Quick search
CTRL+K
Quick search
CTRL+K
Düsseldorf is beautifully located on the Rhine and is the capital of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city’s name means the village on the river Düssel, but the village has grown over the centuries to be one of Germany’s largest cities and one of the culturally and economically important cities. Today, there are many things to see and do such as interesting museums, the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, the city’s playhouse and several attractions.
Altstadt is the name of Düsseldorf’s old town, and here the squares Marktplatz, Burgplatz and Stiftsplatz are lined up, each with their own sights. You can e.g. see the city’s old Renaissance town hall and the preserved castle tower from the 13th century, which is the only thing left of Düsseldorf Castle. Close to this stands the church of St. Lambertus, which is the oldest building in the Altstadt.
Central Düsseldorf is also characterized by cozy streets with countless cafes and restaurants, where you can taste the town’s traditional beer, Altbier, colloquially called Alt. On a stroll in Düsseldorf, a walk along the Königsallee is a must. The street is also simply called Kö, and the canal in the middle of the street forms a classic esplanade through the city, and Kö is one of Germany’s best-known streets.
You can see the entire city and the course of the Rhine from the top of the Rheinturm television tower, which offers a restaurant and an observation deck and stands approx. 170 meters tall. At the foot of the tower you can take a nice promenade along the Rhine, and here you can also see some of the city’s modern buildings. The buildings that make up the Neuer Zollhof are a good example. They were designed by Frank Gehry and opened in 1998.
The Marktplatz in Düsseldorf is one of the city’s oldest and most central urban spaces. The square was created in connection with Düsseldorf receiving market town rights in 1288 after the Battle of Worringen, where Count Adolf V of Berg made the city his residence. Since the Middle Ages, the square has served as the main stage for trade, markets and public events, and it was surrounded by merchant’s houses and town houses. Over time, the square became the representative center of the city, where legal proceedings were also carried out and festivities were held.
The most striking element of the Marktplatz is the equestrian statue of Elector Johann Wilhelm II of the Palatinate, which was erected in 1711. It was created by the sculptor Gabriel de Grupello and is considered a masterpiece of Baroque sculpture. The statue was commissioned by the citizens as a thank you for the prince’s goodwill, and it has since become a symbol of Düsseldorf. The city’s old town hall, Altes Rathaus, dominates one side of the square, and its Renaissance architecture leaves a distinctive mark on the surroundings. The other buildings on the square represent different styles from Baroque to Classicism.
Marktplatz is still used today for various festive purposes. This is where the city’s Christmas market takes place every year, and during the city’s famous carnival, the square is the center of the colorful processions and festivities. It is also one of the most important tourist attractions in the old town, Altstadt, where you can both experience vibrant city life and sense Düsseldorf’s long history.
Altes Rathaus is one of the most iconic buildings in Düsseldorf. The old town hall is centrally located on Marktplatz and thus in the center of the old town, Altstadt. The building was built between 1573 and 1577 in Renaissance style, and the town hall was a symbol of the city’s independence and growing prosperity. For hundreds of years, the Altes Rathaus has served as the seat of the city council and thus as the political center of Düsseldorf. The town hall was also used for representative purposes, such as official receptions for princes and diplomats.
Architecturally, the Altes Rathaus is characterized by its harmonious Renaissance facade in red brick with sandstone ornamentation, which creates an elegant and distinctive expression. The facade facing the Marktplatz has a balustrade and a characteristic corner tower, which emphasize the monumental character of the building and symbolize the power of the city. Today, the building consists of three interconnected sections, representing different historical periods, including later extensions from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Burgplatz is closely connected with Düsseldorf’s earliest history. Around 1260, a castle was built for the Counts of Berg, who made Düsseldorf their residence after the Battle of Worringen in 1288. This castle dominated the area along the Rhine, and Burgplatz got its name because the square was located directly in front of the castle complex. The castle was later rebuilt into a Renaissance palace in the 16th and 17th centuries, but it was destroyed by a major fire in 1872 and later almost completely demolished. Today, only the round Schlossturm remains of the residence building.
Architecturally, Burgplatz today appears as an open square with a strong connection to the Rhine and the Altstadt. The Schlossturm, rising towards the sky, marks the location of the former castle. The square is surrounded by town houses and buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, which, together with the modern additions, give an impression of the city’s architectural diversity and the development that Düsseldorf has undergone over time. The square is also included in the UNESCO list of Germany’s most important historic squares, because its open form recalls the city’s origins as a residence city.
The Schlossturm is the only remaining part of the old castle in Düsseldorf, which was built in the 13th century and later served as the residence of the counts and dukes of Berg. Over the centuries, the castle was rebuilt in the Renaissance style and was one of the most important princely buildings in the Rhineland. After a fire in 1872, the castle was almost completely demolished. All that remained was the characteristic round tower, the Schlossturm.
The tower is a five-story structure, the lower parts of which date back to the Middle Ages, while the upper floors and the dome were added in the Baroque era. The mixed architecture makes the Schlossturm an important testimony to the historical development of the city, where medieval defensive technology meets Renaissance and Baroque aesthetics. The tower’s robustness and prominent location on the Rhine make it a visual focal point in the cityscape, and it stands as a symbol of Düsseldorf’s past as a residential city.
Today, the Schlossturm houses the city’s maritime museum, Schifffahrtsmuseum, which tells the story of the Rhine’s importance as a trade route and the history of shipping in the region. The museum exhibits models of ships, historical maps and artifacts from river traffic. From the tower’s top platform, there is an impressive view of the Rhine and Burgplatz, giving visitors both a visual and historical experience.
Kirche St. Lambertus is one of Düsseldorf’s oldest churches, with a history that dates back to the early 13th century. The original church was consecrated around 1206, but after a fire in 1394 it was rebuilt in Gothic style. For centuries, the church was closely associated with Düsseldorf’s status as a residence city under the Dukes of Berg. Its long and complex history is reflected in its architecture, which combines Gothic elements with later Renaissance and Baroque details.
Architecturally, Kirche St. Lambertus stands as a three-nave basilica with high vaults and impressive Gothic windows, which give the church a particularly light and airy atmosphere. The most characteristic element is the leaning tower, which was reconstructed in the 19th century. The tilt of the tower is the result of an uneven settlement in the foundation and has given the church a unique visual characteristic, which has also become a symbol of the city. The church also houses valuable works of art, including a Baroque high altar, sculptures and epitaphs from the Middle Ages.
Königsallee, also known simply as Kö, is not just a shopping street, but one of Europe’s most prestigious boulevards. Its origins date back to 1804, when it was laid out as Kastanienallee with wide promenades and a central canal inspired by the elegant boulevards of Paris. During the 19th century, the street developed into the city’s representative center for bourgeois commerce and social life, and in 1848 it was officially renamed Königsallee in honor of royal power.
The street is characterized by its central canal, which is flanked by plane trees, cobblestone walkways and elegant facades. The buildings along the sides of the boulevard range from historicist mansions from the 19th century to modern commercial buildings, providing an interplay between tradition and the present. Several of the buildings were rebuilt or restored in the years after World War II to preserve the classic boulevard look.
Today, Königsallee is the center of luxury shopping with international brands, exclusive hotels and gourmet restaurants. However, the boulevard’s significance extends far beyond commercial, as it serves as a setting for cultural events, carnival processions and much more.
The Rheinturm is a tower that was built between 1979 and 1981 and is one of Düsseldorf’s most striking buildings. It functions as both a telecommunications mast, observation tower and restaurant. The tower was designed by architect Harald Deilmann and was built as part of the city’s modernization of the Rhine area. At 240.5 meters, the Rheinturm was not only opened as the city’s tallest building, but also as a symbol of modern technology and the city’s development.
The tower’s architecture is functional but elegant with a concrete base under the tower’s conical shape and upper capsule. The famous light installation called Lichtzeitpegel acts as a digital clock and marks the time on the tower’s outer facade. Inside, there is a revolving restaurant and a viewing platform that gives visitors a 360-degree panorama of the city, the Rhine and the surrounding Ruhr area.
MedienHafen is one of Düsseldorf’s most striking urban development projects and a living example of the transformation of former industrial areas into modern business and culture. The area is located along the Rhine and was originally used as a port for trade and shipping in the 19th and early 20th centuries. After the port lost its original function in the 1970s, the area was transformed during the 1990s into a creative center where architecture, media and business combine.
Medienhafen is known for its eclectic architecture, where modern buildings stand side by side with preserved warehouses and industrial structures. It is especially buildings such as Frank O. Gehry’s Neuer Zollhof that attract architecture enthusiasts from all over the world with their deconstructivist facades, irregular lines and reflections in the harbor canal, but the area also contains offices, restaurants, galleries and bars, creating a vibrant social and cultural environment.
The Neuer Zollhof in the MedienHafen is one of the most spectacular examples of deconstructivist architecture in Germany. The complex was designed by the Canadian-American architect Frank O. Gehry and completed in 1999. It consists of three separate buildings, each with a unique character. It is a red brick building, a white plastered building and a steel-clad building with a highly polished surface. The interaction between the three buildings creates a dynamic and vibrant facade that breaks with traditional geometric shapes and invites the viewer to experience architecture in new ways.
Wavy facades, oblique angles and asymmetrical lines characterize Gehry’s deconstructivist style and give the buildings an almost sculptural expression. The experimental form breaks with the area’s former industrial character and symbolizes the Medienhafen’s transformation from heavy industry to modern cultural and business area. The buildings’ reflections in the water along the harbor create a vibrant play of light and perspective that attracts architecture enthusiasts, photographers and tourists from all over the world.
Today, Neuer Zollhof is used as an office building for creative and media companies, but the complex also serves as an architectural landmark and a cultural reference for Düsseldorf, and the building complex has achieved international recognition.
Tonhalle Düsseldorf is the city’s primary concert hall and a central cultural center for classical music. The building was originally built as an electricity works in 1886, but was converted into a concert hall in 1926, where architect Hermann vom Endt preserved many of the building’s industrial characteristics, such as large columns, open spaces and high ceilings. The combination of industrial architecture with modern concert elements gives the Tonhalle a unique atmosphere.
The architecture is characterized by spacious concert halls, impressive acoustics and elegant interiors, which reflect both classical and modern design. The largest hall accommodates around 1,850 people and is known for its excellent acoustics, which attracts both national and international orchestras. The facade bears elements of neoclassicism, but with industrial details from the building’s original function as an electricity works.
The Schauspielhaus Düsseldorf is the city’s leading theatre for dramatic performance. It has a long history dating back to the 19th century. However, the current building is more recent and was built between 1970 and 1974 to a design by architects Erwin Heerich and Friedrich Seiffert, and is an example of modernist theatre architecture.
The building is characterised by its minimalist façade and large glass areas opening onto the city’s green spaces, creating a closeness between indoor and outdoor spaces. The interior was designed for maximum flexibility with stage technology and a hall layout that allows the stage to be adapted to different types of performances, from classical plays to modern experimental theatre.
The Kunstsammlung NRW, which stands for Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, is one of Germany’s most important museums for modern and contemporary art. The museum has its roots in 1961, when the state of North Rhine-Westphalia began collecting modern art to promote culture in the region. The main building, K20 on Grabbeplatz, was inaugurated in 1986 and was designed by architect Harald Deilmann with a focus on simplicity, light and functionality. The building creates a minimalist museum-like white space that highlights the art without dominating it.
The architecture combines clear lines, large glass facades and open spaces, creating a modern and inviting experience for visitors. K20 houses an impressive collection of works from the 20th century, including paintings by Picasso, art by Klee and works by modern German artists. The collection was later expanded with K21 in 2002, located in the former Ständehaus and focusing on contemporary art. K21 combines historic neoclassical architecture with modern exhibition design, creating a contrast between past and present.
Schloss Jägerhof is a Baroque palace located in the center of Düsseldorf. It has a history that dates back to the early 18th century. The building was built as a summer residence for the Prussian nobility and was later used by various officials and art institutions. The palace’s architecture is characteristic of the Baroque period, with symmetrical facades, classical columns and decorative details that emphasize the aristocratic origins of the building.
After various uses, Schloss Jägerhof was converted into a museum in 1913 and has since functioned as a cultural institution. The interior is characterized by elegant halls, beautiful stucco ceilings and historical furniture, which provide an insight into the lifestyle of the aristocracy and the artistic taste traditions of the Baroque period. The facade is classically divided with pilasters and ornamentation, while the courtyard creates a harmonious transition between the building and the city’s public spaces. Restoration work over the years has preserved the historic character, while adapting the building to modern exhibition requirements.
The Goethe Museum, which is housed in part of Schloss Jägerhof, was established in 1949 and aims to preserve and disseminate knowledge about Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the culture of his time. The museum houses an extensive collection of original manuscripts, first editions, works of art and personal belongings, providing a detailed insight into Goethe’s life and his influence on German literature, philosophy and art.
The architecture and interior of the building play an important role in the museum experience. The Baroque structure with its high ceilings, large windows and classical proportions provides an elegant setting for the exhibitions, where historical objects are combined with modern methods of presentation. The museum also has a research department that works on documentation and studies of Goethe’s works and their contemporary cultural context, making it an important institution for both the public and academics.
The Schifffahrtsmuseum Düsseldorf is a central museum that documents the city’s long history as a river port on the Rhine and its role in German and European shipping. The museum was founded in 1974 and has since been an important place for the dissemination of both historical and modern aspects of shipping, river transport and port activities. The collection includes models of both passenger and cargo vessels, old navigation instruments, historical documents and photographs that tell the story of the river’s importance to the city’s economy and development.
The architecture and interior design of the museum are adapted to the maritime theme, with large exhibition halls where models and historical objects are presented in a way that gives visitors insight into the construction and technology of the ships. Interactive exhibitions and audiovisual installations make the experience lively and engaging for both children and adults. The museum is located close to the Rhine, which makes it possible to combine a visit to the museum with a view of modern port facilities and river traffic.
Nordpark is one of Düsseldorf’s largest and most visited parks. It was laid out in the 1880s and developed throughout the 1900s. The park covers a large area and combines formal gardens, open grass areas, lakes, fountains and paths, making it a popular recreational area for both locals and visitors to the city.
In Nordpark you can visit the Japanischer Garten, which was laid out in 1977 as a symbol of friendship between Düsseldorf and Chiba in Japan. The garden is inspired by traditional Japanese landscape architecture with stone bridges, koi ponds, lanterns and carefully pruned plants. The combination of Japanese style and European park architecture creates a unique contrast and provides a good opportunity to experience the peaceful atmosphere.
The Rheinuferpromenade is a long promenade along the Rhine, connecting the Altstadt with the MedienHafen and forming a central urban space in Düsseldorf. The promenade was built in the 1980s as part of the city’s modernization projects and has since developed into a popular place for walking, cycling, cultural events and relaxation with a view of the Rhine.
The promenade has a historical dimension, as the area along the Rhine has served as the city’s commercial and port area for centuries. Many former warehouses have been preserved or converted into restaurants, cafés and cultural venues, creating a harmonious blend of past and present. The open riverfront provides a visual connection to the city, the port and the surrounding bridges, making the promenade an architecturally coherent urban space.
Benrather Schloss or Schloss Benrath was built between 1755 and 1770 as the summer residence of Elector Carl Theodor of the Palatinate. The palace is an excellent example of French-inspired Baroque architecture in Germany and is characterized by its symmetrical structure, elegant facades and a central dome marking the main entrance. The building is surrounded by a large palace park with formal gardens, canals and orangeries. This creates a harmonious connection between architecture and landscape.
The interior of the palace reflects the aristocratic taste of the 18th century with luxurious living rooms, stucco ceilings and detailed wall decorations. Benrather Schloss has undergone several restorations, especially after damage during World War II, in order to preserve its original Baroque character. Today, the palace houses museums such as the Schlossmuseum Benrath, which provides an insight into life at the Prussian court, furniture art, porcelain and historical paintings.
Duisburg is one of the bigger cities of the Ruhr area. It is located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia at the point where the river Ruhr flows into the Rhine. The strategically good location has brought trade and a membership of the Hanseatic League and later and development into a significant industrial city with a large river port, which still is the case. With industrialization, e.g. the significant iron and steel industry, Duisburg became a major target for bombing during World War II.
Today, Duisburg is therefore a city where you can explore streets and squares from the latter half of the 20th century to today, but there are also places where you can see some of the old Duisburg. This goes for the squares Alter Markt and Burgplatz, which formed the historic center. Here you can see the city’s town hall, which was built in historicist style 1897-1902, and Salvatorkirche church, which was built in Gothic style from the 14th century. There are also completely new landmarks such as the Tiger & Turtle Magic Mountain roller coaster south of the centre.
Wuppertal is a large city in the Ruhr area. It is located on the banks of the river Wupper and is formally a fairly new town, having been formed by merging Barmen and Elberfeld in 1929. The following year, the town name Barmen-Elberfeld was changed to Wuppertal after a vote among the citizens. The town of Elberfeld dates back to the 12th century, while Barmen is mostly known as an important industrial town.
The area around Wupper was one of Germany’s first industrial areas, and Wuppertal’s background as a large industrial city is undeniable. The most famous sight in the city is the Wuppertaler Schwebebahn, an electric elevated railway with hanging trains from the years 1897-1903. The line is an interesting feature of engineering, connecting the towns of Vohwinkel, Elberfeld and Barmen over a stretch of 13.3 km, most of which is over the river Wupper.
When you say Cologne, most people think of the majestic cathedral, which is one of the world’s largest churches, and which since the foundation of the church has been a pilgrimage church because of the relics of the Biblical Magi. The church continues to throne over the city as one of both Germany and Europe’s major buildings, and a visit to the church is worth the whole trip to Cologne.
Cologne has so much else to offer besides the cathedral. With the status of Roman colony, there was an early city here, and relics from that time are still to be seen in many places in the city and in museums. Today the Roman monuments blend with Cologne’s numerous large churches, mainly dating to the Romanesque period, the medieval city gates, cozy squares and modern Cologne.
Sanssouci, Potsdam
Overview of Potsdam
Potsdam is the capital of the state of Brandenburg and one of Germany’s most beautiful baroque cities. With a history of over 1000 years, there are naturally many sights. Potsdam is a former royal residence, and from this time there are beautiful palaces and buildings of great historical interest. It was also here that the Potsdam Conference was held in connection with the end of the Second World War.
About the Potsdam travel guide
Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
Published: Released soon
Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English
About the travel guide
The Potsdam travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the German city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
Potsdam is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.
Read more about Potsdam and Germany
France Travel Guide: vamados.com/germany
City tourism: visitpots-dam.de
Main Page: https://www.vamados.com/
Buy the travel guide
Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.
Use the travel guide
When you buy the travel guide to Potsdam you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.
Similar to Düsseldorf Travel Guide
