Dortmund City Guide

Local dishes include Pfefferpotthast and Salzkuchen mit Mett. Good international options: Turkish, Italian, Asian. Vegetarian and vegan food is widely available. Some late-night döner and snack bars.

Main nightlife is in the Kreuzviertel district, with bars, pubs, and clubs for various tastes.

Developing coffee scene with specialty shops and third-wave roasters.

Tipping is polite but not required. Usually 5-10% in restaurants, rounding up for taxis.

SIMs can be bought at Telekom, Vodafone, O2 shops, electronics stores, or supermarkets. Coverage is good. Registration with ID is required.

Generally clean with regular waste and recycling services.

Limited 24/7 availability. Some emergency pharmacies and mini marts at stations open late.

Supermarkets like Edeka, Rewe, Aldi, Lidl, and Netto have a good range including international products. Fresh markets offer local produce. Shops close Sundays except some bakeries and station shops. Bargaining is not done.

Cards work well in supermarkets and bigger places, but some smaller shops prefer cash. Carry some cash for small purchases.

ATMs are common and found at major banks like Sparkasse and Deutsche Bank. Use big bank ATMs to avoid high fees on foreign cards.

Local Gymnasium schools available. International School Ruhr in Essen offers English instruction.

Growing community mostly connected through coworking spaces and online groups.

Known for extensive parks and green areas great for outdoor activities.

Good running routes in parks and around lakes. Mostly safe and clean air.

Multiple well-known gyms with flexible memberships.

Tennis clubs throughout the city, with some guest access.

Padel courts are growing but less common.

Several studios with drop-in classes and some English-speaking instructors.

Variety of martial arts clubs including BJJ, Muay Thai, Judo, Boxing, and Karate. Some offer English classes.

Skiing in Sauerland about 1-1.5 hours away. Winterberg is the main resort. Season runs December to March.

Kayaking and paddleboarding available at local lakes like Phoenix See seasonally.

No surfing opportunities in Dortmund.

No notable diving spots in the area.

Several hospitals with English-speaking staff available. High-quality public and private care. Pharmacies have regular hours with some emergency services.

Tap water is safe and of high quality.

Parks like Westfalenpark and Rombergpark have playgrounds. Attractions include the zoo and football museum. Baby supplies and kid-friendly cafés are common.

Open and tolerant city with LGBTQ+ venues and annual pride events.

Many parks allow dogs, pet stores and vets are common. Some pet-friendly accommodations and restaurants.