Where to Stay in Düsseldorf

Our Favorite Düsseldorf Hotels

• 5-Star Hotel: Breidenbacher Hof
• Boutique Hotel: Hotel Orangerie
• Low Budget Hotel: carathotel Düsseldorf City.
• Family-Friendly Hotel: The Wellem
• · Best Indoor Pool: Accommodation Establishment
• With the best outdoor pool is the Ashley’s Garden
• Near Railway Station: Motel One.
• Near the airport in Dusseldorf: Maritim

a city street at night with tall buildings

The Best Area to Stay in Düsseldorf

Sophisticated Düsseldorf, the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, usually gets brief attention when it comes to global tourism, though it’s one of Germany’s most stylish, affluent, cosmopolitan, and livable cities. Though it lies near the industrial Ruhr, it’s quite distinct than its neighbors, with a pleasant riverfront promenade along the Rhine, a medieval old town and a sequence of landscaped parks, leafy promenades, and contemporary shopping centers. This was also the birthplace of Heinrich Heine, the beloved Romantic poet, and remains the home of a rich beer-making and beer hall culture. Though – like most large German cities – Dusseldorf was significantly bombed in World War II, much survived or was rebuilt, enhanced by a series of inventive buildings that showcase the best in contemporary architecture. It’s a fun city to explore, and the (relative) lack of tourists only adds to its appeal.

The Altstadt (Old Town) and neighboring Carlstadt in the heart of the city hold the most personality and many sights, casual bars, and restaurants; though the distinguished Königsallee is where you’ll see the chic boutiques of Germany’s fashion capital and some of its most selective hotels. The commercial center of the city, Düsseldorf-Stadtmitte is where you’ll find a much broader range of accommodation, as well as the train station, the tranquil Hofgarten, and Little Tokyo – a lot of visitors end up staying here. To the north, Pempelfort and its neighboring districts tend to attract visitors heading to a trade show at Messe Düsseldorf or concert at the Tonhalle, while additional south along the Rhine, the newly revamped docklands of MedienHafen contain stylish contemporary skyscrapers and posh hotels.

While exploring the historic city center and main avenue on foot is relatively straightforward, reaching the outer areas necessitates using the city`s excellent public transportation network. The integrated bus, tram, and subway system is affordable and simple to utilize, with most routes converging at the train station. It is not a good plan to rent (or drive) a car while visiting here – the roads can experience congestion (and be complex to navigate), and parking is expensive.

Dusseldorf Travel Tips

  • Düsseldorf Airport is situated only around 4 miles (7km) north of the historical town center. As the fourth largest airport in Germany, it offers many links to cities across Europe and the Middle East, although there are no non-stop flights to North America. Travelers can take a taxi or simply board the train to get to the main station (Hauptbahnhof) in town (5–10min). Most visitors arrive by automobile or train.
  • While certain hotel and attraction employees speak English (and most students appear to), most Düsseldorfers don`t (particularly older folks working in stores and restaurants). Try learning a few words and numbers in German before your trip.
  • The Düsseldorf Card provides free or discounted access to museums and attractions in the city for 24 hours (€11.90), 48 hours (€17.90), or 72 hours (€23.90) as well as unlimited use of public transportation. You can purchase it at the first museum you visit or station ticket machines. Alternatively, the Art:walk48 card offers complimentary entry into six key art museums in Düsseldorf for €25 over 48 hours – while this may be better for art enthusiasts, the Düsseldorf Card provides broader access so consider your interests. As with any travel passes, you only benefit if planning to see many sights within the allotted time. Note that museums are closed on Mondays.
  • Vezené: Offering a Mediterranean-Asian fusion menu with spectacular sunsets as a backdrop in a romantic ambiance. While quite expensive, everything on the menu is of the highest quality.

The Best Places to Stay in Düsseldorf

a car that is parked in front of a building

Best Neighborhoods in Düsseldorf for…

    • Prime Neighborhoods for First Time Visitors/Sightseeing: Altstadt, Carlstadt, or Königsallee
      The innermost areas of Düsseldorf, including Altstadt, Carlstadt, and Königsallee, provide the ideal setting for taking in the essence of the city. The bulk of museums, sights, top shopping streets, bars, and eateries are situated in this central district, where the majority of sites can be reached on foot from the three neighborhoods. Strongest for nightlife and remnants of medieval Old Town, yet potentially noisy especially on weekends, is Altstadt. Quieter overall is Carlstadt. The upscale hotels line or are nearby Königsallee, extremely convenient for retail therapy. All three locations also place one in walking distance of the scenic Rhine riverbank, a delight in spring and summer with its bar-dotted promenade. Lodging may yield better discounts in Düsseldorf-Stadtmitte, the primary commercial center, though character is lacking and taxis or public transit rely more heavily
    • Kaiserswerth is viewed as the Most Romantic Neighborhood: In this neighborhood, The historic Kaiserswerth district in the north of Düsseldorf, which is easy to access by train, features charming medieval streets and cobblestone lanes, with old churches, cozy beer gardens, boat trips along the Rhine River, and the Kaiserpfalz, a 12th-century castle that overlooks the water. It’s also home to Im Schiffchen, a well-known fine dining establishment in Düsseldorf, perfect for a romantic date. Kaiserswerth’s other claim to fame is that Florence Nightingale spent four months here in 1850 training to be a nurse at Kaiserswerther Diakonie, a Lutheran deaconess training institute (the local hospital is named after Nightingale). Our preferred hotels here are the Hotel Kaiserswerth,Hotel Mutterhaus, and Hotel Villa Falkenberg
    • The primary neighborhoods for nightlife experiences: Altstadt (Old Town) and MedienHafen

Conveniently, the boldfaced word indicates that Altstadt is the city’s top locale for nightlife activities – with approximately over 260 bars and pubs packed into a relatively small area depending on how one categorizes them. Both locals and visitors alike, including students, are highly likely to frequent them. Beer culture in Düsseldorf is especially rich, as locals happily drink the local “Altbier” style with great pride, across a cluster of atmospheric, historic pubs and breweries that additionally function as beer gardens and traditional eateries. Be sure to have at least one beer at Uerige, which has been crafting beers since 1862; Schumacher Alt has operated continuously since 1838, while Brauerei Kürzer represents a relative newcomer to the scene

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The scene over in MedienHafen is more modern and high-end. Begin at QOMO Restaurant & Bar in the Rheinturm, Germany’s highest cocktail lounge. Additional highlights include the Rudas Studios Club, the Au Quai by ArabesQ cocktail bar on the water, and The VIEW Skylounge & Bar.

• Düsseldorfers take great pride in the local Altbier, of which there are six distinct types brewed in the city. Never request kölsch, the beer from rival Rhine city Cologne (Köln). Instead, accompany your Altbier with a traditional Düsseldorf pickled egg (peel the shell and add salt).

One local specialty in Düsseldorf is Killepitsch, an herb-flavored liqueur that some find takes getting used to. Try it at Killepitsch retailer Et Kabüffke.

  • Best Neighborhood for Food and Restaurants: Little Tokyo and MedienHafen
    There are many great restaurants across Düsseldorf, which often goes underrated internationally as a food destination. One neighborhood we enjoy eating in is Little Tokyo (in Düsseldorf-Stadtmitte), partly because of the novelty of authentic East Asian cuisine in northern Europe. Düsseldorf is said to have the largest Japanese diaspora in Europe (over 8,000), with Little Tokyo being a relatively small portion of Immermannstrasse and Klosterstrasse located between the Old Town and the train station. Notable establishments include the upscale Japanese restaurant Nagaya, ramen focused Takumi, and local staple NaNiWa, offering noodles, sushi, and soups. Nearby hotels comprise me and all,Clayton,Max Brown Midtown,Moxy, and the affordable yet acceptable Hotel Weidenhof).MedienHafen incorporates a variety of stylish eateries from rising chefs, situated in the current, waterside structures that portray this restored docklands region. Top picks comprise upscale Italian Da Clà, vegan favorite Sattgrün Hafen, the well-liked spin-off of burger chain Bob & Mary, and plush Dox.

    • Visitors lodging in the Altstadt (Old Town) need not be concerned – it offers an abundance of eating establishments, from the ubiquitous sausage stands and Belgian fries shops, to highly praised gourmet dining such as The Duchy, schnitzel specialist Münstermann Kontor, traditional German eatery Weinhaus Tante Anna, and artisanal coffee producer Rösterei VIER Marktplatz. The Carlsplatz marketplace also offers a good selection of food stalls.

    Be sure to go to Bäckerei Hinkel in the Altstadt, which has been crafting wonderful breads and pastries since 1891. For a modern take on cupcakes, try Homemade We Eat Fine Several high-rated hotels in Frankfurt include the ” JW Marriott“, the ” Sofitel Opera“, and the ” Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof

    • Düsseldorf mustard is highly famous in Germany – purchase some at the Gewürzhaus Altstadt, or Düsseldorf Senfladen which sells Löwensenf mustard, established in 1903.

  • Best Neighborhood for Shopping: Königsallee/Düsseldorf-Stadtmitte
    Düsseldorf, Germany is known for its widespread fashion scene, with many shopping opportunities found near Königsallee. This street is commonly called “Kö”. All the major international designer brands have stores here, like Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel, Dior, and others. Some upscale malls in the area are KÖ Galerie,Kö-Bogen,Schadow-Arkaden, and stilwerk Düsseldorf. You can find stores with more affordable brands along Schadowstrasse, a street branching from Königsallee in the north. Stores like Uniqlo, Zara, Peek & Cloppenburg, and H&M are located here Alternate shopping locations include the busy Nordstrasse street in the Pempelfort region, where visitors will find independent boutiques as well as large department stores along its main road. There is also an outdoor market held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Ackerstrasse in the Flingern area is another good option for concept stores, second-hand vintage shops, and antique dealers. Notable mentions include the jeweler ” Moritz Wenz“, graphic and interior design at ” Rikiki“, and candy at ” Lakritz-Boutique
  • The top neighborhood for a local feel is Unterbilk and Flingern
    Though it`s best known for the riverside MedienHafen district, the interior Unterbilk neighborhood is a trendy enclave of little local cafes, restaurants, parks and shops, especially along Bilker Allee and Lorettostrasse – you’ll definitely lose the tourists down here. Favorite spots include breakfast deli-cafe Bernstein & Inbar at Lorettostrasse 16, artistic Café Modigliani at Wissmannstrasse 6, bar Seifen Horst, and Wandel-Antik Vintage. We also love the coffee at Caffè MA and the cocktails at Bar Alexander. The best hotels for Unterbilk are Hotel Moon and the serviced apartments at Living HotelFlingern sits east of the downtown area and train station but is another hip neighborhood where you’ll get a true sense of everyday life in Düsseldorf. This former working class district has been redeveloped to a degree in recent years, with old factories and warehouses transformed into art galleries, studios, boutiques, vintage stores, and relaxed bars and cafes. Aim for Ackerstrasse, the main road, where Café Hüftgold is perfect for coffee and pastries. Other favorites around here include the Café Lotte pub, trendy fashion shop Plup (“Planet Upcycling”), and Sammlung Philara art gallery. Luxurious Hotel Villa Achenbach lies on the northern edge of Flingern, with Hotel Friends offering a cheaper alternative at the western end of Ackerstrasse.
  • Safety in Düsseldorf
    Central Düsseldorf is generally quite safe, though the usual precautions should be taken at night – it’s a big city after all. Generally, the neighborhoods in the far south of the city tend to post the highest crime rates, but you are highly unlikely to end up down here (Benrath is fine, but avoid the train station at night). It’s probably a good idea to avoid the area around the main train station, in Düsseldorf-Stadtmitte, at night also, and to take care late at night in the Altstadt, which can get rowdy with partying drinkers. The northern districts of Pempelfort and Golzheim tend to be the safest neighborhoods.

The 6 Best Neighborhoods in Düsseldorf for Tourists

1 Altstadt (Old Town)

Düsseldorf’s Old Town was demolished by bombardment in World War II, and while it lacks the preserved character of Germany’s better maintained city centers, enough history remains along its rebuilt lanes and cobblestone streets to make an enjoyable one or two days of exploration.

Very little remains of the medieval stronghold for the Counts of Berg – just the stubby Schlossturm overlooking the riverside Burgplatz, which today houses the Schifffahrts Museum, an exhibit providing decent insights into Rhine maritime history from long ago. Nearby St Lambertus, with its renowned twisted spire, represents the oldest church in the city.

To the east of Burgplatz lies a canary-colored church named Andreaskirche, a masterful Baroque structure containing the tomb of Düsseldorf’s beloved Elector, Jan Wellem (1658–1716). Slightly farther east is the hangar-like Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, a modern gallery for contemporary art showcasing quality traveling displays throughout the year. One block northward, the K20 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen is another stylish recent art museum containing an excellent collection from artists such as Paul Klee, Joseph Beuys, Braque, Picasso, and numerous others.

Located south of Burgplatz, the main square in the Old Town, Marktplatz is a central area featuring an equestrian statue of Jan Wellem and the grand 16th-century town hall known as the Rathaus. Further east along the busy Bolkerstrass street, the Müller & Böhm bookshop occupies the building where poet Heinrich Heine was born in 1797.

The pleasant riverside promenade along the Rhein west of the Old Town is lined with bars and eateries, perfect spots to stop on a hot summer day, while at the southern end of the district, Carlsplatz is an excellent food market open Monday to Saturday. Also located at the southern fringe of the neighborhood are two museums: the Hetjens-German Ceramics Museum housed in the beautiful Palais Nesselrode containing artifacts spanning 8,000 years, while the Filmmuseum chronicles the history of movies with special focus on German directors like Werner Herzog.

• Altstadt has awesome nightlife, revolving around its historic brewing plants and beer backyards – it’s known as the “longest counter in the world” (längste Theke der Welt).

2. Carlstadt

Carlstadt, located south of Old Town along the Rhine River, has a more residential feel with its orderly street grid bordered by the Königsallee to the east and the Rhine and Spee’scher Grabenpark to the west. One of its fine 19th-century homes houses the Heinrich-Heine-Institut, a museum honoring the famous poet. The neighborhood`s major attraction is the modern Stadtmuseum Düsseldorf, an enlightening museum chronicling the city`s involved history. Nearby is the Haus der Geschichte Nordrhein-Westfalen, which relates the history of North Rhine-Westphalia state, and the Kunst im Tunnel, an underground museum of contemporary artworks. Lastly, the K21 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen at the southern end of the district`s series of lakes focuses on German and international art after 1980. It occupies the grand Kaiserteich, the former Rhineland parliament building.

• Though there’s not much selection when it comes to lodging in Carlstadt, you’ll find a cluster of inexpensive hotels to the south in the Unterbilkand Friedrichstad neighborhoods.

  • The Best Hotels in Carlstadt
    The Hotel Orangerie residence can be contacted by phone at +49 211 866800
    Ruby Luna” – Hotel phone: +49 211 302 0848
  • Best Hostel
    Backpackers – Hotel contact number: +1 415 771 7277

3. Königsallee

Marking the boundary between the older section of town and the modern commercial districts farther east, Königsallee (“Kö” to local people) is a wide, leafy north-south boulevard, with a long canal running through its center. Although it`s primarily known as an upscale shopping promenade with boutiques and designer brands, it`s also just a pleasant place for a stroll, lined with some striking structures and ending at the attractive Hofgarten at its northern end. Also up here, the massive Galeria Kaufhof, a copper-roofed store completed in 1909 in a Jugendstil style, and Kö-Bogen, a futuristic mall designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in 2014. Nearby KÖ Bogen II (2020) by ingenhoven architects includes Europe’s largest green facade, comprising hornbeam hedges.

• Some of Düsseldorf’s best (and priciest) luxury and boutique lodgings are located on and around Königsallee.

4. Düsseldorf-Stadtmitte

The majority of the commercial city centre is contained within the Düsseldorf-Stadtmitte district, which extends from the main train station (Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof) west to the Königsallee and the Old Town. It is primarily a business area (the stock exchange and most banks are located here), but there is also Schadowstrasse (which runs northeast from Königsallee), one of the city`s main shopping streets, and Little Tokyo, halfway to the train station, a tiny enclave which is a great place to eat Japanese food and all kinds of Asian cuisine. The northern part of the district includes the Hofgarten, the city`s charming, lake-dotted park, the Schauspielhaus performing arts center link, and the Theatermuseum link, which sheds light on the history of German theater. Also up here is the Goethe-Museum Düsseldorf link in the handsome Schloss Jägerhof, a fascinating museum devoted to Germany`s greatest literary figure, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832). Goethe never lived in Düsseldorf, but the collection of Goethe-related manuscripts, books, and arts and crafts is extensive

There is a huge selection of lodging in Düsseldorf-Stadtmitte, with particularly low-cost hotels clustered near the train station. Staying here lacks some character (the architecture is generally modern and pretty dull), but is convenient for transportation, and isn`t far to walk from the Old Town, Königsallee, and Carlstadt.

5. Pempelfort

The area north of the historic city center named Pempelfort is mainly residential, with many points of interest located alongside the Rhine River. It is home to the Bezirksregierung government district office and the Oberlandesgericht high court of Düsseldorf, as well as some worthwhile museums. The Kunstpalast is an additional excellent art museum renowned for its wide-ranging collection of paintings from the 15th to 20th century – also glassware, sculpture, prints and drawings, and a major photography section. Nearby, the NRW-Forum Düsseldorf hosts well-curated temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and design, housed in the 1920 Ehrenhof industrial complex. Next door is the Tonhalle, the city’s premier concert hall.

Continuing heading north along the Rhine and you’ll reach Golzheimand Stockum, home of the gigantic Messe DüsseldorfAquazoo Löbbecke Museum, a combination zoo, aquarium, and natural history museum.

• While the lodgings in Pempelfort alone can offer a peaceful stay inside ambling length of the Vintage Village and Hofgarten (and shows at the Tonhalle), the main cause most persons remain further north is to participate in the trade displays and conventions at Messe Düsseldorf.

6. MedienHafen

You can leisurely stroll along the laid-back Rheinufer promenade southward alongside the Rhine River from the Old Town all the way to MedienHafen, a renovated docklands neighborhood that’s become home to the city’s most innovative contemporary buildings. Beyond the Rheinkniebrücke (suspension bridge), the Rheinturm (Rhine TV Tower) has become a civic symbol since rising in 1981 (it remains the tallest structure in Düsseldorf). Today you can zoom 558ft (168 meters) up to the viewing platform above the river, or check out its revolving dining room and cocktail lounge. From here the old docks have been transformed into a showcase for cutting-edge architects: the “crooked” 1998 Neuer Zollhof apartment towers by Frank Gehry; the “Float” Building by Renzo Piano (2018); the curving trivago headquarters (2018); Kaistrasse Studios by David Chipperfield (1997); the Maki Solitaire building (2001) by Fumihiko Maki; Sign Düsseldorf(2010) by Helmut Jahn; the nearby Stadttor, a steel-and-glass gateway-like complex completed in 1998; a series of creative, high-end business hotels, riverside restaurants, and the “Alte Mälzerei”, the old malting house built in 1897 and now completely redesigned.

• The hotels located in this area of the city have an up-to-date and contemporary style – assuming one admires the architectural appearance seen throughout the docklands renovation, and being near the water is pleasant, yet MedienHafen requires a notable walk to reach other parts of the city (approximately a 10-minute journey to the nearest tram station). MedienHafen also currently lacks some conveniences, particularly regarding shops.

  • Top hotels in Rheinuferpromenade and MedienHafen
    Hyatt Regency Hotel phone: +49 211 9134 1234
    INNSIDE Düsseldorf Hafen – The hotel can be reached by telephone at +49 211 447170
    Radisson Blu Media Harbour – Telephone number for the hotel: +49 211 311 1910
    Another option to consider is the The Red serviced apartments in Dusseldorf, Germany, which can be reached at +49 211 542 1710

Other Dusseldorf Neighborhoods

We’ve discussed our favorite neighborhoods to visit and stay in more detail above, but with additional time, Benrath, situated southwest of the city center, is also deserving of consideration. It’s best known for the graceful, pink edifice of Schloss Benrath, an 18th-century palace built for the Elector Carl Theodor. The two ancillary wings contain the Museum für Gartenkunst (Museum of Garden Design) and Museum für Naturkunde (Museum of Natural History). Our preferred hotels here are the Zum neuen Rathaus and Hotel Restaurant Pigage.

There isn`t much reason to remain near Düsseldorf Airport in the northern region of the city unless you have an early flight, but if you do need to stay here, the best hotels are the in-airport Sheraton,Maritim (walkable to the terminal), GästeHaus am Flughafen, and the cheaper ibis Düsseldorf Airport.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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