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Kalkar
ℹ️Practical info — Kalkar
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Wunderland Kalkar is unique: an amusement park in a never-used nuclear power plant. Book tickets online in advance to skip lines.
- The historic market square (Marktplatz) features a stepped-gable town hall and a large linden tree. It's best photographed in the morning light.
- St. Nicolai Church houses spectacular late-Gothic carved wooden altars; bring coins for the illumination boxes to see them clearly.
- Cycling along the Lower Rhine flat paths is very popular. Rent a bike and ride towards the nearby Wisseler See.
🍽 Food
Find this regional marinated beef dish at traditional inns around the Marktplatz.
Try this dark, top-fermented beer at local pubs in the old town.
Enjoy these potato pancakes with apple sauce, often sold at local street food stalls or traditional taverns.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Buy regional cheeses, meats, and fresh produce at the market square on market days.
Stroll down this street off the main square for small independent shops and local crafts.
A nearby lake offering peaceful walking paths and a beach area for relaxation.
Walk around the functioning brick windmill and enjoy a coffee at the adjacent bakery in peace.
Water temperature…
Kalkar, located on the Lower Rhine, is a town of extraordinary historical and artistic significance. Founded in 1230 by the Count of Kleve, it developed into a wealthy center for cloth manufacturing by the 15th century. This economic prosperity led to the creation of masterworks in the St. Nicolai Church, which holds nine world-renowned late Gothic carved altars, making it a key site for European art history. The town center is a textbook example of medieval urban planning, featuring a magnificent brick Gothic town hall and numerous stepped-gable houses. In modern history, Kalkar became the center of a national debate over nuclear energy. The 'Fast Breeder' reactor built here was never activated due to massive public resistance; today, it is home to 'Wunderland Kalkar,' a unique amusement park that creatively repurposes the industrial structures, including a carousel inside the cooling tower. Geographically, the town is set in the flat landscape of the Lower Rhine, characterized by ancient windmills and proximity to the river Rhine. Kalkar serves as a cultural hub for the region, offering a blend of high-caliber art, industrial curiosity, and scenic nature trails. It remains a popular stop for travelers on the Rhine cycling route and those interested in the unique intersection of medieval tradition and technological history.
- Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Top sights: St. Nicolai Church · Historic Town Hall · Wunderland Kalkar
- Nearby: Rees (8 km)
- Population: ~14.199
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 76 | 62 | 58 | 42 | 61 | 64 | 76 | 80 | 57 | 64 | 72 | 79 |
Live webcam – Kalkar
See what it looks like near Kalkar right now.
Uedem › North: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deutschland: Nord · 4.1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- The city was founded by the Count of Kleve in 1230.
- The brick Gothic town hall was finished in 1445.
- The St. Nicolai Church houses 9 intact medieval altars.
- Total land area of the municipality is 88.20 km².
- Average elevation is 27 meters above sea level.
- Wunderland Kalkar opened in 1995 inside the former SNR-300.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Your morning starts in the historical center, feeling the rich medieval vibe at the central Market Square, the grand Town Hall, and St. Nicolai Church. By midday, take a short, pleasant walk towards the local park for some relaxation, enjoying the quiet streets of Kalkar. The afternoon heads out slightly to see the historical Mühlenstumpf, exploring the city's old industrial boundaries. In the late afternoon, wind down as you slowly make your way back near the city center, admiring the late light on the brick facades.
Market Square
Historic Town Hall
St. Nicolai Church
Spielplatz am Stadtpark
Mühlenstumpf
A rainy morning starts at Market Square, where historical facades glisten in the wet light. At noon, the Town Hall and St. Nicolai Church provide perfect shelter from the downpour. In the afternoon, watch your step on slippery paths near the city park playground. The day concludes at the Mühlenstumpf, with rain tapping gently on the ancient, mystical brickwork of the ruins.
Market Square
Historic Town Hall
St. Nicolai Church
Spielplatz am Stadtpark
Mühlenstumpf
A frosty winter day begins at Market Square, where the scent of hot tea lingers in the cold air. At noon, the thick walls of the Town Hall and church provide a warm refuge. In the afternoon, the park's crisp air is perfect for an invigorating walk. As the sun sets around 17:00, the early twilight wraps the Mühlenstumpf in romantic light.
Market Square
Historic Town Hall
St. Nicolai Church
Spielplatz am Stadtpark
Mühlenstumpf
Your morning begins with a quick, breezy exploration of Kalkar's town center, focusing on the main architectural highlights on two wheels. By midday, cycle just outside the city bounds to the historic Mühlenstumpf, and then onwards to relax by the beautiful Wisseler See. The afternoon turns into an adventurous ride towards the unique Wunderland Kalkar, seeing its imposing silhouette from afar. Your evening is reserved for a long, scenic cycle to the serene Burg Boetzelaer to catch the magical sunset reflections before heading back.
Market Square
Historic Town Hall
St. Nicolai Church
Mühlenstumpf
Wisseler See
Wunderland Kalkar
Burg Boetzelaer
A rainy cycling day requires caution on the cobblestones of Market Square. At noon, the Town Hall and church offer dry resting spots. The ride to the mill and Wisseler See follows wet bike paths; mind your increased braking distance. In the afternoon, the light around Wunderland and the castle is dramatic, perfect for photos between rain showers.
Market Square
Historic Town Hall
St. Nicolai Church
Mühlenstumpf
Wisseler See
Wunderland Kalkar
Burg Boetzelaer
A winter bike tour through Kalkar requires warm gloves against the wind chill. Frost glistens on the roofs at Market Square. At noon, the Town Hall and church offer welcome warming breaks. The ride to the lake and Wunderland is refreshing. Finish your tour at Burg Boetzelaer before darkness sets in around 5 PM with frosty cold.
Market Square
Historic Town Hall
St. Nicolai Church
Mühlenstumpf
Wisseler See
Wunderland Kalkar
Burg Boetzelaer
Your morning allows for an efficient and rewarding visit to the heart of Kalkar before hitting the road to the spectacular Wunderland amusement park. By midday, take a very short drive to the natural side of the region, exploring the surprising landscape of the Wisseler Dünen and Lake. The afternoon lets you cruise comfortably through the calm countryside to reach the beautifully restored historic grounds of Burg Boetzelaer. Your evening ends perfectly with a relaxing stop at Botzelaer Meer, reflecting on the region's rich combination of history and serene nature.
Market Square
St. Nicolai Church
Wunderland Kalkar
Wisseler Dünen
Wisseler See
Burg Boetzelaer
Botzelaer Meer
A rainy day in Kalkar can be explored comfortably by car. Start at the Market Square and take refuge in St. Nicolai Church. Wunderland offers many covered areas to enjoy. The drive to the dunes and lake is charming even in the rain from inside the car. The day ends cozily at Burg Boetzelaer and the lake with a relaxed break.
Market Square
St. Nicolai Church
Wunderland Kalkar
Wisseler Dünen
Wisseler See
Burg Boetzelaer
Botzelaer Meer
Kalkar in winter is wonderful to explore by car while the heater keeps you warm. Experience historical silence at the Market Square and the church. Wunderland shines in the winter light. The dunes and lake offer wide, frosty views. Since it gets dark around 5 PM, Burg Boetzelaer provides an atmospheric, illuminated conclusion in the frost.
Market Square
St. Nicolai Church
Wunderland Kalkar
Wisseler Dünen
Wisseler See
Burg Boetzelaer
Botzelaer Meer
Sights in the town Kalkar (10)
Frequently asked questions
What is Wunderland Kalkar?
What should one see in St. Nicolai Church?
What does the Kalkar market square look like?
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Kalkar: why is it worth visiting?
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