Cologne and Dusseldorf are two incredible cities only 35km apart. Though so close, both cities have their own unique qualities. During WW2, Cologne and Dusseldorf were both heavily bombed and have been rebuilt in different ways. Cologne is known for its world-famous cathedral and for its traces of its 2000-year history. Dusseldorf is known for its shopping and modern architecture. If are trying to decide whether you should visit Cologne or Dusseldorf, here is the ultimate guide for you.
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Cologne or Dusseldorf Overview
Cologne
Cologne is the 4th largest city in Germany with nearly 1.1 million people living here. The city has a very long history being it was founded in 38 BC. Under Roman rule, the city had nearly 40,000 inhabitants in 100-200 AD. It has been a major trading hub connecting Eastern and Western Europe for centuries. Cologne was devastated by bombing in WW2, with most of the city getting destroyed.
The city is known for having one of the most recognized cathedrals in Europe, being the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Cologne has been a center for banking since the Middle Ages and continues to be a major presence in the banking world. It is also known for being a leader in media and manufacturing. There are many universities in Cologne and the University of Cologne is one of the oldest in Europe, opening in 1388.
Dusseldorf
Dusseldorf is the 7th largest city in Germany with 620,000 residents. The city is known for being voted as one of the most livable cities in the world. It was another city that was bombed and greatly damaged by bombing in WW2. Dusseldorf is a major university city with 22 institutions of higher education. The city is also known for being a major business and financial center of Germany. For this reason, Dusseldorf is also considered to be one of the wealthiest cities in Germany.
Dusseldorf has also emerged as a hub for creativity, the arts, and music production. There are over 100 galleries and 26 museums in the city which is a testament to their love for creativity. There is an abundance of modern architecture throughout the city.
Things to See
Cologne
Cologne Cathedral is Germany’s most visited landmark with over 20,000 people visiting each day. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe.
Brühl Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its beautiful gardens.
Great St. Martin Church was founded in 960 but was heavily damaged during WW2. It has been fully rebuilt since.
Cologne Altstadt is home to beautiful homes and the Alter Markt which is one of the premier markets in Cologne.
KölnTriangle offers an observation deck where you can get panoramic views of the city. It also has a nice riverfront area to enjoy.
Dusseldorf
Dusseldorf Altstadt is known for having the “world’s longest bar” because the Old Town has over 300 bars and nightclubs.
Königsallee, or King’s Avenue, is a long street lined with luxury and high-end shops and boutiques. It is often referred to as “Germany’s most elegant avenue.”
Rheinturm is the tallest structure in Dusseldorf. You can go to the observation deck to get incredible views of the city.
The Rhine Promenade is an excellent way to see the city from the riverfront.
Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen holds a large collection of the German State. There are three venues for all of the collection.
Food
Cologne
Himmel und Erde is a traditional dish in Cologne. It is a dish of apples, potatoes, onions, and blood sausages. If you are looking for a hearty breakfast, Speckpfannkuchen, or bacon pancakes, is a popular breakfast dish here. People in Cologne love their beer, especially Kölsch beer. Kolsch originated in Cologne and can only be made within 50km of the city, in order protect the brewing process and ensure quality. There are also many beer gardens within the city that would be an excellent stop to break up the day.
Dusseldorf
Rheinischer Sauerbraten is a roasted meat dish, that is sometimes referred to as the national dish of Germany. It is a dish consisting of heavily marinated roasted beef served with potato dumplings or Spatzle pasta. You might want to get a plate of blutwurst while you’re here as well. Like Cologne and many other German cities, Dusseldorf has its own specialty beer called Altbier. Altbier is brewed using top-fermenting yeast and has a darker copper color to it. Most of Germany doesn’t tend to drink much Altbier which makes it even more special when you’re in Dusseldorf.
Getting Around
Cologne
Public transportation in Cologne mainly consists of a network of buses and trams. Buying tickets online will give you a 10% discount. You can also invest in the KolnCard which will give you access to public transportation and gives you up to 50% off at many of the city’s attractions. The cost for a 24-hour Cologne Card is just 9 Euros with is a fantastic bang for your buck. Biking around the city is another great way to get around Cologne. There are many bike lanes around the city and the riverfront is a great stretch to explore on a bike.
Most of the main attractions in Dusseldorf can be explored on foot. If you decide to leave the city center to explore the outskirts of the city, Dusseldorf public transportation can get you wherever you need to go. Public transportation here consists of trains and buses. If you buy the Dusseldorf Card, you will have unlimited access to public transport as well as discounts of up to 100% on museums, attractions, tours, and souvenirs. You can even take a boat trip down the Rhine River to see the city from the water.
Nightlife
Cologne
The city is full of bars that you can explore and go bar hopping to. There are also a lot of nightclubs that you can choose from. Cologne claims to have the most clubs per capita in Germany. Ehrenfeld is one the best part of the city for finding nightclubs. Reineke Fuchs, Heinz Gaul, Gewölbe, and Artheater are some of the best clubs to experience in the city. You should also check out Odonien just because it is such a unique venue and you have probably never seen anything like it before. The area around the cathedral is also a solid choice for a more laid-back night of bars and restaurants. Overall, Cologne has an excellent nightlife scene so you’ll have no shortage of options when you’re here.
Dusseldorf
Bolkerstraße, in the Old Town, has an incredible amount of bars and pubs to explore. It is home to “the longest bar in the world” with over 300 bars and pubs in the area (they are everywhere!). Dusseldorf is more known for having a great bar scene rather than a clubbing scene, like Cologne. That being said, there are still a few good clubs you can check out. Overall, there are bars and pubs for pretty much anyone here, no matter what sort of vibe you are looking to experience.
Day Trips
Cologne
Drachenburg Castle is a grand palace that was built by a wealthy banker in the late 1800s. It is located just south of Bonn.
Bonn is located just to the south of Cologne and would make an excellent day trip.
Koblenz is a city founded in 8 BC that features beautiful architecture and a gorgeous setting.
Dusseldorf
Essen is a city just to the north of Dusseldorf that is definitely worth exploring.
Cologne is just to the south and is a great city to see with its incredible cathedral.
Wuppertal is known for its parks and hills in the city. It is also known for its suspended railway.
Brussels, Antwerp, and Frankfurt are other major cities that are close to Dusseldorf or Cologne. These cities are a little too far for a day trip but if you have a couple of extra days they would be excellent to explore.
Overall
Cologne and Dusseldorf are two incredible cities just 35km apart from each other. Being so close to each other, each city believes they have the most to offer. Cologne is known for its world-renown cathedral and Dusseldorf is known for having a modern design blending into the city’s architecture. Overall, being that they are only 45km from each other, you should try to visit both cities to compare for yourself. If you are planning to visit Cologne or Dusseldorf, you have a tough decision ahead of you.