Discover Krefeld: Silk Culture, City History and Nature

Krefeld combines a long tradition of textile manufacturing with museums, natural spaces and a large zoo. The city is known as the “City of Silk” — a name reflected in several cultural attractions. When planning your trip, it therefore helps to ask a simple question: Should your stay focus mainly on insights into textile history, a museum visit or experiences surrounded by greenery?

City of Silk and Textile History

At the House of Silk Culture, the city’s textile past comes to life in a specific setting: This industrial heritage site preserves an original Jacquard hand-weaving room with eight historic looms from the 19th century. Guided tours, workshops and special exhibitions round out the visit; activities are aimed at all age groups. Since the programme may change, it is worth checking the latest dates if a particular activity is important to your trip.

The German Textile Museum Krefeld also features changing exhibitions, including the contemporary textile art series “Asia Europe – Fiber Art.” If you would like to explore different approaches to the subject, you can include historic weaving techniques and contemporary textile art as separate highlights in your travel plans. Exhibition themes and dates change.

Zoo and Botanical Diversity

Krefeld Zoo covers 14 hectares and is the largest zoo on the Lower Rhine. At GorillaGarten, you can observe the largest living primates in a spacious outdoor enclosure. This makes the zoo visit especially appealing if you are interested in primates. The zoo can be reached on tram lines 042 and 043 from Krefeld Central Station, or on line 043 from Uerdingen Station to the Grotenburg/Zoo stop. Check the local route information again before travelling.

A different natural highlight awaits you at Krefeld Botanical Garden. The 3.6-hectare garden lies on the edge of Schönwasserpark in the Oppum district and is home to around 5,000 plant species from around the world. The 2026 events programme includes guided tours, workshops, concerts, plant markets and exhibitions. If you have a particular event in mind for your stay, check the relevant dates before you travel.

Museums and a Place to Explore Nature

Museum Burg Linn brings together three distinct attractions: an archaeological museum, a medieval castle and a Baroque hunting lodge. This combination offers different historical perspectives without requiring you to focus on just one period. You can pair this highlight with Krefeld’s textile history or visit the museums as separate stops on your trip.

Krefeld Environmental Centre also combines a connection to nature with educational activities. Its grounds include a kitchen garden, traditional orchards, a grain plot, beehives, a natural pond and woodland. The grounds are generally open to everyone. Age-appropriate programmes are intended for school classes and kindergarten groups.

Discover More Places

For further inspiration, see the destination pages for Krefeld and Bockum. Discover more destinations: Mettmann, Münster, Viersen, Gütersloh, Märkischer Kreis, Minden-Lübbecke.

For the wider travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.