Some people from all across Europe have already spent a few days in Düsseldorf, a lot more fans will come in the next days and next week!

Whether you didn’t get accredited and wonder what to do with your time, or maybe you might want to escape from the press centre for a day – here are a couple of tips coming from someone who has lived in the region for 9 years.

Since Düsseldorf itself hasn’t a lot to offer for tourists, let me show you some highlights in the region!

Köln (Cologne)

The biggest city in the far west of Germany has about 1 million people living there, making it the 4th biggest city in Germany. One can argue what’s more famous, the cathedral or 4711 (the original Eau de Cologne), but you can judge that for yourself.

The cathedral is right next to the central station. If you walk out of the station on the right side (you’ll know by the big hall), there is absolutely no way that you could miss it. Obthough the building of the site began in 1248 (years before Lys Assia!), it’s still not completed. If you witness it eventually without any scaffolding, then you can consider yourself really lucky.

However, the building is far more impressive from the outside, though – if you believe in it – you might be able to get to the (boxed) bones of the Three Wise Men in the inside. Even if you are not religious, the dimensions of this building are absolutely impressive. Check out the 1:1 copy of the tower top, on the square in front of the main entrance. Having said that, this – being listed in the Unesco World Heritage – is the only real not-to-miss sight in Cologne.

But there are other reasons for staying here: Beer! You might find it ridiculous or at least interesting, that you’ll get served real Cologne beer (“Kölsch”) mostly and preferred in 0,2l glasses. Trust me, it’s how it’s supposed to be! It’s easy to drink, and it’s easy to drink a lot of it. It also makes it a lot easier to walk from one pub to the next – and this is recommended in Cologne with its high density of pubs and places to go to, day and night. By the way, you can walk most of the distances here, despite the fact that it’s a 1 million people city.

The 4711 house (left) and the cathedral (right)

So check your list: Cathedral, Kölsch, Eau de Cologne (visit Glockengasse 4 between Cathedral and Neumarkt, especially for the Glockenspiel at the top of the hour), what’s left? Shopping! The Schildergasse is the busiest shopping street in all Europe. 13.280 people per hour. You could be one of them. And if not, there are a lot of other streets and places to discover. Definitely recommended, just as the nightlife, which offers a LOT of places to go to. Check out Zülpicher Straße for crazy nights, there’s one bar located next to the other. Gay visitors will be happy with a variety of places between Rudolfplatz and Neumarkt, especially in Schaafenstraße with popular places like Ex-Corner, Mumu and Iron. For the best and rather bizarre Kölsch experience, try to find the brewery pub of Mühlen Kölsch. It’s not that easy. And don’t buy the rudeness of *any* server in *any* brewery pub. It’s what they do, it’s part of the culture of Cologne. Otherwise, Cologne is great fun!

For Cologne visits, also check out: http://www.koeln.de/

The Rhine

Germany’s most important river connects Düsseldorf and Cologne, the rival cities, and there is even a river cruise operator called “Köln-Düsseldorfer” (KD) that offers loads of various trips on the Rhine.

A tour from Cologne down to Bingen (close to Mainz) belongs to the biggest touristy highlights in Germany. It’s said to be rather for the older generation, but that doesn’t necessarily mean noone of you would like it. You’ll see a lot of old castles and ruins to the left and the right riverside! Very romantic!

For Rhine cruises, also check out: http://www.k-d.de/english/home/

Phantasialand

A bit further away than Cologne (as seen from Düsseldorf), we have one of the best theme parks in Europe: Phantasialand. Every year it attracts about 2 million visitors. The park is divided in areas like Berlin, Wild West, China, Mexico, Mystery, Africa and the fantasy world “Wuze Town”.

Copyright: Phantasialand

If you are into theme parks, this one is definitely not to miss! The design of the buildings and rides is on the same high level as Disneyland or Alton Towers. If you still have doubts that Germans can have fantasy – go there.

For a visit, also check out: http://www.phantasialand.de/eng/

Bonn

The old capital of West Germany is actually nicer than Cologne, though a lot calmer and less worth visiting. Though here, you can visit the birth house of Beethoven, that nowadays functions as a museum. In general, this town is for the more sophisticated, culturally interested tourist. Not a lot will remind you of this being a former capital of Germany, and the train station there is more dangerous than any place in central Cologne.

For more information, check www.bonn.de

CentrO Oberhausen

If you are looking for a BIG shopping mall, this is the right address for you. The CentrO itself claims to be the biggest shopping centre in Europe even.

Find out more here: http://www.centro.de/english.html

Neandertal

Yes, your eyes are right. Neandertal. And yes, this is THE Neandertal. It’s a valley of the Düssel river, and it’s world famous because “Neanderthal 1” was found here in 1856. Today, you can visit a musuem about the stone age.

The museum’s website: http://www.neanderthal.de/en/home/index.html

We are sure there might be something else that might interest you, but this is about everything worth mentioning within a distance of 50 km. There’s also Wuppertal that’s famous for its old suspended monorail, but let me tell you that this town is damn ugly. Then there’s the Ruhr area that tries to get established as holiday destination, trying hard to get rid of its bad reputation, and overrating itself all the time. So if you are up to things – take my advice, go shopping and party out in Cologne, have a romantic trip on the Rhine, have fun on the rides in Phantasialand and get well back to Düsseldorf.

Enjoy your stay!