FOLLOW US

World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Germany > Düsseldorf

Local time Düsseldorf

Currency

Düsseldorf Travel Guide

About Düsseldorf

With a slew of classy fashion boutiques, plus bars and restaurants aplenty, Düsseldorf is a city that has it all - even its own beer.

As the state capital of North Rhine–Westphalia, Düsseldorf is one of the richest cities in Germany - and it shows. Straddling the mighty Rhine and the blink-and-you’ll-miss–it Düssel rivers, it’s a smart, fashionable metropolis with a confident (but certainly not arrogant) swagger. It is also extremely cosmopolitan, with a sixth of the total population foreign-born.

Although Düsseldorf made its fortune from international banking, it's not filled with faceless accountants in suits. Prosperity has turned the locals into enthusiastic patrons of the arts and fashion. There’s the Königsallee with its ultra-trendy shopping, plus a wide range of galleries and museums. Its mouth-watering choice of quality dining options reflects both the city’s multinational ascent and a willingness to pay for top-quality nosh.

It hasn’t always been one long success story, however. Düsseldorf suffered enormous damage in WWII with more than three quarters of the centre all but wiped from the map. Much of it had to be rebuilt virtually from scratch.

But rather than throw up a faceless concrete metropolis, lost medieval landmarks were meticulously and lovingly recreated in their original forms, meaning the central Altstadt (Old Town) remains an enchanting warren of cobbled streets. This is where over 200 popular bars (many serving locally brewed Altbier), and countless restaurants and nightspots, rub shoulders with vestiges of the past, turning it into one of the hippest spots in the country.

Contrasting with the historical core, there’s also a thriving new scene in the rebooted and rejuvenated harbour district, MedienHafen, with its modern glass buildings and an abundance of chic drinking dens and eateries.

Although Düsseldorf is known for its nightlife year-round, things get especially lively during the pre-Lent carnival, which turns the city into one giant party zone. December, when several Christmas markets spring into action, is also a great time to be in town, but Düsseldorf will still enchant whenever you decide to visit.

Key facts

Population:
619.294 (2018)
Latitude:
51.240847
Longitude:
6.797548
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

SEE MORE

Steigenberger Parkhotel

This 5 star hotel with 130 luxuriously furnished rooms is conveniently located on Königsallee. It offers all amenities expected by tourists and businessmen alike: three onsite restaurants, a bar and a lounge, modern gym facilities and a sauna, high speed Wi-Fi and meeting rooms. 

Hotel Orangerie

Housed in a handsome classical building in the peaceful, leafy Carlstadt immediately south of the Altstadt and just a few yards from the river, this small hotel in Düsseldorf is very tastefully designed in fresh modern style. Hotel Orangerie is perfect for travellers looking for an independent, luxury hotel with a difference.

Hotel Terminus

Unprepossessing from the street, this small 3-star hotel in Düsseldorf has attractive and airy bedrooms, a small swimming pool, sauna, solarium, extremely friendly multilingual owners and staff, and serves excellent breakfast.

Ibis Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof

Centrally located by the main railway station in Düsseldorf, this is a comfortable, modern chain hotel that features a terrace area, a bar open 24 hours and Wi-Fi. Breakfast is served all morning from 0400 to noon.

InterCityHotel Düsseldorf

This very comfortable and modern, business-oriented 4-star hotel, a few yards from the main railway station, offers smart, simple rooms, an attractive conservatory-style breakfast room and very helpful, efficient staff. InterCityHotel Düsseldorf is excellent value.

InterContinental Düsseldorf

InterContinental Düsseldorf is an impressive and state-of-the-art 5-star hotel, arranged around a 40m-high (131ft) glass atrium. This luxury hotel in Düsseldorf has all the comforts, facilities (including gym next door) and style befitting its prestigious address in the heart of the shopping district, just a short walk from the Altstadt.