It is one of the cities in Germany that, when you visit for the first time, you get a sense of the football culture and the locals’ adoration for FC Schalke 04. Coal mining, energy and electricity were for decades some of the most important features of Gelsenkirchen. Now it is a city that has cultural beauties and hidden treasures worth seeking out and exploring. Gelsenkirchen is famous for its impressive festivals, local artistic spirit and creativity. It is worth visiting at least once in your life and we are sure you will love it.
Currency: Euro
Calling Code: +49
Nearest airports from city center: Dusseldorf Airport (42km), Dortmund Airport (49km), Weeze Airport (81km), Cologne Airport (96km), Eindhoven Airport (133km), Maastricht Airport (143km), Brussels Airport (244km), Frankfurt Airport (261km), Charleroi Airport (265km).
TOP – 10 SIGHTSEEING
*** SCHALKE MUSEUM (Arena AufSchalke, Rudi-Assauer-Platz 1, 45891 Gelsenkirchen)
It should be one of your main choices when you arrive in Gelsenkirchen. Visit the museum to see the rich history of FC Schalke 04.
*** NORDSTERN PARK (Am Bugapark 1, 45899 Gelsenkirchen)
It is one of the landmarks of the city. It presents post-industrial garden design in a park that was on the grounds of a former coal mine.
*** ERLEBNISMUSEUM SCHLOSS HORST (Turfstraße 21, 45899 Gelsenkirchen)
It is worth visiting the museum that takes a… dive back in time! You will travel to the Renaissance era. You will have the chance to see a 16th century Westphalian manor house, wild horse house and much more.
*** ZOOM Erlebniswelt (Bleckstraße 64, 45889 Gelsenkirchen)
It opened in the late 1940s and is considered one of the finest zoos in the country. Tour the space and you’ll think you’re in Alaska, an African savanna, or remote parts of Asia. See hundreds of species of rare animals.
*** KUNSTMUSEUM (Horster Str. 5/5-7, 45897 Gelsenkirchen)
If you’re an art lover, then you’ll find over 3,000 works of art featuring creations by Albrecht Dürer, Pablo Picasso, Ernst Barlach and many more.
*** STOCKPILE RHEINELBE (45886 Gelsenkirchen)
If you like hiking or mini-climbing, then we would recommend you to visit it. It is one of the most important spots of the city.
*** CATHEDRAL PRIVATE CHURCH OF ST. AUGUSTINUS (Heinrich-König-Platz, 45879 Gelsenkirchen)
It is worth visiting the unique neo-gothic church of Gelsenkirchen. It is one of the most beautiful churches in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
*** THE LITTLE MUSEUM (Eschweilerstraße 47, 45897 Gelsenkirchen)
This particular museum is very interesting, because the games are the main focus. See the unique collection of dolls, toys, dollhouses and more. dating from the mid-19th century to the 1960s.
*** BLECKKIRCHE (Bleckstraße, 45889 Gelsenkirchen)
It is an important ecclesiastical building dating from the 18th century, when it was originally a small church. It is worth visiting the church for a unique feeling.
*** TRABRENNBAHN (Nienhausenstraße 42, 45883 Gelsenkirchen)
This is a unique place in Gelsenkirchen. Horse racing was loved in the city and since 1912 it has had one of the largest tracks, if not the largest, in Germany.
ΤΗINGS TO DO
*** Ruhr Museum is about 20 minutes away from the center of Gelsenkirchen and is located in Essen. Visit one of the finest natural history museums.
*** We would recommend visiting neighboring Essen for other attractions, such as the Red Dot Design Museum.
*** Just a 10-minute drive from the center, you will find the Heimatmuseum Unser Fritz in the town of Herne.
*** One of the most famous sculptures is the Skulptur des Bildhauers Jürgen Goertz in Gelsenkirchen.
FOOD AND DRINK
In Gelsenkirchen you will find everything to eat. It goes without saying that you should try local recipes with different types of sausages, different meats, schnitzels, fish and the local mussels. The Rhenish Sauerbraten, Himmel und Erde and the local potato salad are worth a try. We would also recommend you to try the local beer and fine wines of the area. Finally, it has cuisines from all over the world. You will find restaurants with Turkish, American, Latin American, Mediterranean and Northern European cuisine.
WHERE TO STAY
You can find cheap and expensive hotels in the city center and a few kilometers outside the city center.
FUN AND SHOPPING
*** If you enjoy theater performances, concerts, operas and spectacles, then try to catch a show at the imposing Musiktheater im Revier.
*** Bahnhofs Center is an ideal place for your shopping.
*** Bahnhofstrasse is one of the most famous shopping streets in the city.
*** Buer is also another one of the busiest parts of the city, where you will find everything!
HOW TO GET AROUND
The most beautiful way to get around the city is by bike, on foot, by tram, by bus or by train.
CITIES NEAR GELSENKIRCHEN
Major cities close to Gelsenkirchen are Essen (13km), Bochum (16km), Oberhausen (18km), Duisburg (32km), Dortmund (38km), Dusseldorf (56km), Wuppertal (56km), Monchengladbach (87km), Cologne (93km), Bonn (115km), Eindhoven (125km), Paderborn (138km), Maastricht (168km).
