Explore Gelsenkirchen

Gelsenkirchen is located in the heart of the Ruhr region in North Rhine-Westphalia and is surrounded by major cities such as Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg, and Wuppertal. The city and its region are known for their rich industrial history and lively cultural scene.

There are numerous leisure opportunities such as the Zoo Park, ZOOM Erlebniswelt, Nordsternpark – a former site of the Nordstern mine which is now a popular park, Schloss Horst – a castle complex from the 16th century, as well as the Rhein-Herne Canal, which is popular among cyclists, walkers, and swimmers.

Gelsenkirchen is also home to the football club FC Schalke 04, where football fans can enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Veltins Arena, one of the most famous football stadiums in Germany. In the city center, there are a variety of shops and boutiques as well as the weekly market at Heinrich-König-Platz. Here, you will also find many cafes and restaurants where you can take a short break from shopping or simply enjoy the day in a relaxed atmosphere.

Thanks to its central location and good public transport connections, Gelsenkirchen is an excellent starting point for excursions to the surrounding cities of the Ruhr region such as Essen, Dortmund, and Bochum.

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Museums & galleries