Dortmund

With its impressive historical architecture, a fast-moving modern tech industry and countless green spaces, Dortmund is a cool and cultured city of contrasts. A highly walkable city, stroll through the centre to discover its many museums, monuments and art galleries – and make sure you try a local lager while you’re here. Proud of its brewing, you’ll find several local brews in this city, including the famous Dortmunder Export, along with a wealth of trendy bars and traditional beers halls to drink them in.

Football’s a major passion here, and fans need to check out the interactive German Football Museum. Inside a futuristic building you can learn all about football stars, relive historic matches, and even have a go at being a commentator. History-lovers might like a trip to the famous Reinoldikirche, a church where tourists flock for the impressive views from the bell tower, and Dortmund is also home to three 13th century castles. If a spot of retail therapy's more your vibe, visit Kleppingstraße for the trendiest boutiques, or Thier-Galerie for the more well-known department stores.