Düsseldorf [1] is a city in western Germany located on the River Rhine and 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 River Rhine in the densely populated Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area, with a population of 586,217 (31 December 2009).

The city is famous for its nightlife, carnival, events, shopping and for fashion and trade fairs like the Boot Messe (one of the world's best trade fairs for boats and watersports) and Igedo (world leader in fashion). Every year, more than 4 million people visit the Kirmes fun fair which runs for 9 days in the 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 airport is one of the main hubs for Air Berlin. The main airport of Düsseldorf is located about 15 kilometers away from the main railway station. It takes 12 minutes by city railway S7 or S11 to the main railway station; by car, bus or taxi about 20 minutes. The costs are €2,40 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 min drive away from Düsseldorf city centre.  edit

• Airport Weeze (NRN), [4]. Frequented by smaller, low-cost airlines flying into Düsseldorf. The airport is 80 km from Düsseldorf main railway station, by car or bus a 90 min drive (bus: 6-8 departures per day, €14 fare). If you need to travel from Düsseldorf main airport (DUS) to Weeze Airport (NRN), Deutsche Bahn is the easiest and fastest option. Just follow the DB signs at the DUS Airport. The train (S11 then RE10) gets you to Weeze or Kevelaer; then, change to a special bus, which takes you directly to Weeze Airport. Local bus fare is included in Deutsche Bahn tickets. The bus from Weeze train station leaves hourly for the airport until 9:20 p.m. The train goes every hour. Sometimes, it is cheaper to buy a SchönerTagTicket/Nice Day Ticket NRW (€25 single, €35 for up to 5 people), valid all day on all public transport in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This ticket can be bought online on DB's website [5], from stations, DB counters (where it costs €2 extra), bus drivers, or ticket machines. If you want to travel from Duesseldorf city to Weeze Airport, you can also take a bus from the Busbahnhof, close to the Hauptbahnhof. The stop is only a 3 min walk from the Hauptbahnhof, behind the cinema at Worringer Strasse. The bus takes you straight to Weeze Airport. Tickets can be purchased from the driver (ca 13 Euro).The same bus takes you from Weeze to Duesseldorf Hauptbahnhof, the main train station in 1 h.  edit

[edit] By train

The Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof (main station) is a major stop for Deutsche Bahn [6] (German state railway). There's different types of trains such as S-Bahn, Regionalbahn, and Regionalexpress.

All tickets will have to be validated before departure. For the trains like Regionalbahn or Regionalexpress there's an orange machine before you go up the stairs to the platform, where you have to stamp your ticket(see picture).

The Rhinebahn tickets for the local Ubahn(subway) and Strassenbahn (tram) service need to be validated on the actual trains although you will find stamp boxes at the entrance to the platform as well.

Failure to stamp the ticket in the appropriate machines ("entwerten") will result in either a 40 euro on- the-spot fine or being brought to a police station by the security where the police will request your I.D. such as your passport for later prosecution. Not being German, not understanding the language or complicated system, or the fact that you have purchased a ticket will not be accepted as excuses: if it is not stamped, it is not valid, and travelling with a non-stamped ticket is considered an offence.

[edit] By car

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

[edit] Get around

[edit] By local transportation

The bus, tramway and subway network (Map is operated by Rheinbahn AG. [7] There is also a suburban railway network (S-Bahn). Most destinations in Düsseldorf can be reached by local transportation. Tickets must be purchased and postmarked before using the transportation service. Tickets are bought from vending machines on the tram or subway stops. There are many different ticket types and the vending machine's instructions are only in German. To the average traveler, these three are the most relevant ticket types:

• Short trip ticket (Kurzstrecke): At 1.30 € and valid for 30 min, about 4 stops (on each vending machine there is a list telling where one can travel on a short trip ticket bought from that particular machine).
• A-class ticket (Preisstufe A): adequate to reach your destinations within Düsseldorf. A normal A-ticket costs 2.30€ and is valid for 90 min.
• Day ticket (Preisstufe A / Tagesticket): costs 5.30€ and is valid until 2am of the following day.

The tickets for areas B, C and D are for the suburban areas. In general these tickets are needed only if you are visiting someone living or working there; the main sights and establishments are all located in the A-area.

Timetables:

• bahn.de [8] (German, English, French and Italian)
• vrr.de [9] (German, English and French)
• Net Plan of regional transfer service [10]

[edit] By car

Those who want to drive in the city center should be aware that it is an "environment zone" similar to that found in many other large German cities. Cars are required to have a sticker declaring the car's pollution category.

The city centre is not that large and most attractions are in a walkable distance from another.

The main tourist information office is located in Immermann-Strasse 65b (opposite of the main station), phone: +49 (0)211/1 72 02-8 54, fax: +49 (0)211/1 72 02-32 22). A second office is located Marktstrasse/Rheinstrasse (inside the old town). They offer a lot of brochures: a monthly calendar of events, a city guide and free maps with walking routes designed around a specific theme (e.g., "Art Route", "Düsseldorf in 1 Hour") and, last but not least, a guide for gays. You can also book their guided tours, and note that there are also tours for disabled and deaf people.

The city was largely destroyed in World War 2, and there were very few old buildings left. People interested in modern architecture, however, will have much to see in Düsseldorf. Also, there are many modern artworks in the public, and on Stresemannplatz Square and the Rhine Bank, there are palms, not really the first thing you'd expect to see a cold day in October.

• Old town (Altstadt), (U-Bahn stop: Heinrich-Heine-Allee). 16-1. The Old Town of Düsseldorf is famous. Almost completely destroyed during World War 2, it was rebuilt according to historic plans on its foundation walls, which makes it look like a real historic town. Every house of the quarter, except one - see chapter “Neander Church”. Today the old town is a popular shopping mall and at night and weekends turns into the so-called “longest bar of the world”. Within one square kilometer, you will find about 260 bars, coffee shops and snug brewing houses. The old town is the home of “Altbier”, a top-fermented, dark beer. They say it tastes best at the historical brewing houses. There, the “Köbesse” (local dialect: waiters) may be somewhat harsh but they are warm hearted. If your beer glass is empty the next “Alt” comes without you even having to order it. Many times the first "Alt" comes without even having to order it!  edit

Foreign guests might not know that there is rivalry between the citizens of Düsseldorf and their neighbours in Cologne. So never ever order a “Kölsch” (a light beer brewed in Cologne) in Düsseldorf. If you do, some people might become very unfriendly. If they see you are a foreigner they will no doubt forgive you, but might be trouble.

• Characteristic Rhenish dishes like Düsseldorfer Senfrostbraten (mustard roast pork), „Rheinischer Sauerbraten (marinated beef with raisins), Halve Hahn (rye ban, slice of cheese, mustard and gherkin) or Ähzezupp (pea soup) are offered everywhere within the old town. But besides bars and inns you will find some recommended sights inside the old town. Bolkerstrasse 56 is the birth place of Heinrich Heine 1797 – 1856), a poet and author and the most famous citizen. Next to the old town is the River Rhine with its nice promenade.

• “Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse” (Tailor-Wibbel-Lane) is the name of a small lane inside the old town, connecting Bolkerstrasse and Flingerstrasse. It is packed with restaurants and bars, most of them offering Spanish-American and Latino-American food. Tailor Wibbel is the main character of a popular theatre play, written by Hans-Müller Schlösser in 1913. Tailor Wibbel had opposed Napoleon and, therefore, was sent to prison. But, instead of himself, his assistant attended at jail under the name of Wibbel. Unfortunately, the assistent died in prison as a result of a former disease. They drove down the assumed Wibbel, and so she was able to witness his own burial incognito. After the end of the French occupation, Wibbel had the chance to disclose is identity and he becomes a local hero. Across Bolkerstrasse is the Wibble-Play-Watch. Daily, at 11, 13, 15, 18 und 21 o’clock, it shows the Wibbel character. At the other end of Tailor Wibbel Lane, near Flingerstrasse, is situated the Wibble sculpture. Walk near by and examine the sculpture. Did you see the mouse?

• Inside the old town, but everywhere in the city also, you will find lots of marvellous old gas lamps. Beside Berlin Düsseldorf is the city with most gas lamps in Germany.

• The Burgplatz (Castle-Square) is situated at the old town limits next to Rhine. One upon a time here was the castle of the Earls of Berg, the later duke of Jülich-Kleve-Berg. Later the castle was reconstructed to a baroque palace, which burned down in 1872. In 1888 the ruins were removed completely, only a tower was left. Today the tower houses an inland navigation museum. The coffe-shop in the towers top offers a grand view onto the Rhine and the ships passing by. The square itself got an avard as one of the nicest squares in Germany after the WW2.

• Radschläger wolle mer blieve, wie jeck et de Mensche och drieve (local dialect: we will stay cartwheelers, however crazy the world might be) is the legend of the Cartwheelers' Fountain at Burgplatz. It is situated under some wonderful old plane trees. The cartwheeler is a popular symbol within Düsseldorf and cartwheeling an old tradition. According to legend, after winning the War of Worringen, the Earl of Berg said to the boys waiting for their fathers, “Show me that you're happy about your fathers' return”, and they began cartwheeling. Even today this tradition is continued by annual competitions.

• Pegeluhr. Situated at the Rhine bank this clock also shows the current water level in the river.  edit

• The promenade on the bank of Rhine is one of the most beautiful ones in Germany, and it is situated on the correct side, the right bank, because the sun shines onto this side all day long (the citizens of Cologne used to say the left bank of Rhine is the correct one because the centre of Cologne is situated there), The promenade leads from Parliament via Mannesmannufer, Rathausufer, Burgplatz, and Tonhalle to Rhine-Park. It was created by constructing a tunnel in 1993 and banning cars underground, so that the riverside became a pedestrian area. Most gangways for boat trips on Rhine are situated near to Burgplatz. Many coffee shops offer seats outside where you can watch and be watched when the weather is fine. The pavement of the promenade is an artwork too, its sinuous design reflects the waves on the river.

• St. Lambertus Basilika, built with bricks in the style of Lower Rhine Gothic, is a landscape of Düsseldorf. Particularly characteristic is the winding tower. Although there are legends saying they used wet arbors for reconstructing after a fire in 1815, people know better. About 100 years ago, a bride dressed in a snow-white wedding dress came to the altar pretending to be a virgin. Being ashamed the tower turned aside. They also say that it will straighten again if a real virgin appears at the altar. As you can clearly see, the tower is still twisted. But the fact is the citizens love their twisted tower. After the war, they reconstructed it as twisted as it was before. The church-hall is last resident of St. Apollinaris, the city’s patron.

• Follow the Lambertus-Street beside the church till Stiftsplatz. The square breathes a contemplative tranquillity, only 100 Meters beside the loud old town. Follow Lambertus-Street forewards. Near crossing “Liefergasse” you see lefthand a marvellous house front. There are many fine fronts in Düsseldorf, but this one is among the prettiest.

• The Neander-church has its own history too. The population of the Rhinelands is mainly Catholic, and Protestants and members of the Reformed Church had to suffer many restricts. Finally, the contract of Rheinberg 1682 granted everybody the free practice of religion. This led to the construction of the Reformed church-house at Bolkerstrasse in 1683 in a style of the early baroque with a simplified façade. Althrough the Protestants and members of the reformed church had the right of own churches, they were not liked. So the new church had to be built in a way that is was not visible from the street, meaning in the yard of already existing buildings. But today you have a unlimited view onto the church from Bolkerstrasse because the building before was not rebuild after the war, as the only one within the old town. In 1916, the church got the name Neander-Church.

Neander – if this name reminds you of prehistoric men you are absolutely right. A man named Joachim Neander worked as an assistant priest for the reformed religious community of Düsseldorf between 1674 and 1679. He became knows as a composer of many chants. For inspiration he visited very often a wild and natural valley east of Düsseldorf. To honour him this valley was named Neander-Valley about 1800. It is just the same Valley where they found in 1856 the bones of prehistoric men, the famous Neandertal-man.

• The City Monument at Burgplatz is an artwork of Bert Gerresheim, donated by the society “Düsseldorfer Jongens” on occasion of the 700th anniversary of town foundation. It is a kaleidoscope of local history, starting on left side with the cruel battle of Worringen, the signing of foundation documents by the earl of Berg in the middle and several scenes on right side including 4 popes. Among them we see Nikolaus IV raising St. Lambertus Church to a canon monastery. A market scene is shown, but also trade goods of Düsseldorf. The Monument is full of symbols. You should go nearby and take account of details. You also should go some steps back. Mind the men following the apocalyptic horseriders on left side. Their arms form the number 1288, the year of the battle of Worringen. During the battle, the Earl of Berg, Adolf V, fought against the archbishop of Cologne, Sigfried of Westerburg. The citizens of Düsseldorf and, hard to understand if you know about the today's difficult relationship between the cities, the citizens of Cologne backed Adolf V. The battle ended with the victory of the earl and the citizens.

• On the right hand of the monument is a little river, named the northern Düssel. It gave the city its name (Düsseldorf means village at Düssel). The balustrade is an artwork of Bert Gerreshein too. It is also full of symbols.

• The historic city hall of Düsseldorf dates from the 16th century. Since then it houses the city parliament. The Building consists of three parts, there are guided tours for free every Wednesday at 15:00 o’clock. They will show you the council hall, the Jan-Wellem hall and the reception hall of the Lord Mayor where they present the city’s silver coins and roof-paintings of the artists Domenico Zanetti and Johannes Spilberg.

• In front of the city hall is the monument of elector Johann Wilhelms II. (1658-1716) on horseback. The citizens call him affectionately Jan Wellem. His monument is among the most important baroque equestrian sculptures north the Alps. Because of his connections to European dynasties and by the powers invested in him he was a very important man. In co-operation with other electors he elected the German Emperor. He was a representative of a pompous baroque sovereign. In 1691 he married Anna Maria Luisa de‘ Medici (1667-1743). Jan Wellem died in 1716, his gravesite is in St. Andreas-Church. Jan Wellem boosted the development of Düsseldorf, therefore the citizens still love him. The monument was realised by Gabriel Grupello in 1711.

• At the side of market square, in the shadow of Jan Wellem, stands the statue of the cast boy. They say that just before the cast of the Jan Wellem monument master Grupello realised that the amount oft metal was not sufficient. This let the cast boy ask the citizens for a donation of noble metal like silver forkes or coins. He got so much that the cast could be finished very well. Out of thankfulness he got a statue too. The one you see today was designed by Willi Hoselmann and realised in 1932.

• Media Harbor, (Tram stop: Platz des Landtages). At the southern end of the Rhine promenade you will find the newest landmark of Düsseldorf, the so called Media Harbour. The former harbour was transformed in a quarter with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, discotheques and hotels. Its flair is based on the mixture of old and new. Protected buildings like depots, quay walls and industrial surroundings stand side by side with modern architecture. There are buildings constructed by Frank O. Gehry, Claude Vasconi or David Chipperfield. Mainly the Gehry buildings form the face of the quarter.  edit

• Probably you have already seen those guys standing on advertising columns, the so called pillar saints. There are nine of them, it is a project of artist Christoph Pöggeler (born in 1958 in Münster/Westphalia). Humans, removed from their daily routine and putted on a pedestal, become noticeable as individuals again and also refer to groups of society like children, business men, vagabonds and strangers. The position of the sculptures are:
  • Business Man: Joseph-Beuys-Ufer, Düsseldorf 2001
  • Marlis: Stromstraße, WDR, Düsseldorf 2001
  • Couple I: Burgplatz, Düsseldorf 2002
  • Tourist: Kaiserswerther Straße, Düsseldorf 2003
  • Father and Son: Oststraße, Düsseldorf 2003
  • Photographer: Hauptbahnhof, Düsseldorf 2004
  • Couple II: Berger Allee, Düsseldorf 2004
  • Stranger: Schlossufer, Düsseldorf 2005
  • Bride: Schulstraße/ Ecke Citadellstraße, Düsseldorf 2006

• Rhine Tower, (Tram stop: Platz des Landtages), [11]. Adults: € 3.50.  editThe 240 mhigh 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.

• Carlstadt is situated south the old town, it is the link between it and the styled Media Harbour. Many houses of Carlstadt have a baroque facade, what gives the quarter a special flair. A lot of artist have their atelier there. Also you find there trendy boutiques, antiquaries and art shops, many of them in Bilker-Strasse. Additional shops and coffee bars are in Hohe Strasse. I also recommend a walk along Citadellstrasse, Schulstrasse and across Anna-Maria-Luisa-de' Medici-Square. This streets offer the most original flair of the days of foundation. Centre of Carltadt ist Carls-Square. Here is market on weekdays, citizens and tourists like it. They offer food, sweets, flowers and popular artworks.

• By order of elector Carl Theodor the architect Nicolas de Pigage planned and implemented the first public park in Germany, named Hofgarten. It became the prototype of the English Garden of Munic. In the oldest part of Hofgarten you find the Jröne Jong (local dialect, meaning green boy). From there the “Riding Alley” leads strait forward to palace Jägerhof, which today houses the Goethe-Museum. People like the self-luminous park benches on Riding Alley. And last not least Hofgarten houses some sculptures of famous artist.

• The North-Park, on the right bank of Rhine in the northern city, is one of the major Parks in Düsseldorf. Its most interesting part is the Japanese garden inside, a gift of the Japanese community to the citizens. Within about 5000 square meters you will find an example of Japanese horticulture with traditional Elements like stones, trees, bushes, ponds and bridges. Entrance is for free.

• In the quarter of Oberkassel is the EKO-House, the house of Japanese culture. It is Europe’s first and unique Buddhist temple, surrounded by several Buildings like Kindergarten and a library. The garden is styled like a Japanese garden. There are guided tours, but if you mind the dignity of the location they will not prevent you from stepping in during daytime. Address: Brüggener Weg 6, 40547 Düsseldorf, phone: 0211 577918-0

• Benrath Palace and Park, (Tram stop: Schloss Benrath, S-Bahn stop: Benrath S), [12]. 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

• Königsallee. The main street of Düsseldorf is called "Kö" by the locals and consists of two streets divided by a canal.  edit

• Altstadt. meaning "old city," of Düsseldorf is very beautiful. Here you can find the famous Alt beer, found in traditional breweries like the "Uerige" [13], "Füchschen" [14], "Zum Schlüssel " or "Schumacher" [15] (tourists and local citizens frequent the Old City pubs, creating an authentic and lively blend of personalities).  edit

• Königsallee, (U-Bahn stop: Steinstr./Kö), [16]. 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

• Schifffahrtmuseum Düsseldorf, Burgplatz 30. Tues-Sun 11-18. The shipping museum in the old castle tower. 3€.  edit

• Kunstsammlung NRW, Grabbeplatz 5 (K20: Heinrich-Heine-Alle Ubf, K21: Graf-Adolf Platz (bus/tram)), ☎ 0211) 83 81 130, [17]. Tue-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat-Sun and Holidays 11:00-18:00. Kunstsammlung NRW has two building, K20 at Altstadt and K21 in downtown Düsseldorf. K20 has a great collection of 20th century art, including Picasso, Klee, Richter, Kandinsky, and Warhol. K21 houses modern art collection after 1960s, mainly from local artists. € 6.50 each, € 10.00 K20+K21.  edit

[edit] Events

• Düsseldorf is a stronghold of Carneval. The 5th season starts on 11.11. at 11:11 o'clock with the handover of the keys of the city hall to the women. But the main carnival runs from Carnival Monday to Ash Wednesday. If you have the chance don’t miss the parade on Carnival Monday in February.

• Nacht der Museen, [18]. Once a year, like in many other German cities, a Night of Museums is organized by the City of Düsseldorf and the consulting firm Ernst & Young.  edit

• Christmas market. The annual Christmas market, which centres around the Altstadt. Try a Gluehwein (mulled wine) and Bratwurst (grilled sausage in bread roll).  edit

• Kirmes. Between the 2nd and 3rd weekend of July there is fun fair on the banks of Rhine. You will find there roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, a flying jinny and at least a beer garden too. Also Watermelons are sold everywhere. It is the biggest fair at Rhine and very enjoyable. Monday, called pink Monday, ist the day of lesbians and gays. On Friday is firework display.  edit

• Every year in May there is Düsseldorf Marathon which is open for everyone. For participants a registration is required. Viewers are welcome every time.

• Free entrance to the K20 and K21 every first Wednesday in the Month.

Along the main boulevard Königsallee there are many smaller boutiques. The most common German department store chains (Galeria, Karstadt, Saturn, C&A, Peek and Cloppenburg) are all situated on the crossing Liesegangstrasse / Schadowstrasse.

• Those who like trendy fashion should visit the quarter of Flingern, especially Ackerstrasse. Recently the quarter has turned from a residential to a creative district, offering stores like the trendy ones you will find in Berlin. Also the district of Pempelfort (Tußmannstrasse) and Bilk (Lorettostrasse) demonstrate that there is a fashion scene beside international fashion houses.

• Killepitsch [19] - 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", Flingerstrasse 1, 40213 Düsseldorf, Phone: 0211 133269.

• "Löwensenf" [20] (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 available 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 or gift is a bottle of local Altbier. Breweries usually sell these bottels directly in their gastronomies.

[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.

• Dinea, Berliner Allee 52, Königsallee 1-9, Am Wehrhahn 1, [21]. 9:30-20. Lunch restaurants and cafés in the 'Galeria Kaufhof' department stores. These are good places for a quick and cheap meal.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Robert's Bistro, Wupperstr. 2, in the Media harbour, Phone: +49 211 304821 [22]. 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 [23]. 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.

• Brauerei im Füchschen, Ratingerstrasse 28, ☎ +49 211 1374 716 (lokal@fuechschen.de), [24]. A traditional brewery restaurant in the old town serving their own beer. Here you can try the local specialty Sauerbraten; vinegar marinated beef with red cabbage.  edit

• El Amigo Primo Lopez, Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse 9, ☎ +49 211 32 32 03, [25]. An Argentinian beef restaurant situated in the old town.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Im Schiffchen, Kaiserwerther Markt 9 (U79: Klemensplatz), Phone: +49 211 401050, Fax 403667, restaurant.imschiffchen@t-online.de, [26]. 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, [27]. Japanese, nouveau cuisine. Open Mo-Sa from 7PM-11PM.

• Sila Thai[28] Bahnstr. 76, Phone: +49 211 8604427. Excellent original thai cuisine in the city center. Reservations essential.

• Meerbar [29], 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 [30], 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.

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." BolkerStrasse, Flingerstrasse (Uerige), Ratingerstrasse and Kurzestrasse are the main places where you find all kinds of pubs and breweries. A variation of the Altbier is called Krefelder. It's an Altbier with Coke.

During summer months the Altstadt will come alive after work. People standing outside the pubs and enjoying their beer and good company. This will be especially so on Wednesday evenings on Ratingerstrasse. The street will be packed full of people with a great chilled atmosphere. Be aware though of broken glass on the cobbled street. But if you have a chance to go, do not miss it.

Besides Altstadt, which some might consider to be slightly artificial, there are many others places around the city to enjoy beer or cocktails as well. During the last years, Medienhafen (Media Harbour) has become one of very popular quarters; especially during the summer. Other, rather non-touristic areas, include Pempelfort (Nordstrasse), Unterbilk (Loretto Strasse, Düsselstrasse), Oberkassel (Luegallee), and Düsseltal (Retherstrasse).

[edit] Budget

• 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), [31].  edit

• Rheingoldhotel Düsseldorf City [http://www.rheingoldhotel.de, Oststr. 166, Tel.: +49 211 3611390. Family-run hotel, situated in the city center between the Central Train Station and the Oldtown.

[edit] Mid Range

• Four Points by Sheraton Hotel Düsseldorf [32], Luisenstraße 42, Tel.: +49 211 38670-0. Central location, 82 rooms.

• InterCity Hotel Düsseldorf [33], 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 [34], Oststr. 128, Tel.: +49 211 388 38-0. Traditional hotel in the city center, opposite the famous "Schumacher" brewery.

• Innside Premium Hotel Derendorf [35], Derendorfer Allee 8, 40476 Düsseldorf, Tel. +49 211 175 46-0. Newly designed Hotel in the north of Düsseldorf.

• Hilton Düsseldorf [36], 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 [37], Kölner Strasse, 186-188, Located in the center of the city on the Rhine, near The Oberbilker Market.

• Guesthouse Hegger [38], Self-catering and serviced apartment a few minutes from the airport, fairground and Duesseldorf city centre.

• Hotel Ibis Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof, Konrad-Adenauer-Platz 14, ☎ +49 211 167 20 (fax: +49 211 167 2101), [39]. A clean hotel with the basic equipment. The hotel is situated in the central railway station which also is the hub for local transportation, therefore the connect to both inside and outside Düsseldorf are excellent. double room 109€.  edit

• Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Karl-Arnold-Platz 5, ☎ +49 (0)211 4553 0 (fax: +49 (0)211 4553 110), [40]. Renovated in 2011 the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel inear the old town and Königsallee shopping district  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Capella Breidenbacher Hof, Königsallee 11, D-40212, [41]. 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 [42], Königsallee 59, Tel.: +49 211 8285-0. New First-Class Hotel located at Königsallee of Düsseldorf. Awesome Atrium, top-restaurants and concierge-service

• Radisson Blu Media Harbour [43], Hammer Str. 23, Tel.: +49 211 311191-0. New Design-Hotel in Düsseldorf Media Harbour, Luxury Class, very hip!

[edit] Religious services

Holy mass in catholic churches in downtown Düsseldorf:

• Franziskanerkirche, Immermannstraße/Oststraße (near the central station).[44]. Su: 10AM, 12PM; M-F: 3:30PM.

• St. Maximilian, Schulstraße/Maxplatz (Altstadt).[45]. Su: 10AM, 11:30AM, 6PM; M-Sa: 6PM.

• St. Andreas, Hunsrückenstraße (near to the Kunsthalle, Altstadt).[46] 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).[47] Sun: 10:30AM, 5PM; Mo-Sa: 5PM.

Index of churches of all Christian denominations in Düsseldorf: [48].

Jüdische Gemeinde Düsseldorf [49]

Chabad of Düsseldorf [50] Jewish Synagogue and Center that holds weekly Sabbath services as well as other events.

[edit] Stay safe

Düsseldorf is generally as safe as other European cities of similar size. However the surroundings of the central railway station can be a bit intimidating especially at night due to the presence of junkies.

[edit] Respect

Düsseldorf 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 nationwide. 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] Spelling

In German, umlauts like ü can be transcribed as ue, so the correct spelling when no umlauts are available would be Duesseldorf. While normally, incorrectly replacing an umlaut with a single vowel will simply give a nonsense word, this is not the case for Düsseldorf. In fact, "Dussel" is a dated word meaning "fool", and "dorf" means "village", so "Dusseldorf" actually means "village of fools".

[edit] Get out

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

• Brühl — almost a suburb of Cologne and 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 (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 [51].

[edit] International

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

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