Bielefeld City seen from the Sparrenburg

EuropeGermanyNorth Rhine-Westphalia

Bielefeld

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany · Europe

About Bielefeld

Bielefeld sits on the route: 10 minutes from Milse, 32km from Externsteine.

Bielefeld is in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with about 330,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Milse, about 6 km away.

Bielefeld (German pronunciation: [ˈbiːləfɛlt] ) is a city in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a population of 342,952, it is also the most populous city in the administrative region (Regierungsbezirk) of Detmold and the 18th largest city in Germany. The

historical centre of the city is situated in the Ravensberg Basin north of the Teutoburg Forest hill range, but modern Bielefeld extends across the range and further south into the flat Westphalian Basin. The city is situated on the Hermannsweg, a hiking trail that runs for 156 km along the ridges of the Teutoburg Forest. Bielefeld is home to a significant number of internationally operating companies, including Dr. Oetker, DMG Mori (former Gildemeister), Möller Group, Goldbeck and Schüco. It has a university and several technical colleges (Fachhochschulen). Bielefeld is also known for the Bethel Foundation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to see near Bielefeld?

Within an hour or so of Bielefeld: Externsteine (32 km), Bilster Berg (45 km).

Where is Bielefeld?

Bielefeld is in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, about 6 km from Milse.

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Quick Information

Population: 331,906
Continent: Europe
Country: Germany
Region: North Rhine-Westphalia
Timezone: Europe/Berlin
Coordinates: 52.0333, 8.5333

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Germany

Police: 110
Ambulance: 112
Fire: 112
All emergencies: 112
Driving side: right

ADAC roadside assistance: +49 89 22 22 22. No general speed limit on some autobahn sections but advisory 130 km/h.

Full driving guide for Germany

Worth the detour from Bielefeld

2 notable places within an hour's drive.

natural wonder

Externsteine

Five dramatic sandstone pillars rise from the Teutoburg Forest, carved with medieval reliefs and steeped in pagan legend.

32 km · about 35 min drive

racetrack

Bilster Berg

A private 4.2km circuit built in a former British Army ammunition depot in the Teutoburg Forest, with 70m of elevation change, blind crests and a Mausefalle-style plunge. Access is by track day or driving experience only.

45 km · about 50 min drive