Where to Stay in Düsseldorf ✔️ 6 BEST Areas & Top Hotels

Known as the fashion capital of Germany, Düsseldorf is the city that everyone will want to visit at some point, particularly during the festival time! So, if you’re preparing for your trip and wondering where to stay in Düsseldorf, come along, and let’s discover the top places in town!

Düsseldorf has been on my ‘to-visit’ list for a while now, so I’ve done a lot of research and compared all the Düsseldorf neighborhoods to come up with the ultimate list of 6 top spots for staying in the city. 

Altstadt (Old Town) is the best area to stay in Düsseldorf as it hosts the city’s main attractions and some great hotels. But of course, it isn’t the only option! In this blog post, you’ll find 5 more areas that are super cool, as well as handpicked hotel recommendations for each of the recommended areas and all budgets. 

Speaking of hotels, I highly recommend booking your Düsseldorf accommodation in advance. This city gets many tourists, and you can easily lose your favorite room if you don’t secure it early!

Let’s discover Dusseldorf and the top places to stay!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you need to book quickly, these are the best hotels in Düsseldorf, situated in Altstadt/Old Town:

Check out the map of the 6 best areas to stay in Düsseldorf that I’ll be talking about in this post:

1. Altstadt – where to stay in Düsseldorf for the first time

Just arrived in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia? If this is your first time in town, then there’s no better place to stay than Altstadt, the Old Town area! The vibrant city center is filled with fun cultural attractions and great restaurants and has stunning architecture that combines the old with the new in a way that will leave you speechless!

Altstadt (Old Town) is surely one of the best things to do in Dusseldorf for eager tourists who want to see some of the city’s most iconic attractions! If you’re wondering where to start exploring, Marktplatz (map) is a good place to do it! Here, you’ll see the historic Town Hall (map) and get easy access to many restaurants and cafes. 

If you’re an art lover, then you’ll definitely want to check out the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen and the Kunsthalle Düsseldorf – both very cool art museums! Another super cool museum is the Filmmuseum Düsseldorf, an interactive film museum that has a large collection of film-related exhibits and an on-site movie theater. 

Some other landmarks to visit in Altstadt include the Basilika St. Lambertus (map) and the church of St. Andreas (map). You should also take some time for a walk along the Rheinpromenade (map), a long walkway along the Rhine River that’s perfect for relaxing and enjoying the views. 

FUN FACT: Düsseldorf’s Altstadt is referred to as the ‘longest bar in the world’ due to the large number of bars, pubs, and restaurants (approx. 260) concentrated in the area. 

For party enthusiasts, Altstad is the ultimate place to be – you can check out traditional German breweries like Uerige (map) and try German cuisine in restaurants like the Altstadt Restaurant (map). 

Keep in mind that Altstad is the hub of Düsseldorf nightlife, so it gets really busy (and noisy) in the evening, especially on the weekends. If you don’t like noise and just want a relaxing vacation, consider staying in Stadtmitte – it’s super close to the Old Town and is much quieter and laid-back. 

Now, let’s check out the top hotels in Düsseldorf Old Town:

Other accommodation options in Altstadt

Things to do in Altstadt (Old Town)

• Roam around Marktplatz and visit the Town Hall
• Admire the art at Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen and Kunsthalle Düsseldorf
• Have fun with the interactive exhibitions at Filmmuseum Düsseldorf
• Visit the Basilika St. Lambertus and the church of St. Andreas
• Go on a relaxing walk along the Rheinpromenade
• Embark on a brewery tour and taste some Alt beer
• Sample traditional German brews at Uerige
• Treat yourself to a traditional German meal at the Altstadt Restaurant 

2. Friedrichstadt – the coolest place to stay in Düsseldorf

If the Old Town doesn’t sound like the place for you, don’t worry; you may find your dream hotel in Friedrichstadt. This is a super hip neighborhood that has excellent attractions, street art, and a great restaurant and bar scene. Best of all – the area is just a 10-min drive Southeast of Altstadt. 

As one of the most modern and multicultural areas in the city, Friedrichstadt is dotted with contemporary architecture and numerous international restaurants that will certainly have you coming back for more. 

When it comes to cultural and historical attractions, Friedrichstadt doesn’t have a lot to offer; luckily, the Old Town is super close; you can walk there in 30 mins, or you can also use public transport – it’s quick and efficient. The Düsseldorf Central Station (map) is also located here, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for day trips. 

NOTE: If you don’t like using public transport, you can also rent a bike and cycle around the city. Düsseldorf is a very flat city, so you can easily explore almost the entire city by cycling. 

If you’re looking for things to do in the neighborhood, I recommend checking out some pubs – the Pitcher (map) and Bilker Häzz Bar (map) are both great spots. 

I would also recommend checking out the nearby neighborhood of Flingern – it’s just a 25-min bus ride from Friedrichstadt. Flingern hosts some cool restaurants and shops, so it’s a good idea to explore it for an afternoon.

Other accommodation options in Friedrichstadt

Things to do in Friedrichstadt

• Explore the streets and admire the architecture
• Grab a drink at Bilker Häzz Bar or at the Pitcher
• Enjoy a delicious dinner at Rosie’s (map)
• Catch a play at the Savoy Theatre 
• Spend an afternoon exploring the Flingern neighborhood

Subscribe here to get up to 35% off your accommodation for your next trip!

3. Stadtmitte – the best area in Düsseldorf for shopping

As you might’ve heard (or not), Düsseldorf is Germany’s fashion capital! This means that you’ll find many fantastic department stores where you can get some nice clothes to remind you of your trip, and Stadtmitte is the perfect place to do that! This upbeat neighborhood is located directly East of Altstad, so that’s another big plus! 

Königsallee Street (map) is the place to be if you’re into high-end shops, as this place has it all, from Tiffany to Chanel! You should also check out the KÖ Shopping Mall (map), a large shopping mall hosting over 50 high-end shops! A short walk from this street, you’ll also find more affordable stores like Zara and H&M.

Once your feet get tired of all the walking around, you can stop at one of the cafés or restaurants on Königsallee Street, or you can head to Graf Adolf Platz (map), sit on one of the park benches, and admire the modern cityscape. 

If you need a place to unwind and relax, plan to spend a day in Hofgarten (map). This lovely park features a pond and many walking paths surrounded by gorgeous flower beds – it’s the ultimate place to escape the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood. 

At the edge of the park, you’ll come across Kö-Bogen (map), a futuristic building that’s home to a variety of restaurants and shops, as well as the opera building, German Oper am Rhein. If you have a free evening, I highly recommend attending a performance at the opera!

Finally, you can’t leave the neighborhood without exploring Little Tokyo Düsseldorf (map). This is the city’s Japanese quarter, and it abounds with incredible shops and restaurants. I suggest getting some sushi from Okinii Düsseldorf City (map), but if that’s not your thing, the burgers at What’s Beef (map) are top-notch!

Other accommodation options in Stadtmitte

Things to do in Stadtmitte

• Shop until your drop on Königsallee Street
• Check out the shops at the KÖ Shopping Mall
• Admire the city views from Graf Adolf Platz
• Spend a chill afternoon in Hofgarten Park
• Stop by Kö-Bogen and check out the shops and restaurants
• Attend a performance at the German Oper am Rhein
• Walk around Little Tokyo Düsseldorf and visit some cool shops
• Have dinner at Okinii Düsseldorf City or What’s Beef

4. Hafen & Unterbilk – where to stay for urban vibes

If you want to stay in an urban environment, admire contemporary architecture, and enjoy some positive vibes, then the adjacent neighborhoods of Hafen and Unterbilk are the ultimate places to stay in Düsseldorf, Germany. Located about a 15-min drive Southwest of Altstad, these areas are ideal for an urban escape to Düsseldorf. 

The Hafen neighborhood is situated on the banks of the Rhine River and hosts the city docks, as well as a great public beach. The Paradiesstrand Düsseldorf Hafen (map) is a really popular spot in summer – it’s great for swimming, beach sports, and admiring the city views. 

If you’re looking for some other cool things to do around here, I recommend checking out the golf course at GSV Golf-Sport-Verein Düsseldorf (map) or enjoying a nice dinner with a view at the Lido Hafen (map).

Unterbilk is a large and modern neighborhood that hosts one of the top Düsseldorf attractions – the Rhine Tower (map). The tower features an observation deck that provides the most stunning views of the Rhine Valley, and there’s also an amazing revolving restaurant – you can find more info here. 

The Medienhafen district (map) is a very hip part of the Unterbilk neighborhood, with modern buildings designed by famous architect Frank Gehry, as well as many waterfront restaurants and bars. You should definitely spend at least an evening here, walking around and checking out the dining scene. 

The Düsseldorf Arcaden (map) is a busy shopping mall where you can spend the day exploring the shops and casual eateries. And, if you need a break from the urban setting, spend some time in Florapark (map) – it’s a very scenic park with a cute little duck pond! 

Now, let’s take a look at the best Dusseldorf hotels in Hafen and Unterbilk!

Other accommodation options in Hafen & Unterbilk

Things to do in Hafen & Unterbilk

• Catch a sunset in Paradiesstrand Düsseldorf Hafen
• Play some golf at the GSV Golf-Sport-Verein Düsseldorf 
• Enjoy a dinner with a view at Lido Hafen
• Go up the observation deck at the Rhine Tower
• Check out the waterfront restaurants at the Medienhafen district
• Get some breakfast at Seven Sundays (map)
• Do some shopping at the Düsseldorf Arcaden
• Have a relaxing afternoon at Florapark

5. Oberbilk – where to stay in Düsseldorf on a budget

Located just a 15-min drive East of the Old Town, Oberbilk is a big area perfect for tourists traveling on a budget! Seeing as it’s a bit further away from the city center than the other neighborhoods mentioned in the post, this tranquil area has some cheap hotels at super affordable prices!

Oberbilk will allow you to see the more authentic side of Düsseldorf, away from all the skyscrapers and museums, but you can always use public transport to visit the more central part of the town. Oberbilk has some great connections that will help you get there quickly, but you can also rent a car and have more freedom to explore the city. 

TIP: If you’re looking for some destinations for a day trip, I suggest driving out to the Unterbacher See (map). This is a very nice lake and extremely popular for swimming in summer; best of all – it’s just a 20-min drive away from Oberbilk.

Since this is a more residential neighborhood, there aren’t too many cultural attractions, but there are a couple of nice parks. The IHZ-Park (map) is a large green space with a pond and many tree-lined paths for a relaxing walk.

At the very edge of the neighborhood, you’ll find Südpark (map), a huge historic park that’s perfect for a picnic. And if you’re traveling with family, be sure to check out the Petting zoo at South Park (map) – it’s super fun for the kids!

Other accommodation options in Oberbilk

Things to do in Oberbilk

• Go on a relaxing walk at IHZ-Park
• Attend a concert or a show at the Mitsubishi Electric Halle
• Plan a day trip to the Unterbacher See
• Pack a picnic and spend the day at Südpark
• Take the kids to the Petting zoo at South Park

6. Golzheim – best place to stay in Düsseldorf to relax

My final recommendation for a Düsseldorf stay goes out to the Golzheim neighborhood, situated directly North of the Old Town. Even though it’s super close to the city center, the neighborhood is very calm and laid-back, so if you were wondering where to go in Dusseldorf to relax, this is the ideal spot for you. 

The top thing to visit here is Rheinpark Golzheim (map); this large riverside park is the perfect place for walking, jogging, or just relaxing on the grass. 

TIP: The Golzheim Festival takes place right here in this neighborhood, so if you happen to be visiting at the end of August/beginning of September, be sure to check out some of the performances. 

At the Northern edge of the neighborhood, you’ll find one of the city’s most popular parks – Nord Park (map). Within the park, you can explore the Japanese Garden (map) and visit the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum – this is a super cool combination of a zoo, an aquarium, and a natural history museum. 

There are also many nice restaurants and cafes in Golzheim, so I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding ways to spend your time here.

Other accommodation options in Golzheim

Things to do in Golzheim

• Spend your days relaxing at Rheinpark Golzheim
• Attend a performance at the Golzheim Festival
• Visit Nord Park and explore the Japanese Gardens
• Admire the cool exhibitions at the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum
• Have some dinner at The ASH Düsseldorf (map)

BONUS: Best hotels near the airport

Since many of you will probably want to stay as close to the airport as possible, I decided to make a whole section with some of the best hotels near the Düsseldorf Airport. Maybe you’ve got a really early flight, or it’s more convenient for you to stay there; either way, you should have the best options!

All the hotels featured below are either in the luxury or mid-range category and are listed from most to least expensive:

• Sheraton Düsseldorf Airport Hotel ($$$) – this modern hotel is located an 8-min drive away from the airport, and it has everything you need for your trip, including a restaurant, a public working area with free Wi-Fi, and a restaurant
• Novotel Duesseldorf Airport ($$) – within walking distance of the airport, this modern hotel offers a very good breakfast, as well as access to 24-hour desk, room service, and private parking
• Holiday Inn Express – Düsseldorf Airport ($$) – simple, yet super clean and modern, the hotel is a 15-min drive away from the airport, and it offers shuttle services at an extra charge, a lounge area, and a restaurant

BONUS 2: Top hotels near the train station

If you want to take a day trip or maybe if you’re visiting a bunch of towns in Germany and you want to stay as close as possible to the Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof train station, then this section is for you!

I’ve found 3 excellent hotels in each price category, and I also ordered them from most to least expensive. So, let’s check them out!

• Hampton by Hilton Düsseldorf ($$$) – set just a 5-min walk away from the main train station, this accommodation has some spacious and comfortable rooms, a fitness center, and a bar
• Premier Inn Düsseldorf ($$) – a 20-min walk from the central train station, this hotel has comfortable rooms, a 24-hour front desk, on-site parking, free Wi-Fi, and a delicious daily breakfast
• Palm Premium Hotel & Apartments ($) – this affordable 3-star hotel is located a 10-min walk away from the Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof train station, and it offers family rooms, a yummy breakfast in the morning, and free Wi-Fi

FAQs about where to stay in Düsseldorf

🌆 What is the best area to stay in Düsseldorf?

Altstadt (Old Town) is the best place to stay in Düsseldorf, Germany! This historic neighborhood is filled with attractions like the Old Town Hall and the art museum Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, plus great hotels like The Wellem and the Apartment-Hotel am Rathaus. 

🤔 Should I stay in Düsseldorf or Cologne?

It depends on your preferences. Düsseldorf is more affordable and has more parks, while Cologne has a lot of cathedrals and unique old attractions. 

📅 How many days are enough for Düsseldorf?

I would recommend spending 3 to 4 days in Düsseldorf. That way, you can explore the entire city center, visit all the attractions, and check out some of the top restaurants. 

🏨 What are the best hotels in Dusseldorf city center?

The Wellem and the Apartment-Hotel am Rathaus are some of the best hotels to stay in Düsseldorf. Both have excellent facilities and are within walking distance of the attractions in the city center. 

❌ Where to avoid in Dusseldorf?

Some of the areas to avoid in Düsseldorf include Flingern-Nord and the area around Worringer Platz. However, Dusseldorf is a very safe city, so you just need to be careful when walking alone and/or at night. 

Final words on the best places to stay in Düsseldorf

What a city! I hope that my guide on where to stay in Düsseldorf was helpful and that you’ve already made a decision for your next trip.

But if you’re still undecided, here are my 2 favorite Düsseldorf hotels, both situated in Altstadt: 

• The Wellem – this great hotel in the city center has such an elegant design, spacious, bright rooms, and a restaurant that serves delicious Italian food
• Apartment-Hotel am Rathaus – a charming boutique hotel offering rooms with elegant yet modern design, on-site parking, and free Wi-Fi

As soon as you decide where you’ll be staying, hurry up and book your Dusseldorf hotel; the city is becoming increasingly popular, and the best places are quick to sell out. 

If you have any questions about Dusseldorf or where to stay, leave me a comment below – I’ll be happy to get back to you! 

Safe travels, 

Victoria

---

Pin it for later!

Pin it for later!