Dusseldorf holidays

A trendy art scene, old-meets-new architecture and locally brewed beer are the make-up of city breaks to Dusseldorf.

City breaks to Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf makes its mark in western Germany, less than an hour’s drive from The Netherlands’ border. The city’s split down the middle by the Rhine River, with an old town – AKA the Altstadt – perched on its east banks, and a modern side on the west. The two halves are like chalk and cheese – what’s now the modern side of the city was reduced to rubble during the Second World War, paving the way for skyscrapers and stylish shopping avenues. Over in the old town, things have stood the test of time, with historical buildings and age-old breweries spread out across the map.

Beers and breweries

More than half of all the beers poured in Europe start out life in a German brewery. And, in a similar fashion to other big-name German cities, Dusseldorf’s got its own brand of locally brewed beer. Altbier is ruby red in colour, and tastes a bit like a pilsner, and some of the breweries it’s made in are paired with pubs in the old town. You won’t be short on places to stop by for a drink around the old town – it’s been nicknamed ‘The Longest Bar in the World’ thanks to all its bars and nightspots.

Fashion, arts and music

Berlin tends to take most of the attention when it comes to Germany’s fashion scene, but there’s no doubt Dusseldorf is hot on its heels. For designer buys, look no further than the Konigsallee – all the big names in fashion base themselves on this boulevard. Art fans should call in to Carlstadt, where you’ve got antique shops, galleries and art dealers to check out. And, when it comes to live music, you’ll find big-name bands and music festivals right across the city’s calendar.

A touch of Tokyo

Dusseldorf seems like an unlikely location for sushi bars and teppanyaki joints, but its aptly named Little Tokyo neighbourhood is filled with them. The city’s home to the biggest Japanese community in Germany, and the food tastes just as good as it does in the Japanese capital.