In a nutshell
- Many people know Bochum from the lyrics of Herbert Grönemeyer — but there’s a lot more to discover here.
- Top highlights include the charming Hans-Ehrenberg-Platz, the lakeside Stranddeck at Kemnader See, and the legendary Bermuda Triangle nightlife strip.
- We’ve done the legwork and put together our best tips for things to do in Bochum — from great eats to hidden neighborhood gems.
The Pedestrian Zone
Full of enthusiasm, we dive straight into the pedestrian zone right after arriving. One thing stands out immediately: Bochum is different from most German city centers. The stores here aren’t called H&M or Zara — instead, you’ll find Modepark Röther and Schuhhaus Voswinkel. The world of retail seems to still be intact here, even if hardly anyone besides us is strolling through the streets.
Alongside the fashion stores catering to the 60+ crowd, you’ll mainly find discount shops, arcades, and bridal boutiques.
No matter which street you walk down, wedding dresses are for sale everywhere. Either an unusually high number of people get married in Bochum, or everyone in NRW who wants to tie the knot comes here to shop for a bridal gown. There’s no other explanation.
Are there any statistics on how many bridal boutiques there are per 1,000 residents? We’re pretty sure Bochum would rank near the top.
Prenzlauer Berg in the Middle of the Ruhr
The first impression was a bit sobering. Drab 1960s buildings, barely anyone on the streets. But things were about to get better. As we drag ourselves from bridal boutique to arcade to discount shop, we suddenly stumble into a completely different world: we step onto Hans-Ehrenberg-Platz and can hardly believe our eyes — we’ve found Prenzlauer Berg. Right in the middle of Bochum!
In front of the Butterbrotbar and the ice cream shop I am love, young, hip people are sitting around drinking ChariTea and Club Mate, and everywhere you look: strollers and young mothers. In Bochum, it seems people don’t just get married a lot — they’re also actively doing their part for the next generation. Good for them!
The ice cream flavors at I am love range from cheesecake to cucumber to chocolate sorbet, and every single one is seriously delicious. The chocolate sorbet, of course, immediately puts a huge smile on Jenny’s face. Life can be tough sometimes when you’re lactose-intolerant and love chocolate.
There’s actually a second ice cream shop in Bochum with a very similar selection: Kugelpudel. Apparently, both shops used to be one at some point.
Hans-Ehrenberg-Platz is no lonely island in Bochum. If you walk through the gray streets with your eyes open, you keep discovering bright splashes of color in the form of charming cafés, restaurants, and shops.
That’s exactly what happened with Blondie’s. At one of the many nondescript intersections, you’ll find some really tasty burger creations.
Even vegetarian and vegan versions of all the burgers are on the menu.
Kemnader See
In sweltering heat, we need to cool off the next day. Kemnader See was recommended to us, so off we go. After 15 minutes by bus and tram, you suddenly find yourself surrounded by greenery and water.
Our walk around the lake comes to an abrupt halt when we discover the Stranddeck. On a fine sandy beach, you can lie back on a daybed, drink a beer, and soak up the sun. How is anyone supposed to explore anything like this? We got completely stuck here — classic. It was great.
Getting Drinks at the Bermuda Triangle
When we arrive back at Bochum’s main train station in the early evening, we immediately notice the masses of young people pouring off the platforms. What are they all doing here? The answer: having fun, drinking, and partying in the Bermuda Triangle.
The biggest party strip in NRW draws crowds from all over the Ruhr region, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Unfortunately, we couldn’t figure out where the name comes from. Do people regularly vanish here in a drunken haze? Who knows.
We want to take it easy tonight, though, and have chosen the tapas bar Una Más for the occasion. Una Más is one of those places where you feel at home right away. If we lived in Bochum, it would definitely be one of our regular spots.
The décor isn’t particularly fancy, and the tapas don’t have a hint of pretension either. There’s simply a great selection of excellent tapas, all very tasty and surprisingly affordable.
Our Verdict
Bochum managed to surprise us. Herbert already sang: “Du bist keine Schönheit” (“You’re no beauty”) — and Bochum really isn’t. The beauty here is hidden between drab 1960s concrete, waiting to be discovered.
So if you’re visiting Bochum, that’s no reason to turn around and run. There are plenty of great shops and restaurants here, and you’re just minutes away from nature.
By the way, the people in the Ruhr area are incredibly warm and friendly. Just one more reason to spend a day in Bochum.
All the photos in this article were taken with our beloved prime lens. If you want to know more about prime lenses, check out our article on the advantages of a prime lens.
Our Tips for Bochum
We’ve put together all the places we love in a compact list for you right here. Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
I am love: Dibergstraße 2, 44789 Bochum – Great ice cream and lactose-free chocolate sorbet – open daily from 11:00 AM, Friday and Saturday until midnight, otherwise until 8:00 PM
Kugelpudel: Dorstener Str. 1, 44787 Bochum – Almost the same ice cream selection as I am love – open daily 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Una Mas: Hans-Böckler-Straße 34, 44787 Bochum – A great tapas bar with regular-spot potential: simple, affordable, delicious! – Tuesday through Thursday 5:00 PM–11:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 4:00 PM–midnight, Sunday 4:00 PM–10:00 PM, closed Mondays
Blondie’s: Kortumstraße 140, 44787 Bochum – A solid burger joint with plenty of options for vegetarian and vegan friends – open daily from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Mondays not until 5:30 PM
German Mining Museum: Europaplatz, 44791 Bochum – A highly recommended museum, including a mine tour and a ride up the headframe – Tuesday–Friday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM, weekends 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, closed Mondays – Admission: €6.50, reduced €3.00
Stranddeck at Kemnader See: Blumenau 7A, 44801 Bochum – Open from May to September, Monday through Thursday 11:00 AM–11:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 11:00 AM–1:00 AM, Sunday 10:00 AM–11:00 PM – Getting there: take bus 375 from Ruhr University to the Freizeitbad Heveney stop
Where to Stay in Bochum
For our trip to Bochum, we were kindly supported by the Event Hotel Group and got to stay at the Mercure Hotel Bochum.
The 4-star hotel is located right at the main train station, and the pedestrian zone starts just outside the front entrance. It’s the perfect base for exploring Bochum. From our room on the 12th floor, we had a great view of the Ruhrstadion and the Fiege Brewery.
Since we’re known for loving to eat — a lot — the large breakfast buffet was the first highlight of each day.
We were able to satisfy our coffee addiction thanks to a coffee machine right in the room, and at the bar there was a very tasty wine as a welcome drink. We felt really comfortable at the Mercure Bochum overall and can recommend it without hesitation.
Be sure to also read our other articles on:
5 Unusual Destinations for a City Trip in Germany
