DÜSSELDORF

Düsseldorf was first mentioned in 1135 - back then,however, under thename "Dusseldorp". In 1228, roughly one century later, the cityright was granted to "Dusseldorp". Some centuries later the city becamea ducal residence. Düsseldorf's rapid population growth started withthe Industrial Revolution; in 1882 Düsselburg already counted 100.000inhabitants.
During the Second World War 90% of Düsseldorf'sbuildings were damaged and 50% even totally destroyed. In the aftermath of the war the most important squares and buildings were reconstructed. Today Düsseldorf has about 600.000 inhabitants and is thus one of the ten biggest cities in Germany. The city is famous as a trade- and industrial city and besides it is also noted for its numerous fairs and its cultural scene.

Airport
Düsseldorf's airport (www.duesseldorf-international.de) is situated about 6 km north of the city. The easiest way to get to the centre is by using train, bus or taxi.

Airport transport
The airport operates its own train station. Every hour some trains operate directly to the central station (travel time: 23 min). Moreover the bus lines in front of the arrival terminal operate at regular intervals (travel time: 25 min). A trip to the city costs about € 16,–. www.vrr.de

Transport in the city
Several city railways, trams and city bus lines cover the whole area of the city. www.vrr.de

Taxi
Telephone numbers of the most important taxi companies: 333 33, 21 21 21, 999 99

Historic district
If you are in Düsseldorf you should really once take a walk through the romantic historic district. While you are passing the old, beautifully renovated domestic houses along the river "Düssel" and your steps are clattering on the cobbles you will feel as if you have been taken back several centuries. Moreover various museums and a wide range of restaurants and bars are located in the historic district. Tourist information offices also offer guided tours (Tel.: 17 20 28 54, willkommen@duesseldorf-tourismus.de)
Haltestelle Heinrich-Heine Allee, www.duesseldorf-altstadt.de

Rhine Tower
This telecommunication tower was opened in 1982. You can use the lift to get to the rotating restaurant which is situated in a height of 170 m. From here you can enjoy the stunning view over Düsseldorf which will also subserve your orientation! The tower's bull's eyes form the world's biggest digital clock.

Benrath Palace
The palace is situated in the south of Düsseldorf, in the district Benrath. It was built 200 years ago and is one of the most beautiful palaces of its day. Due to the palace's impressing gardens the Museum of European Garden Art is probably located here.
Benrather Schlossallee 104, Tel.: 899 72 71, www.schloss-benrath.de

Düsseldorf Welcome Card
With the Düsseldorf Welcome Card you can save a lot of money during your stay in the city. You are entitled to free use of all public transport services and you are also granted discounts and reductions in many museums and shops. www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de

Bird's eye view of Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf offers a variety of sightseeing tours and guided tours - but not many people have seen a city from the bird's eye view. In Düsseldorf you can do this with the Antonow An-2, the biggest bigplane in the world. A 20 minutes sightseeing flight costs € 60,–, information and reservations at Düsseldorf tourism info point. Tel.: 17 20 28 54, www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de

If you are lucky to visit the Rhine's metropolis you should by all means try some of the local specialties including the traditional "Altbier", top-fermented dark beer which is mainly brewed in the area of Lower Rhine. Until the late 19th century it was the only beer variety which was produced in this region. Other local specialties are the famous Rhine "Sauerbraten" (marinated pot roast), "Ähzezupp" (pea soup), "Halve Hahn" (a special cheese with onions and caraway) as well as the "Flönz" (typical black pudding).

Rheinturm Restaurant Top 180
This restaurant in the Rhine Tower is one of the culinary attractions of the city. In a height of 170 m you can not only enjoy the superb view but also eat and drink marvellously.
Stromstrasse 20, Tel.: 848 58, www.guennewig.de/drheintu/index1024.php

Zum Schiffchen
This restaurant has its own brewery and is the oldest restaurant in Düsseldorf, it was built 350 years ago. "Das Schiffchen" is located in the heart of the historic district and you cannot only drink litres of "Altbier" here but also try various local specialities and delicacies.
Hafenstrasse 5, Tel.: 13 24 21, www.brauerei-zum-schiffchen.de

Steigenberger Park Hotel
Definitly not the cheapest yet for sure the most exclusive accommodation in Düsseldorf. The central located hotel has everything from normal rooms to deluxe suites at its disposal. Families can make use of the in-house wellness- and entertainment programmes. The hotel also offers rooms for conferences and meetings.
Königsallee 1a, Tel.: 138 10, double rooms from € 405,–, www.duesseldorf.steigenberger.de

Hotel Am Volksgarten
This hotel is situated at the Volksgarten about two kilometres from the Old Town. All the 16 rooms are individually furnished. Moreover continuously changing works of art are exhibited in the hotel.
Flügelstrasse 46, Tel.: 72 50 50, double rooms from € 85,–, www.hotel-am-volksgarten.de

Youth hostel
The international youth hostel association "Hosteling International" operates a hostel in Düsseldorf which is situated about 3 km north-west of the city centre. This hostel has 87 rooms from one to up to six persons at its disposal. One of the cheapest accomodations in the city!
Düsseldorf City Hostel, Düsseldorfer Str. 1, Tel.: 55 73 10, from € 20,90 per capita, www.hihostels.com/dba/hostel022001.de.htm

No matter if you are into jazz or electronic rythms, the centre of Düsseldorf's nightlife is the Old Town. Among 220 comfortable pubs, bars and trendy clubs you will surely find the right place. If you don't know to which of the 220 places you should go, just fill in this questionnaire and you will find it out. www.duesseldorf-altstadt.de/Altstadtportal/Nightlife

Presently Sam's West (Königsallee 27) is one of the most exclusive and most popular clubs in the city. For further, also cheaper, clubs and parties and for an event calendar see: www.duesseldorf-nightlife.de

Karneval
The biggest party in the city is not arranged in a club but in the streets of the city. The climax of the colourful ado takes place on Shrove Monday between the Old Town and Königsallee. Düsseldorf undoubtedly belongs to the "carneval strongholds" of Germany.

Theatre/Opera
Also lovers of high culture will be happy in Düsseldorf because various plays and operas are performed nearly every evening. Information on tickets: http://mopro.duesseldorf-tourismus.de

As far as shopping is concerned the hot spot is once again the Old Town. In the small and narrow alleys various bargain goods and jewellery are waiting to be detected in one of the countless boutiques. In the Königsallee, the main shopping street of Düsseldorf, you can find more exclusive (and thus more expensive) shops. It is one of the most famous luxury boulevards in Germany. Here you find numerous fashion designers and everything which is en vogue, fabulous and expensive. www.koenigsallee-duesseldorf.de

The most popular shopping street with the probably largest turn-over is the Schadowstraße which directly blends into Königsallee. Here you find big shoppings centres as well as small boutiques. www.schadowstrasse-dus.de

If you are looking for a certain shop or if you want to know where you can get certain things see: www.das-beste-aus-duesseldorf.de

In Düsseldorf you certainly get the same souvenirs as in most other cities in the world like T-shirts, baseball caps and plates with the name and emblem of the city. A more creative present, especially for children, is a miniature of Tosi, the official mascot of Düsseldorf. Nice souvenirs for adults who stayed at home are a bottle of "Altbier" or Killepitsch (liqueur made from herbs).

All kinds of souvenirs are available in the old Town or directly at tourist information offices.

Größere Kartenansicht