Schimmi tour pure (without catering)

Schimmi’s world begins in Duisburg-Ruhrort, and this tour gets straight to the character’s roots. You follow the places tied to his first currywurst, his first body, and the famously earthy details that make Schimmi more than a TV detective. I like the sharp local focus, and I like that the small group keeps the walk personal. The main catch is simple: there is no sausage included, and the tour is in German.

I also like the care given to small details, especially the links to Thanner and Hänschen. Guides such as Dagmar Dahmen and Frank bring different styles, from warm enthusiasm to loose, humorous storytelling. At $25 per person, the tour is good value if you already know Schimmi, but casual visitors may find the subject too specialized.

Key points at a glance

• Duisburg-Ruhrort is the starting point: Begin at Neumarkt 19, where the Schimmi story starts on this walking tour.
• The first currywurst and first body are part of the route: The tour follows important early Schimmi moments and filming places.
• Thanner and Hänschen matter: The experience gives these familiar figures their proper place in Schimmi’s world.
• No food is included: You can order currywurst at your own cost at Zum Hübi, close to Schimmi-Gasse.
• Small German-language group: Up to 10 people join the professional guide for two hours.
• Weather does not stop the walk: Wear comfortable shoes and come prepared for outdoor conditions.

Why Schimmi’s Duisburg-Ruhrort roots matter

This is not a broad city tour with a few television references added on. It is a focused walk through the places that gave Schimmi his setting and his rough-edged identity. The route begins at Neumarkt 19 in Duisburg-Ruhrort, then traces the character through locations tied to the series.

That starting point matters because Schimmi is closely linked to Duisburg itself. The tour treats the city as part of the character, not just as a backdrop. You are looking at places connected with his first currywurst, his first body, and the first notably crude incident described in the tour material.

That last detail tells you a lot about the tone. This is not a polished film-history lecture. It leans into Schimmi’s blunt humor, local color, and working-class edge. If you enjoy the character’s rough language and earthy jokes, that tone should feel right. If you prefer a quiet, formal walk, you may find it too cheeky.

The tour has been running for 13 years and has attracted more than 16,000 participants. That long run suggests a well-tested route rather than a one-off novelty. It also explains why fans come from beyond Germany, including the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria.

Starting at Neumarkt 19

Your meeting point is Neumarkt 19. From there, the guide leads the group through Duisburg for about two hours, ending at Dammstraße 27, 47119 Duisburg.

The route is built around places connected with Schimmi, so the guide’s explanation is just as important as the streets themselves. A location may look ordinary at first glance. Then a photograph, a scene reference, or a bit of local context can turn it into a meaningful stop for someone who knows the show.

The tour is limited to 10 people. That is a useful size for a location-based walk. You should be able to hear the guide without the group spreading too far along the street, and there is a better chance to ask about particular episodes or characters.

The walk lasts two hours, long enough to create a proper story but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing in Duisburg. I would plan it as a dedicated Schimmi activity rather than something to squeeze between unrelated appointments. The end point is different from the meeting point, so keep that in mind when planning the rest of your day.

Following the first currywurst and first body

The strongest part of the route is its attention to Schimmi’s firsts. The first currywurst is an obvious touchstone. Food is closely tied to the character’s public image, so the tour uses it as a way into his world rather than treating it as a random snack stop.

The first body gives the walk a darker turn. This is where the route moves beyond fan trivia and into the crime-story side of Schimmi. You are not simply checking off filming locations. You are following the early places that helped define the character and the series.

The tour also includes the location tied to Schimmi’s first crude bodily incident. The wording is intentionally blunt, and the detail will appeal to fans who enjoy the character’s unvarnished style. It may sound silly on paper, but that kind of small, odd fact is often what makes a television-location tour memorable.

A key strength is the attention to matching scenes with places. One guide, Dagmar Dahmen, is noted for using photographs at the relevant locations. That gives you something concrete to compare with the street in front of you. It also helps when the modern setting has changed or does not immediately look like a television scene.

You should not expect a large production, special effects, or a staged recreation. The pleasure comes from recognizing the place, hearing the story, and seeing how Schimmi’s Duisburg world fits into the real city.

Thanner, Hänschen, and the people around Schimmi

No Schimmi tour would feel complete without Thanner and Hänschen. The experience makes a point of including them, which is important for anyone who sees the series as more than a one-man show.

These supporting figures help explain Schimmi’s place within the stories. The tour is not limited to the detective’s food, crime scenes, or personal habits. It also gives room to the familiar people who shape the Schimmi setting.

The supplied information does not provide a full scene-by-scene list, so you should not expect every episode or character to receive equal attention. What you do get is a focused route with the central names and places given priority.

That focus is part of the value. At $25, you are paying for a compact, guided experience rather than an all-day television pilgrimage. The guide’s storytelling fills in the links between the stops, and the small group allows the tour to keep moving without becoming impersonal.

Dagmar Dahmen, Frank, and the guide style

The guide can make a major difference on a tour like this. Much of the value comes from the stories told at each location, not from the street signs alone.

Dagmar Dahmen is associated with a warm, enthusiastic style, with photographs used at matching locations. Her approach suits visitors who want plenty of context and a clear connection between the screen and the real place.

Frank is described as relaxed, funny, and informative. That style may suit you if you prefer a lighter walk with local humor rather than a formal presentation. The two descriptions point to a shared strength: the guides know how to keep the subject entertaining while still explaining the locations.

The tour is conducted in German. That is an important practical point. If you understand German, you should get the full value from the jokes, local expressions, and scene details. If you do not, the experience will be harder to follow, since the tour is not presented as multilingual.

The missing sausage, and the nearby fix

The PUR version means exactly what it says: no catering is included. You do not receive the currywurst associated with Schimmi, and the $25 price covers the professional guided tour only.

That keeps the cost down and gives you control over food. Near Schimmi-Gasse, at Zum Hübi, you can order a currywurst on your own bill. This is a useful option if you want to add the food element, but it is not part of the tour price.

I see this as a sensible setup. Some people may have already eaten, have dietary limits, or simply want to spend their money on the tour. Others will feel that a Schimmi experience should include sausage. The choice is yours, but you should not arrive expecting a meal.

The separate food arrangement may also help keep the two-hour route on schedule. You are not waiting for a group meal to arrive, and the walk remains focused on the locations.

Weather, shoes, and the shape of the walk

The tour runs in any weather. That makes comfortable shoes more than a minor suggestion. You should dress for an outdoor city walk and be ready for rain, cold, or wet pavement depending on the day.

The supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility description or a precise walking distance. For that reason, you should ask the operator if you have specific mobility needs. The route is a guided city walk, so practical footwear is the safe choice.

The two-hour length is manageable for many people, but the experience is still better if you treat it as a walk rather than a seated talk. You will move from the starting point at Neumarkt 19 to the finish at Dammstraße 27.

The finish location matters for onward plans. You do not return automatically to the starting point, so allow time to orient yourself after the tour.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this tour if you already know Schimmi, have watched the early Duisburg-Ruhrort episode, or enjoy television locations with a strong local identity. Watching that first Schimmi episode before you go should help you recognize the references and understand why the starting area matters.

It also suits Duisburg residents. The route can show familiar streets in a new way, and the local stories may add context even if you already know the city. One useful feature is that the tour does not assume only out-of-town visitors will care about the subject.

Fans from neighboring countries can join too, but the German-language format remains the key limitation. You need enough German to follow the guide’s explanations and humor.

I would be more cautious about booking it for someone who has never heard of Schimmi. The locations may not carry much meaning without that background, and the tour is built around character details rather than general Duisburg sightseeing.

Is $25 a fair price?

For two hours with a professional guide, a group capped at 10, and a route built around specific filming places, $25 is a fair price for a committed fan. The personal feel of a small group adds value, especially when the guide uses photos and local references to explain what you are seeing.

The price is less attractive if you expect food or a general introduction to Duisburg. Catering is not included, and a currywurst at Zum Hübi costs extra. You are paying for the guided stories, the route, and the connection between the real locations and the Schimmi scenes.

The tour has received a 4.9 rating from 19 ratings, with particularly strong praise for its humor, information, careful planning, and guide enthusiasm. Dagmar Dahmen and Frank are singled out for different but equally appealing styles. That consistency supports the idea that the guide-led part is the main reason to book.

Booking flexibility and useful planning details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Duisburg plans are not fully fixed.

Check the available starting times before booking. The duration is two hours, but the supplied details do not give one fixed daily departure time.

Bring comfortable shoes, and plan for any weather. The walk is conducted in German, the group is limited to 10, and the tour ends at Dammstraße 27 rather than at the starting point.

Should you book the Schimmi Tour Pure?

Book it if Schimmi is already part of your television life and you want to see the Duisburg places behind the character. The first currywurst, first body, supporting characters such as Thanner and Hänschen, and the use of scene photographs give the walk more substance than a simple list of addresses.

The PUR format is best for people who want the tour without a fixed meal. You can add currywurst at Zum Hübi, or skip it and keep the experience focused.

Skip it if you want an English-language tour, a broad city introduction, or a meal included in the ticket. For the right audience, though, this is a compact and good-value way to connect Schimmi with Duisburg-Ruhrort, guided by people who clearly enjoy telling the story.

FAQ

Where does the Schimmi Tour start?

The tour starts at Neumarkt 19 in Duisburg-Ruhrort.

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 PUR version does not include catering.

Can I buy currywurst during or near the tour?

You can order currywurst at your own cost at Zum Hübi, a location near Schimmi-Gasse.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is conducted in German by a live German-speaking guide.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

What should I bring?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.