Bielefeld travel guide

Bielefeld, Germany

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Bielefeld

Introduction

Bielefeld sits in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region, in the north-east corner of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is the largest city in the administrative region of Detmold, and one of the bigger cities in Germany as a whole.

Before you go

Bielefeld is a city with a long history, first mentioned in the 9th century and referred to as a city in a 1214 document. Its 800-year anniversary was celebrated under the headline "Das gibt's doch gar nicht", a phrase that can mean "That's unbelievable" or, more literally, "That doesn't exist" — a nod to the bizarre conspiracy theory that the city does not exist at all, which is the first thing most Germans will tell you about it.

Much of the old town was destroyed in World War II, but some nice buildings remain. Knowing this before you arrive helps set your expectations: you are visiting a place with genuine historical depth and surviving architecture, wrapped in a running joke about its own non-existence.

Getting there

Bielefeld is served by Deutsche Bahn trains at its Hauptbahnhof, with regular ICE services as well as regional trains within North Rhine-Westphalia and onward to Lower Saxony. Flixtrain also serves the city.

If you are arriving by air, the nearest major airport is in Hanover; the greater Ruhr area and Cologne, both served by various airports, are easily reachable by train.

Getting around

Bielefeld is compact and well connected, so you can cover most of it without a car. The backbone of local transport is the Stadtbahn, a hybrid of light rail, tram and metro with four major lines, operated mainly by moBiel alongside BVO. Where the Stadtbahn doesn't reach, an extensive bus network fills the gaps, with headways as low as ten minutes. Tickets for buses and the Stadtbahn are integrated, so one ticket covers both, and the system runs on proof of payment: buy and validate your ticket before boarding, as inspectors may check it during your journey.

Bielefeld Hauptbahnhof anchors the network, with regular Deutsche Bahn ICE and regional services as well as Flixtrain; intercity buses use Brackwede station. Taxis and ride-hailing exist, but for most trips in the centre the Stadtbahn and buses are frequent enough that taxis are mainly useful late at night, with heavy luggage, or for destinations off the main lines. If you're staying centrally, the core sights are walkable, and the Hermannsweg long-distance hiking trail along the Teutoburg Forest ridges lets you explore on foot beyond the streets. From the nearby airports, the practical approach is to connect by train into Bielefeld Hauptbahnhof, then continue on the Stadtbahn and bus network.

Where to stay

Bielefeld's accommodation is limited, with the options listed here concentrated in the city itself rather than spread across outlying districts. If you want to base yourself centrally, look to addresses within Bielefeld proper, such as the hotels on Carl-Severing-Straße and Am Johannisberg.

Food & drink

Bielefeld's eating options cluster in and around the city centre, so you can cover a lot of ground on foot. For a cheap meal in the centre, look to Alt Bielefeld on Obernstraße, Neues Kronenstübchen on Bahnhofstraße, Le & Vi on Oberntorwall, Pizza Pexla am Kesselbrink on Wilhelmstraße, or China To Go at Jahnplatz. Just outside the centre you'll find Sannes Leckerbissen on Werner-Bock-Straße, Bürgerwache on Rolandstraße, and Tischlein deck dich on Siegfriedstraße.

When you want something more substantial, the mid-range choices include Le Feu on Ritterstraße, the Bielefelder Fischgaststätte at Jahnplatz, Kachelhaus on Hagenbruchstraße, and Hofbräu am Alten Rathaus on Niederwall. For a special occasion, head to Klötzer's Restaurant on Niedernstraße, GlückundSeligkeit on Artur-Ladebeck-Straße, or Numa on Obernstraße.

What to see and do

Start your sightseeing at Sparrenberg Castle, a restored fortress on Am Sparrenberg; reach it by taking Stadtbahn line 1 to Adenauerplatz and walking the rest of the way. In the centre, the Altes Rathaus dates from 1904, while the Stadttheater is worth a look for its Jugendstil façade.

For something more active, head to Kletterpark Bielefeld on Am Johannisberg. If you want to catch a match, Arminia Bielefeld play in the 3. Liga, Germany's third tier, at Bielefelder Alm, about a kilometre northwest of the town centre.

Three days in Bielefeld

Day one: Arrive at Bielefeld Hauptbahnhof, the city's main rail hub, served by Deutsche Bahn ICE services as well as Flixtrain, with connections toward Hanover, the Ruhr and Cologne. From the station, use the Stadtbahn or BVO buses to reach your base, or take a taxi if you are carrying luggage. Once settled, spend the afternoon on a gentle orientation walk through the city centre, following Carl-Severing-Straße and the area around Am Johannisberg to get a feel for the layout. Knowing how the Stadtbahn lines cross the centre will make the rest of your stay easier.

Day two: Head out toward the Teutoburg Forest, the wooded ridge that gives Bielefeld its setting in Ostwestfalen and the region of Westphalia. Follow a stretch of the Hermannsweg, the long-distance trail that runs along the forest, and take in the views over the city and the surrounding countryside of North Rhine-Westphalia. The walking here is the reason many visitors come, so allow a full day and carry what you need. In the evening, return to the city for a meal and an early night.

Day three: Use your last day for a trip beyond the city. Detmold, in the Lippe district, is within reach by rail and makes a straightforward half-day or full-day excursion. Alternatively, stay local and fill in the corners of Bielefeld you have not yet seen, including the Brackwede area to the south. If you are continuing your journey, Deutsche Bahn ICE and Flixtrain services from Bielefeld Hauptbahnhof connect onward to Hanover, the Ruhr and Cologne, so check your departure before you set out.

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