This industrial German city has evolved from coal mining to become a renewable energy leader, with Europe's largest solar plant and significant Turkish cultural influence.
Gelsenkirchen, in western Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia, has evolved from its industrial roots into a technology and sustainability-focused city. You can watch FC Schalke 04 play at the 62,000-seat Arena AufSchalke, explore the converted industrial sites of Nordsternpark, or attend a performance at the modernist Musiktheater im Revier. The city's Science Park, built on a former steel plant site, now leads research in renewable energy and sustainable technology.
Football Culture and FC Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04 forms the heart of Gelsenkirchen's identity. The Arena AufSchalke draws more than 62,000 spectators to major football events, including international tournaments. You can watch matches here during the 2024 European Championships, when the stadium will host four games. The club has won seven Bundesliga titles, and its dedicated fans create an energetic atmosphere throughout the city on match days.
Getting Around Gelsenkirchen
You can easily reach all parts of the Ruhr region from Gelsenkirchen Hauptbahnhof, which connects to regional and long-distance train networks. The BOGESTRA tram and bus services run throughout the city, while four autobahns (A2, A40, A42, and A52) connect to neighboring cities. The VRR fare system covers all public transport in the region, making it easy to plan your journeys.
Science Park and Technology Hub
At Science Park Gelsenkirchen, researchers and businesses develop clean energy solutions in modern facilities built on a former steel plant site. High school students learn about renewable technologies at the Energy Lab through practical experiments. In the Rotthausen district, Shell Solar Deutschland manufactures solar cells, contributing to the city's growing renewable energy sector.
Green Spaces and Nature
At Nordsternpark, you can walk along former industrial sites transformed into public gardens and recreation areas. The city includes 1,430 hectares of forests, with 100 hectares of park forests and 270 hectares of industrial forests. These green spaces connect to the Emscher Landscape Park, creating continuous walking and cycling paths throughout the northern Ruhr region.
Cultural Attractions
The modernist Musiktheater im Revier hosts opera and theater performances throughout the year. At ZOOM Erlebniswelt, which opened in 1949 as the Ruhr-Zoo, you can explore themed areas representing different world regions. The Kunstmuseum Gelsenkirchen displays contemporary art collections, while Horst Castle, with its 18th-century Baroque architecture, adds historical character to the city.
