Reviewed · TOURS IN DUISBURG

Schimmi tour pure (without catering)

4.9 · 19 reviews 2 hours From $25 Operated by DU Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Schimmi’s story begins not in a film studio, but in Duisburg-Ruhrort, the gritty river district where the cult detective first found his footing. This two-hour walking tour follows those early traces, from his first currywurst and first case to the odd, memorable details that made Schimmi such a local icon.

I like the tour’s small group limit of 10, which should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. I also like the focus on detail: guides such as Dagmar Dahmen and Frank bring photos, filming facts, Thanner, Hänschen, and plenty of Ruhr-area humor into the walk.

The catch is simple: this is the pure version, so no food is included. You can order currywurst at Zum Hübi near Schimmi-Gasse, but you pay separately, and the tour is conducted in German only.

Key points for Schimmi fans in Duisburg

Schimmi tour pure (without catering) - Key points for Schimmi fans in Duisburg

  • Starts at Neumarkt 19: The tour begins in Duisburg and heads into Ruhrort, the place tied to Schimmi’s beginnings.
  • Two hours on foot: Plan for a walking tour through filming locations, with comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing.
  • No catering included: This is the pure option, though currywurst can be ordered separately at Zum Hübi.
  • Small German-speaking group: A maximum of 10 people keeps the outing personal and easier to follow.
  • Thanner and Hänschen are part of the story: The tour treats Schimmi as a full television world, not just one detective.
  • Photos help match fiction to place: Guides use images to connect the present-day streets with scenes from the series.

Why Schimmi’s first Duisburg scenes matter

Schimmi tour pure (without catering) - Why Schimmi’s first Duisburg scenes matter

Schimmi, short for Horst Schimanski, is one of Germany’s best-known television detectives. His appeal was never limited to solving a case. He was loud, rough around the edges, tied closely to Duisburg, and often shown eating, arguing, working, and getting into trouble in places that felt lived in.

That local setting is the reason this tour works. You are not simply looking at generic city streets and being told that a television show once filmed nearby. You are tracing the character’s earliest Duisburg connections in Ruhrort, where the series built much of its identity.

The route begins at Neumarkt 19. From there, your guide leads a two-hour walk through Duisburg, finishing at Dammstraße 27 in the 47119 area. The precise stops along the way can vary in how much time they receive, but the central thread is clear: early Schimmi, his working world, and the places that helped turn him into a cult figure.

I would watch the first Schimmi film, Duisburg-Ruhrort, before coming. That preparation matters here. You will recognize more locations, understand the references faster, and get more from the guide’s photographs and stories.

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Following Schimmi from Neumarkt 19

Schimmi tour pure (without catering) - Following Schimmi from Neumarkt 19

The opening at Neumarkt 19 gives the group a clear meeting point before the walk heads into the main Ruhrort story. Since the group is capped at 10, you should have a better chance of staying close to the guide, even when the route pauses at a busy street or a popular photo spot.

This is a guided walk rather than a museum visit. You should expect the city itself to provide the setting, with the guide supplying the context, humor, and links to the television scenes.

That format suits Schimmi well. His world is tied to ordinary streets and local places, not grand monuments. The interest comes from seeing how a familiar urban setting became part of a long-running television character’s story.

The guide’s role matters a lot. Dagmar Dahmen has been singled out for her enthusiasm, humor, and use of photographs at matching locations. Frank has also been praised for a relaxed, witty, informative style. Since the guide is the main source of the experience, these details are useful when deciding what kind of tour you want. The best version of this outing depends less on a polished attraction and more on a guide who knows how to tell a local story.

The first currywurst and other Schimmi details

Schimmi tour pure (without catering) - The first currywurst and other Schimmi details

Food is part of Schimmi’s identity, but this tour does not include a meal. The name Pure refers to that choice: you get the Schimmi content without built-in catering.

The tour still covers Schimmi’s first currywurst, which is one of the outing’s more playful details. Near Schimmi-Gasse, you can order a currywurst at Zum Hübi on your own bill. This gives you flexibility. You can eat there if you want to extend the outing, or skip it if you have already eaten or need to leave after the walk.

That arrangement also keeps the base price down. At about $25 per person, you are paying for the guide and the two-hour program, not for food or a bundled restaurant stop. For fans who mainly want locations and stories, that is a sensible setup.

There is also a more risqué piece of Schimmi lore on the route, involving his first corpse and the place connected with his first toilet mishap. It is the sort of earthy, slightly rude detail that fits the character. If you prefer polished cultural tours, the tone may not suit you. If you like the rough humor associated with Schimmi, it is part of the charm.

Thanner, Hänschen, and the wider television world

A Schimmi tour would feel incomplete if it focused only on the detective himself. Thanner and Hänschen are included because they help explain the working relationships and recurring characters around him.

That is important for anyone who knows the television series well. You are not just checking off a location from one episode. You are placing Schimmi among the colleagues and supporting figures who helped define the show.

The tour’s emphasis on photos makes this easier. The guide can show you a scene or image, then connect it with the present-day place in front of you. That comparison gives the walk a clear purpose, especially when a location has changed or looks less dramatic than it did on screen.

I would not expect a large exhibition, costumes, or a collection of original props. The supplied details point to a street-based tour with spoken commentary and photos. That is a strength if you want the real Duisburg setting, but a limitation if you want a formal film museum.

Same base, a different kind of day out:

Two hours of Ruhrort atmosphere

The tour lasts two hours, long enough to build a story without taking up an entire day. You should still wear comfortable shoes. The route is a walking experience, and it takes place in all weather.

February and late autumn can be chilly or wet in Duisburg, so a waterproof layer and shoes with good grip are sensible choices. The tour does not stop for weather cancellations according to the supplied information, so check the forecast and dress for the conditions rather than hoping for shelter.

The pace should be manageable for most people who are comfortable with a two-hour city walk, but the exact walking distance is not provided. If you have limited mobility or need frequent seating, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming the route will suit you.

The weather can change the mood. A gray Ruhr day may feel especially fitting for Schimmi’s hard-edged setting, but that does not make rain any more comfortable. I would treat the all-weather policy as a practical point, not a romantic one.

What the $25 price actually buys

At $25 per person, the tour offers a reasonably focused experience for fans who want local context rather than a full-day excursion. You get a professional guide, two hours of commentary, the Ruhrort setting, and a compact group limited to 10.

The price does not include currywurst or any other catering. That is easy to understand, but it is worth keeping in mind when comparing the Pure version with other Schimmi experiences. Add the cost of food at Zum Hübi if you want the meal stop.

The real value depends on your connection to the series. A casual visitor who has never seen Schimmi may find the tour’s references too specific. A committed fan can get much more from the same two hours, especially after watching Duisburg-Ruhrort in advance.

I also see value for people already familiar with Duisburg. The tour can give you a new way to read streets you may otherwise pass without a second thought. One useful feature is that the outing is not aimed only at people from out of town. The route and stories can also work for locals who want a closer look at the city’s television connection.

How the guide shapes the experience

The guide is the key variable here. Dagmar Dahmen is associated with a warm, energetic presentation, local humor, and photographs that match the filming places. Frank’s style is described as loose, funny, and informative.

Those qualities matter more than a long list of stops. A good film-location guide explains why a place mattered, what happened there, and how the scene fits into the character’s larger world. A weaker guide could simply point at buildings and repeat episode titles.

The German-only format is worth taking seriously. You will need enough German to follow a live walking talk, jokes, and local references. Translation is not listed, and the activity information names German as the tour language.

For German speakers, that language choice should add to the local feel. The humor, names, and Ruhr expressions are likely to land more naturally than they would through a translated script. For others, the outing may be harder to enjoy unless someone in your group can translate as you go.

What makes this different from a standard city walk

This is not a general Duisburg sightseeing tour. The focus is narrow and intentional: Schimmi’s first Duisburg connections, his filming locations, his food habits, his colleagues, and the small details that fans remember.

That narrow subject is a benefit if you know what you want. You will not spend the two hours waiting for the guide to reach the television material. The entire outing is built around it.

It is less suitable if you want major historic sights, broad city background, or a tour in English. The supplied route information does not promise a general introduction to Duisburg, and the guide speaks German.

I like this kind of focused tour because it gives a place a personal layer. You may leave knowing less about Duisburg’s full past than you would after a traditional history walk, but you can come away with a stronger sense of how one fictional character became tied to the city.

Who should book the Pure tour

I would recommend this tour to:

  • Schimmi fans who want to see the early Duisburg locations
  • German speakers who enjoy television history and local humor
  • Visitors who prefer a small walking group to a large guided outing
  • Duisburg residents who want fresh context for familiar streets
  • Anyone willing to watch Duisburg-Ruhrort before the tour

I would think twice if you want an English-language tour, a meal included in the price, or a fully indoor activity. The all-weather policy also makes clothing and footwear important.

Families may need to judge the tone carefully. The tour includes crime-show material and earthy humor tied to Schimmi’s character. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so ask the provider if age suitability is important for your group.

Practical planning for the day

Meet at Neumarkt 19 and allow enough time to find the starting point. The walk ends at Dammstraße 27, 47119 Duisburg, so do not assume you will finish where you began.

Bring comfortable shoes. Since the tour runs in any weather, carry rain protection and dress for the season. There is no stated catering included, but you can choose to buy currywurst at Zum Hübi near Schimmi-Gasse.

The tour is limited to 10 people, which is useful for hearing the commentary and keeping the group together. The activity lasts two hours, and starting times depend on availability when you book.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your Duisburg plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Schimmi Tour Pure?

Book it if Schimmi is the reason you are visiting Ruhrort, or if you already know the series and want to connect its stories with real Duisburg streets. The small group, strong local focus, named guides such as Dagmar and Frank, and photo-based storytelling give the two hours a clear purpose.

Skip it if you need English, dislike walking in uncertain weather, or expect food and film memorabilia to be included. For the right audience, $25 is a fair price for a focused local experience. Watch Duisburg-Ruhrort first, bring good shoes, and decide in advance if you want to add your own currywurst at Zum Hübi.

FAQ

Where does the Schimmi tour start?

The tour starts at Neumarkt 19 in Duisburg.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Dammstraße 27, 47119 Duisburg, Germany.

How long does the tour last?

The guided tour lasts two hours.

Is food included?

No. The Pure version does not include catering. You can order a currywurst separately at Zum Hübi near Schimmi-Gasse and pay for it yourself.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks German.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes. The tour takes place in any weather, so weather-appropriate clothing is also sensible.

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