Düsseldorf

in

Düsseldorf stands on the Rhine, with a compact old quarter, major shopping streets and modern harbour buildings close together. Postwar reconstruction sits beside surviving churches and narrow lanes, while fashion, advertising and a large Japanese community shape the contemporary city. Art museums and bold new architecture give the riverfront a cultural importance beyond its business role.

The old quarter is famous for dense nightlife and a dark local beer served in small glasses. River walks and contemporary architecture provide a calmer contrast. The city feels polished and affluent, but Japanese businesses, art institutions and neighbourhood markets give it more variety than luxury shopping alone.