Krefeld: Our Local Tips
Handpicked by Franzi & Nils personally – not a copied travel guide.
Krefeld is often overlooked in Düsseldorf's shadow – unfairly so. The city has its own down-to-earth pub culture, good food along Kölner Straße, and with Burg Linn one of the region's loveliest day-trip destinations right on its doorstep. Our apartment No.3 is right in the middle of it all. Here's our personal selection.
Restaurants
Catering for Events
Café & Bakery
Sights
Castles & Monasteries
Theme Parks
Cycling Routes
Day Trip to NL
Discover Neuss
Culture in Düsseldorf
Swimming Pools
With Kids
Indoor & Rainy Days
Nightlife
Carnival
Restaurants
Kölner Straße and the surrounding area have a surprisingly wide choice within a short stretch.
Ristorante Il Mulino
Our favourite for a proper Italian evening – classic cooking, no frills, just done well. Worth booking ahead at weekends.
Trattoria Rosa
A second Italian option on Kölner Straße, a little smaller and more homely than Il Mulino.
Brauhaus Wienges
For a classic German evening with house-brewed beer – down-to-earth, cosy, open late.
Variety along Kölner Straße
Fancy something different: right nearby you'll also find Turkish-Middle Eastern cuisine (Arabul), French-German cooking (Küferei), plus Mediterranean and Japanese options. Just stroll down the street and see what takes your fancy.
Nordbahnhof
Restaurant with its own brewery (Schlüffken beer) in a historic former station building, terrace right on the old platform. Hearty Rhenish and German cooking, often busy.
Dachsbau – Haus der Biere
A cult pub since 1858, known for its huge beer selection (over 20 on tap, plus countless bottled beers). German food, rustic atmosphere.
More Italian: Osteria Verona & Bellini
Two more Italian-Mediterranean addresses away from Kölner Straße, in case Il Mulino or Trattoria Rosa are fully booked.
Bistro Lisboa
A slice of Portugal in Krefeld: bacalhau, prawns and other seafood, plus a small shop selling Portuguese specialities. Terrace for warm evenings.
Las Tapas Krefeld
Not to be confused with the Las Tapas in Düsseldorf's Old Town (see Nightlife) – this is Krefeld's own Andalusian-Spanish tapas spot, with a terrace.
Favo
Asian fusion cuisine – sushi, pho and udon side by side, plus an idyllic outdoor area in summer.
Catering for Events
Coming to stay with us for a family celebration, wedding, or milestone birthday – or are planning a corporate event or have another occasion – and don't have catering sorted yet? Here's a tip from our circle of contacts.
Segin's Fine Dine Catering
André Segin trained his craft in a Michelin-starred kitchen on Sylt and today puts together individual buffets – for private celebrations as well as corporate events, groundbreaking ceremonies and other occasions, all tailored to your wishes after a personal consultation. If your celebration or event doesn't have a caterer yet, definitely worth a look.
Café & Bakery
For the morning or an afternoon coffee.
Bakeries
Bäckerei Sommer GmbH (Kölner Straße 540) and Bäckerei Büsch (Kölner Straße 520) are both on the same street as our café tips – perfect for a morning bakery run. You'll find exact opening hours in the digital guest guide we send you after booking.
Café Max & Moritz
Our go-to café near the apartment – reliably good, friendly, nothing flashy, but exactly right for the morning.
Beans & Sweets
Small, but with very good cake – worth it if you happen to be around on a day it's open (not Mondays).
Coffee Brew
Specialty coffee bar right in the city centre – good coffee, plus brunch, bagels and bowls, including vegan options. Cosy "living room" feel.
Ice Cream Cafés
Two Krefeld classics for an ice cream stop: Sylter Eiscafé makes its own fruit ice cream and also serves breakfast and Flammkuchen, while Schöneweiß has been a family-run favourite for decades with generous scoops – gets busy in summer accordingly.
Sights & Day Trips
The best day-trip destinations Krefeld has to offer.
Museum Burg Linn ★ our top pick
A genuine medieval moated castle with an archaeological museum and a baroque hunting lodge right next door – the finest thing Krefeld has to offer, and a must for any first visit as far as we're concerned.
Krefeld Zoo
Over 1,000 animals, including a butterfly jungle and a South American rainforest house – good for half a day to a full day, even when the weather isn't perfect.
Krefelder Stadtwald
A park with a pond, playground and a beer garden at Stadtwaldhaus – good for a relaxed afternoon without having to travel far.
Elfrather See
A local recreation area in the north of Krefeld with watersports, sunbathing lawns and walking paths – the "lake alternative" to Kaarst, if you're visiting in summer.
Castles & Monasteries
Historic sites in the area, good for half a day with a walk.
Schloss Dyck
A genuine moated castle with an expansive landscape park – worth half a day, especially if you enjoy strolling through parkland.
Nikolauskloster Jüchen
Just a few minutes from Schloss Dyck – easy to combine into one trip.
Kloster Knechtsteden
A Romanesque basilica with an expansive monastery site – still home to the Spiritans today. Quiet, not touristy, a good counterpoint to the bustle of the surrounding towns.
Haus Meer
The ruins of a late-baroque moated castle set in a landscape park – just right for a short walk with a photo stop, not a full-day destination, but a nice detour.
Schloss Rheydt
A well-preserved Renaissance moated castle, today a museum of local history. The courtyard alone is worth a quick stop, even without visiting the museum.
Theme Parks
For a full day out with the family, without having to travel far.
Phantasialand
One of Germany's best-known theme parks, with lovingly designed themed areas like China Town, Mexico or Deep in Africa. Roller coasters like Taron and F.L.Y. rank among the best in Europe – perfect for the big day-trip splurge.
Movie Park Germany
A theme park built around film and TV worlds, with roller coasters and shows for the whole family. A bit further than Phantasialand, but with its own theme and its own highlights.
Toverland
A family-friendly park just across the border, known for its "Land van Toos" themed area and coasters like Fenix. A good alternative if you're heading towards Venlo anyway.
Kernwasser Wunderland
A decommissioned nuclear power plant that's now a theme park – there's an actual Ferris wheel spinning inside the former cooling tower. Unusual, photogenic, definitely a conversation starter afterwards. A good day trip, interesting for adults without kids too, if only for the setting.
Irrland
An adventure park set on a real farm – straw castles, slides, a maize maze. Geared strongly towards younger children, very nature-based rather than technical.
Cycling Routes
Krefeld is flat, has 230 kilometres of cycle paths and its own 35-point junction network – the city is part of the Lower Rhine's larger, signposted cycling network of over 2,000 kilometres.
ArchitekTOUR ★ our recommendation
For anyone interested in architecture: this official route from the City of Krefeld passes the city's most exciting buildings – from the industrial architecture of the velvet-and-silk city to modern structures. A lovely, low-key way to get to know Krefeld beyond the city centre.
Culinary Cycling Route
Runs through typical Lower Rhine countryside, past farms, farm shops and pick-your-own fields – including a detour into the historic district of Hüls. Depending on the season, you'll find asparagus, strawberries or simply fresh milk straight from the farm along the way. Bring an empty backpack.
Krefeld Junction Network
Same idea as in Kaarst: red-and-white signposted junctions you navigate between, one to the next. Handy, because Krefeld's network connects directly to the junction networks of the neighbouring districts (Wesel, Viersen, Kleve) – so you can spontaneously cycle beyond the city limits too.
Towards the Rhine & Düsseldorf's Old Town
If you want to cycle from here towards the Rhine and on into Düsseldorf's Old Town, the continuously signposted Rhein-Radweg (Rhine cycle path) is your best bet. Along the way and at the destination there are plenty of beer garden stops – from the Schlossturm at Burgplatz to the Kasematten right on the riverbank.
Good to know
The free "Fietsknoop" app works reliably here too, including Krefeld's junctions. Alternatively, there's the free Radroutenplaner NRW.
Day Trip to the Netherlands
The Dutch border is less than 20 minutes from here – for a spontaneous day trip with a different flair, good shopping and relaxed playgrounds, the short hop across the border is well worth it.
Venlo
A shopping-focused town centre with plenty of stores you won't find in Germany, plus the Maasboulevard right on the water for a break along the way. A good choice for a relaxed afternoon with no fixed plan.
Roermond
Best known for the Designer Outlet Roermond – one of Europe's largest outlet centres, with significantly reduced prices on international brands. Plus a charming historic old town around the market square, in case shopping isn't the only thing on the agenda.
Discover Neuss
Right next door and easily done in half a day.
Quirinus-Münster & Neuss Old Town
The city's landmark – one of the most important late-Romanesque churches on the Lower Rhine, right beside the historic Zeughaus (armoury, today a venue for concerts and events housed in a former monastery church) and the Obertor, the last surviving of what were once six medieval city gates. A walk through the old town neatly ties all three together.
Clemens-Sels-Museum
Home to Germany's largest collection of naive art, plus Roman finds and Rhenish Expressionists – surprisingly varied for a smaller museum.
Neuss Bürger-Schützenfest
The largest Schützenfest (marksmen's fair) in the world – if your stay falls in this period, it's definitely worth a look, if only for the sheer scale and atmosphere.
Culture in Düsseldorf
Museums, theatres, cinemas and a wander through Little Tokyo.
Little Tokyo (Immermannstraße quarter) ★ our recommendation
The heart of the largest Japanese community in Germany and continental Europe (the third-largest in Europe after London and Paris) – authentic restaurants, Japanese supermarkets, bakeries and small specialist shops packed into just a few streets. Our favourites: Kushi-Tei of Tokyo for a lunch set at midday (arrive right at 12:00, or a queue will form), Kagaya in the evening for traditional Japanese cooking, and Hakata for really good ramen. In between, it's worth browsing Takagi Books, the Japanese bookshop. After Little Tokyo, a detour to the Rheinturm is a nice idea – inside the tower, restaurant QOMO serves Japanese-inspired fusion cuisine, a lovely choice for a special evening.
Museums & Theatres in Düsseldorf
The big names for anyone into art: Museum Kunstpalast with a broad collection ranging from Old Masters to Modernism, and K20 and K21 (Kunstsammlung NRW) holding one of Germany's most important collections of classical modern and contemporary art – including works by Paul Klee. For contemporary photography and pop culture, the NRW-Forum is worth a visit, and for hands-on film history plus its own arthouse cinema, there's the Filmmuseum with the Black Box. For orientation, the annual Nacht der Museen (Museum Night; renamed "Nacht der Künste" for 2026) is also worth checking, when many venues stay open late. For a night at the theatre, we'd recommend the Kom(m)ödchen, Apollo Theater, Kapitol Theater, the Savoy Theater or the Tonhalle.
Arthouse Cinemas Düsseldorf
For anyone wanting to watch films in their original language with subtitles, arthouse classics or genuine rarities, away from mainstream cinema. Noticeably smaller and more personal than the big multiplex chains. A special case: in the basement of the Savoy Theater, the Atelier im Savoy runs as its own arthouse cinema – two venues under one roof.
Open-Air Cinema in Summer
From June to early September, several parks in the region turn into open-air cinemas. The Krefeld version at the racecourse is especially handy if you're staying with us in Krefeld – no trip to Düsseldorf needed.
Major Concert & Event Venues
All three belong to the same operator (D.LIVE) and are the main venues for concerts and big shows in the region – from international acts to comedy and sports events. Worth checking the shared event calendar before you arrive: maybe someone interesting is playing while you're staying with us.
Swimming Pools
For hot days, or just to swim some laps – four options nearby.
Badezentrum Bockum
Krefeld's largest pool: a 50-metre sports pool with diving facilities (1m and 3m boards plus platforms), plus an outdoor area for the summer months and a paddling pool for the little ones.
Bad am Stadtpark Fischeln
A variable pool with 25-metre lanes and starting blocks, plus around 200 m² of sunbathing lawn and its own children's pool – good for families.
Stadtbad Uerdingen
A combination of indoor pool and small leisure pool – uncomplicated, and easy to reach by train if you're in the north of the city.
Freizeitbad De Bütt
Indoor and outdoor pool with a slide and large outdoor area, about 10 minutes from Krefeld – a good choice whatever the weather.
With Kids
Picked with families in mind.
Wildgehege & Spielplatz Hülser Berg
Three wildlife enclosures to watch (wild boar, fallow and red deer), a large playground, and a place to stop for a bite right next door. Free and always open.
Stuntwerk Krefeld
Bouldering, a ninja course and parkour with its own kids' area – better suited to slightly older children and anyone wanting to burn off energy.
CinemaxX Krefeld
Ten screens right at the main station – handy for a cinema day whatever the weather, easy to reach even at short notice.
SnowWorld Neuss ★ for young and old
Not your classic theme park, but a year-round hall with several attractions – indoor and outdoor, there's something for everyone:
- Ski and snowboard hall (indoor) – open all year, whatever the weather
- Toboggan run (indoor)
- AlmGolf – alpine-style mini-golf (outdoor)
- FußballGolf – football and mini-golf combined (outdoor)
- Abenteuer Alm – a large action playground with a water play area (outdoor)
To round off the day, you can relax at the on-site restaurant.
Natur- und Tierpark Brüggen ★ especially for kids
More of an adventure park than a classic zoo: exotic animals to feed and pet, plus a huge forest playground with the "sunken ship", climbing frames and a mini-golf course. Just right for younger children with little zoo experience – the focus is clearly on play, not on rare species. Individual attractions change from time to time, so it's worth checking the park's website beforehand to see what's currently open.
Tiergarten Mönchengladbach
A small, family-friendly zoo with around 400 mostly European animals and a petting zoo. Low prices, no long queues – an uncomplicated alternative to Krefeld Zoo, if you fancy seeing something different.
Wildpark Tannenbusch
A free wildlife park with native animals (red, fallow and mouflon deer, wild boar) across 20 hectares of forest – a similar idea to the Wildgehege at Hülser Berg, just a bit further towards Kaarst/Neuss.
Indoor Playgrounds & Rainy Days
For days when the weather doesn't cooperate – in addition to CinemaxX and SnowWorld Neuss (see "With Kids" above).
Okidoki Kinderland Krefeld
A large indoor playground with a climbing wall and bowling lanes – the reliable rainy-day option.
Bobbolino Kinderwelt
A second indoor playground in Krefeld: a climbing tower with over 80 play stations, a trampoline area, a kart track and its own toddler area – plus on-site catering. Also popular for children's birthday parties.
Bero's Kinderwelt Neuss
An indoor play paradise of over 2,000 m² with a kart track, trampoline area, large football pitch and climbing tower – also ideal for birthday parties.
Nightlife
Krefeld has its own likeably unpretentious pub scene.
Kulturrampe Krefeld
A live music club in former wholesale-market warehouses – blues, rock, jazz, pop, depending on the programme. Worth checking what's on before you go.
Südwall & Ostwall
Plenty more bars and pubs are packed close together around these two streets – a stroll through the area is worthwhile if you just want to see what catches your eye.
Anjuna Bar
A centrally located cocktail bar with a cosy lounge corner and a rooftop terrace – with over 100 cocktails, there's something for every taste.
Düsseldorf Old Town
If Krefeld feels too quiet for a big night out. During the day, it's worth strolling along the Kasematten right on the Rhine riverbank – restaurants and bars with year-round outdoor seating and a view of the river. In the evening, things get lively on Ratinger Straße and Bolkerstraße; two of our personal favourites there are the fe:t Weinbar for a quieter evening and the Elephantbar, if you're after something livelier. For a late-night snack, we swear by either the pork sandwich with sauerkraut at Schweine Janes or a Lupo Pizza.
An Altbier pub crawl through the house breweries is a must: Kürzer (Kurze Str. 18–20), Schlüssel (Bolkerstr. 41–47), Schumacher at the Goldener Kessel (just across from Schlüssel), Uerige (Bergerstr. 1) and Füchschen (Ratinger Str. 28) are all within walking distance of each other – Schlösser Alt is also served in many of the Old Town's pubs. Right next door is the Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse, known among locals as the "Spanish alley" – our recommendation there is Las Tapas. If you fancy shopping away from the Kö, the Old Town's small side streets have their own little shops, or head towards Schadowstraße – afterwards, it's a nice spot for a short break in the Stadtpark. For a sweet snack in between, it's also worth stopping by Cookie Couture on Flinger Straße – freshly baked cookies, some vegan.
Carnival
Carnival is simply part of life in the Rhineland – and if we recommend one club, it's the Große 1890.
Große Karnevalsgesellschaft 1890 Düsseldorf ★ our recommendation
We deliberately support this club because genuine tradition matters to us. The Große 1890 traditionally puts on the largest float in Düsseldorf's Rose Monday parade – plus its own children's float for the little "Jecken" (carnival fools). The club's parties are highly sought-after and usually sell out fast. If you're interested in tickets, just get in touch with us directly.
5 am 11.11.
A joint season-opening event held by several Düsseldorf carnival clubs, including the Große 1890.
1890 The Best
The Große 1890's exclusive glitter & glamour dance party – in the wonderful, one-of-a-kind Rheingoldsaal.
Weiber om Deck
THE Altweiber (Women's Carnival Day) party, with DJ and live music – hot food is served here too. Boarding from 11:11 am.
Große Sitzung – Jeck unter Freunden
The Sitzung (carnival gala) with the best programme of the season. If you're interested in a room-plus-ticket package, just get in touch with us – this also works for larger groups. We can reserve whole tables and, on request, pre-order drinks so they're waiting for you at the table.
If you're interested in tickets for any of these events, just message us directly via WhatsApp or give us a call.
Want to experience Krefeld for a few days?
Our apartment No.3 sits right in the middle of the city – furnishings, location and availability all at a glance.
View No.3 Dohmenstraße