What to do in Gelsenkirchen

Activities, attractions and tours

castle borbeck essen germany
castle borbeck essen germany
Herten im Ruhrgebiet Schloss
Gelände frühere Zeche Consol Gelsenkirchen
Schloss Horst is a well-known wedding location in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Gelsenkirchen Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Gelsenkirchen has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Gelsenkirchen is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Gelsenkirchen to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Gelsenkirchen Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Gelsenkirchen.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Gelsenkirchen attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Gelsenkirchen

Number of things to do
19
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Gelsenkirchen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: CA $15
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Gelsenkirchen

Discover the most popular places to visit in Gelsenkirchen

Rural landscape near Schalke training grounds and stadium in Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Veltins-Arena

Catch an event at Veltins-Arena during your trip to Gelsenkirchen. Experience the area's theater scene or attend a football game.

Veltins-Arena
Zoom Erlebniswelt

ZOOM Erlebniswelt

Why not see the exotic and native animals who live at ZOOM Erlebniswelt during your travels in Gelsenkirchen? Experience the area's theater scene or attend a football game.

ZOOM Erlebniswelt

Golf Club Schloss Horst

Enjoy a round of golf in Gelsenkirchen at Golf Club Schloss Horst. Experience the area's theater scene or attend a football game.

Golf Club Schloss Horst

Nordsternpark

Explore the great outdoors at Nordsternpark, a lovely green space in Gelsenkirchen. Experience the area's theater scene or attend a football game.

Nordsternpark

Alma Park

Bring the kiddos to Alma Park and have a fun-filled day at this theme park in Gelsenkirchen.

Alma Park

Club Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Club Museum during your travels in Gelsenkirchen. Experience the area's theater scene or attend a football game.

Club Museum

Schloss Berge

You can find out about the history of Gelsenkirchen with a trip to Schloss Berge. Make some time to visit the shops while you're in the area.

Schloss Berge

Hans-Sachs-Haus

After visiting Hans-Sachs-Haus, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Gelsenkirchen.

Hans-Sachs-Haus

Explore areas of Gelsenkirchen

Standesamt im Schloss Horst, Gelsenkirchen

Buer

Appreciated for its restaurants and shopping, you might consider exploring Buer. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Schloss Berge, and jump on the metro at Hugostraße Tram Stop or Gelsenkirchen Buer Nord S-Bahn to get around the city.

Buer
Zoom Erlebniswelt

Gelsenkirchen-Mitte

While visiting Gelsenkirchen-Mitte, you might make a stop by sights like ZOOM Erlebniswelt and Nordsternpark.

Gelsenkirchen-Mitte
St.Georg Church, Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Georgskirche, Germany

Schalke

The live music and zoo are a few reasons travelers visit Schalke. Want to see more of the surrounding area? ZOOM Erlebniswelt and Veltins-Arena are a few top sights nearby.

Schalke
Superb stadium. Good team and no segregation between the home Schalke 04 supporters and those of us that support Arsenal.

Erle

The restaurants and sporting events make Erle worth a stop. Make a stop by Veltins-Arena, and jump on the metro at VELTINS-Arena Station to get around the area.

Erle
Nordsternpark Gelsenkirchen

Gelsenkirchen-Ost

While you're in Gelsenkirchen-Ost, take in top sights like Veltins-Arena and jump on the metro at VELTINS-Arena Station to see more of the city.

Gelsenkirchen-Ost
Schloss Horst is a well-known wedding location in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Gelsenkirchen-West

While you're in Gelsenkirchen-West, take in top sights like Golf Club Schloss Horst or Nordsternpark, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Buerer Strasse U-Bahn or Schloss Horst U-Bahn.

Gelsenkirchen-West

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Gelsenkirchen

Bochum featuring outdoor eating, a city and street scenes

Bochum

Drone shot over my home town Bottrop. Shortly after that shot my phone decided to end the wifi connection. Almost had a heart attack seeing the drone just hanging in the air...

Bottrop

The palace gardens in Herten are a beautiful place for architecture, landscape and wildlife photography. They are hardly an insider tip though so expect a lot of people.

Herten

Essen

Essen

The akademy of Mont Cenis

Herne

De Haar Castle in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Holland

Frequently asked questions

Is Gelsenkirchen worth visiting?
Offering a mix of festivals and history, there are many things to do in Gelsenkirchen. While you're here, check out Ikonen-Museum, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Gelsenkirchen?
Movie Park Germany and Alma Park are two excellent places to start your sightseeing adventures. Be sure to explore the dining and retail options in Gelsenkirchen while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Gelsenkirchen?
The top tourist attraction in Gelsenkirchen is Ikonen-Museum, so make sure to add it to your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Gelsenkirchen?
If you only want to enjoy the most popular attractions, three days will be more than enough time for a break in Gelsenkirchen. Stay for a week or longer for the chance to truly experience the local vibe, visit nearby highlights and discover a few hidden gems.
Is Gelsenkirchen a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and leading sights within walking distance of the city centre, Gelsenkirchen is a great place to experience on foot. Enjoy wandering between Nordsternpark and Alma Park. Then take a stroll around Gelsenkirchen-Mitte, located 2 kilometres from the centre, and Altstadt Gelsenkirchen, which is roughly 0.32 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Gelsenkirchen with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with tiny adventurers or thrill-loving teens, a schedule filled with fun activities makes all the difference. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Gelsenkirchen with kids.

What to do in Gelsenkirchen for adults?
Adults of all ages will have lots of things to do in Gelsenkirchen. Whether you're into art, history, outdoor adventures or just enjoy visiting new places, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Gelsenkirchen?
In Gelsenkirchen, Nordsternpark is an unmissable spot for anyone looking to enjoy the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's a top way to find out about the best free things to do in Gelsenkirchen.