Experience Krefeld

Sport’s lovers will feel at home in Krefeld. As an enthusiastic, recreational athlete, you can join like-minded people in any of the more than 164 sports clubs. In total, Krefeld sports clubs boast more than 65,000 members. The variety of activities on offer, including water sports on the lake at Elfrather See, is partly due to the city’s backdrop of forest, meadows and water. Krefeld also plays a leading role in several competitive sports. Whether in handball, field hockey, rowing or cheerleading – the city has already spawned many winners who have attained National League, World Championship or Olympic success. And as a spectator, you can experience an unforgettable stadium atmosphere while watching Krefeld Penguin’s ice hockey derby games at the Yayla Arena or KFC Uerdingen’s football matches in the Grotenburg Stadium.

Stadtsportbund Krefeld’s sports club list

New construction and renovations are currently creating a breath of fresh air and a sense of optimism in the city centre. You won’t find a large shopping centre here, but instead a variety of boutiques, specialty shops and department stores are just a short walking distance from each other. Here, you can take a relaxing stroll after work or on the weekend and watch Krefelders up close. You’ll discover well-known chain stores when shopping on Rheinstraße. On the covered Königstraße and side streets nearby, there are smaller boutiques and real hidden gems such as the Krefeld city market. If you need even more choice, it’s easy: From the Rheinstraße stop at Ostwall you can be whisked away on the U76 tram directly to the centre of Düsseldorf.

The wide-ranging cultural scene has something for both young and old with an outstanding mix of art, music, dance, drama and literature. With public event programmes such as “Kultur findet Stadt(t)”, the beauty and diversity of the arts is on show once a year to anyone visiting the city centre. Krefeld’s art museums, Burg Linn castle and the stages of the Krefeld Mönchengladbach Theatre are among the most famous cultural sites in Krefeld. In addition to 14,000 contemporary works of art, temporary exhibitions and high-calibre seasons of drama, musical theatre and ballet, Krefeld also has plenty of room for small cultural venues and extraordinary event formats. For example, monthly Poetry Slams are currently very popular and take place at Café Max and Moritz, Jules Papp and several other venues.

Discover cultural highlights now with the Local Guide

Just want to get out in the fresh air and take a deep breath? You can do this in Krefeld, for example, in the large nature reserve at Hülser Bruch marshes. Even though a southern German would think it laughable, we’re proud of the dizzy heights you can reach on the Lower Rhine: the Hülser Berg mountain is 63 m and therefore the highest natural elevation in Krefeld – the area around it is a mecca for local joggers and mountain bikers. Further north, the area around the Egelsberg mountain offers a green escape for walking and cycling. Or in good weather, visit the local airfield to try gliding or flying. Water sports enthusiasts or those looking to spend some time near water will get their money’s worth at the lake at Elfrather See with its adjoining recreational park. Dog owners meet on the other side of the lake in the large open area right on the water. The Krefeld Zoo in Bockum also showcases a great deal of the natural world. Here, families and animal lovers from the region can observe about 1,000 animals in their enclosures.

The choice of cuisine in Krefeld ranges from Lower Rhine specialties in a rustic brewhouse ambience to topflight French dishes with a view of the Rhine. Add to that many hidden gems for international cuisine, as well as popular spots for vegan or vegetarian cuisine. Particularly in the inner-city areas, secluded little cafés offering quirky menus are ideal for long chats with friends. As a reliable staple for good food in a relaxed atmosphere, the Großmarkt wholesale market on the outskirts of the city centre is renowned for its popular food selection. On nights out, Krefeld pubs and restaurants like to serve locally-brewed dark Altbier or blond Pils – brewing has a long tradition in the city.

Find hidden culinary gems now with the Local Guide

You will find the typical zest for life on the Lower Rhine extends all year round. In Krefeld, a colourful and exciting program tempts families and the curious off the couch into the city and other exciting locations. The list ranges from new attractions such as the Rhineside Gallery in Uerdingen to traditional visitor highlights such as the Medieval Flax Market around Burg Linn castle. In the warm Summer months, the Stadtwald park regularly attracts fans and thrill seekers to horseracing on the historic racecourse. And, of course, Karneval, German Mardi Gras celebrations, must not be missed in the Rhineland. Here in Krefeld, the whole town goes wild once a year, with dressed up as old women and Jesters celebrating on the streets.

City of Krefeld’s events calendar