Concrete, Culture, Currywurst: Dortmund’s City Centre

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Concrete, Culture, Currywurst: Dortmund’s City Centre

(1 review)
Dortmund audio tour: Concrete, Culture, Currywurst: Dortmund’s City Centre
This is a 2.2mi walking tour
It takes an average of 90 mins to complete.
Dortmund
map
$8.99
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About the Tour

Step into Dortmund beyond the clichés of football and beer halls. This self-guided audio tour takes you through the heart of a city that rose from steel and coal to reinvent itself as a cultural and creative hub.

Starting at the bustling Hauptbahnhof, we’ll wind our way through lively shopping streets and hidden courtyards. I’ll share stories of Dortmund’s industrial past, its rebuilding after WWII, and the changes that have shaped the city into what it is today.

We’ll see architectural landmarks both old and modern, and street corners where everyday life gives Dortmund its down-to-earth charm. There’ll be tips on where to grab a proper meal, where to catch the best view, and where to experience the city’s famous football fever without setting foot in the stadium.

Some of this 90-minute tour’s highlights include:

  • See the Dortmunder U-Tower, a former brewery turned cultural center with its iconic rooftop logo
  • Explore Propsteihof, a peaceful church courtyard that offers a quiet escape from city noise
  • Visit St. Petri Church with its 105-meter spire, once part of a competition to build the tallest tower in Dortmund
  • Discover Friedensplatz with its Peace Column featuring the word “peace” in multiple languages
  • Sample a Salzkuchen at Fischer am Rathaus, one of the city’s oldest bakeries, and the inventor of this local specialty
  • Marvel at the 49-meter Pylon steel sculpture that marks the Reinoldikirche underground station
  • Walk down vibrant Brückstraße, transformed from a troubled district to a lively quarter of independent shops
  • Learn how Dortmund became one of Europe’s largest beer producers with its signature Dortmunder Export style

Whether you’re here for a day or a week, this tour will leave you with a feel for Dortmund’s grit, warmth, and surprises.

Categories
Museums Industrial Revolution Medieval History Modern History Transportation Heritage

Tour Producer

avatar

Dirk

1 tour

Hi, I'm Dirk. I’m a technical writer with a habit of looking closer at the world around me. Cities fascinate me — not just how they look, but why. What was here before? Who decided this street should curve here, or that building should stand there? I love digging into the layers of a place, whether it’s the brutalist architecture of the Ruhr region, the history hidden in public transport, or the small details that tell a bigger story.

I’ve lived in Herne for years, exploring Dortmund and beyond. My tour isn’t about grand narratives — it’s about the things you notice when you slow down and pay attention. Maybe it’s the way a building’s design reflects its past, or the story behind a forgotten tram line. I don’t have formal credentials; I just ask questions, observe, and share what I find.

When I’m not writing or wandering, you’ll probably find me listening to synthwave (that nostalgic, 80s-inspired music that somehow feels futuristic), tinkering with tech, or taking random train trips to discover totally unexpected things. Oh, and I’m a huge English enthusiast—whether it’s the language, the accents, or the country itself. This tour is for anyone who’s curious about the stories behind the places we walk past every day.

Preview Location

Location 7

Westenhellweg

This is the western end of Westenhellweg — and also the spot where the mighty Westentor, the western gate of medieval Dortmund, once marked the boundary of the city. There’s no gate left today, but if you picture tall stone towers and guarded archways, you’ll get the idea.

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Major Landmarks

  • Dortmund U-Tower

  • Westenhellweg

  • St. Petri Church

  • Catholic Parish of St. Johannes Baptist

  • Hansaplatz

  • Dortmund City Garden

  • City Hall Dortmund

  • Markt

  • St. Reinold's Church

  • Brückstraße

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.
  1. Start location
    Königswall 15, 44137 Dortmund, Germany
  2. Total distance
    4km
  3. Final location
    Königswall, 44137 Dortmund, Germany
  4. Distance back to start location
    75.24m

Directions to Starting Point

We’ll meet outside in front of the main entrance of Dortmund Hauptbahnhof (entrance "City", South).
It’s easy to reach by train, S-Bahn, or U-Bahn from anywhere in the region.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Places to pause along the way:
– Dortmunder U: Visitor platform (free entrance)
– Stadtgarten: Park for a short break
– Alter Markt: Restaurants and bars
– Brückstraße: Fast food and takeaway options

Best time of day

You can do this tour anytime.
Weekdays are moderately busy, Saturdays can be crowded, and Sundays are quiet but shops are closed.
During Christmas time (November/December), with Christmas market, the city can be extremely packed in the evenings, especially on weekends.
On market days at Hansaplatz (Wed, Fri, Sat 07:00–13:00), expect more activity in the square.

Precautions

Be careful when crossing the streets and look both ways.

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“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”
App Store Review
“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”
Google Play Store

Last Updated

13 Aug 2025

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