10 Best Things To Do In Krefeld, Germany

things to do in krefeld germany
Maria Cristina
Maria Cristina 
Updated
| 7 min read

Krefeld is also known as Germany’s city of velvet and silk. During the 18th-century, the city gained popularity due to its textile industry. It produced the finest silk, brocade and velvet which were the favorite fabrics of royalties and church leaders. Up to this date, fine fabrics are still being made in the houses of small weavers which also function as their homes and workshops. These places are now protected by the city’s preservation orders.

Krefeld’s city life basically centers around textiles. Every September the world’s largest outdoor fashion shows are held. It is a showcase of the winter and autumn collections of local fashion schools, designers and retailers combined with extravagant dances, live-music and the after-show parties. During the Whitsun weekend, the Linn Castle and its old quarter are surrounded by the medieval flax market, the country’s largest market for crafts. The city is also a great place to experience traditional German food, beer and delicacies. Pubs as old as the 19th-century serve sauerbraten and Rhenish mussels that you wash down with fresh altbier.

There is so much to see in Krefeld. Just to get you started, below is a short list of things you must do in this city.

1. Krefeld Zoo

The Krefeld Zoo is a massive property that is home to over 1,000 animals comprised of 200 various species. It features several outdoor enclosures in forest like settings that mimic the natural rainforest habitat of these animals. The zoo specializes in the expert care of tropical birds, primates and wildlife from the African Savannah. It was originally established in 1938 as an educational place for the youth.

The zoo is well visited by tourists and children from schools. There are several rules that protect the welfare of the animals and visitors as well. You are not allowed to touch or feed the animals. You should always follow the paths and do not go beyond restricted areas. Children must always be supervised. Taking photos or selling photos of the zoo and animals is prohibited unless you are using them for private purposes only.

Krefeld Zoo

Address: Uerdinger Str. 377, 47800 Krefeld, Germany

Website: Krefeld Zoo

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2. Museum Burg Linn

Einfach nur ein Schön-Wetter-Bild vom schönsten Arbeitsplatz Krefelds.... Guten Morgen!

Posted by Museum Burg Linn on Thursday, 27 April 2017

This ancient moated castle is located on the Lower Rhine in the suburb of Linn. It was owned by the Cologne Electorate in the 1200s. It became Krefeld City’s property in 1926. The original beauty of its structures is well preserved and it includes a tithe barn, hunting lodge and bailey. It is situated beside a Landscape Museum where you can view archeological finds from the 5th-century Roman and Frankish princes era.

Inside the museum, there is a floor dedicated to the history of Krefeld’s textile industry complete with weaving machines that visitors can use. The archeology museum contains 3 floors featuring the city’s history dating back to the Roman period. The special items on display are gilded artifacts buried with the princes found in the largest well-preserved burial site of Gellep-Stratum where it is reported to contain 6,500 tombs. Another stellar attraction is the medieval barge that belonged to Charles the Great. The impressive castle grounds and park provide the venue for various activities or for simply strolling around the lush surroundings.

Museum Burg Linn

Address: Rheinbabenstraße 85, 47809 Krefeld, Germany

Website: Museum Burg Linn (in German)

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3. Stadtpark Uerdingen

Blick aufs Restaurant
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Galamarc used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Uerdinger Stadtpark is a recreational park that is a popular destination for tourists and locals. It features vast playgrounds, a huge pond with a fountain, tennis courts, a mini-golf course and a restaurant beside the park entrance.

It was built in 1897 initially to protect the areas of the nearby waterworks. In 1903, the pond system was created so that visitors could go boating. The restaurants were established around 1905 to 1911. In the following years, more attractions were added that beautified the park with the help of the citizen’s union and charitable institutions. Today, you will find an impressive display of beautiful Narcissus and Daylily gardens, and the two children’s playgrounds which are an excursion destination for kindergarten students.

Stadtpark Uerdingen

Address: Nikolaus-Groß-Straße 4, 47829 Krefeld, Germany

Website: Stadtpark Uerdingen (in German)

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4. Krefeld-Uerdinger Brucke

NRW, Krefeld-Uerdinger Brucke
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Alexostrov used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The bridge is a massive structure and it has two sidewalks and lanes. It spans over the Rhine and connects the Uerdingen district of Krefeld and the Mundelheim district of Duisburger. It is part of Bundesstraße 288, the federal road located in North Rhine-Westphalia and it was built as a bridge over another bridge.

Its construction started in 1933 based on a draft made by Friedrich Voβ. In 1935, a prehistoric whale skull fossil was discovered among the pillars of the bridge. In 1936, the bridge was inaugurated as the “Adolf-Hitler-Brucke” later changed to Rudolf Hess and finally in 1950, it was reopened with its current name. In 1945, the bridge was used by Wehrmacht troops to cross the river while the Allied troops approached the Rhine for their grenade operations.

The bridge underwent several reconstructions to increase its load-bearing capacity and extend its longevity. Today, it stands as a sturdy edifice, witness to several events of the city’s history and as a road contributory to the rise of its industrial culture. It also provides a picturesque landmark that stands majestic over the River Rhine.

Krefeld-Uerdinger Brucke

Address: Krefelder Str., 47829 Krefeld, Germany

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5. Museum Haus Lange & Museum Haus Esters

Krefeld haus lange esthers 9
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Hps-poll used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The buildings were residential homes of Josef Esters and Hermann Lange constructed in the years 1928 and 1930. It was designed in Bauhaus style by its architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The art deco houses were converted into a museum. It is a popular destination for tourists for being an architectural gem with an interesting display of modern art works and contemporary furniture.

Museum Haus Lange & Museum Haus Esters

Address: Wilhelmshofallee 91-97, 47800 Krefeld, Germany

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6. Aussichtsturm Hulser Berg

Johannesturm
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Johannes1024 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The Hulsberg is known as the highest natural mountain in Krefeld. It is found northeast of Huls village in Traark district. There are many legends on how this came to be including a story of a giant dumping a wheelbarrow full of clay and sand where Hulsberg is located. This phenomena is actually the result of the pile up of rocks and sediments that came from the Scandinavian glaciers that melted during the ice age some 150,000 years ago.

Currently, it is a famous destination that attract tourists who are nature lovers. You can go biking on the paths, trekking or explore the numerous excavations around the area. A popular landmark is the observation tower called Johannesturm which is at the summit of the mountain. You can climb the wobbly 163 steps to the top and get an awesome view of the landscape surrounding the River Rhine.

Aussichtsturm Hulser Berg

Address: Rennstieg, 47802 Krefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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7. Schwanenmarkt

Posted by Schwanenmarkt Krefeld on Saturday, 10 June 2017

Schwanemarkt is located in a modern and brightly lit boulevard and it is a commercial area. It features over 50 retail shops, several dining options, office space and 220 apartments. It is open every day of the week and is host to several fashion shows, live entertainment events and of course, shopping to your heart’s delight.

Schwanenmarkt Krefeld

Address: Hochstraße 114 Krefeld, Germany 47798

Facebook: Schwanenmarkt Krefeld

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8. Theater Krefeld und Monchengladbach

Die FaschingsfeeOperette in drei AktenText von Alfred Maria Willner und Rudolf ÖsterreicherMusik von Emmerich Kálmá...

Posted by Theater Krefeld und Mönchengladbach on Monday, 18 September 2017

The theater was formed by the federation of all the former municipal theaters of Monchengladbach and Krefeld. It is the merging of all the independent theaters from the two cities into one huge performing arts center. It features 3 room houses wherein ballet, opera and theater are all part of their programs. Niederrhein Symphonic Orchestra performs both as its symphony orchestra and theater.

The concept of this Community Theater was first implemented in 2010-2015 which includes the guarantee of grants of both cities and the cost saving measures for the theater’s upkeep. It was renewed for another 5 years with the solidarity pact between the two cities. The proceeds of the annual “Welcome Now” festival of Krefeld (which started in 2016) are donated to the city’s refugee council.

Theater Krefeld und Monchengladbach

Address: Theaterplatz 3, 47798 Krefeld, Germany

Website: Theater Krefeld und Monchengladbach (in German)

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9. Haus del Seidenkultur

Noch 20 Tage bis Weihnachten. In unserem liebevoll gestalteten Museumsshop kann man zu erweiterten Öffnungszeiten gemütlich nach Geschenken stöbern. Öffnungszeiten: Di. - Sa. 11 - 18 Uhr, So.: 13 - 17 Uhr.

Posted by Haus der Seidenkultur on Monday, 5 December 2016

Unser Vorstandsvorsitzender Hansgeorg Hauser lud auch dieses Jahr uns Ehrenamtler wieder zu einer interessanten "...

Posted by Haus der Seidenkultur on Friday, 17 March 2017

The House of Silk Culture works as the city’s industrial monument and silk museum. The building, called Luisenstraβe 15, was purchased and owned by Hubert Gotzes in 1908 where he set up his weaving factory. He was instrumental for the flourishing of the silk weaving industry in Krefeld because of the popularity he gained in producing the finest ecclesiastical vestments. The structure is old, built in 1868 by Gottfried Diepers, a silk goods manufacturer. It was designed to have huge windows facing south to meet the lighting requirement needed for manual weaving. This introduced a new design structure for new weaving workshops.

In the 1900s, small town weavers still made their production at home. But with the rise of new weaving factories, the workers slowly gathered together in these buildings working on mechanized looms. The building in Luisenstraβe 15 hardly changed at all and it is for this reason, along with the old weavers’ houses in Inrather Strasse 197-203, that it became the protected property of Krefeld City. It is now a museum that features traditional methods and tools used in making the precious fabrics over a 100 years ago.

Haus del Seidenkultur

Address: Luisenstraße 15, 47799 Krefeld, Germany

Website: Haus del Seidenkultur

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10. Erholungspark Elfrather See

Posted by Joachim Mauel on Tuesday, 1 April 2014

This is one of the largest recreational parks of the city. It has a vast lake were you can bathe, go boating, windsurfing, race in a regatta or go bird watching while you picnic or stroll along the surrounding greenery. During summer, this is a popular destination for sunbathers and water sports aficionados. An unused boat was sunk into the lake as an added attraction for underwater divers. Several sports clubs are found around E lake. The lake is guarded by German Red Cross lifeguards and the German Life Saving Association.

Recreation Park Elfrather See

Address: Bruchweg 26/28 47829 Krefeld, Germany

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Explore the Silk City

Though Krefeld is a popular destination where you can find the finest silk clothing, there is definitely more that the city can offer. It is a city where the modern cosmopolitan luxuries blends well with the beauty of their natural surroundings that is still well maintained and highly appreciated. There is so much to experience in Krefeld, other than just buying the best silken tie.

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Tina is a free-spirited writer and traveler. She likes to experience unfamiliar places, cuisines, and scenery. She prefers beaches to mountains though as she is afraid of heights. Visiting museums,...Read more

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