Travel Guide Düsseldorf - Rhenish mixture: trade fairs, fashion, media
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
Rhenish mixture: trade fairs, fashion, media
02 Quick view 05 Getting around Düsseldorf 10 Calendar of events
02 Germany 06 Top 10 sights 11 Hotels
04 Travel etiquette 08 Shopping in Düsseldorf
04 Health 08 Restaurants
05 Phone calls & Internet 09 Nightlife
© Fotolia
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 01/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
02
Quick view
Düsseldorf: Rhenish mixture – trade fairs, fashion,
media
Elegant and affluent, Düsseldorf is also one of Germany’s hippest and most
outgoing cities. Although its Altstadt (Old Town) was almost completely destroyed
in WWII, it has been lovingly restored. There are beautiful buildings and a thriving
cultural scene there, and more chic places have appeared in the rejuvenated
harbour district, the MedienHafen.
The city is justly famous for its nightlife, and also for its pre-Lent carnival,
Christmas markets and high-end boutique shopping. Moreover, it’s also the home
of the dangerously quaffable dark amber beer, Altbier, which is generally designed
to be consumed in quantity.
Germany
General Information
Country overview
Once mockingly referred to as the “land of schnitzels and leather pants,” Germany
has acquired a much more modern image in recent decades. International visitors
are attracted to the big cities, especially the capital, Berlin. Since the fall of the
Berlin Wall in 1989, in particular, the city with its many cultural and entertainment
attractions has become a major tourist destination. But other German cities also
know how to celebrate and enjoy life.
Hamburg’s annual Hafengeburtstag port anniversary festival attracts around two
million visitors every year, the Rhineland is famous for its carnivals, and Munich’s
Oktoberfest is famous the world over.
Germany also has a variety of natural landscapes: for example, from the Wadden
Sea and lowland plains of the northwest, the lakelands in the northeast of the
country, numerous low mountain ranges and heathlands, to the central highlands
and Alpine regions.
Geography
Germany borders Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France,
Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The northwest has a
coastline on the North Sea, while the Baltic coastline in the northeast stretches
from the Danish to the Polish border.
The country is divided into 16 states (Bundesländer) and has an exceedingly
varied landscape. In what was once known as West Germany, the Rhine, Bavaria
and the Black Forest stand as the three most famous features, while in the east, the
country is lake-studded with undulating lowlands.
River basins extend over a large percentage of the region, and some of Europe’s
most prominent rivers flow through the country. These include the Elbe, the
Danube and the Rhine.
The highest point in the country is the 2962m (9718ft) peak of Zugspitze Mountain
in the Bavarian Alps. Cable cars run to the summit, which can also be climbed.
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 02/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
03
General Information
Key facts
Population: 82,79 million (2017)
Capital: Berlin.
Language
German is the official language. Regional dialects often differ markedly from
standard German.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100,
50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and
1 cents.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use.
Public holidays
Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December
2021.
Note:
* In catholic regions only
** Sachsen only
*** Not in all Laender (Bundesländer)
**** Berlin only, 2020 only
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Epiphany: 6 January 2020*
Good Friday: 10 April 2020
Easter Sunday: 12 April 2020
Easter Monday: 13 April 2020
Labour Day: 1 May 2020
Liberation Day: 8 May 2020****
Ascension Day: 21 May 2020
Whit Sunday: 31 May 2020
Whit Monday: 1 June 2020
Corpus Christi: 21 June 2020*
Assumption: 15 August 2020*
Day of German Unity: 3 October 2020
Day of Reformation: 31 October 2020***
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2020*
Repentance Day: 21 November 2020**
Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2020
2021
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2021
Epiphany: 6 January 2021*
Good Friday: 2 April 2021
Easter Sunday: 4 April 2021
Easter Monday: 5 April 2021
Labour Day: 1 May 2021
Ascension Day: 13 May 2021
Whit Sunday: 23 June 2021
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 03/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
04
Whit Monday: 24 May 2021
Corpus Christi: 3 June 2021*
Assumption: 15 August 2021*
Day of German Unity: 3 October 2021
Day of Reformation: 31 October 2021***
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2021*
Repentance Day: 21 November 2021**
Christmas: 25 and 26 December 2021
All information subject to change.
Travel etiquette
How to fit in
Handshaking is customary in Germany, and it is considered rude to address
people by their first name unless invited to do so. Normal courtesies should be
observed. Before eating, it is normal to say “guten Appetit” to the other people at
the table to which the correct reply is “danke, gleichfalls” (“Thank you, the same to
you”). If you’ve been invited to eat at a German house, it is customary to present
the hostess with unwrapped flowers (according to tradition, you should always give
an uneven number, and it is worth noting that red roses are exclusively a lover’s
gift).
In shops and other businesses, courtesy dictates that visitors should utter a
greeting, such as “guten Tag” (or “grüß Gott” in Bavaria) before saying what it is
that they want; to leave without saying “auf Wiedersehen” or “tschüss” can also
cause offence.
Similarly, when making a telephone call, asking for the person you want to speak
to without stating first who you are is impolite. Casual wear is widely acceptable,
but more formal dress is required for some restaurants, the opera, theater, casinos
and important social functions. Smoking is prohibited where notified, on public
transportation and in most public buildings.
Health
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Food & Drink
There’s nothing to mark out German products as particularly risky to general health
(although it has a partly founded reputation for being high in fat). Tap water is safe
to drink.
Other Risks
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern Germany;
vaccination is advisable. Rabies is present; look out for ‘Tollwut’ signs. For those
at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered.
During the summer months, sunburn can be a problem. The southwest generally
has the highest temperatures. The usual precautions apply: Use a generous
amount of sunscreen and be sensible about how long you spend in direct sunlight.
Be aware that a breezy day can sometimes mask high temperatures.
If walking over a long distance in warm weather, it’s advisable to drink – and carry
– plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, including a sun hat. Blisters can
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 04/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
05
be another problem for hikers. These can often occur if new walking shoes are
being worn over a long distance. Ideally, footwear should be worn in before the
trip.
As a counterpoint to the balminess of the summer, German winters can be fairly
severe. This is generally truer the further east you travel. If you’re arriving during
the coldest months of the year, make sure you have adequate clothing. At any time
of year, in fact, temperatures can be unpredictable – even in July and August it
makes sense to have a sweater (and maybe an umbrella, too) to hand.
Other health problems that inexperienced travelers might reasonably encounter
are the various knock-on effects of consuming too much alcohol. The risk,
unsurprisingly, is particularly prevalent among those attending Munich’s
Oktoberfest. Be aware that some beers have ABV levels of as much as 6 or 7%
and should therefore be treated with respect.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Ilge, Ulrich
Friedrichstraße 94
D-40217 Düsseldorf
Germany
Tel. +49-211-33-41-48
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it
bear the cost of any treatment.
Phone calls & Internet
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code:+49
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway
and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without
incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for
phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do
apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on
data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your
country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the
new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using
public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all
passwords, credit card details and banking credentials entered. Use of a VPN app
or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Getting around Düsseldorf
Getting around
Public Transport
The efficient bus, tram and metro (U-Bahn) and S-Bahn network is operated by
Rheinbahn (rheinbahn.de). Buy tickets from vending machines at tram and U-Bahn
stops via the Rheinbahn website (shop.rheinbahn.de) or app
(rheinbahn.de/fahrplan/appinfo).
Taxis
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 05/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
06
Pick up a taxi from a designated rank, or call a cab company such as Taxi
Düsseldorf (tel: +49-211/333 33) or Rhein Taxi (tel: +49-211/21 21 21). Tipping is
customary and appreciated.
Top 10 sights
Top 10 sights in Düsseldorf
Altstadt
Although the destruction of WWII meant few buildings in the Old Town were left
standing, it was rebuilt using historic plans on the original foundation walls, and is
as impressive now as it ever was.
Altstadt
40213 Düsseldorf
Germany
Burgplatz
Surrounded by restored buildings on three sides and the Rhine on the fourth,
Burgplatz (Castle Square) is one of the most impressive squares in Germany. Only
one white tower of the actual castle remains however – it’s now the Museum of
Navigation.
Burgplatz
Düsseldorf
Germany
Hofgarten
At the north end of Königsallee, this large urban park is filled with trees and
miniature lakes – a great place to relax away from the sprawl of the city all around.
Hofgartenstraße 1
40212 Düsseldorf
Germany
Königsallee
The city’s most elegant boulevard has gained a reputation for its high-end fashion
outlets. Some call it Germany’s Champs-Élysées, but even that famous Paris
thoroughfare doesn’t have a canal running down its centre, like the “Kö”.
Königsallee
Düsseldorf
Germany
Classic Remise Düsseldorf
A must for lovers of historic vehicles, this museum is filled with hundreds of classic
and vintage cars from every era. Everything is housed in a huge circular building
that in a former life was a roundhouse for servicing steam locomotives.
Harffstrasse 110a Opening times:
40591 Düsseldorf Mon-Sat 0800-2000
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 06/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
07
Germany Sun 1000-2000
Tel: (0211) 2295 0570
remise.de
Rhine Tower (Rheinturm)
For great views across the city and all over the surrounding region, head for the
Panorama Level of this 240m-high (787ft) tower. If you get hungry, there’s a
revolving restaurant and lounge bar.
Stromstraße 20 Opening times:
40221 Düsseldorf Sun-Thu 1000-0000
Germany Fri-Sat 1000-0100
Tel: (0211) 863 2000
www.guennewig.de
Rheinufer
Stretching for 10km (6 miles) along the banks of the river, the Rhine promenade
path is a great place for walking, cycling and rollerblading. The less energetic can
simply relax and watch the sunset with a drink on one of the many café terraces.
Rheinuferpromenade
40213 Düsseldorf
Germany
MedienHafen
Towards the southern end of the Rheinufer promenade, the city’s former harbour
has been rebooted into a trendy area of restaurants, bars and clubs. A few older
buildings have been preserved, but the most striking highlight is the Neuer Zollhof,
three new and oddly crumpled buildings designed by Frank Gehry.
MedienHafen www.medienhafen.de
40211 Düsseldorf
Germany
Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen
This is one of the region’s finest museums, with a remarkable collection of
paintings, sculpture and statuary. An annex museum is devoted to glasswork,
dating from ancient Egypt to the present day.
Grabbeplatz 5 Opening times:
40213 Düsseldorf Tues-Sun 1000-1800
Germany
Tel: (0211) 838 1204 www.kunstsammlung.de
Neanderthal Museum
Just east of the city in the town of Mettmann, this multi-media museum houses
relics left by the Neanderthals. It’s built in the valley that gave the prehistoric
people their name, on the spot where the most famous fossil was found.
Talstraße 300 Opening times:
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 07/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
08
40822 Mettmann Tues-Sun 1000-1800
Germany
Tel: (02104) 97970 www.neanderthal.de
Shopping in Düsseldorf
Shopping in Düsseldorf
Key Areas
Königsallee is on of the most famous shopping streets in Germany, best known for
its exclusive designer goods stores and fashion boutiques. Suburban districts –
particularly Ackerstraße in Flingern – are good places to find cheaper but trendier
outlets of up-and-coming young clothes designers. Most of the department store
chains are clustered around the Liesegangstraße/Schadowstraße intersection.
Markets
There are several Christmas markets each December, but the biggest centres
around the Altstadt. For more everyday needs, you’ll find a regular market every
day on Carlsplatz, on the southern edge of the Altstadt.
Shopping Centres
The Kö Center (Königsallee 28-30) is full to the brim with trendy boutiques and
chic fashion label stores, as is the nearby Kö Galerie (Königsallee 60). The
stilwerk arcade (Grünstraße 15) has dozens of designer goods and lifestyle
accessories stores under one roof, while Schadow Arkaden (Schadowstraße 11) is
the place for more down-to-earth high-street stores.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Düsseldorf
The restaurants in Düsseldorf reflect the fact that this is a wealthy city.But while
there are Michelin-garlanded places aplenty, it is also popular to eat in one of the
many atmospheric pubs serving less sophisticated but hearty Germanic fare –
usually based around pork.
Im Schiffchen
Just north of town near the airport, this restaurant serves some of Germany’s finest
cuisine, prepared by a two-Michelin-starred chef.
Kaiserswerther Markt 9 Price: Expensive
40489 Düsseldorf
Germany
Nagaya
Michelin-starred Japanese cuisine fused with European hints, served in a
fashionably minimalist restaurant.
Klosterstraße 42 Price: Expensive
40211 Düsseldorf
Germany
Brauerei zum Schiffchen
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 08/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
09
Characterful old brewpub serving great-value huge portions of regional dishes.
Hafenstraße 5 Price: Cheap
40213 Düsseldorf
Germany
Vapiano
Trendy self-service Italian with pizzas and pastas cooked freshly to order.
Martin-Luther-Platz 28 Price: Cheap
40212 Düsseldorf
Germany
Nightlife
Nightlife in Düsseldorf
DJs play regularly in the clubs around Königsallee. But the Altstadt is best known
as ‘the longest bar in the world’. There are around 250 pubs, most serving the
city’s proud creation, Altbier.If you empty your glass it will be refilled automatically.
Uerige
The Altstadt’s most famous brewpub, where beer is poured direct from oak barrels.
Berger Straße 1
40213 Düsseldorf
Germany
Im Füchschen
Another popular brewpub with a large terrace and atmosphere in spades.
Ratinger Straße 28
40213 Düsseldorf
Germany
Nachtresidenz
Once built as a residence theater, the building, with its imposing domed hall,
housed a movie theater for many decades and now a club for almost twenty years.
On weekends, night becomes day - musically, the spectrum ranges from House
and R'n'B to the latest club tunes.
Bahnstraße 13-15
40212 Düsseldorf
Germany
Tonhalle
This impressive classical concert hall was originally constructed in 1926 as a
planetarium.
Ehrenhof 1
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 09/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
10
40479 Düsseldorf
Germany
M168
Germany’s highest cocktail and lounge bar is 168m (551ft) up, inside the Rhine
Tower.
Stromstraße 20
40221 Düsseldorf
Germany
Tel.: +49 211 863200-0
Calendar of events
Calendar of events
Boot Düsseldorf
The International Boat Show at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre is one of the
biggest boat shows in the world.
January 18 - 26, 2020
Venue: Messe Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre)
Karneval
One of the three biggest Carnival celebrations in Germany, with spectacular
processions and parties.
February 19 - 24, 2020
www.karneval-in-duesseldorf.de
Venue: Throughout the city
Japan-Tag (Japan Day)
Düsseldorf has the highest number of Japanese residents (some 11,000) in
Europe and their day of celebrations ends with a fantastic firework display on the
Rhine - book a dinner cruise if possible.
May 16, 2020
www.japantag-duesseldorf-nrw.de
Venue: Banks of the Rhine
Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally
Held over a long weekend, with free concerts in the Altstadt from local and
international jazz and blues bands.
May 28 - 31, 2020
Venue: Throughout the city
Kirmes (Fun Fair)
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 10/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
11
Revelries on the Rhine meadows opposite the Altstadt last nine days with 350
attractions, rides and stalls pulling in over four million visitors every summer.
July 17 - 26, 2020
Venue: Rhine meadows, opposite the Altstadt
Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market)
During Advent, around 300 stalls selling Christmas arts and crafts, tree
decorations, cinnamon cakes, gingerbread, hot chocolate, mulled red wine and
other goodies fill four of the city's squares and two whole streets in Düsseldorf.
November - December 2020
Venue: Throughout the city
Hotels
Hotels in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf’s hotel trade is focused squarely on the business trade. Prices can rise
alarmingly during the bigger trade fairs as rooms always sell out.On the flip side,
prices drop in summer and at weekends when there can be real bargains waiting
to be snapped up.
Steigenberger Parkhotel
Exclusive luxury hotel with large high-ceilinged rooms with modern fittings.
Königsallee 1a Category: Expensive
40212 Düsseldorf
Germany
Breidenbacher Hof A Capella Hotel
Built in 2008, this new luxury hotel offers every amenity and comfort you need.
Königsallee 11 Category: Expensive
40212 Düsseldorf
Germany
Hotel Nikko Düsseldorf
Chic hotel offering soundproofed rooms to help tired business travellers unwind.
Immermannstraße 41 Category: Moderate
40210 Düsseldorf
Germany
Carat Altstadt
Bright and modern hotel with large rooms close to the Old Town.
Benratherstraße 7a Category: Moderate
40213 Düsseldorf
Germany
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 11/12Travel Guide
Düsseldorf
12
Friends Hotel
Great-value design hotel offering affordable comforts and a friendly welcome.
Worringer Straße 94-96 Category: Cheap
40210 Düsseldorf
Germany
LH.com/travelguide Düsseldorf 12/12You can also read
