Go where the Altbeer flows
Düsseldorf’s Altstadt
(Old Town)
Are you ready for an unforgettable night out at the “longest bar in the world”? Düsseldorf's Altstadt (Old Town) consists of around 260 pubs, restaurants and bars, which are located within half a square kilometre. You will find something for every taste there.
The Düsseldorf breweries keep up the tradition of brewing and make the brewery culture come alive. Brewing in Düsseldorf actually goes back to Roman times. “Alt” refers to the brewing style of the Altbier, and it means that it is a top-fermented beer.
There are numerous student pubs, artists' meeting places and music clubs among the breweries. There are also bars and pubs, where the clientele is particularly international. Pizza restaurants, grills, and Dutch chip shops are at hand for a quick snack. There was even an art exhibition in the NRW Forum dedicated to pizza culture. After all, pizza is now part of UNESCO World Heritage. Almost nowhere will you find as much doughy World Heritage as in the Altstadt (Old Town) of Düsseldorf. If you have a little more time, you will find original cafés, bistros and restaurants. Or you could go to Carlsplatz during the day, where you will find the incomparable food market. The synergy of art and music has created a lot of influential pop music in the clubs of the Altstadt (Old Town). “The Sound of Düsseldorf” stands for Krautrock, electro-pop and punk rock. Bands like Kraftwerk or Die Toten Hosen played their first concerts in the Altstadt (Old Town). If you want to get to know the history of the “old town” better, you can immerse yourself in the historic streets with a night watchman tour. On the way, you will encounter important Düsseldorf figureheads such as Mutter Ey or Schneider Wibbel.
What makes the Altstadt so unique?
Discover Düsseldorf’s Altstadt
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Beer Culture in Düsseldorf
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Altstadt in Düsseldorf
You won’t find the “longest bar in the world” in a bar. In fact, this term describes an entire microcosm that takes in over 260 hostelries, bars and restaurants in Düsseldorf’s Altstadt (Old Town). It has already been a melting pot of all social classes for 350 years. It’s the quarter in Düsseldorf where anybody can find what they’re looking for – be it a fashion boutique, an art museum or a brewery inn.
Altbier can be described as a traditional (top-fermented) craft beer. It has always been hand-made – long before the art of brewing was supposedly rediscovered. And it’s also “altbier” brown and tastes delicious!
Don’t be taken aback if the waiter at a brewery inn is a little brusque. It’s part of his job spec but there’s no malice intended. The breweries best embody the typical Rhineland way of life. The distinctive charm of the brewery inns with their long wooden tables, big servings and great conversations brings people together. Anyone can take a seat here and the “Köbes” (waiter) will bring over a fresh draught beer. Tip: The waiter will keep bringing you fresh beer until you cover your 0.2-litre glass with your beer mat. In summer people also stand outside, in front of the brewery inns and bars. Getting back to your accommodation? No problem! You’ll find an underground station and taxis on Heinrich-Heine-Allee.
Quite a lot. Even though Düsseldorf is a relatively young city, our former fishing village still has plenty of history. Stand somewhere near the Gothic Kreuzherrenkirche – the church attached to Düsseldorf’s first monastery – and you’ll feel that you really are back in the “village on the Düssel”. On nearby Stiftsplatz you will see the Church of St. Lambertus, surrounded by pretty little brick houses. The twisted church tower is one of the most striking landmarks on the Düsseldorf skyline. It is also a signpost – to the quietest part of the otherwise bustling Altstadt.
