Orientation

Düsseldorf lies tucked into green hills along the western banks of the Rhine river. The largest in a community of small cities connected by the same public transit network, Düsseldorf’s city center is at once sprawling and highly concentrated. Largely residential apartment buildings and townhouses crowd most of the city blocks. Most travelers will enter the town from the southeast, through the Hauptbahnhof, which is just a few stops away from the Düsseldorf airport. Located in the Stadmitte, this area is marked by mediocre concrete architecture and a preponderance of pharmacies and magazine stands. On the north end of the city, Pempelfort is a similarly residential, if slightly more upscale, where young moms and working professionals enjoy the cafes and low-key restaurants. Close to the center of Düsseldorf, running from east to west, is the Hofgarten, Germany’s oldest public park. Full of fountains and bike paths, it’s a great escape from the uproarious traffic. But chances are that you’ll spend most of your time in Düsseldorf in Altstadt. The “Old Side” trades automotive congestion for more manageable pedestrian traffic and concrete facades for charming old storefronts. Altstadt is the best place to go for relatively inexpensive food and a good bar scene. Düsseldorf’s best attractions, its art museums, start in the north end with the Kunst Palace and extend southward along the eastern edge of Altstadt, making museum-hopping easier here than just about anywhere else.