Düsseldorf, Germany

Düsseldorf pairs a dense trade-fair and fashion economy with a compact Altstadt packed with traditional breweries, plus one of Europe's largest Japanese communities clustered around its own small Japanese quarter. It's a practical, business-friendly stop on the Rhine rather than a classic sightseeing capital.

Top attractions

• •The Altstadt (old town), with its dense concentration of traditional breweries
• •The Rhine Tower and the riverside promenade beneath it
• •Königsallee ('the Kö'), the city's upscale shopping boulevard
• •The Japanese Quarter around Immermannstraße, one of Europe's largest
• •The K20 and K21 art museums

Practical tips

• •The S-Bahn S11 runs directly from the airport's underground station to Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof in about 13 minutes, and a free automated SkyTrain covers the short hop between long-term parking and the terminal.
• •Try a local Altbier at one of the Altstadt's traditional breweries — the rivalry with Cologne's beer culture just down the Rhine is taken seriously locally.
• •Book accommodation well ahead during Düsseldorf's frequent international trade fairs (Messe), when hotel prices spike sharply.

Frequently asked questions