A cultured German city with a carnival sense of fun

Düsseldorf is an attractive and vibrant German city, which perfectly blends traditional heritage with modern style and culture. Düsseldorf was ranked number one for quality-of-life in a 2009 survey, and with its exciting mix of theatre, sport, culture and nightlife, it’s easy to see why. Düsseldorf is a stronghold for the Rhenish carnival tradition, which sees hundreds of events taking place throughout the year, particularly in the attractive old town, or 'Alstadt' district. Over 20 theatres are spread throughout the city and there are countless museums and art galleries lending an impressive cultural identity to Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf also has a strong connection with popular music, particularly as Germany's most famous band Kraftwerk were formed in the city. Düsseldorf still has a strong local music scene that permeates the many live venues throughout the city.

Why Go?
Düsseldorf is an exciting and cultured city with plenty of great art galleries, museums, theatres, restaurants and bars. A typical day in Düsseldorf could involve some boutique shopping in the morning, browsing the galleries in the afternoon and theatre in the evening; finishing off the night in a lively tavern.

When to Go?
Düsseldorf is a fantastic city with plenty to offer all year, but the weather is better during the summer when it’s warm enough to enjoy being outdoors. In July Düsseldorf hosts a massive funfair featuring amusement rides and beer and food tents, which attracts more than 4 million visitors annually. Winters are generally mild, and Düsseldorf is famed for Rhenish carnival, consisting of 300 events taking place between November 11 and Ash Wednesday.

How to get there?
Flights to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) are available from several scheduled and low cost airlines. British Airways fly from Heathrow to Düsseldorf, while Lufthansa operates Düsseldorf flights from airports throughout the UK, including Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Inverness, Birmingham and Newquay. Flybe have flights from Southampton, Manchester, London Gatwick and Birmingham, while Jet2 fly from Leeds Bradford. Air Berlin flies to Düsseldorf from Stansted.

Must see
Visit the Rheinufer Promenade for a pleasant day out by the riverside, with several scenic walking trails and the chance to stop off in a beer garden along the way. Benrath Castle was built in the late 18th century and is an attractive baroque palace and gardens where you can enjoy events such as open-air concerts and art exhibitions. The Museum Kunst Palast contains a superb collection of fine arts from classical antiquity to the present day, with works from European, Middle Eastern and Asian artists.