Experience
The Ultimate Düsseldorf Neighborhoods Guide
Moving to Düsseldorf and unsure which neighborhood might be right for you? Understandable! Searching for an apartment comes with its challenges. You may be unfamiliar with the area, you’re not sure where to look for apartments online, and so on. We’ve got a handy guide to get your apartment search started!
Düsseldorf is made up of 10 districts, each with its own unique vibe, so it’s important to start by asking yourself what’s most important for you – do you prefer to live close to the city center nearby shops, cafes and the office, or do you want to escape the bustling city life for a more peaceful environment? Whilst there are ten total districts, the four districts covered in this article are closer to the city center and typically the most sought after. Read on for an overview of the best neighborhoods in Düsseldorf that is sure to help you find your new home in no time!
District 1
Golzheim: 20-30 minute commute to the office
Golzheim is an exclusive, upscale residential area. With just a short walk down the street, you’ll find inspiration in the historical, stately villas and name-brand fashion houses showcasing the latest fashion trends. Long-time trivago employees will always remember Golzheim as home to the former trivago offices and the many weekends spent barbecuing at the Rheinpark with friends. It also doesn’t hurt that the Düsseldorf International Airport and Düsseldorf Messe is just a short drive away.
Derendorf/Pempelfort: 20-30 minute commute to the office
Derendorf and Pempelfort are very “happening” neighborhoods with an urban atmosphere. You’ll find super Instagrammable restaurants, bakeries, florists, bookshops, and boutiques near Nordstraße. Yet these neighborhoods also have large residential areas with lofty, 19th-century styled apartment buildings. Many employees of nearby Düsseldorf-based companies such as Ergo-Zentrale live in this part of the city. Bonus: some of the best restaurants for international food in Düsseldorf are in Pempelfort.
Altstadt: 15-20 minute commute to the office
There’s no place for a night on the town like the Altstadt! The Altstadt is home to the “longest bar in the world” and has by far the largest selection of bars and restaurants to offer in the city. It’s proximity and amazing views of the Rhine makes it a very sought-after area of the city. Many events and festivals such as the Christmas market, Karneval, JapanTag, and several weekend markets take place in the Altstadt. With that being said, you will never be bored living in the Altstadt, however, it could become quite noisy.
Stadtmitte: 15-20 minute commute to the office
As the name suggests, the Stadtmitte, or city center, is the most central district of Düsseldorf. The central station makes it a great place for weekend commuters to settle down. This district is well-known for the high-end shopping street “Königsallee” (or “Kö” for short) with brands like Louis Vuitton, Versace, Dior, and Prada peppered along either side of a picturesque canal. With the Japanese quarter nearby, the city center also offers locals tasty and authentic Asian dining options.
District 2
Düsseltal: 20-30 minute commute to the office
Düsseltal is a trendy residential area perfect for families with modern apartment buildings. There are many options for family-friendly activities in the area such as the Zoopark, Schillerplatz playground, Grafenberger Wald, and the Düsselstrand. If you love nature you will be thrilled to learn that Düsseltal is located near Grafenberg Forest, the largest forest in Düsseldorf. Rent tends to be on the expensive side as apartment buildings in the area are newly constructed.
Flingern: 20-30 minute commute to the office
Flingern is an up-and-coming neighborhood perfect for food-, coffee-, and art-lovers alike. With just a short stroll through Flingern’s colorful streets, you’ll find some of the best coffee shops to try in Düsseldorf, Michelin-star restaurants, independent art galleries and studios, vintage stores, and boutique shops. The area is popular among young adults.
District 3
Medienhafen: 5 minutes or less to commute to the office
Where former industrial ports meet modern-day tech companies– a unique mix of the old and the new! With just a quick search for “Düsseldorf” on Google, you will find countless images of Düsseldorf’s Medienhafen. And for good reason! Rehabilitation of the old ports was part of a long-running city project. It’s hard to imagine Düsseldorf today without the Rheinturm and Gehry buildings dotted along the Rhein. The Medienhafen is the place to be with its impressive architecture, chic hotels, high-end nightclubs, and bars. Living in this area will therefore likely come with a high price tag.
Bilk: 10-minute commute to the office
Many trivago employees live in Bilk due to its proximity to the office. You will also find a lot of University students around the Heinrich-Heine-University. Bilk is known for being an artsy, lively, and affordable neighborhood. In general, the area is quieter and more eclectic than other parts of the city.
Unterbilk/Friedrichstadt: 5-10 minute commute to the office
Unterbilk is the perfect neighborhood for those who would like to get away from the crowds and commotion in the city center. Unlike the busier districts, Unterbilk is a quiet residential area with small parks and independent cafes. You will find more locals than tourists in this close-knit community. After some time, you may even come to know your neighbors and local shopkeepers quite well. In other words, living in Unterbilk has the perk of being close to all the action yet is secluded enough to feel like an actual neighborhood.
Oberbilk: 20-minute commute to the office
Oberbilk is like Unterbilk’s noisy neighbor. Not as quiet and secluded, Oberbilk is close to the Main Station. However, there is easy access to beautiful green spaces at the nearby Volksgarten, great for barbecuing and picnics on sunny weekends with friends! This district is also known for being quite international with street after street of restaurants with ethnic cuisines. Best of all? Oberbilk has low-budget rentals.
District 4
Oberkassel: 15-20 minute commute to the office
You’d be surprised how just a short trip across a bridge could lead to a seemingly different city. Located on the left bank (western side) of the Rhine is Oberkassel. If you fancy upscale living, this is the perfect neighborhood for you! Between Oberkassel’s stylish cafes and restaurants, everything just seems to be more lavish on the other side of the Rhein. Due to its exclusivity and high demand, rent is on the pricier side. If you’re lucky enough, you may even find a spot overlooking the Rhine (which by the way is an amazing spot for a jog).
Niederkassel: 20-30 minute commute to the office
Just next to Oberkassel is Niederkassel; a quiet, well-off neighborhood. Film fans enjoy the Cinestar movie theater, which is one of the only theaters in Düsseldorf to regularly show films in English. The EKO-Haus der Japanischen Kultur is also a popular spot – a Buddhist temple and garden built to honor the highly concentrated Japanese population in the area. Aside from that, Niederkassel offers larger living spaces than apartment buildings found towards the city center. We hope this guide could help you get a better idea of the different areas of Düsseldorf. No matter which neighborhood you ultimately decide to call home, Düsseldorf is a city that offers a little something for everyone.
Still not convinced to move to “Die schönste Stadt am Rhein”? Check out our article on 15 Reasons to Move to Düsseldorf and get all your relocation questions answered in Destination Düsseldorf: What you need to know if you’re moving to the Rhine Capital. Or head on over to my personal blog where I pose the question: Is Düsseldorf, Germany really one of the world’s most live-able cities?
