Hamm
In North Rhine-Westphalia, on the beautiful river Lippe, lies the large city of Hamm. The city offers its visitors an interesting mixture of Ruhr district charm and Münsterländer charm.
Hamm was founded as a planned town in 1226 and was also a Hanseatic city for a time. With the construction of the rail link between Berlin and the Ruhr area, Hamm developed into a rail junction and an industrial town. The number of inhabitants rose sharply.
During the Second World War, the city was severely damaged by bombing raids, but housing for the population was quickly rebuilt afterwards. From the 1970s onwards, the coal mines around the city were gradually closed and the population declined slightly. Today, Hamm is still an important judicial center for part of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Hamm is known for its green lungs. Maximilianpark, a former colliery site, is now an extensive landscaped park with the glass elephant, a walk-in work of art by artist Horst Rellecke. Here you will find themed gardens, playgrounds and exhibition areas that invite you to linger and relax.
The city is home to various cultural institutions. The Gustav Lübcke Museum presents a wide range of exhibits, from Egyptian art to the city’s history and contemporary art. St. Paul’s Church in the heart of the city is another historical building that is well worth a visit. Another special highlight is the Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple, the largest Tamil-Hindu temple in Europe, which fascinates visitors with its impressive architecture.
Are the inhabitants of the city called Hammer or Hammenser?
Some call them Hammensers, others Hammern. The city’s official website and the local media refer to them as Hammern.
People who have lived in the city for many generations and who belong to a particular social class call themselves Hammensers. Ordinary citizens, employees and workers have always referred to themselves as Hammer.
Hamm sights
Hamm is an industrial city and that shows when you go exploring in and around the city. But there are also other places that show Hamm from a completely different side. Some interesting and beautiful sights I present here.
Is there anything to do in Hamm? Are there destinations for families, young people and Hamm visitors - in short, are there leisure tips for Hamm? Oh yes, there are!
Somewhat off the beaten track, in an industrial area of Hamm, is a truly unusual structure that you would never have guessed was there, the Hindu Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple.
If you would like to visit a museum in Hamm in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Gustav Lübcke Museum is the place to go. The museum of cultural history is located near the main train station and shows, in addition to its permanent exhibition, always changing temporary exhibitions.
Book a hotel
Hotel Grüner Baum
Mercure Hotel Hamm
Bootshaus Hamm
Tiny House Wupper im PIER9 Tiny House Hotel
Gut Kump Gastronomie und Hotel
Travel information for Hamm
Arrival
By plane
Dortmund International Airport is about 30 kilometres from the city. From there you can reach the city easily by train.
Other airports are 70 kilometres away (Münster/Osnabrück and Paderborn) and 90 kilometres away (Düsseldorf).
The town itself has a sports airport with a flying school and helipad.
By rail
Hamm main station is one of the central railway hubs in Germany. From here you can reach numerous major cities, such as Berlin, Hanover, Magdeburg, Cologne and Düsseldorf. ICE trains run long-distance and IC and EC trains offer local connections.
By car
Hamm is on the A1 motorway, which runs from Bremen to Cologne. The A2 from Hanover to Oberhausen also passes the city.
By boat
Hamm lies on the river Lippe and the Datteln-Hamm Canal. The city has the second largest inland port in North Rhine-Westphalia and can be reached by inland waterway vessels and also by pleasure boats.
By bike
Numerous cycle routes run around the city, such as: RÖMERROUTE, Landesgartenschau-Route, WerseRadWeg and the Route of Industrial Culture.
On the way in...
By public transport
There are 50 bus routes in and around the city, serving over 500 stops.
By car
A parking guidance system takes visitors to the city centre and indicates available parking spaces. There are 13 pay-and-display car parks in the city centre and on the outskirts. Parking is free for the first half hour.