Duesseldorf

With its beer halls, terraces along the river, lavish shopping promenades and its carnival, Dusseldorf is proud of its multitude of attractions. Situated in the west of Germany on the banks of the River Rhine, Dusseldorf’s warm and welcoming population embodies the friendly nature of the Rhineland.

Dusseldorf’s most popular attractions can be found in the Altstadt (Old Town). It’s here that you’ll find “Germany’s longest bar”. It’s not quite one long bar that stretches across the Altstadt, but rather the collection of 250 cafés and restaurants that line the streets of the ancient Old Town – one of the highest concentration of bars in all of Europe. While you’re here, ensure you try an Altbier, a dark beer that’s been brewed in Dusseldorf for centuries.

The inhabitants of Dusseldorf are definitely like to be outdoors. The Rheinuferpromenade is specially designed for pedestrians, making Dusseldorf easy to explore on foot. There’s also a terrace on the river where you can watch the sun set behind the western bank of the Rhine. Then there’s the Hofgarten, one of the oldest public parks in Germany where you can enjoy free jazz, big band and classical orchestra concerts.

The Dusseldorf Hafen should not be missed. In this renovated port you will find a number of distinguished restaurants and some of the finest architecture in Dusseldorf. Admire the asymmetric buildings Der Neue Zollhof, designed by renowned architect Frank O. Gehry. The Rhine Tower offers visitors a wonderful view over the region, either from the observation deck or the revolving restaurant, where you should definitely try the famous currywurst.

Dusseldorf is proud of its cultural events and festivals, and you should definitely try to coincide your visit with one if you can. During Japandag you’ll see incredible displays, ranging from martial arts demonstrations to live music. This festival is held annually in May or June, celebrating the largest Japanese community in Germany.

The streets in the city centre are flat and it’s quite easy to explore the Dusseldorf on foot. For those who do not want to walk, Dusseldorf also has a very efficient public transport system and you can get anywhere in the city by bus, tram or subway. If you’d like to explore the wider area, you can always rent a car.