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Datteln

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City
—°11112
Datteln (Germany)
ℹ️

Practical info — Datteln

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Explore the 'Datteln Sea', the world's largest canal junction, preferably by bike along the waterfront paths.
  • Book a boat trip to marvel at the meeting of the four canals directly from the water.
  • Plan a stop at the nearby ship lift in Henrichenburg, an impressive industrial monument.
  • Visit the Hermann-Grochtmann Museum in the historic Dorfschultenhof to immerse yourself in the city's history.

🍽 Food

🍽
Currywurst

Get the Ruhr area classic at one of the snack bars near the canals or in the city center.

🍽
Pfefferpotthast

A traditional Westphalian meat stew found in hearty regional restaurants.

🍽
Fresh Fish

Enjoy a fish dish at one of the inns overlooking the water near the canal.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Pedestrian Zone

Stroll through the city center for local boutiques and everyday shopping.

🛍
Local Farm Shops

Buy fresh agricultural products directly from the farms around Datteln.

🧘
Canal Paths

Wide, flat paths along the waterways that are convenient for undisturbed walks.

🧘
Hohe Mark Nature Park

A huge recreation area just outside the city, first-rate for forest hikes.

Highlights of 2026

1

Datteln, located in the northern Ruhr area, is globally recognized as the world's largest canal junction. It is the unique meeting point of four major waterways: the Dortmund-Ems, Rhine-Herne, Wesel-Datteln, and Datteln-Hamm canals. This makes the city a vital hub for European inland shipping, a status celebrated by its impressive lock systems and the annual Canal Festival. Beyond logistics, Datteln is a key energy production site, home to the state-of-the-art Datteln 4 power plant. The city's heritage is deeply rooted in the coal mining industry, particularly the Emscher-Lippe colliery, whose historic miners' settlements are now protected landmarks. Today, Datteln provides a high quality of life with its extensive waterfront paths and the nearby Lippe meadows, blending industrial history with modern environmental restoration and recreational spaces.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C125913171918151062
Rain mm917064476971838467698190

Geography

Population
36,338
Coordinates
51.65390, 7.34170

Facts

  • Canal Hub: Meeting point of 4 major European shipping canals.
  • Power Plant: Datteln 4 is one of Europe's most efficient coal plants.
  • Lock Park: Home to the historic and modern Waltrop-Datteln locks.
  • Mining: The Emscher-Lippe mine closed its shafts in 1972.
  • Medical: Known for one of Germany's largest pediatric hospitals.
  • Geography: Borders the scenic Münsterland park landscape.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

📍Waltrop5 km · SEExplore →
📍Oer-Erkenschwick6 km · WExplore →
📍Selm10 km · EExplore →
RecklinghausenRecklinghausen10 km · WExplore →
📍Castrop-Rauxel12 km · SExplore →
📍Lünen13 km · EExplore →
📍Herne15 km · SWExplore →
📍Haltern am See15 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Datteln (11)

Datteln Canal Junction

Known as the world's largest canal intersection, where four major shipping canals meet in a unique technical hub.

Henrichenburg Boat Lift🏛 museum

A magnificent industrial monument nearby that once lifted massive ships and now serves as a fascinating museum.

Hermann Grochtmann Museum🏛 museum

Located in a historic farmstead, the museum focuses on local history, archaeology, and the city's maritime heritage.

Ternscher See Lake🌊 lake

A favorite local swimming lake and recreational area, featuring sandy beaches and camping facilities.

St. Amandus Church⛪ church

The main Catholic church of Datteln, a Neo-Gothic building known for its monumental presence in the town center.

Burg Wildau🏺 historical

The archaeological site marks the location of a historical castle in Datteln.

Streichelzoo👨‍👩‍👧 family

The petting zoo in Datteln allows visitors direct contact with tame animals.

Klärbecken🌿 nature

Klärbecken is a lake situated in Datteln, offering a pleasant environment for walking and relaxing by the water.

Rollschuhplatz👨‍👩‍👧 family

Rollschuhplatz is a playground located in Datteln, offering a fun outdoor environment for children and families.

ev. Kita Brückenstraße👨‍👩‍👧 family

ev. Kita Brückenstraße is a playground located in Datteln, offering a fun outdoor environment for children and families.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Datteln called the 'Canal City'?
Datteln is home to the world's largest canal junction, where four waterways meet.
Where can you watch ships?
At the Datteln Lock Park, you can experience the work of the locks and the busy ship traffic.
Is there nature in the surroundings?
To the north lies the Haard, a large forest area convenient for hiking and cycling.
Is Datteln part of the industrial heritage?
Yes, the city is on the Industrial Heritage Route and showcases mining and shipping history.
Where can you go shopping?
The Stadtgalerie Datteln in the center provides a variety of shops under one roof.
Datteln: where is it located?
Datteln is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Datteln: what is there to see?
Highlights include Datteln Canal Junction, Henrichenburg Boat Lift, Hermann Grochtmann Museum.
Datteln: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Datteln: why is it worth visiting?
Datteln, located in the northern Ruhr area, is globally recognized as the world's largest canal junction.
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