Dortmund Soccer Segway Tour

Dortmund tells its football story on two wheels. This 2-hour soccer-focused Segway tour links Borussia Dortmund landmarks with less obvious city sites, including Borsigplatz, the Southwest Cemetery, and the old Goldsaal. I like the mix of football and local history, and I also like the small groups, limited to eight people, which should make it easier to hear the guide and get help on tricky sections. The main drawback is clear: the tour is only in German, so you need enough German to follow the live commentary.

You also need to meet firm age and weight rules. Everyone must be at least 14 years old and weigh between 45 and 118 kilograms, or 99 and 260 pounds. If that fits, this is a playful way to see Dortmund beyond a stadium visit, with helmets, safety vests, and audio receivers included.

Key points at a glance

• Borsigplatz connects directly to the club’s beginnings: The tour reaches the square where the Dortmunder Soccer Club was founded.
• Signal Iduna Park is part of a wider stadium stop: You also visit Rote Erde Stadium along Strobelallee, giving the football setting more context.
• The Southwest Cemetery adds a personal story: Franz Jacobi, the club’s founder, has rested there since 2013.
• First-time Segway riders are welcome: The guides give a careful introduction, and several participants found the instruction reassuring.
• Small groups make the ride more manageable: With no more than eight people, the guide can offer individual help.
• German is the only listed tour language: The audio receiver helps you hear clearly, but it does not translate the commentary.

Why this Dortmund football tour is different

Dortmund is strongly tied to football, but a standard stadium visit usually keeps the story centered on one building. This tour widens the picture. You move from a central meeting point through streets, parks, stadium grounds, a cemetery, and the square where the club began.

That route matters because football in Dortmund is not just a match-day event. It is connected to neighborhoods, local meeting places, founders, supporters, and the city’s changing streets. You get a better sense of that connection while moving at a comfortable Segway pace.

I especially like the balance between famous and modest sites. Signal Iduna Park is the obvious draw, while the Restaurant Zur Sonne on Sonnenstraße and the Southwest Cemetery require more explanation from the guide. The tour gives those quieter places a reason to matter.

The experience also works as a gentle introduction to Segway riding. The published reviews describe guides taking time with beginners, helping on difficult stretches, and keeping the mood relaxed. Daniel, Wolfgang, Stefan, and other guides are praised for being friendly, clear, and willing to have fun while still taking safety seriously.

The catch is language. The live guide speaks German, and the audio system is there to make the German commentary easier to hear, not to provide another language. If you understand little or no German, you may still enjoy the ride and sights, but much of the historical value will be lost.

Starting at Im Defdahl 12

The meeting point is Im Defdahl 12, 44141 Dortmund. The experience begins with a safety briefing before you head into the city. You receive a helmet, safety vest, and audio receiver, then learn how to handle the Segway.

This first lesson is especially important if you have never ridden one. A Segway responds to your balance and body movement, so a calm introduction can make the rest of the tour far more enjoyable. One first-time participant described the instruction as excellent, while another noted that the guide gave strong support on difficult sections.

Wear comfortable shoes. You will be standing for the full 2-hour outing, and comfort matters more here than fashion. The tour is not designed for children under 14, and the weight range is not flexible: you must be between 45 and 118 kilograms.

The small-group limit of eight is a real advantage at this stage. A guide can watch how each person is handling the machine and offer corrections before the group sets off. That is much better than trying to learn in a large line of riders.

Through Westpark and along Lindemannstraße

Once the briefing is finished, you begin with the guide at the U and cross Westpark. The route then reaches Sonnenstraße by way of Lindemannstraße and the Restaurant Zur Sonne.

The early part of the route helps you get used to riding in motion rather than simply circling a practice area. You pass through a mix of open park space and city streets, so you can settle into the Segway while the guide starts explaining Dortmund’s football story.

Restaurant Zur Sonne has a special place in the club’s supporter and promotion history. The information provided describes it as the foundation of the fan and promotion department. That is the kind of stop that benefits from a live guide because the building alone may not explain its importance.

I like this part of the itinerary because it moves away from the polished image of top-level football. You are not only looking at a stadium used by thousands of people. You are also hearing about the places where supporters and club organizers helped build the football culture.

The audio receiver should help you keep listening while riding. You do not need to cluster tightly around the guide to catch every word, which is useful on streets and open paths. Still, listen carefully and keep your eyes on the route. You are operating a moving vehicle, not sitting on a sightseeing bus.

Franz Jacobi at the Southwest Cemetery

The tour continues to the Southwest Cemetery, the final resting place of Franz Jacobi since 2013. Jacobi is identified as the founder of the club, making this one of the most personal stops on the route.

A cemetery may seem like an unexpected part of a football tour, but it gives the story a human scale. Clubs can feel enormous today, with famous players, packed matches, and international attention. A visit connected to the founder brings the story back to one person and one beginning.

This stop is likely to suit anyone who wants more than a quick stadium photo. It also shows how the tour reaches beyond the usual football attractions. You are not simply collecting landmarks. You are following a story through the places tied to the club’s creation and growth.

The supplied information does not specify how long the group stays at the cemetery, so you should think of it as one stop within a moving route rather than a long cemetery tour. The guide’s explanation is likely to be the main reason for visiting. Since the tour is in German, language ability again affects how much you take from the stop.

Strobelallee and the two stadiums

From the cemetery, the route continues via Strobelallee to the stadiums. The itinerary includes Signal Iduna Park and Rote Erde Stadium, giving you two important football settings in one section of the ride.

Signal Iduna Park is the modern headline attraction. Even without a match, its presence helps explain Dortmund’s football identity. The tour does not promise entry inside the stadium, a match ticket, or a behind-the-scenes stadium visit, so you should not book it expecting an interior tour.

Rote Erde Stadium adds useful contrast. Seeing the two stadiums together lets the guide place Dortmund’s football past and present side by side. The route is not only about the largest and most famous venue. It also points to the older sporting setting that remains part of the city’s football story.

This is a strong part of the tour for fans who want physical context. You ride to the stadium area rather than arriving by public transport, taking a quick photo, and leaving. The Segway connects the venues with the surrounding streets and gives the visit a sense of movement.

At the same time, keep your expectations measured. The supplied details do not promise stadium admission, locker-room access, museum entry, or time inside Signal Iduna Park. If those are your priorities, check the exact booking details before paying. This tour is built around an outdoor route and live commentary.

Borsigplatz, the club’s starting point

The route then heads north to Borsigplatz, described as the founding place of the Dortmunder Soccer Club. For a football fan, this is likely the most meaningful stop of the tour.

Borsigplatz helps connect the club to a specific part of Dortmund. Instead of treating football history as a list of dates, the guide can point to the actual setting where the club began. That is the value of a local guide: the square becomes more than an ordinary urban space.

The stop also gives the tour a clear narrative shape. You begin with the club’s origins, follow the people and places connected to its development, visit the stadiums that represent its public identity, and return to the founding setting. The route becomes a story about how a local club grew into a major part of Dortmund.

You will also see Trinity Church near Borsigplatz. The church adds another local reference point and helps place the football story within the wider neighborhood. The itinerary does not promise entry into the church, so expect an exterior visit and commentary rather than a religious or architectural tour.

For me, Borsigplatz is the reason this experience offers more than a fun ride. The Segway gets you there efficiently, but the guide’s explanation gives the square its meaning. Without German, you can still see the place, but you will miss much of what makes it special.

The Goldsaal and the value of local stories

The Goldsaal is listed among the places visited, although the available details do not explain exactly how long you stop there or whether you enter the building. That means you should treat it as a guided historical point rather than assume a full interior tour.

Its inclusion fits the overall character of the experience. The route uses football landmarks, supporter history, founding places, and city sites to show how Dortmund’s soccer identity developed. The Goldsaal adds another chapter to that account.

This is where the guide matters most. Daniel is praised for his enthusiasm and knowledge of Dortmund, while Wolfgang is described as competent, friendly, helpful, and ready for a joke. Stefan is also praised for combining city information with football history. Guide assignments can change, but these comments give you a good idea of the style to expect: personal, relaxed, and full of explanation.

The audio receiver is practical here. You can keep a safe distance from the guide without losing the commentary. That is especially useful for a group of eight riders moving through different types of streets and paths.

What the German-language format means

The tour has a live guide in German, with no other language listed. This is the single biggest decision point for many people.

If you speak German, the format should feel personal and flexible. You can hear the guide clearly, ask questions, and receive help when a path feels difficult. The small group makes that interaction easier than it would be on a large coach tour.

If you do not speak German, the experience becomes more visual and physical. You can still ride through Westpark, see the stadiums, visit Borsigplatz, and follow the route. But the football history is the heart of the tour, and that story comes through the spoken commentary.

I would not choose this as a language-free sightseeing option. I would choose it if you are comfortable with German or are traveling with someone who can translate informally. The audio equipment improves sound quality, but it does not remove the language barrier.

Is $93 a fair price for two hours?

At $93 per person, this is not a cheap way to get around Dortmund. You are paying for the Segway, helmet, safety vest, headset, instruction, guide, and a small group rather than simply renting a bicycle or walking between football sites.

The value depends on what you want. If you are mainly seeking transportation, the price is hard to justify. If you want a guided football story with equipment supplied and a route that links several locations, the cost makes more sense.

The small group is important to the value. Eight people or fewer means less waiting, clearer communication, and more chance for help. For beginners, that support may be worth more than the vehicle itself.

You also get a route that would be awkward to recreate on foot in two hours. The tour links Westpark, Sonnenstraße, the Southwest Cemetery, Strobelallee, the stadiums, Borsigplatz, and Trinity Church. You can cover more ground while still receiving commentary at the relevant places.

I would call the price reasonable for dedicated Borussia Dortmund fans, first-time Segway riders, and visitors who prefer a guided activity over a simple stadium visit. It is less appealing if your budget is tight or if you only want to see Signal Iduna Park.

Who should book this ride?

This experience suits adults and teenagers aged 14 or older who enjoy football, local history, and active sightseeing. It also suits people who have never used a Segway, provided they meet the weight requirement and are willing to listen closely during the safety briefing.

It is a particularly good choice for:

• Borussia Dortmund supporters who want club history beyond the main stadium
• German speakers who enjoy an informal local guide
• Couples, friends, or families with older teenagers
• Visitors who want to cover several Dortmund sites in two hours
• People who like a little movement rather than a standard walking tour

I would be cautious if you dislike standing for two hours, feel uneasy on balance-based vehicles, or need commentary in English. The tour is also not suitable for anyone under 14 or over 118 kilograms.

The guides’ approach appears to be a major strength. Daniel is described as enthusiastic, while Wolfgang is praised for patient instruction and a good sense of humor. Other comments highlight helpfulness on difficult routes and clear explanations. Those details matter because a Segway tour is only as good as the person leading it.

Practical details before you reserve

Wear comfortable shoes and arrive ready for a safety lesson. Helmets and audio receivers are included, so you do not need to bring those items.

The tour lasts two hours, and starting times depend on availability. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Dortmund plans are still shifting.

The experience provider is sanfte-touren.de. Because the guide language is German, confirm that you can follow the commentary before booking. The published rating is 5 out of 5 from 10 reviews, and the repeated praise centers on fun riding, careful instruction, friendly guides, and interesting stops.

Should you book the Dortmund Soccer Segway Tour?

Book it if you want Dortmund football history delivered with movement, local color, and a guide who can make beginners feel at ease. The best parts are the links between places: Restaurant Zur Sonne, Franz Jacobi’s resting place, the two stadiums, Borsigplatz, and Trinity Church.

Skip it if you need an English-language tour, want to enter Signal Iduna Park, or prefer a low-cost walking route. For German-speaking football fans who meet the age and weight rules, the $93 price buys more than a ride. It buys a compact, personal look at how Dortmund’s football story grew from one neighborhood into a citywide identity.

FAQ

Where does the Dortmund Soccer Segway Tour meet?

The meeting point is Im Defdahl 12, 44141 Dortmund.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. You need to check availability for the exact starting times.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks German. Headsets are provided so you can hear the guide clearly.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Westpark, Sonnenstraße, Restaurant Zur Sonne, the Southwest Cemetery, Strobelallee, Signal Iduna Park, Rote Erde Stadium, the Goldsaal, Borsigplatz, and Trinity Church.

Is the tour suitable for first-time Segway riders?

Yes. The tour begins with a safety briefing, and the guides provide instruction before riding. The supplied feedback also highlights helpful instruction for beginners.

What equipment is included?

A helmet and headsets to hear the guide clearly are included. A safety vest is also provided during the initial setup.

What are the age and weight requirements?

All participants must be at least 14 years old and weigh between 45 and 118 kilograms, or 99 and 260 pounds.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.