Forward-looking and innovative, this Dortmund district has a restless energy on display downtown, with unique museums, shopping and restaurants.

There’s always something new to do in Innenstadt-West, one of the central districts of Dortmund. From enthusiastic reclaiming of old industrial buildings to the energy on display when Borussia Dortmund’s yellow-and-black-wearing fans start streaming toward the stadium on match days, it’s easy for any visitor to get swept up in enthusiastic waves. View the cutting-edge art on display, go shopping or have a drink and bask in the exciting atmosphere.

Get a sense of Dortmund’s recent past at the Museum Ostwall, whose collection of art from the 1900s to today is one of the region’s best. It’s housed in the former brewery now called Dortmunder U, whose rooftop restaurant and nightclub provide the perfect excuse to relax and look out at the sites while enjoying a local beer. Consider labour in a totally new light at the DASA Working World Exhibition, one of Germany’s largest technical museums.

See the last bits of Dortmund’s pre-modern past at St. Reinold’s Church, built in 1250 and a splendid example of late Romanesque architecture.

Dortmund’s new sporting religion is on display in the fervor of Signal Iduna Park, home ground for Borussia Dortmund. Dive deeper into the Teutonian obsession with soccer at the German Football Museum.

Spend a day browsing some of the latest trends or shop for souvenirs at Innenstadt-West’s Thier-Galerie, an architecturally impressive mall. In the evening, relax with the splendid sounds produced by the in-house symphony and invited guests of the Dortmund Concert Hall.

Innenstadt-West is the central hub of the city of Dortmund and is therefore easily accessible from most areas in the city. Dortmund’s main train station is located in the district, with connections throughout the city and to nearby cities such as Düsseldorf. Several tram, subway and bus lines make getting around the neighbourhood easy. Unlike many German city centres, Innenstadt-West has few areas restricted to car traffic, so it can be practical to drive in for a visit. Alternatively, join others bicycling, a very common transportation mode here.