Krefeld is located exactly between the larger cities Duisburg and Düsseldorf and, therefore, goes unnoticed by many. Unfairly! Unlike the neighbouring cities, Krefeld is a big city with a small-town charm: everything is close together and with little effort, you are in the middle of the relaxing nature of the Rhineland. And if you like concerts, jazz and ice hockey, you've also come to the right place.
Krefeld has a population of about 225,000 and is a hub for commuters working in Düsseldorf and Duisburg, as rental properties are more affordable here than in other places. This also applies to student accommodation. You’ll find it easier to rent a place that suits your budget. Most students like to move to the city centre or the southern part of town, closer to their lecture halls and libraries. Here, you’ll find hip cafés, little secondhand stores, and corner shops with organic produce. This is part of what gives the city its cosy and snug feel, despite its relatively large size.
Once you get here, make sure you get a (used) bike. It’s a reliable way to get onto the two Krefeld campuses of the Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences from your accommodation, for example. In addition to biking around the city, you can take things up a notch at the Elfrather Lake where you can participate in windsurfing, diving, rowing, and sailing. A so-called soapbox derby is hosted every year in Krefeld too! Over a 500-metre course, participants race down Krefeld’s highest hill in self-made mobiles. Even if you don’t participate, this is an exciting event to spectate.
228,000 residents
High-speed train connections
International airport
Coast
Mountain range
Other countries
Attractions within 100 km
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