Gelsenkirchen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia. Gelsenkirchen, like neighbouring cities, is refining its image promoting its industrial culture. Old refineries have been remodelled into event halls and ice skating rinks. Beautiful bike paths now lie where old rail lines ran. Art from old machines are a source of artistic expression.
Understand
Gelsenkirchen is a city of 260,000 people (2019) in the heart of the Ruhr region in Germany. Located in the western part of the country, Gelsenkirchen is located near major cities such as Dusseldorf and Cologne. Through coal mining, the Ruhr Region became former industrial capital of Germany and formed heavily populated cities. During World War II, the area was severely bombed due to its rich industrial value. After World War II though coal mining was severely curtailed and large unemployment hit the region.
Get in
The Ruhr area, especially Gelsenkirchen, offers a wonderful public transportation system. Whether using the train, bus, streetcar/ trolley, or car, it is easy to plan your transportation to and from all your activities in and around Gelsenkirchen.
By plane
Nearest airports are located within 100 km from the city.
- Dusseldorf International Airport (approx. 40 km)
- Dortmund International Airport (approx. 46 km)
- Cologne-Bonn Airport (approx. 90 km)
Train stations with connections to Gelsenkirchen are available at both airports.
By train
The city can be easily reached using the German train network InterCity-Express (ICE)and InterCity (IC) trains offer high speed connections between cities throughout Germany and popular European destinations. These trains travel up to 300 km/h and offer optimal comfort for long distance travel.
- Gelsenkirchen Central station (Gelsenkirchen Hauptbahnhof). 2020-11-17
Intercity transportation
The Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr Website offers a wonderful online planner in multiple languages for using the train and/ or bus in the Rein-Ruhr area. The central Bus Stations are located at the Gelsenkirchen Main Train Station and in the center of Gelsenkirchen Buer. Tis website does not provide prices for your specific route-plan.
The official bus and tram/treetcar transportation provider in Gelsenkirchen and the surrounding area is BOGESTRA.
By car
Gelsenkirchen can be reached using the highway (Autobahn) A42, A2, A40, as well as the Bundesstraße B224/A52.
Get around
See
- Berge Castle (Schloss Berge). Adenauerallee 103, Bus 302 (stop: "Berger See"). Built in 1264, and underwent major expansion between 1785 and 1788. There is a traditional summer festival at the end of July every year. Concerts and other events are hosted regularly in this historically preserved location.
- Zoom Erlebniswelt. Openings times: March & October 09:00-18:00, Apr-Sep 09:00-1:30PM, Nov-Feb 10:00-17:00. Gelsenkirchen's interactive zoo. Zoom offers a special zoo experience for children, families, and adults of all ages! The zoo is split into three sections or "worlds": Africa, Asia, and Alaska and offers a more natural atmosphere of the animal habitats. Day ticket: adult €17.50, child aged 4 to 12 €11.50.
- City Parks. Gelsenkirchen offers wonderful city parks with beautiful playgrounds, gardens, and ponds. The "Revierpark" and "Stadtgarten" are popular centrally located parks within the city.
Do
- Nordsternpark. A former industrial park offering many attractions including a bike/walking trails along a canal, an open air theater (which plays featured films in the summer time), rock climbing, a children's play land, and a colliery.
- Football: Schalke 04. They were promoted in 2022 so they now play soccer in Bundesliga, Germany's top tier. Their home ground is Veltins Arena, capacity 62,000 - big games often sell out. It's 3 km north of the centre, or 2 km northeast of Gelsenkirchen Zoo railway station. 2022-10-23
- Veltins Arena also hosts other events, such as rock concerts, operas and motorbike racing. Tours of the arena are available.
Buy
There are 2 major shopping areas:
- Bahnhofstraße.
- Hochstraße.
Eat
- Cafe Extra Blatt. An American-style cafe which offers coffee drinks as well as meals. Every morning they offer an all-you-can-eat buffet of eggs, bacon, fresh bread, and other delicious treats. Also cocktails are only €4 each in the evenings. This is a fun place to enjoy a typical European cafe with a slight American flair.
- El Sombrero. A Mexican-themed cocktail bar. Drink specials and entertaining servers offer a fun night out with friends.
- Cafe Arminstraße. A nice coffee shop located in the Arminstraße. Offers everything you need for a snack or a drink.
Drink
Sleep
Depending on your budget, Gelsenkirchen offers two hotel options.
- Inter City Hotel. Inter City Hotels are a chain of inexpensive hotels situated in convenient central locations in several Germany cities. Gelsenkirchen offers a convenient Inter City Hotel connected to the main train station in the center of the city. Also ask about special (free) transportation passes for convenient travel within and around Gelsenkirchen!
- Maritim Hotel. Including their signature Champagne Breakfast, Maritim Hotels offer first class hotel accommodations. Also the Gelsenkirchen Chapter of Rotary International meets in the meeting rooms of Martim once a week.