Düsseldorf Old Town (Altstadt)

The Altstadt (Old Town) of Düsseldorf is the historic heart of the city and one of Germany's liveliest nightlife districts. Packed into roughly half a square kilometer on the Rhine are churches, museums, a Renaissance town hall and around 260 pubs, brewpubs, bars and restaurants, which is why locals call it "the longest bar in the world." By day it is a compact sightseeing area; by night it is the place to try the local altbier.

Where it is and how to get there

Düsseldorf, the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, lies on the Rhine about 40 km north of Cologne. Regional trains between the two cities take around half an hour, making the Old Town an easy day trip from Cologne, and Düsseldorf Airport is linked to the main station by S-Bahn in under 20 minutes.

From Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof, take any of several subway (U-Bahn) lines a few stops to Heinrich-Heine-Allee, the main transit hub directly beneath the Old Town; taxis wait here late into the night. The walk from the main station takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Local transport is covered by the Deutschlandticket. The Old Town itself is largely car-free, so driving is not recommended.

A short history

The city grew from a small settlement where the Düssel stream flows into the Rhine. "Dusseldorp" was first mentioned in 1159, and the town received its charter on August 14, 1288, after the Battle of Worringen. As the residence of the Dukes of Berg, Düsseldorf flourished, but its riverside palace burned in 1872, and today only the Schlossturm (Castle Tower) remains. Much of the Old Town was damaged by bombing in World War II and later rebuilt. In 1993 the busy riverside road was moved into a tunnel, creating the car-free Rhine promenade that is now one of the city's favorite places to stroll.

Things to do in the Old Town

• Burgplatz and the Castle Tower: the square by the river, with a ship museum inside the tower and wide steps where crowds gather to watch the sunset.
• Marktplatz: the Old Town Hall, built 1570 to 1573, and the bronze equestrian statue of Elector Jan Wellem, Düsseldorf's most beloved ruler.
• St. Lambertus Basilica: a Gothic brick church completed in 1394, famous for its leaning spire.
• St. Andreas: a Baroque church with the mausoleum of Jan Wellem.
• Heinrich Heine's birthplace at Bolkerstraße 53, now a literary venue honoring the poet.
• K20 and Kunsthalle on Grabbeplatz for major modern and contemporary art.
• Carlsplatz market for deli food, fruit and a quick lunch.

Altbier and the "longest bar in the world"

Altbier is a dark amber, top-fermented beer; "alt" (old) refers to the traditional brewing method. Historic brewpubs such as Zum Uerige, Im Füchschen, Zum Schlüssel and Schumacher serve it fresh from the barrel in small glasses. The waiters, called Köbes, keep bringing new glasses until you put your beer mat on top. Their gruff manner is part of the experience. Bolkerstraße, Kurze Straße and Ratinger Straße are the busiest streets at night, and the clubs here launched bands like Kraftwerk and Die Toten Hosen.

Is it worth visiting?

Absolutely. The Old Town is free and open around the clock (as of October 2026); you only pay for museums. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the main sights, or a full day with museums and a brewpub dinner. Spring to fall is best for the promenade; Advent brings Christmas markets. For a quieter visit, come on a weekday morning, since Friday and Saturday nights are crowded and loud. The promenade is level and accessible, while some lanes are cobbled. Prices are in euros (EUR).

Nearby

• Königsallee, the elegant canal-side shopping boulevard, a few minutes east.
• Hofgarten, a large park right next to the Old Town.
• Rheinturm and the MedienHafen, a 15 to 20 minute walk south along the river.