Dusseldorf vs. Cologne
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Indianapolis; UA 1P; Hilton and SPG Gold
Posts: 439
Dusseldorf vs. Cologne
I will be spending one night in Dusseldorf/Cologne. My flights are using DUS airport. For such a quick trip, which of the two cities would you recommend staying in for some nice sightseeing and good eats? This will be mid-week travel.
On a related note, are there any particular hotels you recommend?
(I did a search, but these questions don't seem to get any threads).
On a related note, are there any particular hotels you recommend?
(I did a search, but these questions don't seem to get any threads).
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: lawn guylandt
Programs: AA million miler
Posts: 478
you can take the train (www.db.de) directly from dus airport to cologne main station (hauptbanhof) in 40 minutes
dus is a commercial city, the most interesting things are the konigsalee (main shopping street-but you can see similar things in other large cities) and the altstadt- old city, with restaurants and boutique-y shops. fine museums, too
the hotel scene is poor- the steigenberger is old and ratty
the crowne plaza is, i think, the best in downtown and walkable everywhere
there is a maritim at the airport which is convenient if you have an early flite
cologne is an old roman city- ruins, history, and a giant cathedral- more interesting, i think, than dus
but beware the hotel ernst- in the shadows of the cathedral- the bonging of the gongs will keep you up all nite
each city has its local brands and types of beer- like kolsch or weissbier - just ask what the locals drink
and beware of schweinhaxe!- it's a platter of a huge pigs foot with sauerkraut and stuff- it sits in your stomach for days- not good for traveling
whatever you do, make sure you are not in either city when there is a "messe" or trade fair- the cities will be jammed
dus is a commercial city, the most interesting things are the konigsalee (main shopping street-but you can see similar things in other large cities) and the altstadt- old city, with restaurants and boutique-y shops. fine museums, too
the hotel scene is poor- the steigenberger is old and ratty
the crowne plaza is, i think, the best in downtown and walkable everywhere
there is a maritim at the airport which is convenient if you have an early flite
cologne is an old roman city- ruins, history, and a giant cathedral- more interesting, i think, than dus
but beware the hotel ernst- in the shadows of the cathedral- the bonging of the gongs will keep you up all nite
each city has its local brands and types of beer- like kolsch or weissbier - just ask what the locals drink
and beware of schweinhaxe!- it's a platter of a huge pigs foot with sauerkraut and stuff- it sits in your stomach for days- not good for traveling
whatever you do, make sure you are not in either city when there is a "messe" or trade fair- the cities will be jammed
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Stockholm, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AY Gold, Hyatt diamond.
Posts: 157
Köln is the place. Definitely.
Don't try to order Kölsch in Düsseldorf or Alt in Köln, though. (Kölsch is the special beer in Köln and it tastes like Bud. Alt is a dark lager.)
Don't be afraid to try the Schweinehaxe for god's sake. It's one of my favorite dishes.
The best hotel in Köln is Im Wasserturm.
Best
Don't try to order Kölsch in Düsseldorf or Alt in Köln, though. (Kölsch is the special beer in Köln and it tastes like Bud. Alt is a dark lager.)
Don't be afraid to try the Schweinehaxe for god's sake. It's one of my favorite dishes.
The best hotel in Köln is Im Wasserturm.
Best
#7
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Brisbane
Programs: Amex, S/wood Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hertz 5*, QFC; LHW, Accor Platinum
Posts: 15
Originally Posted by SEA-Flyer
Dusseldorf for the beer
Cologne for everything else
Cologne for everything else
All the best in Germany.
Bodo ^
#8
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Posts: 107
Koeln gets my vote. It is a nice city with lots to see and do. The cathedral is excellent and so are museums.
For food, just do a little exploring. If it is Saturday they might have an outdoor market where you could get a bratwurst and beer.
Enjoy your time there. It is a fun city to visit.
Gajules
For food, just do a little exploring. If it is Saturday they might have an outdoor market where you could get a bratwurst and beer.
Enjoy your time there. It is a fun city to visit.
Gajules
#10
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: DCA
Posts: 1,413
For your purposes, I suppose either will do - however, Cologne does have the cathedral, so that alone would determine it for me (if you've never been). They are both party towns, with TONS of bars/pubs, and you can get any type of food anywhere. Keep in mind though that Cologne was completely destroyed in WWII, so that what remains of the old city is nice, but the rest is u g l y.
#11
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 137
the beer is much better in Dusseldorf, and I think that walking in the old town and by the river is nicer. The cathedral in koln is pretty spectacular. dusseldorf has much better night life, and a better resterount area - more better places in a smaller area.
koln has a world class archeological museum and a very good art museum. dusseldorf has 3 or 4 very good art museums - if you like german art of the early 20th century, dusseldorf is the place. if you like antiquities, koln.
Dusseldorf also has a classy, cosmopolitan feeling.
koln has a world class archeological museum and a very good art museum. dusseldorf has 3 or 4 very good art museums - if you like german art of the early 20th century, dusseldorf is the place. if you like antiquities, koln.
Dusseldorf also has a classy, cosmopolitan feeling.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: IAH
Posts: 2,674
Originally Posted by chtiet
...Cologne does have the cathedral, so that alone would determine it for me (if you've never been)...Cologne was completely destroyed in WWII...
M8
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Indianapolis; UA 1P; Hilton and SPG Gold
Posts: 439
Thanks, everyone, for such helpful responses. The first few all voted for Cologne, so I thought, "Well, that's an easy decision, then!" But then I saw the responses in favor of Dusseldorf. Darn you all for being so knowledgeable!
If I decide to go to Cologne, would you recommend the Four Points Sheraton? I found a rate of 97 Euros per night, including taxes and breakfast.
If I decide to go to Cologne, would you recommend the Four Points Sheraton? I found a rate of 97 Euros per night, including taxes and breakfast.