and Kraftwerk — as well as Germany’s finest contemporary artists including Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter — Düsseldorf brims with creative energy alongside its seven centuries of history."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Although the heart of this Rhineside city was damaged during the Second World War a core of the old town’s buildings and cobbled lanes remains on the east bank flanked by picturesque neighbourhoods such as medieval Kaiserswerth and art nouveau Oberkassel has risen from wartime ruins to become a thriving new quarter teeming with modernist architecture You’ll still find sheep grazing on the banks of the river at Oberkassel while futuristic edifices designed by Frank Gehry and Renzo Piano rise on the other."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Yet no"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" neighbourhood embodies Düsseldorf’s DNA better than Flingern David Bowie hit Düsseldorf to delve into a music scene that spawned the 1970s electronic and punk innovators Explore that musical maelstrom on a two-and-a-half-hour Sound of Düsseldorf walking tour led by the musicologist Michael Wenzel through the centre of town with gossipy insights plus tips on today’s cultural hangouts (£13; visitduesseldorf.de)."}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"• Take the half-hour U-bahn ride (U71/83) from Benrather Strasse to the Barbie-pink Schloss Benrath baroque palace Make time for its intriguing Museum of Garden Art and formal gardens plus a tranquil inner courtyard scented by lemon trees (£12; schloss-benrath.de)."}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"• MedienHafen shows how to transform an old port area into an exciting walkabout hub with galleries and bars in renovated warehouses and Insta-magic Standouts include Frank Gehry’s artfully twisted Neuer Zollhof quirkily covered with colourful figures apparently climbing its front by the German artist Rosalie."}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"• Düsseldorf’s most beguiling enclave of ancient stonework is the villagey Kaiserswerth boutique-lined lanes and colourful baroque houses frame a leafy café-lined main platz — complemented by the medieval castle ruins of the Kaiserpfalz (Imperial Palace)."}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"• Time for a gallery fest Contrast the pulse-quickening "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"In Orbit"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" experience at K21 — where you play in a web of steel hanging four storeys above a dizzying atrium — with the Museum Kunstpalast which offers collections from Roman glass to German expressionist canvases (£8; kunstpalast.de) dominated by a towering living installation from the Swiss artists Gerda Steiner and Jörg Lenzlinger."}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"• For contemporary art head to Sammlung Philara in Flingern When you’ve had your fill of zeitgeisty German artists and exhibits such as Justin Lowe and Jonah Freeman’s multi-room installation "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Artichoke Underground"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" head to the rooftop sculpture garden (free; philara.de)."}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"• Head for the 18th-century Hofgarten — Germany’s oldest public park — to potter among ornamental lakes Then stroll to the nearby Rhine promenade for a sundowner from one of the many riverside spots that mean the area’s earned its “world’s longest bar” moniker Look out for free weekend art events and performances under the Oberkasseler bridge."}}]},{"name":"heading3","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Where to eat and drink"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Kushitei of Tokyo"}}]},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"In the home of Germany’s largest Japanese community grab a seat by the open kitchen at Kushitei for sizzling skewers of wagyu as the whole caboodle rotates on its axis every 72 minutes Luxe ingredients get novel spins: rabbit with langoustine quail confit with turnip and sherry vinegar (mains from £24; lido1960.de/hafen)."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Galerie Burghof"}}]},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This riverside beer garden by the Kaiserpfalz offers traditional German classics: white sausages with sweet mustard as the gaff is overseen by the ex-Fortuna star Marinko Miletic (dishes from £5; hamham-duesseldorf.de)."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This article contains affiliate links The hotel’s arts space next door continues the creative theme with exhibitions gigs by local bands and weekend club nights Once inside this snazzily repurposed former office building laidback tranquillity rules courtesy of a palette of 1960s and 1970s design touches: psychedelic soft furnishings wood panelling above purple bedspreads and garish red push-button phones for room service from four-poster beds to 19th-century mahogany furniture Breakfasts are served overlooking a secluded garden (blessed with a terrace and conservatory) Manchester and Edinburgh take 70-90 minutes earning Düsseldorf the tag of the “ten-minute city” for the time it takes to get almost anywhere cable car trips and all-nighters in Tbilisi which is tipped to become the ‘next Berlin’","slug":"europes-most-vibrant-capital-which-isnt-where-youd-expect","categoryPath":"/travel/europes-most-vibrant-capital-which-isnt-where-youd-expect-t92q9skqg","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With co-working spaces hyper-smart boutique hotels and natural wine bars moving into its Soviet-era"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With co-working spaces hyper-smart boutique hotels and natural wine bars moving into its Soviet-era warehouses and"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With co-working spaces hyper-smart boutique hotels and natural wine bars moving into its Soviet-era warehouses and century-old mansions Tbilisi"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With co-working spaces the capital"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With co-working spaces has"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"With co-working spaces compact city of Pisa than its leaning tower Go now and you’ll find a huge old town to explore — with hardly any tourists","slug":"italys-overlooked-weekend-break-thats-at-its-best-in-winter","categoryPath":"/world/europe/article/italys-overlooked-weekend-break-thats-at-its-best-in-winter-lvm3ddxvk","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In good news for many of us 55m-high Torre"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In good news for many of us 55m-high Torre di Pisa might be"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In good news for many of us 55m-high Torre di Pisa might be wedding-cake pretty"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In good news for many of us 55m-high Torre di Pisa might be wedding-cake pretty yet what lures so"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In good news for many of us yet what lures so many millions"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In good news for many of us yet what lures so many millions of tourists annually is its peculiar While it"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"The Belgian capital — the beating heart of European politics — is also the first city of a country widely deemed to be dull While it won’t ever be"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"The Belgian capital — the beating heart of European politics — is also the first city of a country widely deemed to be dull While it won’t ever be described as"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"The Belgian capital — the beating heart of European politics — is also the first city of a country widely deemed to be dull art nouveau neighbourhoods and modernist architecture in a walkable centre with great-value hotelsMedienHafen and the marina of the city of DüsseldorfGETTY IMAGESNorman MillerMonday December 18 2023 The Sunday TimesHome to pioneering bands such as NEU and Kraftwerk — as well as Germany’s finest contemporary artists including Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter — Düsseldorf brims with creative energy alongside its seven centuries of history Although the heart of this Rhineside city was damaged during the Second World War You’ll still find sheep grazing on the banks of the river at Oberkassel while futuristic edifices designed by Frank Gehry and Renzo Piano rise on the other no neighbourhood embodies Düsseldorf’s DNA better than Flingern where mid-century design shops mix with eye-popping street art and legendary punk-rock music clubs such as AK47 offer a contrast to chandeliered gin bars The famous Uerige Obergarige Hausbrauerei in the old townALAMYDay oneMorning: Sound of Düsseldorf walking tourLunch: KushiteiAfternoon: Schloss BenrathDrink: Bar M168Evening: Explore MedienHafenDinner: Lido Hafen Morning: Visit the Kaiserswerth districtLunch: Galerie BurghofAfternoon: Museum Kunstpalast and Sammlung PhilaraDrink: UerigeEvening: HofgartenDinner: Ham Ham Spring blooms in the French Garden at Schloss BenrathALAMYWhat to do• During his uber-cool “Berlin years” with gossipy insights plus tips on today’s cultural hangouts (£13; visitduesseldorf.de).• Take the half-hour U-bahn ride (U71/83) from Benrather Strasse to the Barbie-pink Schloss Benrath baroque palace plus a tranquil inner courtyard scented by lemon trees (£12; schloss-benrath.de).• MedienHafen shows how to transform an old port area into an exciting walkabout hub by the German artist Rosalie.• Düsseldorf’s most beguiling enclave of ancient stonework is the villagey Kaiserswerth boutique-lined lanes and colourful baroque houses frame a leafy café-lined main platz — complemented by the medieval castle ruins of the Kaiserpfalz (Imperial Palace).• Time for a gallery fest Contrast the pulse-quickening In Orbit experience at K21 — where you play in a web of steel dominated by a towering living installation from the Swiss artists Gerda Steiner and Jörg Lenzlinger.• For contemporary art head to Sammlung Philara in Flingern When you’ve had your fill of zeitgeisty German artists and exhibits such as Justin Lowe and Jonah Freeman’s multi-room installation Artichoke Underground head to the rooftop sculpture garden (free; philara.de).• Head for the 18th-century Hofgarten — Germany’s oldest public park — to potter among ornamental lakes Look out for free weekend art events and performances under the Oberkasseler bridge Kushitei of TokyoIn the home of Germany’s largest Japanese community You’ll find good ramen and sashimi too (small plates from £5; @kushiteiduesseldorf) A bowl of ramen at KushiteiBar M168At the bar and restaurant in the pointy peak of the Rheinturm — the telecoms tower that soars 240m above the Rhine — the cocktails really do come with a spinning room Expect grandstand views of both the old town and futuristic harbour — you’ll see as far south as Cologne Cathedral (cocktails from £10; rheinturm.de) Lido HafenChannel Succession vibes at this swanky glass-cube restaurant surrounded by water in the middle of the pedestrianised Living Bridge quail confit with turnip and sherry vinegar (mains from £24; lido1960.de/hafen) Galerie BurghofThis riverside beer garden by the Kaiserpfalz offers traditional German classics: white sausages with sweet mustard goulash spaetzle (noodles) cooked in the local tangy altbier (plates from £4; galerie-burghof.de) Pork goulash with spaetzleGETTY IMAGESUerigeSup Düsseldorf’s celebrated altbier (a Teutonic take on British ale) in wood-panelled historic style at this 19th-century brewery pub Be aware waiters will keep bringing fresh glasses when you finish unless you put a beer mat over the top (drinks from £2.50; uerige.de) Ham HamThe pork knuckle (schweinshaxe) and crispy pork rolls (schweinebrotchen) at Ham Ham are as much Düsseldorf icons as the local football team Fortuna — no surprise as the gaff is overseen by the ex-Fortuna star Marinko Miletic (dishes from £5; hamham-duesseldorf.de) In orbit by Tomás SaracenoSTUDIO TOMAS SARACENOGetting thereFlights from London (Heathrow and City) The airport is five miles from the city centre and the S11 train runs from the arrival terminal to Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof in 20 minutes Getting aroundA superb metro and tram network zips visitors around A Düsseldorf Card offers access to public transport and discounted or free entry to many museums (from £11 for 24 hours; visitduesseldorf.de) Norman Miller was a guest of Visit Düsseldorf (duesseldorf-tourismus.de) Sign up for our Times Travel newsletter and follow us on Instagram and X Next stop in our series marking the Interrail pass’s 50th birthday is a city in the heartland of industrial Germany much of it being splashed along the tree-lined one of Germany’s most famous shopping streets As the postwar capital of North Rhine-Westphalia (established in 1946) Düsseldorf became a hub for global business and finance and the well-dressed glitterati who frequent the kilometre-long stretch of designer stores on “the Kö” have earned it a reputation for snobbishness Visit the Altstadt (old town) of an evening and you’ll find a lively-to-boisterous centre that cares more about good times than fine taste restaurants and clubs are so closely aligned they like to call it “the longest bar in the world” Established neighbourhoods such as Bilk and Flingern – and emerging ones such as Derendorf and Pempelfort – house diverse populations blending daytime chic with an energetic nightlife There’s a teeming counterculture courtesy of the city’s art school and the largest Japanese community in Germany can be found in Niederkassel and along the Immermannstrasse (AKA Little Tokyo) where the ramen can’t be beaten A canal splits shopping street Königsallee Photograph: Miro May/AlamyThe imposing Rhine has long been a site of heavy shipping; today it’s a place for a walk or a drink courtesy of the promenade that runs along its east bank where the old harbour has been transformed into a vision of ultra-modernity Since the arrival of Frank Gehry’s three bendy buildings at the end of the last millennium a sort of architectural Epcot has emerged around them where the interplay of the many new structures is as mesmerising as their individual designs all overlooked by the needle-like Rhine Tower with its panoramic viewing platform and rotating restaurant to the romantic ponds in front of the former state parliament building There are also community gardens and allotments in the south of the city as part of a longstanding installation by Tomás Saraceno Ruby Luna opened in 2021There hasn’t always been a lot of love for Düsseldorf’s postwar architecture, built at speed to restore a city that was largely destroyed by bombing in the second world war. But Ruby Luna (doubles from £85 B&B) has found plenty to celebrate in the 1950s style of its Altstadt location The open lounge and restaurant are a sleek homage to mid-century space-age design and the rooftop bar offers a truly great view over the city (if you don’t already have one from your window) with a Marshall amp in every room and a guitar ready for use at reception Travel pass provided by Interrail; prices start from €185 (for four days’ travel within a month). The trip was provided by Düsseldorf Tourismus Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Düsseldorf shopping and plenty more with our pick of the absolute best things to do in Düsseldorf a centuries-old city where history lurks around every corner But that doesn’t mean you should spend all your time in museums (though they should be high on your list).  old-school bakeries and plenty of street art to admire as well as tons of free art galleries to get stuck into and not all the museums here are what you’d expect: there’s one that’s solely about mustard Here are the best things to do in Düsseldorf This guide is by travel writer Jennifer Ceaser. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Photograph: Courtesy PicasaIf you’re headed for a meal at Schweine Janes because this is serious German comfort food and the portions are enormous Never mind the noisy ambience – you’re here to eat: grilled leg of pork and that’s just one corner of the menu Top marks go to the Schweine brötchen tender chunks of breaded pork in a soft roll but the Schweinshaxe is a rite of passage: succulent pork knuckle roasted on a spit and plated with Germany’s ubiquitous potatoes and sauerkraut including meaty beef goulash and roasted chicken order from the snack menu: simple currywurst or bratwurst in a bun About us Contact us Discover the best neighborhoods in Düsseldorf a thriving German business city that offers a high quality of living and plenty of culture By Gary Buswell The capital of the North Rhine-Westphalia state, Düsseldorf, is one of Germany’s international business and financial centers known for its trade fairs. It’s also one of Germany’s top cities for quality of life so it’s unsurprising that many expats choose to relocate here Discover what Düsseldorf offers and which neighborhoods are best for internationals to move to Spotahome takes the hassle out of househunting by doing the hard work for you and book rental properties all from the comfort of your own home Take the stress out of househunting in Germany with Spotahome Often referred to as the “pearl on the Rhine,” Düsseldorf is a thriving and international city in Germany’s west. As of December 2021, about a quarter of its residents were expats undoubtedly drawn in by the city’s job opportunities and great international schools From its humble beginnings as a village around 800 CE Düsseldorf has blossomed into one of Germany’s key economic hubs home to major national and international companies in finance The city’s six universities attract a diverse range of international students throughout the year There are ten districts in Düsseldorf These include buzzing inner city areas and more peaceful and green suburban parts. Big attractions include Altstadt (Old Town) the pretty Königsallee shopping boulevard and the 240-meter-high Rheinturm telecommunications tower According to Numbeo, the monthly living costs for a single person in 2024, excluding rent Interestingly, Düsseldorf has the largest Japanese community in Germany. The city has around 8,400 Japanese nationals and 400 Japanese companies Whether you’re looking to rent or buy in Düsseldorf there are plenty of avenues for searching for suitable accommodation These include using a professional estate agent (makler) exploring the many property portals available and utilizing local networks connected to the city – for example ensure they are registered and have a trade permit (Gewerbeerlaubnis) from the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Also ask for a list of potential fees upfront so you don’t receive a surprising invoice later Finding housing online is one of the most popular modern methods Good sites for accommodation in Düsseldorf include: For further support, the City of Düsseldorf website has a section (in German) with useful housing information Düsseldorf has various types of accommodation available These include individual townhouses and apartments within larger buildings Rented accommodation is typically unfurnished as standard although there are plenty of companies that supply furnished or serviced apartments.  Homes in Düsseldorf typically consist of a living room (Wohnzimmer) and between one and three bedrooms (Schlafzimmer) while some apartments on higher floors have balconies Renting is common in Düsseldorf as it is across Germany, especially for those moving to the city who usually want to settle in first before thinking about buying a place. Germany has the lowest homeownership rates within the EU, with less than half of inhabitants (49.1%) owning their homes Many rentals are available in Düsseldorf, although competition can be fierce as it is a popular city to move to. Prices are slightly above German national averages. Using 2024 prices Once you find a place to rent in Düsseldorf you typically have to pay a deposit – around three months’ rent – and provide necessary documentation such as photo ID and proof of income Your landlord should give you a tenancy agreement or contract that details the rights and responsibilities of both parties You can buy a place in Düsseldorf if you prefer Expats who move to Germany are not restricted from purchasing property although getting a mortgage can sometimes be more challenging.  As with renting, prices in Düsseldorf are slightly more expensive than average when buying property. Here are the average costs as of May 2024: It’s worth noting that there are a number of property websites, such as Engel & Völkers where you can check current property prices in Düsseldorf and other German cities Real estate guide: buying a house in Germany Düsseldorf consists of ten districts (stadtbezirke) that subdivide into 50 neighborhoods (stadtteile) Districts 2–3 are also fairly central District 4 is the only district on the west side of the Rhine Districts 5–6 are in the north of the city Düsseldorf’s public transport system connects all of these districts and neighborhoods. Hoodmaps provides information on the different city areas.  Sitting on the eastern bank of the Rhine and consisting of six neighborhoods, Central Düsseldorf is District 1 (in German) and the city’s inner borough It’s the most lively part of Düsseldorf – and contains some of the most expensive accommodation – but also has some quieter Like most city centers, it’s very multicultural and popular with younger demographics with a disposable income and a hunger for the night-time culture. Altstadt (Old Town) is known informally as the ‘longest bar in the world’ due to having around 260 bars and restaurants within half a square kilometer including the gothic Basilika St Lambertus Church and the Kom(m)ödchen cabaret theater Meanwhile, Stadtmitte (city center) is where you’ll find Königsallee (often called Kö) and the Japanese quarter which is filled with great Asian restaurants the small but picturesque Carlstadt has a village feel with its cobbled streets and antique shops There is a daily outdoor market where you can buy German and European foods.  You can find slightly cheaper housing on the outskirts. Derendorf is the most affordable central neighborhood with residential complexes built on former industrial land It’s also the base for big global companies such as L’Oreal and TK Maxx.  Pempelfort is the city’s arts and culture hub with numerous museums and Jägerhof Castle The University of Applied Sciences is also here making it a popular place for students.  Finally, Golzheim is known for its fashion exhibitions and trade fairs Its Rheinpark waterside park (in German) has also made it a mecca for water sports enthusiasts.  Only a short commute from the center, Düsseltal is one of three neighborhoods in District 2 It has a fair amount of green space and some lovely residential areas where you can find cool apartments It’s a popular neighborhood for families looking for somewhere a bit quieter but with good connections is one of the most beautiful parks in Düsseldorf such as Rethelstrasse and Ackerstrasse Families with children can take advantage of excellent facilities The neighborhood also boasts high-quality schools ensuring a well-rounded education for your children.  Prices are a tad on the high side because this is one of the city’s most sought-after parts.  The most populous neighborhood in Düsseldorf, Bilk sits in District 3 and can lay claim to being one of the city’s coolest quarters Its residents include many expats and students – Heinrich Heine University is based here In addition to having some top-rated international restaurants Bilk has a vibrant nightlife and a buzzing underground scene It’s the place to come if you’re into independent cinema or leftfield jazz.  Understandably, there is competition over living space in Bilk. It’s a popular neighborhood for young professionals and artsy types. However, housing and living costs are slightly cheaper than in the inner city One of the most famous streets is Die Karolinger which has a charming canal running down the middle Other attractions in the area are the Rheinturm and the Alt St Martin Kirche (the city’s oldest church).  The Oberkassel neighborhood is on the left bank of the Rhine, one of four District 4 zones It’s one of the more affluent – and therefore expensive – parts of Düsseldorf featuring some spectacular art nouveau architecture and luxury family housing.  and its Luegallee shopping area is perfect if you’re after high-end boutique brands Separated from the rest of the city by the Rhine it’s within easy reach of the city center You can even walk there via the Oberkassel Bridge if it’s a high-quality life you’re looking for you could do worse than moving to Oberkassel To the north of Oberkassel on Düsseldorf’s west bank Niederkassel is another charming and picturesque neighborhood where many expats have chosen to settle Niederkassel is the location of the Japanese International School A beautiful Japanese garden is also popular with tourists and is the only Japanese Buddhist temple in Europe.  Niederkassel also has a fair number of English-speaking residents There is a movie theater here that shows English-language films Although you can find some appealing family homes with gardens here In Düsseldorf’s most northern District 5 Kaiserswerth is the oldest neighborhood in the city The Imperial Palace (Kaiserpfalz) Much of the architecture from older periods has been retained There is a pretty small town market on the Lower Rhine that attracts tourists as well as locals.  Kaiserswerth is a draw for expats moving to Düsseldorf It provides a nice mix of pleasant surroundings good transport links to the city These include good schools, banks It was in these parts that Florence Nightingale once studied There are also many good restaurants and beer gardens offering great views of the Rhine.  The smallest and most westerly neighborhood of Düsseldorf’s eastern District 7 Grafenberg sits at the foot of the forest of the same name The surrounding green space and availability of relaxing sports activities such as golf and tennis make this a haven for retirees A big retirement home sits on the former site of the Jan Wellem Spring Grafenberg is also a target for those looking for affordable properties Much modern housing was built here in the late 20th century The area’s central hub is the Staufenplatz the market square that hosts events such as circuses Also known as Medienhafen (Media Harbor) this rivals Bilk for the hippest neighborhood in Düsseldorf and they’re right next door to one another It has become a national media giant (hence the name) where you can find various advertising agencies, TV stations the modernist housing is sparse and expensive. It’s one of the priciest neighborhoods in the city the area attracts a young and trendy crowd.  Down in the leavy southern Düsseldorf suburbs of District 9 Himmelgeist is the place to head to if you fancy a bit of countryside life with easy access to the city center Its name translates to “heaven spirit,” and there’s a tranquil atmosphere around these parts.  Himmelgeist provides affordable riverside village living for expats wanting a quiet life meaning it’s an excellent area to find spacious detached housing with garden space If you have a family with children or pets and want plenty of nearby open space All parts of Düsseldorf are friendly, but some of the outer districts have parts with smaller concentrations of foreign residents. Therefore, there will be more emphasis on learning German and integrating it into the culture.  crime rates are higher in busier areas such as the city center Small crimes such as pickpocketing will always be more common in areas with more tourists avoiding areas like Stadtmitte and Altstadt might be better If you experience or witness any criminal activity in Düsseldorf, you should contact the local police immediately.  Finding the right part of Düsseldorf to move to requires some research It will largely depend on what you’re looking for do you want to be somewhere vibrant and central or would you prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle Do you want to live close to other expats who speak the same language as you or immediately immerse yourself into a German community Do you drive or rely on public transportation to get around These questions will dictate your accommodation search to some extent Once you’ve worked out what you want Gary has been freelancing for Expatica since 2016 An expert writer with experience in social research and community development he focuses on topics such as politics and current affairs Discover which are the best cities in Germany to move to By Christian Lapper Germany boasts one of the highest qualities of life in the world. According to the 2023 Mercer Quality of Life Survey six German cities make it into the global top 30 Germany also shines in infrastructure, scoring high for public transportation, traffic flow, and airport efficiency, and has an affordable cost of living to boot this article will help you find the best cities in Germany to call home: With cozy flats and rooms available across the globe Uniplaces is a great option to start your search Visit Uniplaces online and discover your next student room Laid-back Berlin is ranked 18th on the Mercer Quality of Life Survey Much of the city was destroyed in the Second World War and it underwent extensive rebuilding after the reunification of East and West Germany and rivers covering an amazing third of the city Ranked 10th in the world for quality of life, Düsseldorf is a beautiful cosmopolitan city straddling the Rhine River. It is home to banks, industry, media companies, multi-national HQs, museums, restaurants, markets, and great international schools There are 50 stadtteile (districts) across the city: Germany’s financial capital looks a little like Manhattan Frankfurt is ranked 6th in the world for quality of life and is surrounded by suburbs that house almost 500,000 commuters Newly built homes can be found in Reidberg, the West and East Harbour, Rebstockpark, and Friedberger Warte. Older mansions (and consulates) fill leafy Westend, Holzhausen Quarter, Poets’ Quarter (Dichterviertel), and the Diplomatenvierte. Singles enjoy the restaurants and bars in Sachsenhausen and parts of Nordend the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg – is one of 16 federal states and ranked 25th best for quality of life it is the second-largest city in Germany people have more living space than all the other major cities in the world which is more than Venice and Amsterdam combined Munich may rank high in the Quality of Life Survey at 7th place, but you do pay for it; it is the fourth most expensive city in Germany and the 37th most expensive city in Europe Nürnberg (or Nuremberg in English) is situated near the Pegnitz river and Rhine-Main-Danube canal This beautiful city in the state of Bavaria has a reputation for being urban yet tranquil with a high percentage of foreign residents It is ranked 31st in the world for quality of life The city has many apartments in stunning art nouveau buildings and converted factory loft spaces Among the most desirable areas are Moegeldorf Finally, Stuttgart ranks 26th in the world for quality of life the city features homes on steep hillsides with awesome views Accommodation in the very heart of the city is certainly at a premium there are plenty of other districts to choose from: Christian is well-versed in expanding his comfort zone and Spain – before moving to the Netherlands A freelance writer with a background in digital marketing Christian worked for Expatica as a senior editor from 2019 to 2022 Home of electro pioneers Kraftwerk and groundbreaking artists like Andreas Gursky the city on the Rhine is still a melting pot for art It is completely different from Berlin or Cologne or Munich It’s quite impressive what has been exported all around the world from here since the Seventies; especially considering the size of the place.” That’s how the late Klaus Dinger, an early member of Kraftwerk who went on to form the groups NEU! and La Düsseldorf In between the influences of the art academy (from Joseph Beuys to Andreas Gursky) and the party district of the Altstadt there remains a thriving cultural scene in this Rhineland city it’s the village-like feel that makes living in – and visiting – my hometown so attractive Talstrasse 22-24, schickemuetze.de Düsseldorf has Germany’s largest Japanese community – the third largest in Europe Because of the city’s proximity to the Ruhr valley and the world’s biggest inland port at Duisburg In the 1950s more than 500 Japanese companies set up bases in the city to buy iron ore and machinery The Japanese quarter is around Immermannstrasse with lots of cafes and restaurants a simple place that’s been open since the 1970s and serves a lunch special of sushi Klosterstrasse 38, kikaku.de Me and All HotelFlightsRyanair flies from Edinburgh Luton and Stansted from £23 return; Flybe flies from Birmingham Manchester and Southampton from around £75 return; BA flies from Heathrow from around £85 return StayMe And All hotel in the Japanese quarter has doubles from €109pn Rudi Esch is the author of Electri_city, the Düsseldorf School of Electronic Music (Omnibus Press, £18.99), organiser of the Electri_city Conference and was the bassist in the electronic rock band Die Krupps