Dusseldorf is one of those sleeper towns where you go in without high expectations and then are blown away by the absolute beauty of the city.
Like many other major German cities, Dusseldorf was 85% destroyed during WWII. The only things remaining were churches and breweries- but only because they were used as landmarks for further attacks. As a result, the majority of the city has been rebuilt in the last seventy years or so.
But you know what’s really cool? You can tell that they are not trying to hide their past. The city has embraced the destruction and redefined what Dusseldorf is today- from the charming and rustic old town, to the eloquently designed harbour front where you get to see some of the godfathers of modern architecture leave their marks on the skyline to the Little Tokyo- there’s a distinctly redesigned vibe to the city.
This is a city that whispers to friends and strangers alike. It wants to be liked, but more importantly it wants you to feel at home. To put down roots and make the city your own.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Train it there! Dusseldorf is on the Thalys route so you can arrive in style, comfort and fully fed. The train speeds reach 300km/hr so you get there really fast.
Thalys is a particularly great option if you’re thinking of doing a multi-city trip with say, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels etc.
WHERE TO STAY:
Hotel Friends. One of the coolest and hippest places in the entire city. Located within a short walk from the train station, Hotel Friends is where designers go to play. Every room has a different theme ranging from James Bond, to Coco Chanel and you never know what you’re going to get until you open the door.
WHAT TO DO:
Grab a drink in the old town
The city centre is hoping on weekends, and you are in the perfect place to grab a few drinks with friends. Dusseldorf has a great beer culture, so make sure you have a designated driver or a way home sorted out first! We recommend the zumschluessel.
Find the Rhine Tower on the Rhine Embankment Promenade
The tree lines banks and promenade filled with cafes and restaurants is where you can spend your evenings or weekends. Grab a drink and wait for the display of the Rhine Tower to light up- turning it into the world’s biggest digital clock.
Architecturally designed skies
Try to see if you can spot the Frank Gehry designed buildings. They certainly add another dimension to the skyline.
Get your shopping on
Konigsallee- one of the Europe’s chicest shopping districts, this is where you go to not only to be seen, but also make a dent in your wallet. You can even hire a personal shopper to take you around the luxury district. It’s no wonder that people dress up to go shopping!
NRW Forum
More of a culture centre than a traditional museum, you can find very interesting mixed media pieces here. Bonus; their cafe serves a mean cheesecake.
Bonus; their cafe serves a mean cheesecake.
Setareh Galleries
Houses rotating collections of modern and contemporary art all expertly curated.
North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection
Spread across 3 locations one of them of being K20 ( located in Grabbeplatz) where you’ll find collections of modern art, and paintings by the wonderful Paul Klee.
Go Subway hopping
The 2-mile known as Wehrhahn is not only a section of the subway line, but also a collaborative art project between architects, artists, and engineers. Each of the 7 stops was designed by a different artist and has a completely different look and feel. Go and find your favorite one!
Dusseldorf is a city that deserves your attention. It’s vibrant art scene combined with a strong tech culture, and even stronger self-culture (they are Germany’s selfie capital) makes it the obvious place to spend a weekend in. The trouble is that a weekend might not be enough time.
The trouble is that a weekend might not be enough time.
