Leisure
Bottrop and Mülheim — Far From Boring!
Studying in seminars, learning in small groups, meeting project teams, preparing before and after lectures, and finally getting ready for exams at the end of the semester — it’s a hectic daily routine for students in technical or science programs.
But studying should also be enjoyable, and students deserve to make the most of their limited free time. That’s why we’ve put together some helpful tips for you.
Keeping the Spirit High: AStA and Student Councils
At both campuses, the General Student Committee (AStA) and four student councils organize plenty of events and activities to help you quickly feel at home at HRW, make new friends, and have fun.
From lecture hall movie nights and boat parties to pub crawls, summer festivals, and Christmas markets — check out the AStA and student council pages for all the details!
Leisure Time in Mülheim
Fourteen kilometers of river. The city captivates and inspires. Mülheim an der Ruhr is vibrant and diverse, with over 50% green and forested areas, making it an attractive place to live between Düsseldorf and the Ruhr region. Whether in the old town or at the water harbor on Schleuseninsel, there are plenty of ways to spend enjoyable hours. Here are some tips from our students.
In addition to Mülheim’s Old Town (featuring spots like Ronja and Mausefalle) and Schlossstraße (home to Rick’s Café, Alex, Perfetto, and Leonardo Café Mülheim), the city also boasts a small nightlife strip on Sandstraße, near the Mülheim West S-Bahn station. Between house numbers 154 and 162, there's something for everyone.
Popular spots include:
For something a bit more relaxed, you’ll also find the rustic pub Die Tomate (tomate-muelheim.de) and Franky’s Bar in the Ruhrkristall (frankys-bar.de) right along the Ruhr.
Once a railway depot, the Ringlokschuppen is now a popular meeting place in the MüGa Park. Locals gather here to enjoy concerts, cabaret, exhibitions, and various events. Surrounded by greenery, the Ringlokschuppen also features the “Drehscheibe” — an ideal open-air stage for outdoor events.
The Freilichtbühne Mülheim an der Ruhr is a charming park with an impressive open-air theatre located in the heart of the Old Town. The park is open to the public all year round. From May to September, the non-profit organization Regler Produktion hosts a wide range of events and series on the large and small stages — including music, theatre, cabaret, comedy, acrobatics, and light art — all under the motto “Culture from the Hat!”
When the weather is good, the Regler beer garden opens at 4:00 p.m.
The park, originally created for the 1992 State Garden Show, offers attractions for the whole family. Whether you’re on your own, with friends, or with kids — a day at MüGa is always full of experiences.
Spread across 65 hectares, you’ll also find peaceful spots perfect for relaxing and enjoying the landscape, gardens, or art installations. One of the park’s highlights is the world’s largest walk-in camera, the Camera Obscura.
Various events add a special flair to summer evenings and weekends. Entry to Mülheim’s parks is free — fees apply only to specific attractions and large events.
Leisure Time in Bottrop
More than half of Bottrop’s city area is green space. Bottrop brings together two very different — almost opposite — landscapes. The city stretches into the rural Münsterland to the north, while its southern side is shaped by the industrial heritage of the Ruhr region.
And alongside all that greenery, Bottrop also offers some great leisure attractions.
The Alpincenter in Bottrop is a ski hall like no other. At 640 meters long, it’s the world’s longest indoor ski slope—and the only one with a curve along its length. Following the profile of the spoil tip, the 30-meter-wide slope winds 77 meters down the valley.
At the base of the spoil tip, you’ll find another exciting attraction: an indoor skydiving facility that simulates the conditions of a real parachute jump. The experience is open to both beginners and pros.
Learn more at the Alpincenter website (including indoor skydiving!)
Those who venture along the marked hiking trails to Bottrop’s two highest landmarks will be rewarded with stunning views over the nearby Ruhr region. The Halde Haniel offers a pilgrimage path, downhill tracks for mountain bikers, and at the summit, an amphitheater alongside colorful totems by artist Agustín Ibarrola.
The Tetrahedron on the spoil tip of the Prosper mining site also lights up at night as an impressive light installation and can be reached by bike for those feeling sporty.
Movie Park Germany in Bottrop-Kirchhellen is Europe’s one-of-a-kind movie and entertainment park. With over 40 attractions and shows across five themed areas, it’s guaranteed to thrill the whole family.
For over 30 years, the Revierpark Vonderort has been a popular spot in the Oberhausen district of Osterfeld, right on the city border with Bottrop. The park offers plenty of opportunities for sports and relaxation, including large grassy areas, a lake with boat rentals, sports fields, a leisure center, the Waldhof café/restaurant, and sauna facilities
Locations in the Region
CentrO in Oberhausen is one of the largest shopping and leisure centers in Europe. Located in the Neue Mitte district, it features over 250 shops, numerous restaurants, a cinema, the Metronom Theater, and attractions like the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and Sea Life Aquarium. It’s a popular destination in the Ruhr region and part of the larger Westfield Centro entertainment complex.