Details

Amuse­ment parks

NRW’s amuse­ment parks of­fer plenty of show, ac­tion, and thrill with roller coast­ers, wa­ter slides, or chairo­planes. The young­est fam­ily mem­bers can en­joy some less rap­id rides, too. Details

Hik­ing de­lights

On more than 50.000 kilo­metres of hik­ing trails you get to know North Rhine-West­phalia from its most pro­found side. Be sure to pack your back­pack, pro­vi­sions and hik­ing boots.

In­sider tips - Hik­ing

Hik­ing can be so won­der­ful! Dis­cov­er new places away from the well-trod­den paths with our in­sider hik­ing tips. There are many hid­den gems that are still re­l­at­ively un­known among the many hik­ing routes in North Rhine-West­phalia. We’d like to in­tro­duce them to you! Details

Top Trails of Ger­many

Three of Ger­many’s 13 most beau­ti­ful and ex­cit­ing long-dis­tance hik­ing trails, the ‘Top Trails of Ger­many’, run through NRW. This ini­ti­at­ive brings to­geth­er Ger­many’s most beau­ti­ful and ex­cit­ing long-dis­tance trails. All four trails in North Rhine-West­phalia of­fer par­tic­u­larly nat­ur­al, at­tract­ive and var­ied hik­ing routes. Details

Hik­ing trails in NRW

NRW is a para­dise for walk­ers Hik­ing of­fers a slower but no less re­ward­ing way to dis­cov­er the de­lights of North Rhine-West­phalia. A well-de­veloped net­work of trails criss-crosses the state from east to west and north to south, tak­ing in a wide vari­ety of nat­ur­al land­scapes and dis­tinct­ive re­gions. Details

Keen to dis­cov­er NRW?

Then have a browse here!

Foot­steps of Joseph Beuys on the Lower Rhine

Nieder­rhein Tour­is­mus GmbH

Com­bin­ing art with nature: Skulp­turen­park Wald­frieden in Wup­per­tal

Skulp­turen­park Wald­frieden

“Der Ber­gis­che” hik­ing between Solin­gen Grä­frath and Al­ten­berg

Die Ber­gis­chen Drei - Ber­gisches Land Tour­is­mus Mar­ket­ing e.V.

A day at Mu­seum in­sel Hom­broi­ch & a night at the rock­et sta­tion

Stif­tung In­sel Hom­broi­ch

What to do In North Rhine-Westphalia

Recommended activities in north rhine-westphalia, tours & day trips.

Cologne: Old Town Highlights Walking Tour

Cologne City Tour Experience cathedral city on the Rhine

Düsseldorf: Brewery Tour with Alt Beer Tastings

Cologne Cathedral and Old Town Tour with 1 Kölsch

City Tour Cologne in a double-decker bus

Cologne: The Melaten Cemetery, Life, Love and Death Tour

Cologne: Old Town Brewhouse Tour

Dortmund: BVB Signal Iduna Park Self-Guided Tour

Beethoven and Bonn Highlights Tour from Cologne by Car

Düsseldorf: Guided Old Town Tour with Optional Beer Break

Private & custom tours.

Skip-the-Line Chocolate Museum & Old Town Guided Tour

Excursion from Cologne to Düsseldorf

Cologne Wine Tasting and Winery Tour with a Wine Expert

Private Tour to Kölsch Christmas Market in Germany

City game scavenger hunt Cologne - independent city tour I discovery tour

Traditional German Food and Cologne Old Town Private Tour

Self-Guided Pub Trail in Roermond with Online App

Cologne Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour

Cologne: WWII places & EL-DE Haus Private Guided Tour

Adventure & outdoor.

Beer tour with tasting in Dusseldorf

Cologne: 3-Hour Guided Bike Tour

Compact tour (7km)

Private tour: Bonn Republic - Former government district

1 hour of gameplay at Topgolf

Private city tour Bonn - City Highlights

City tour of Munster

Aachen City Hall tour (public)

Private city tour through the old town of Hattingen

Attractions.

Experience Cologne: KölnCard

The Chocolate Museum Cologne Entrance Ticket

Airbus A320 Flightsimulator | 60 Minutes Flying Experience

Cologne: Cologne Zoo and Aquarium Entry Ticket

Cologne: Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour

English guided tour (other languages offered)

Kerkrade: GaiaZoo Entry Ticket

Business Lounge at Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)

Aachen old town tour - GERMAN (public)

Shows & concerts.

Cologne: Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn

Berg en Dal: Africa Museum Entry Ticket

Kerkrade: Discovery Museum Entry Ticket

Cologne: 1.5-Hour Comedy Bus Tour

Dortmund: German Football Museum

Cologne: Rhine River Cruise with Live Music

Nijmegen: River Cruise with All-You-Can-Eat Dutch Pancakes

Cologne: 'Himmel and Kölle' Musical Tickets

Popular places to visit, cologne cathedral.

You can learn about the local history of Cologne when you make a stop at a top site like Cologne Cathedral. Stroll along the riverfront in this culturally rich area, or seek out the local tours.

Messe Düsseldorf

Learn about the events happening at Messe Düsseldorf during your trip to Düsseldorf. While you're in the area, find time to visit its shops.

Signal Iduna Park

Catch an event at Signal Iduna Park during your trip to Dortmund. You can attend a sporting event while in the area.

LANXESS Arena

Catch an event at LANXESS Arena during your trip to Cologne. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or experience its fascinating museums.

Konigsallee

During your trip to Düsseldorf, you can do some window-shopping at Konigsallee. While in this romantic area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

RheinEnergieStadion

Catch an event at RheinEnergieStadion during your trip to Cologne. Stroll along the riverfront in this culturally rich area, or check out its local chocolate shops.

Things do in destinations worldwide

• Things To Do In Cancun
• Things To Do In Las Vegas
• Things To Do In Nassau
• Things To Do In Myrtle Beach
• Things To Do In Miami
• Things To Do In Punta Cana
• Things To Do In Orlando
• Things To Do In Puerto Rico
• Things To Do In Florida Keys
• Things To Do In Gulf Shores
• Things To Do In Chicago
• Things To Do In Panama City
• Things To Do In Maui
• Things To Do In Bermuda
• Things To Do In New York
• Things To Do In Pensacola
• Things To Do In San Diego
• Things To Do In Nashville
• Things To Do In Atlantic City

More ways to wander North Rhine-Westphalia

Additional information about expedia group.

• Car Rentals
• Airport Transfers
• Attractions & Tours
• Bundle & Save
• Destinations
• Trip.com Rewards

North Rhine-Westphalia

Trip.best: north rhine-westphalia.

Top 1 Luxury Hotels in North Rhine-Westphalia

Top 20 Best Things to Do in North Rhine-Westphalia

Top 11 Premium Hotels in North Rhine-Westphalia

Top 8 4-star Select Hotels in North Rhine-Westphalia

North rhine-westphalia travel guide, popular destinations.

Experience North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne Cathedral

Hohenzollern Bridge

Cologne Chocolate Museum

Konigsallee

Rhine embankment promenade

Museum Ludwig

Duftmuseum im Farina-Haus

Great St. Martin Church

Beethoven House

Classic Remise Dusseldorf

Where to stay, palanga life balance spa hotel, grand baltic dunes, vanagupe spa resort, columba livia guesthouse, gradiali wellness and spa, amberton green apartments palanga, amsterdam plaza hotel & spa, gabija hotel & spa, palanga park hotel, tubinas hotels, seaside apartments, uzkanaves apartments, palangos vetra, what to eat.

Trattoria Enoteca

Haxenhaus zum Rheingarten

Hard Rock Cafe

Sal's Kitchen

Pasta Bochum - Viva la Mamma

L'Arte in Cucina

Discover the Real North Rhine-Westphalia With a Local Expert

Other Recommended Cities

Popular Types of Attractions in North Rhine-Westphalia

Popular attractions in north rhine-westphalia, popular restaurants in north rhine-westphalia, trending travelogues, recommended attractions at popular destinations, popular trip moments, popular travel types.

• Customer Support
• Service Guarantee
• Website Feedback
• About Trip.com
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Statement
• About Trip.com Group

Other Services

• Investor Relations
• Affiliate Program
• List My Hotel
• Become a Supplier

Top North Rhine-Westphalia Attractions

Things to do in north rhine-westphalia.

• Altstadt-Nord
• Altstadt-Süd
• Stadt-Mitte
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Cologne Cathedral

2. Aachen Cathedral

3. Chocolate Museum

4. Königsallee

5. Phantasialand

6. Museum Ludwig

7. Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen

8. Hohenzollern Bridge

9. Rheinturm

10. Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

11. Rheinuferpromenade

12. Signal Iduna Park

13. Classic Remise Dusseldorf

14. NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne

15. KölnTriangle

16. Koelner Zoo

17. Wuppertaler Schwebebahn

18. Landschaftspark

19. Playpaintball Jungle

20. Gasometer Oberhausen

21. Treasury of Aachen Cathedral

22. Wallraf-Richartz Museum

23. Schloss Drachenburg

24. MedienHafen

25. Botanical Gardens Flora

26. Historic Old Town

27. Wochenmarkt Muenster

28. River Rhine

29. City Hall Aachen

30. Heimat-Tierpark Olderdissen

What travellers are saying.