Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf, Germany

Here, business booms. Logistics, fashion, advertising, meetings and exhibitions are some of the sectors that have put the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia on the list of Germany’s most affluent and trendiest places. However, make no mistake –the people of Dusseldorf are no stranger to cultural pursuits and take pride in their high-brow opera houses and theaters of lasting fame.

See and Do

• Benrath Palace

  The building of Rococo style on the bank of the River Rhine 20 kilometers from Dusseldorf ranks among Europe's most beautiful. The small lake that the building fronts onto catches the reflections of the pink building and is a favorite playground of swans.

• Schlossturm

  The site is what's left of a 14th-century Duke's castle which succumbed to a conflagration in the 19th century. Now, one of Dusseldorf's icons on the bank of the River Rhine houses a museum dedicated to ships.

• Königsallee

  The shoppers' mecca is crammed with edgy boutique shops and retail giants. But after a shopping spree, you might want to linger a bit longer as the 1100-meter-long tree-lined street is not only cut out for shopping, but also is a place for spectacular urban views.

• Medienhafen

  Its main appeal lies in its heady mix of the “old” and the “new”. A once deserted harbor area is now full of posh and trendy offices. Old walls, steps and tracks have been put under the government protection.

• Altstadt

  It's worth the while of any German beer aficionado. The historical quarter along the Rhine boasts an impressive collection of 300 bars, cafés and taverns, and is known as “The World's Longest Bar”.

  
  
  
• Former Home of Heinrich Heines

  It was here that Heinrich Heine, a 19th century highly acclaimed German poet, was born and raised. A brass insignia with the image of Heinrich Heines in relief indicates the house's former owner. Now the building houses a bookstore.