Important: The license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0 has been approved.
Please consider all contributions from this point forward to be made under that license.

From Wikitravel

Düsseldorf [1] is a city in western Germany located on the Rhine river. It is the capital city of the state North Rhine-Westphalia.

[edit] Understand

Düsseldorf is one of the economic centers of Western Germany and is located along the Rhine River, in the densely populated Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area, with a population of over 10 million.

The city is famous for its nightlife, carnival, events, shopping, also for fashion and trade fairs, like the Boot Messe (one of the world's best in boats and watersports) and Igedo (world leader in fashion). Every year more than 4 Million people visit the Kirmes fair, which runs for 9 days in summer.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

• Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS), [2]. Düsseldorf International Airport is the third largest airport in Germany and offers connections to 175 destinations worldwide. The main airport of Düsseldorf is located about 15 kilometers away from the main railway station. It takes 12 minutes by city railway "S11" to the main railway station, by car, bus or taxi about 20 minutes. The costs are €2,20 for city railway or bus ("Preisstufe A"), about €20/€22 for taxi-taxis are located in front of the airport terminals. Fixed Trip to the fairground is 13€ with taxi.  edit

• Köln Bonn Airport (CGN), [3]. 60 minutes drive away from Düsseldorf city center.  edit

• Airport Weeze (NRN), [4]. Frequented by smaller, low-cost airlines flying into Düsseldorf. The airport is 80 kilometers away from Düsseldorf main railway station, by car or bus a 90 minutes drive (bus: 5-6 departures per day, €14 fare). If you need to travel from Dusseldorf main airport (DUS) to Weeze Airport (NRN), than Deutsche Bahn is the easiest and fastest option. You can book the train online and it costs about 14 Euro. You just follow the DB signs at the DUS Airport. The train gets you to Weeze, than you change to the special bus, which gets you directly to the Weeze Airport. Bus fare is included in Deutsche Bahn ticket. The train goes every hour.  edit

[edit] By train

The Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof (main station) is a major stop for Deutsche Bahn [5] (German state railway). The Rhinebahn tickets for the local Ubahn service, need to be validated on the actual trains, failure to validate i.e. stamp the ticket , will result in either a 40 euro fine or removal to a police station by the security where the Police will request your I.D. such as Passport for later prosecution.Being a non German and not understanding the complicated German for validation, will not be accepted nor will the fact that you have purchased a ticket.Germans consider non stamping of tickets by tourists as being a criminal issue for the Police.

[edit] By car

Düsseldorf is connected to the highways A3, A44, A46, A52, A57 (via Neuss) and A59.

[edit] Get around

• By bus, tramway or subway: network operated by Rheinbahn AG [6]

• By suburban railway (S-Bahn)

More specifically, for timetables of buses, trams, etc. use:

• bahn.de [7] (German, English, French and Italian)
• vrr.de [8] (German, English and French)
• Net Plan of regional transfer service [9]

Most destinations in Düsseldorf can be reached by local transportation. Tickets must be purchased and postmarked before using the transportation service. After postmarking you usually have 90 Minutes to reach your final destination. Ticket Class "A" is adequate to reach your destinations within Düsseldorf.

[edit][add listing] See

The tourist information office (across the street from the train station) has free maps with walking routes designed around a specific theme (e.g., "Art Route", "Düsseldorf in 1 Hour").

• Old City, (U-Bahn stop: Heinrich-Heine-Allee). 16-1. The Old City is the place to go for nightlife. It's sometimes called the longest bar in the world because of all the bars and pubs. In the daytime, it's just enjoyable to walk around and get a feel for the area. Some notable buildings: Heinrich Heine's birthplace, the Schlossturm (Castle Tower), St. Andreas Church, Neander Church.  edit

• Rhine Promenade. along the river bordering the Old City, it leads all the way down to the Media Harbor.  edit

• Media Harbor, (Tram stop: Platz des Landtages). has several interesting buildings designed by Frank Gehry, Claude Vasconi, and David Chipperfield.  edit

• Rhine Tower, (Tram stop: Platz des Landtages). Adults: € 3.50.  editThe 240-meter high Rhine Tower is right on the Rhine river, near the Media Harbor. It offers a 360-degree view from the restaurant, at 172 m. The restaurant is overpriced, but it is worth a trip for the amazing view.

• Once a year, like in many other German cities, a Night of Museums [10] is organized by the City of Dusseldorf and the consulting firm Ernst & Young.

• The annual Christmas market, which centres around the Altstadt.

• Once a year during summer, there is a carnival - Kilmes - along the Rhein. In the park, there are roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, a flying jinny and also a beer garden. And Watermelons are sold everywhere. The theme park is not very large, but it is quite enjoyable.

• Benrath Palace and Park, (Tram stop: Schloss Benrath, S-Bahn stop: Benrath S), [11]. The Corps de Logis is the central building of the three-wing maison de plaisance, which was erected for the Palatine Elector Carl Theodor by his garden and building director Nicolas de Pigage. Construction was completed in 1770 - it is a complete work of art that unites architecture and nature in one overlapping concept, and is rated as one of the most beautiful palaces of the rococo epoch. The park beside the Palace is enormous, nearly 62.000 square meters.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Altstadt. meaning "old city," of Düsseldorf is very beautiful. Here you can find the famous Alt beer, found in traditional breweries like the "Uerige" [12], "Füchschen" [13], "Zum Schlüssel " or "Schumacher" [14] (tourists and local citizens frequent the Old City pubs, creating an authentic and lively blend of personalities).  edit

• Königsallee, (U-Bahn stop: Steinstr./Kö), [15]. This shopping district, known as the "Kö", is internationally recognized for its plethora high level fashion stores. It is sometimes referred to as the "Champs-Élysées of Germany".  edit

• Film-Museum, Schulstraße 4. Tues-Sun 11-17, Wed 11-21. 3 €; Reduced, 1.50 €; Students under 18 free.  edit

• Hetjens Museum/Deutsches Keramikmuseum, Schulstrasse 4. Tues-Sun 11-17, Wed 11-21.  edit

• Theatermuseum, Hofgärtnerhaus, Jägerhofstrasse 1. Tues-Sun 13-20:30.  edit

• Stadtmuseum, Berger Allee 2. Tues-Sun 11-18.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Killepitsch [16] - Killepitsch is a local liquor flavored with herbs (so called "Kräuterlikör"). The liquor has a blood red colour and is made from a combination of 90 fruits, berries, herbs, and spices.

Best place to buy: "Et Kabüffke", Flinger Str. 1, 40213 Düsseldorf, Phone: 0211 133269.

• "Löwensenf" [17] (Mustard) - One of the most famous producers of German Mustard is situated in Düsseldorf. Moveover, a special mustard-store, with a mustard-tasting-area, is based in the Düsseldorf-Altstadt (some fancy mustards are avaiable at this place: for example "Altbier Mustard", "Chilli Mustard", "Strawberry Mustard", etc.) Best place to buy: Düsseldorfer Löwensenf GmbH, Berger Str. 29, 40213 Düsseldorf, Phone 0211 8368049‎.

• "Bottles of Altbier" - One nice souvenir/giveaway is a bottle of local Altbier. Breweries usually sell these bottels directly in their gastronomies.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

• Zum Kochlöffel Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 41, Phone: +49 211-1 60 96 15 German cuisine, bistro tables.

• Alberobello Dorotheenstr. 104, Phone: +49 211-7334158 Italian cuisine, budget prices and superb quality. Reservation recommended.

• Curry Hammer Str. 2 (Media Harbour), or Moltkestr. 115 (Pempelfort). German cuisine, including the famous sausage with ketchup (on request with golden leaf!).

• Ess-Klasse Erftstraße 12 (Media Harbour). Lunch and take-away food at affordable prices.

[edit] Mid-range

• Robert's Bistro, Wupperstr. 2, in the Media harbour, Phone: +49 211 304821 [18]. One of Düsseldorf's best restaurants. Specializing in French-ish food, the fish and sweets are fantastic. Expect to pay 20-30 euros per person (for food and wine). They don't take reservations so expect to wait and sit next to strangers, but the experience is well worth it.

• Mongos [19]. Zollhof 10, Media Harbour. Phone: +49 211 - 40 07 27 0.All-you-can-eat mongolian cuisine, with an enormous choice of unusual foods (i.e. zebra, crocodiles, emu, barracuda, etc).

• Bug Zollhof 13, Phone: +49 211 3020770. Fish restaurant in the media harbor, known for its stylish location.

• Zum Schiffchen Hafenstraße 5. Tel. +49 211 - 13 24 21. Rustic bourgeois brewery restaurant, delicious beer and attentive service.

• Michele Duisburger Str. 6, Phone: +49 211 494349. A small italian restaurant in Düsseldorf-Pempelfort. Famous for the singing Italian chef on Friday evenings. For Friday nights, reservations should be made 3 weeks prior to your stay.

[edit] Splurge

• Im Schiffchen, Kaiserwerther Markt 9 (U79: Klemensplatz), Phone: +49 211 401050, Fax 403667, restaurant.imschiffchen@t-online.de, [20]. International, nouveau cuisine, that blends classics with French specialties. T-Sa 19:00-21:30.

• NAGAYA, Bilker Straße 3, Phone: +49 211 863 9636, info@nagaya.de, [21]. Japanese, nouveau cuisine. Open Mo-Sa from 7PM-11PM.

• Sila Thai[22] Bahnstr. 76, Phone: +49 211 8604427. Excellent original thai cuisine in the city center. Reservations essential.

• Meerbar [23], Neuer Zollhof 1, im Medienhafen. Phone: +49 211 3398410. Fish restaurant in the Gehry-buildings of the Media harbour; very stylish, very good cuisine.

• Monkey's West [24], Graf-Adolf-Platz 15, Phone: +49 211 64963726. Considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in Germany. New cuisine touched by local traditions.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Düsseldorf is known for its many bars in the downtown (Altstadt) area. In fact, many people refer to the Altstadt as the "longest bar in the world" ("Längste Theke der Welt"). The most common drink is "Altbier" or simply "Alt." This dark beer, served in small glasses, is available at practically any restaurant in the city. Altbier is only brewed in breweries around Düsseldorf. In the Altstadt you can enjoy Schlüssel, Uerige, Schumacher, and Füchschen beers, at traditional brewery restaurants. The waiters at these traditional restaurants are called "Koebes."

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Bargain

• Jugendherberge Düsseldorf (Backpackers) (City-Hostel), Düsseldorfer Str. 1 (located in Düsseldorf-Oberkassel on the left side of the city), ☎ +49 (0)211 557310 (duesseldorf@jugendherberge.de, fax: +49 (0)211572513), [25].  edit

[edit] Mid Range

• Four Points by Sheraton Hotel Düsseldorf [26], Luisenstraße 42, Tel.: +49 211 38670-0. Central location, 82 rooms.

• InterCity Hotel Düsseldorf [27], Graf-Adolf-Str.81-87, Tel.: +49 211 43694-0. Next to the main station, easy access to all sightseeing spots. New openend.

• Best Western Savoy [28], Oststr. 128, Tel.: +49 211 388 388-0. Traditional hotel in the city center, opposite the famous "Schumacher" brewery.

• Innside Premium Hotel Derendorf [29], Derendorfer Allee 8, 40476 Düsseldorf, Tel. +49 211 175 46-0. Newly designed Hotel in the north of Düsseldorf.

• Hilton Düsseldorf [30], Georg-Glock-Str. 20, Tel. +49 211 4377-0. Renovated traditional hotel in the north of Düsseldorf, good location for business travelers.

• NH Dusseldorf City Nord [31], Kölner Strasse, 186-188, Located in the center of the city on the Rhine, near The Oberbilker Market.

• Guesthouse Hegger [32], Self-catering and serviced apartment a few minutes from the airport, fairground and Duesseldorf city centre.

[edit] Splurge

• Capella Breidenbacher Hof, Königsallee 11, D-40212, [33]. A 5 star boutique hotel located in downtown Düsseldorf. The property consists of 92 guest rooms and suites and offers retail shops, a fitness center, meeting space, the 1806 Restaurant, and a cigar lounge.

• Intercontinental [34], Königsallee 59, Tel.: +49 211 8285-0. New First-Class Hotel located at Königsallee of Düsseldorf. Awesome Atrium, top-restaurants and concierge-service

• Radission SAS Media Harbour [35], Hammer Str. 23, Tel.: +49 211 311191-0. New Design-Hotel in Düsseldorf Media Harbour, Luxury Class, very hip!

[edit] Cope

Religious services

Holy mass in catholic churches in downtown Düsseldorf:

• Franziskanerkirche, Immermannstraße/Oststraße (near the central station).[36]. Su: 10AM, 12PM; M-F: 3:30PM.

• St. Maximilian, Schulstraße/Maxplatz (Altstadt).[37]. Su: 10AM, 11:30AM, 6PM; M-Sa: 6PM.

• St. Andreas, Hunsrückenstraße (near to the Kunsthalle, Altstadt).[38] Sun: 8:30, 11:00, 18:00; Mon-Sat: 12:00, 18:00 (except Fri)

• St. Lambertus Basilika minor, Stiftsplatz (near the Rhine bank, Altstadt).[39] Sun: 10:30AM, 5PM; Mo-Sa: 5PM.

Index of churches of all Christian denominations in Düsseldorf: [40].

[edit] Get out

• Bonn, the former capital of (West) Germany is located due south and easy to reach by train or S-Bahn.
• Königswinter A small town reachable by train.
• Cologne

• Brühl almost a suburb of Cologne contains the Augustusburg Palace which has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The palace is one of the key works of Balthasar Neuman, and contains one of the finest Rococco interiors in the world, the highlight being the main staircase. Also in the grounds is the magnificent hunting Lodge of Falkenslust. Brühl can be easily reached by train. The theme park of Phantasialand is also in Brühl.
• Ruhr area (Ruhrgebiet) If you are interested in heavy industry and/or industrial culture this might be a worthwhile trip. It is located about 50 km north of Düsseldorf. The region, which was the center of montan (coal and steel) industry in Germany is going through a structural transformation and presents their industrial heritage not without proud on the Industrial Heritage Trail [41].

[edit] International

Due to Düsseldorf's close proximity to the German/Belgian/Dutch border weekend trips to foreign destinations are easy to arrange.

• Amsterdam
• Paris
• Brussels

[edit] Respect

Dusseldorf is in a strong rivalry with its neighbor city Cologne, especially concerning comparisons between the local beers. Cologne is almost twice the size of Düsseldorf in terms of population, and the Cologne Cathedral is known nation-wide. Düsseldorf is an economic powerhouse and capital city of the state of NRW. If you have been to Cologne try to avoid any comparisons between the two cities.

[edit] Weblinks

• Further information on sightseeing and accommodation in Düsseldorf at the Düsseldorf Tourist Board

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!