The charming old town known as the longest bar in the world with over 260 pubs and restaurants.

About Dusseldorf City Centre (Altstadt)

Düsseldorf\'s Altstadt is a half-square-kilometer zone packed with over 260 bars, restaurants, pubs, and breweries—earning its famous nickname. The area is centered on Bolker Straße and Kurze Straße, where traditional Altbier breweries (Uerige, Füchschen, Schumacher, Schlüssel) serve the city\'s signature dark, crisp ale in small 0.2L glasses from wooden barrels, brought by blue-aproned Köbes (waiters) who keep count with pencil marks on your coaster.

Beyond beer culture, the Altstadt borders the elegant Königsallee (\'Kö\'), Germany\'s most upscale shopping boulevard with designer boutiques lining a tree-lined canal. The Rhine River promenade offers views of the Medienhafen (Media Harbour), where Frank Gehry\'s dancing buildings (Neuer Zollhof) have become Düsseldorf\'s architectural icon. The Altstadt also houses the Kunstsammlung NRW (K20/K21), one of Germany\'s finest modern art museums, and the Marktplatz with the equestrian statue of Jan Wellem. Düsseldorf is also home to one of Europe\'s largest Japanese communities, with an authentic Little Tokyo (Immermannstraße) just east of the center.

Nearby Landmarks

Königsallee (Kö) Gehry Buildings (Medienhafen) Marktplatz Rheinturm Tower Kunstsammlung NRW

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost €25-35
Time 15-25 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost €18-28
Time 15-25 minutes

Arrivals level, taxi rank

Train (S-Bahn S1/S11)

Cost €3
Time 12 minutes
Frequency Every 20 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Take the SkyTrain from the terminal to DUS Bahnhof station. Then take S1 or S11 to Dusseldorf Hauptbahnhof (12 min). The Altstadt is a 10-minute walk from there.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi €25-35 15-25 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare €18-28 15-25 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train €3 12 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

S-Bahn trains run until about midnight, with reduced frequency after 11:00 PM. Night buses (NE lines) take over after midnight and serve the Altstadt area. Taxis are available at the airport 24/7 (EUR 25–35 to Altstadt). The Altstadt's bars stay open until 3:00 AM or later on weekends—this is truly a city that never sleeps on Friday and Saturday nights.

Luggage Tips

The S-Bahn has luggage areas near the doors. Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof (main station) has luggage lockers (EUR 3–6). The Altstadt is compact and flat, easy for wheeled luggage. Most Altstadt hotels are on or near pedestrian streets. If arriving by taxi, vehicles can access the Altstadt perimeter roads for drop-off.

Accessibility

Düsseldorf S-Bahn and U-Bahn are accessible with elevators at most stations. The Altstadt is flat and pedestrianized, making it relatively wheelchair-friendly. The Rhine promenade is smooth and wide. Major attractions (K20, Kunstpalast) are fully accessible. Some older pubs in the Altstadt have steps at entrances.