Dülmen (German pronunciation: [ˈdʏlmən] ⓘ) is a town in the district of Coesfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Dülmen is situated in the south part of the Münsterland area, between the Lippe river to the south, the Baumberge hills to the north and the Ems river to the east.

The place was first mentioned as Dulmenni in 889, as a property of Werden Abbey.

After a short period in the hands of the House of Croÿ, and later part of the Duchy of Arenberg, it was taken by the French in 1811.

The Dülmen oil plant was a target of the Oil Campaign of World War II: 90% of the city was destroyed[citation needed] and the city was rebuilt after the war.