Düsseldorf, sometimes “Duesseldorf,” is the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia. This bustling metropolis is the seventh-largest city in Germany. It sits in the center of the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Region, the largest metropolitan region in the country, with over ten million inhabitants. Known as Germany’s fashion capital, the city is also an industrial, media, and financial powerhouse. Like other German places, Düsseldorf was practically reduced to rubble during WW2. It was later reconstructed to become one of the most modern cities in Europe. If you are looking for the best areas to stay in Düsseldorf, you have come to the right place.
Accommodation Options in Düsseldorf
Besides its economic might, Düsseldorf is famous for its vibrant arts and music scene. Its city center offers a fascinating mix of restored medieval buildings and avant-garde masterpieces. Some of its most important attractions include the Rhine Tower, Hofgarten, Museum Kunstpalast, and the Rheinuferpromenade. Thanks to its many sights, busy international airport, and economic importance, Düsseldorf has become one of the most visited destinations in Germany and offers a wide selection of upscale business hotels and many budget options, particularly in and around its city center.
Whether you’re going to Düsseldorf for a European weekend getaway or as a business traveler, keep reading this article to learn more about the best areas to stay in Düsseldorf, Germany.
If you don’t have time to read the full article, here’s a quick summary of the best tourist areas in Düsseldorf. Keep reading to find out more information about each of these districts.
- Best area for sightseeing: Altstadt | Media Harbour
- Best location for families: Pempelfort
- Best location for business travelers: Unterbilk
- Best location for nightlife: Altstadt
- Best location for shopping: Stadtmitte
- Cheapest area to stay: Oberbilk
What’s the Best Area to Stay in Düsseldorf, NRW?
The best area to stay in Düsseldorf for leisure or business is the Stadtmitte. Literally meaning “City Centre,” Stadtmitte is the best place for tourists to enjoy the city’s main attractions, museums, parks, and shopping areas. It is also the best-connected district and where most of the best-rated hotels in Düsseldorf are situated.
Find Available Accommodation in Stadtmitte.
Best Hotels in Stadtmitte Düsseldorf
- Best five-star hotel: Breidenbacher Hof
- Best four-star hotel: Adina Apartment Hotel Dusseldorf
- Best three-star hotel: Hotel Sir & Lady Astor
- Best budget hotel: ibis Hotel Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof
- Best B&B: CityMinis
- Best hostel: BLK Hostel
- Best tourist apartments: Fourty Three Luxury Serviced Apartments
Where to Stay in Düsseldorf for Sightseeing
As mentioned above, Stadtmitte is the best location for tourists in Düsseldorf. However, the city is divided into many different districts, each offering a distinct experience and attractions. These are some of the most exciting areas:
- Set west of Mitte, Altstadt is Düsseldorf’s Old Town. Heavily damaged during WWII, many of its historic buildings were rebuilt in the 1950s and 60s. This area is home to attractions, including Marktplatz, the Old Town Hall, Pegeluhr Clocktower and part of the Rheinpromenade. The Wellem, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and Victoria Altstadt Suites are some of the best hotels in this area.
- Home to several sights like the Hofgarten, Schauspielhaus and Little Tokyo, Stadtmitte is perhaps the most convenient district for visitors to Düsseldorf, not least because it also hosts the city’s Central Train Station. Some of the great options in this central neighborhood include the Hampton by Hilton Düsseldorf City Centre and the Adina Apartment Hotel Dusseldorf.
- Located south of the Old Town, Unterbilk is a riverside district and refurbished port area home to Media Harbour, the Rheinturm, and Frank Gehry’s Neuer Zollhof. The Red Apartments and Radisson Blu Media Harbour Hotel are two of the best-rated properties here.
The Best Areas for Tourists in Düsseldorf: District by District
1. Stadtmitte: Best Location for Shopping & Best-Connected Area in Düsseldorf
Considered the city’s shopping epicenter, Stadtmitte is an upscale commercial district and transit hub.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Düsseldorf, Germany:
- Heart of the city
- Shopping streets & malls
- Great nightlife
- Hofgarten
- Upscale and business hotels
- Hauptbahnhof
- Connected by S-Bahn & U-Bahn
- Little Tokyo
Düsseldorf Stadtmitte is a vibrant neighborhood in the heart of the city. Its culture, history, and modern attractions make it a must-visit for anyone exploring Düsseldorf.
This area, located east of the Düssel and the Old Town, is particularly priced for its shopping. Considered Düsseldorf’s shopping mecca, the neighborhood, particularly Königsallee, offers everything from local boutiques to big-name fashion brands and high-street retailers.
A few hundred meters north, Hofgarten is the ideal place to stroll. One of the oldest public gardens in Germany, this massive park is home to several ponds, walking and biking paths, fountains, public art installations, and playgrounds.
Stadtmitte is also the main entertainment district in Düsseldorf, with dozens of theatres and performing arts venues, including the prestigious German Oper am Rhein, Orpheus Theater, Savoy Theater, and FFT Dusseldorf Juta.
Located on the district’s eastern edge, Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof is the city’s central station. This large station, one of the busiest in Germany, offers S-Bahn, Regional, Intercity, and ICE high-speed train services. It is also a stop for the city’s U-Bahn (underground railway) and tram system.
Not far from the station, you’ll find Little Tokyo. A popular tourist destination and home to one of the largest Japanese communities in Europe, it is the perfect place to go for a taste of authentic Japanese cuisine and culture.
Stadmitte is also home to the widest variety of hotels in the city. Here, you will find primarily mid-range and upscale accommodations offering world-class amenities and service.
Best Hotels in Stadtmitte, Düsseldorf
Breidenbacher Hof
Centrally located on Königsallee Boulevard, this 5-star hotel in Düsseldorf offers soundproofed rooms with classical-style décor and an elegant brasserie with panoramic views.
Adina Apartment Hotel Dusseldorf
Conveniently situated in the center of Düsseldorf, Adina Apartment Hotel Dusseldorf provides buffet breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. Providing a restaurant, the property also has a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a sauna.
Hotel Sir & Lady Astor
This charming boutique hotel offers elegant accommodation in the heart of Düsseldorf, 500 m from the main train station and a 10-minute walk from the famous Königsallee shopping district.
ibis Hotel Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof
Guests at this Ibis hotel are 50 m from Düsseldorf Central Station. They also benefit from a free internet terminal, free lobby Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour lobby bar.
Fourty Three Luxury Serviced Apartments
Located in Düsseldorf, 700 m from Theater a der Kö and 300 m from the center, Fourty Three Luxury Serviced Apartments provide air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi and a shared lounge. Private parking is available on-site.
ART Hotel Ufer
This hotel is ideally located in the heart of Düsseldorf, just a 10-minute walk from the nearest train station and the famous Königsallee shopping boulevard.
BLK Hostel
Located in Düsseldorf, 700 m from Königsallee, BLK Hostel provides express check-in, check-out, and free WiFi. The property is close to several well-known attractions.
2. Altstadt: Best Location in Düsseldorf to Discover its History
Sandwiched between the Düssel and the Rhine, Altstadt is a lovely area packed with cafés, small boutiques & traditional restaurants.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Düsseldorf, Germany:
- Historic heart of the city
- Historic attractions
- Best area for nightlife
- Rheinuferpromenade
- Boutique hotels
- Connected by U-Bahn
- Marktplatz
The Altstadt neighborhood, also known as the Old Town, is a great place to explore on a visit to the city and one of the best areas to stay in Düsseldorf. It boasts a mix of traditional and modern architecture. It was rebuilt after being heavily bombed in the Second World War.
This historic district is centred around Marktplatz, a large market square surrounded by cafes home to the Rathaus (Old Town Hall). Nearby, Burgplatz is another city landmark home to the Schifffahrtsmuseum, a local museum dedicated to shipping and technology set in a medieval tower, and the “Wheel of Vision” Ferris Wheel.
Originally built around the 13th century, St. Lambertus Basilica is the oldest building in Düsseldorf and one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city.
Not far away, Bolkerstrasse is a popular restaurant and nightlife area. The street comes alive after sunset when its many bars and nightclubs fill up with locals and visitors.
Further west, toward the Rhine River, you’ll find the Rheinuferpromenade, a riverfront promenade also lined with cafés and restaurants offering some of the most striking views of the city.
Düsseldorf Old Town is well-connected to the rest of the city thanks to its numerous U-Bahn stations. It is also very easy to get to other central districts on foot or by tram or bus.
Best Hotels in Düsseldorf Old Town
The Wellem, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
This hotel is located in the heart of Düsseldorf city center. The Wellem, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, offers a fitness center and 24-hour reception.
VIVA RIVERSIDE Altstadt Düsseldorf
The hotel ship VIVA RIVERSIDE Altstadt Düsseldorf is set in Düsseldorf, a 2-minute walk from Castle Square. Located around 300 m from Düsseldorf Town Hall, the hotel is also 300 m away from the longest bar in the world. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk.
AltDüsseldorf
Conveniently located in the heart of Düsseldorf’s Old Town, this hotel enjoys excellent public transport links and provides the ideal base for exploring the city.
Altstadt Hotel Rheinblick
This hotel is situated in the Old Town district of Düsseldorf, just steps from the Burgplatz square. It offers comfortable rooms and a free breakfast buffet each morning.
Victoria Altstadt Suites
Providing city views and free WiFi, Victoria Altstadt Suites provides accommodation conveniently set in Düsseldorf, within a short distance of Stadterhebungsmonument, Dusseldorf Town Hall and Kunsthalle Düsseldorf.
Barcelona Bed & Breakfast
This family-run hotel is located in the heart of Düsseldorf’s Old Town district, a 5-minute walk from the Rhine Promenade and the Hofgarten Park. It features free WiFi and an on-site Irish pub.
3. Unterbilk & Media Harbour: Best Location for Business Travelers & River Views
Home to some of the most striking contemporary buildings in the city, Unterbilk is a great area to get a taste of modern Düsseldorf.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Düsseldorf, Germany:
- Contemporary architecture
- Media Harbour
- Rhein Tower
- Rheinuferpromenade
- Modern hotels
- Excellent views of the river
- Connected by public transport
Düsseldorf’s Unterbilk district is located south of the Old Town, on the River Rhine’s east bank.
Originally a harbour and working-class neighbourhood, the area went through a massive transformation in the late 1990s and early 2000s to see it become one of the most attractive districts in the city.
The epitome of this transformation is the Medienhafen. Düsseldorf’s “Media Harbour” is home to numerous companies, primarily from the fields of media and communication, fashion and architecture, as well as art and culture.
The Media Harbour’s centrepiece is Neuer Zollhof. Completed in 1998, this complex of buildings designed by Frank Gehry is one of the most striking architectural works in Düsseldorf. It’s curvy design and metallic color give the building a unique character.
Nearby is the Rheinturm. Standing at 240 meters, this impressive communications tower provides stunning views of the city and the Rhine River. The tower is also home to a restaurant and an observation deck where visitors can take in panoramic views of the city.
Thanks to its importance as a business hub, Media Harbour Düsseldorf has some of the best modern hotels in the city. The area also offers a number of excellent luxury serviced apartments, as well as a wide selection of restaurants and bars.
Unterbilk is linked to the city center and Central Train Station by S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and tram services.
Best Hotels in Unterbilk & Media Harbor
The Red Apartments
These award-winning stylish apartments, renowned for their design, are located directly in Düsseldorf’s government district. Free WiFi is offered.
Radisson Blu Media Harbour Hotel, Düsseldorf
Set near the River Rhine in Düsseldorf’s trendy MediaHafen district, this 4-star superior design hotel features a striking façade and offers stylish rooms with panoramic windows. It also boasts a top-floor spa, free WiFi, and a walk-in wine cabinet.
Düsseldorfer Domicil Media Harbour
Providing city views, a shared lounge, and free WiFi, Düsseldorfer Domicil Media Harbour is located in Düsseldorf, 1.9 km from Rheinturm and 2.2 km from Königsallee.
Hotel Moon
Offering free Wi-Fi, Hotel Moon is centrally located in Düsseldorf’s Unterbilk district. A buffet breakfast is available each morning, and the Kirchfeldstraße tram stop is less than a 1-minute walk from the hotel.
Living Hotel Düsseldorf
Providing city views and free WiFi, Victoria Altstadt Suites provides accommodation conveniently set in Düsseldorf, within a short distance of Stadterhebungsmonument, Dusseldorf Town Hall and Kunsthalle Düsseldorf.
4. Pempelfort: Best Location for Art Lovers
Home to some of Düsseldorfs main museums, Pempelfort is the best location in Düsseldorf for travellers interested in art & culture.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Düsseldorf, Germany:
- Relatively central location
- Museum Kunstpalast Düsseldorf
- Lots of cultural attractions
- Connected by public transport
- Mid-range & boutique hotels
Düsseldorf-Pempelfort is a charming neighborhood situated north of Düsseldorf’s Old Town and Stadtmitte.
It’s known for its vibrant atmosphere, quaint cobblestone streets, and eclectic mix of shops, cafes, and bars. The area is also home to many museums and historical attractions, such as the Goethe Museum, the Theatermuseum, and the NRW Forum.
But perhaps most importantly, Pempelfort is also the site of Museum Kunstpalast. Düsseldorf’s most important art institution, the Kunstpalast, is a great place to start a cultural exploration of the city. It displays art from the 14th century to the present day, ranging from European masters to modern contemporary works, including the likes of Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, and Cy Twombly.
Nordstrasse is the beating heart of the quarter. This central street boasts a wide range of organic shops, bookshops, antique stores, international eateries, pubs, and cafes.
When it comes to transportation, the neighborhood is served by several bus lines and trams, as well as two underground train stations, Nordstrasse and Victoriaplatz. Additionally, the S-Bahn station at Düsseldorf Zoo is within walking distance.
Best Hotels in Pempelfort
Meliá Düsseldorf
Offering a stylish bar and a free spa, this 4-star superior hotel is located next to Düsseldorf’s Hofgarten Park. It is a 15-minute walk from the Old Town and Königsallee shopping mile.
Hotel National Düsseldorf (Superior)
This 3-star superior hotel in Dusseldorf offers free Wi-Fi, and underground parking. Victoriaplatz Underground Station is a 5-minute walk away and a 3-minute train ride from the city center.
Hotel Am Ehrenhof
This hotel in Düsseldorf’s central Pempelfort district offers bright, individually furnished rooms with free Wi-Fi internet. The Rheinterrassen events location and the Nordstraße Underground Station are a 2-minute walk away.
numa I Artol Rooms & Apartments
This aparthotel lies in the center of Düsseldorf, a 10-minute walk from the Königsallee shopping street. It offers elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi.
5. Oberbilk: Cheap Area to Stay in Düsseldorf
Located on the other side of the Main Train Station and home to the Volksgarten, Oberbilk is a quiet area packed with budget accommodation.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Düsseldorf, Germany:
- Quiet location
- Volkspark
- Hauptbahnhof
- Connected by public transport
- Cheapest area to stay in Düsseldorf city center
The Oberbilk district of Düsseldorf is located in the southeast of the city, on the east side of the Hauptbahnhof, and is easily accessible by public transportation.
The area’s main attraction is Volkspark, a large public park and a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. It features a variety of attractions and activities, such as a lake, a playground, a mini-golf course, and a petting zoo. Volkspark Düsseldorf also hosts various events throughout the year, such as music festivals, sporting events, and cultural activities.
The S-Bahn and U-Bahn systems connect this district to the rest of the city.
Best Hotels in Oberbilk
Leonardo Hotel Düsseldorf City Center
Just a 2-minute walk from Düsseldorf Train Station, this 4-star hotel offers modern rooms with Wi-Fi internet, elegant wellness facilities, and underground parking.
Holiday Inn Express Düsseldorf – Hauptbahnhof, an IHG Hotel
Set in Düsseldorf and within 300 m of Capitol Theater Düsseldorf, Holiday Inn Express Düsseldorf – Hauptbahnhof, an IHG Hotel, has a bar, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi.
B&B Hotel Düsseldorf City-Süd
This hotel offers modern rooms and free WiFi in the Oberbilk district of Düsseldorf city center. A bus/tram stop is located right outside the hotel.
6. Düsseldorf International Airport: Best Location for a Stopover in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) is located north of the city centre. It is the third busiest airport in Germany. The primary airlines that operate out of Düsseldorf Airport include Lufthansa, Easyjet, and Eurowings.
Flughafen Düsseldorf has 186 direct destinations to five continents and operates more than 700 daily takeoffs and landings.
Getting to the airport is easy. There are several public transport options, including S-Bahn trains, buses, and taxis. The airport is well connected to the city, making it easy to get to the airport from the city center.
Staying near Düsseldorf Airport can be convenient when traveling on business or during a stopover in the German city. Several hotel chains have properties in and around the airport.
Best Hotels near Düsseldorf Airport
Sheraton Duesseldorf Airport Hotel
This elegant hotel is directly above Düsseldorf Airport’s parking deck P3 and is just 3 km from Messe Düsseldorf Convention Centre. It offers free WiFi in the public working area, a restaurant, and a 24-hour fitness room.
Air Hotel Wartburg
This non-smoking hotel is located between Düsseldorf Airport and the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. Air Hotel Wartburg offers soundproofed rooms and good public transport connections. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property.
ibis Duesseldorf Airport
ibis Duesseldorf Airport offers a terrace, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a bar. This 2-star hotel offers luggage storage space. Private parking is available on-site.
Where to Stay in Düsseldorf: A Personal Take
During my stay in Dusseldorf, I enjoyed lodging at the Adina Apartment Hotel Dusseldorf. I found the hotel an excellent choice due to its comfortable and well-appointed apartments that offered the convenience of a hotel and the comforts of home. It was delightful to have a small kitchenette in the room, allowing me to cook meals whenever I desired a quiet night. The staff were amiable and always willing to assist with any requests. The location was also superb; being just a stone’s throw away from the city center, exploring Dusseldorf was incredibly accessible.
Personal tip: I highly recommend choosing accommodation near the city center and the main train station for anyone planning a trip to Dusseldorf. Staying centrally located allows easy access to many of the city’s attractions, shops, and restaurants. I thoroughly enjoyed strolling the vibrant streets and soaking up the local atmosphere. Don’t miss out on visiting Königsallee, known locally as “Kö,” a famous shopping boulevard for those keen on browsing high-end stores or just people-watching at one of the numerous cafes. A personal tip I’d like to share is to try out the local Altbier, a type of beer typical to this region – it’s an experience not to be missed by beer connoisseurs.
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