Introduction to Düsseldorf: Düsseldorf's elegant side is typified by the upmarket Königsallee shopping street, while the Gehry buildings in Media Harbour represent modern Düsseldorf. There are more than 260 bars and restaurants in the old quarter – plenty of opportunity for sampling Düsseldorf's top-fermented altbier and seeing how the people of the Rheinland have a good time. With outstanding museums, theatres, concert halls and galleries, Düsseldorf also has an international reputation as a centre for art and culture.
Düsseldorf Location: Located directly on the Rhine River, in the Rhine Valley, a few km from Cologne and Bonn, Düsseldorf is the capital of North Rhine Westphalia and home to almost almost 600,000 people. The city seems to be built on the river and is not far from the industrial centers of the Ruhr Valley. Midway between Frankfurt and Hamburg, the city has gained prominence because of its excellent location for commerce.
Düsseldorf - Getting There and Getting Around: You can fly into the Düseldorf International Airport on a few direct flights from the US and the airport is very easy to negotiate with trains into the city. Driving in Düsseldorf is fairly easy although parking in the city center can be expensive. Your best bet is to park your car and use the
Düsseldorf public transportation system (the Rheinbahn), which is comprised of buses, cable cars and a
train and subway system. Getting to Düsseldorf by
train is easy from anywhere in Germany.
Where to Stay in Düsseldorf - Hotels: Düsseldorf has countless
hotels
to suit almost any taste and budget. If you have the budget, try to stay at the
Intercontinental Hotel on Konigsallee, but there are plenty of other nice places to stay. I have a particular affection for the hotels situated along the Rhine because they often provide free bicycles and you can simply hop a bike in the morning for a ride along the river.
Düsseldorf Food and Drink - Restaurants: Lets get to first things first, Düsseldorf is the home of Albier, a dark top fermented beer that is really quite good. Don't order Kölsh in Dusseldorf - not that you are likely to get it regardless. In the old town (Aldstadt) alone which only encompasses a few blocks there are beer gardens, restaurants and bars galore so you can easily find a good place for a little Eisbein and Altbier. For a romantic evening and lovely dinner, try the Victorian in the center of town.
Düsseldorf Nightlife: The Düsseldorf Altstadt is chock full of bars and nightclubs. If you can't find something to do here, you probably are very hard to please. Between Kurze Strasse, Andreasstrasse and Bolkerstrasse there are dozens of bars, pubs and restaurants and if you want a night of dancing you should head for the Bilk quarter. Düsseldorf is particularly exciting during Carnivale when the whole city seems to turn into a party.
Shopping in Düsseldorf: Düsseldorf is the fashion capital of Germany and as such it has some great shopping areas.
- Konigsallee has a number of elegant shopping arcades, designer boutiques abound and beckon the buyer with deep pockets.
- Schadowstrasse offers countless department stores and shops and is one of the busiest shopping areas in Germany.
- Düsseldorf's old quarter, known as "the world's longest bar" because of all the bars and pubs, has numerous passageways and side streets full of trendy little shops.
Düsseldorf Festivals and Events: The last 4 days of Lent, Düsseldorf throws one of the biggest and most ebullient Carnival bashes in Germany. No one works and 6000 outrageously dressed revellers parade through the city.
Düsseldorf's Jazz Rally, the first weekend in June, celebrates three days of jazz in venues all over the city, on open air stages and in pubs. The Kirmes funfair is held every July bringing in more than 4 million visitors with rides and hundreds of stalls offering food, drink and handicrafts.
Tips on Visiting Düsseldorf: Use your
Düsseldorf Welcome Card for all public transportation and for discounts around the city. Düsseldorf is easy enough to get around in that my children were able to do it alone by bike when they were in their early teens. Despite the affluent nature of the city its reputation as a fashion center, people are down-to-earth and the city gives off a warm glow- perhaps it is the reflection coming off the
Altbier.
Things to Do in Düsseldorf: The Düsseldorf Rhine Tower
Go to the top of the Rhine tower for a coffee and a break from touring - bring your camera, the view is heavenly.
The Düsseldorf Altstadt (Old Quarter)
The Düsseldorf Altstadt is full of cobbled streets (leave the stilettos at home)quaint passageways, historic churches, brewpubs, bars and restaurants. Within a few blocks there are hundreds of shops, restaurants and cozy bars and pubs.
Benrath Palace
South of Düsseldorf, the Benrath Palace was built as a vacation palace for Elector Karl Theodor. One of the most beautiful garden palaces of the 18th century, the 120 acre property is one of the rare total works of art of the rococo period. The parks and grounds are incredible, the exhibits inside fascinating and the Europäische Gartenkunst (Museum of European Garden Art) is the only one of its kind in the world, showing representative works from Greco-Roman times to present.
K20 and K21 Art Collections
The K20 collection of 20th century art has long been a highly respected institution with a collection including outstanding works by Picasso, Klee and Beuys. Works from the late 70s to the present are displayed in the K21 art collection, the museum for international contemporary art.
Düsseldorf Museum Kunst Palast
A favorite for art classical modern art enthusiastes, the museum focuses on contemporary art from around the world. The Graphics Collection is world renowned as is the Glass Museum.
Düsseldorf Hofgarten
The Hofgarten was Germany's first public park, designed as an English Garden in 1769. Home of the Goethe Museum, the park makes for a lovely outing - bring a picnic.
North Park and Bilk Rhine Park
Take your kids to North Park to visit the great children's play areas, the Aquazoo and the Japanese Garden or stroll through Bilk Rhine Park for some beautiful views of Düsseldorf.
Take a Rhine Cruise or a Tour of the City
Old hat by now, if you have done other Rhine tours, but a tour of the city is always worth a little time.
