Bielefeld is considered the economic und cultural centre of Eastern Westphalia. With a population of 330,000, Bielefeld is one of the twenty major cities in Germany. Its central location and superb infrastructure makes it easily accessible to all parts of Europe, and it can be reached by air, road and rail. Bielefeld city is scenically located below a defile that separates the Northern Teutoburg Forest from the Southern. It is also a city that has risen from the ashes of World War II, when most of it was razed to the ground.
How to Get There:
The nearest civil airport is at Dortmund-Wickede (110 km), and Hannover Airport (120km) is as convenient. Bielefeld is on the ICE route and has four motorways running through it. Access from Dortmund-Wickede is by train and by bus. Taxis would be very expensive. The main railway station is at the city centre. Its excellent tram and bus network is bolstered by an Avis car rental facility.
What to See:
Sparrenburg Castle dominates Bielefeld’s skyline, atop Sparrenberg Hill. Its mighty walls are erected right next to one of the most beautiful ridge walks in Germany, the 156 km long Hermannsweg. Built in the mid 13th century, it provides an impressive backdrop for the annual medieval festival, the Sparrenburgfest.
Where to Eat:
More than 100 dedicated restaurants provide wholesome food, some indoors and alfresco, others just indoors. Alt Bielefeld, Bernstein and Buschkamp are recommended for their Westphalian/German cuisine. Eating out is a good pastime for the locals, who tend to drink beer.
Events:
The Bielefeld events calendar features the museums’, churches’ and galleries’ open night "Nachtansichten" in April, the Leineweber Market in May, the Sparrenburg Festival with its medieval market in July, the Bielefeld Wine Festival and Stadtwerke running, walking and skating event in September and the Christmas Market in end November. Bielefeld’s Christmas Market attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town every year to enjoy the happy atmosphere with gingerbread, mulled wine and other Christmas delicacies. Rounding it off, the
11 museums present a year round programme of exhibitions. The Rudolf-Oetker concert hall with its superb acoustics has an excellent reputation among the cognoscenti.
Hotels:
Bielefeld has close to 20 3-4 star hotels, with prices ranging between € 35-95. More than 60 providers of accommodation are available in Bielefeld for an overnight stay, like youth hostels, campsites, etc.
