Seamus Hammond
Düsseldorf or Cologne? With a distance of just 35-40km between them, these two German cities are often pitted against each other. Both have their unique qualities and rich histories, and are well-connected, so tourists can easily visit both. But which is better?
What You'll Learn
Career prospects and business opportunities
Cologne and Düsseldorf, two German cities separated by a mere 40 kilometres, offer distinct career prospects and business opportunities. Here's an overview to help you decide which city better aligns with your professional aspirations.
Düsseldorf: A Hub for Finance, Business, and Fashion
Düsseldorf is renowned as a business metropolis and the economic engine of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city boasts a diverse range of industries, including finance, business, and fashion. It is home to numerous international companies, providing a wide range of career opportunities, especially for internationals without German language skills. Düsseldorf's strong relationship with the Asian region, particularly Japan, has attracted many Japanese restaurants and expat groups, fostering a culturally diverse environment. The city also offers a high standard of living, a vibrant nightlife scene, and a compact pub culture.
Cologne: A Creative and Media Hub
Cologne, on the other hand, is known for its thriving media industry, with almost a third of all German television media produced in the region. The city attracts creatives from diverse fields, including tech, broadcasting, production, journalism, public relations, and communications. As a popular travel destination, Cologne also offers ample opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector. Additionally, Cologne's well-connected transportation system, including its port and airport, makes it an important business centre. The city is home to several large corporations, such as Ford, Toyota, Lufthansa, and REWE. With its carefree vibe, vibrant Old Town, and lively electro parties, Cologne presents an attractive blend of culture and entertainment.
When it comes to career prospects and business opportunities, both cities offer unique advantages. Düsseldorf shines as a business and financial hub, attracting international companies and expats, while Cologne stands out for its media industry and creative talents. Ultimately, the choice between the two cities depends on your specific career interests and aspirations.
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Culture and nightlife
Cologne is known for its Gothic cathedral, which is a world-famous landmark and attracts many tourists. The city also boasts several old churches, very good museums, and Roman history. Cologne's nightlife includes Papa Joe's Jazz Lokal, a popular jazz bar, and Bootshaus, a club with different styles of dance music. The Corkonian Irish Pub is another favourite, located in the heart of the city.
Dusseldorf, on the other hand, has a vibrant nightlife with a variety of bars and clubs. Altstadt, also known as the "longest bar in the world," is a popular district with over 200 breweries, bars, and clubs. The Altstadt (Old Town) is a bustling hangout spot for locals and tourists, offering beautiful views of the Rhine, lines of shops, and Dusseldorf's best museums and churches. The Rheinturm, an iconic 240-meter-high telecommunication tower, offers panoramic views of the city and a revolving restaurant. The MedienHafen, or Media Harbour, is an exclusive district known for its stylish nightclubs and fine dining. Dusseldorf also has several unique cocktail bars, including Mojito's, Au Quai by ArabesQ, and The Oak's Bar. For craft beer lovers, Uerige, one of the oldest breweries in the city, is a must-visit.
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Food and drink
When it comes to food and drink, both cities offer a variety of options. However, Düsseldorf is particularly well-known for its restaurant scene, with a mix of regional specialties and international options. Traditional dishes in Düsseldorf include Rheinischer Sauerbraten (Rhine-style marinated roast), Haxe (shin), Flönz (blood sausage), and Ähzezupp (pea soup). The city also has several breweries and pubs serving its famous Altbier, a dark copper-coloured, slightly fruity, and slightly bitter beer.
Cologne, on the other hand, is known for its brewhouses and pubs, where you can find local cuisine such as Halve Hahn (an open-faced sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). The city also has many Turkish kebab shops near the train station and plenty of donut shops with decadent toppings.
If you're looking for a vibrant nightlife to go with your food and drinks, Cologne might be the better choice. The city has many bars, pubs, and clubs, and its locals are known for knowing how to have a good time. Be sure to try the local beer, Kölsch, which is a bright-yellow, light, top-fermented ale.
However, if you're looking for a more relaxed and laid-back vibe, Düsseldorf might be a better option. The city has a mix of charming traditional culture and modern vibes, with a variety of trendy restaurants, cafes, and a vibrant nightlife. The Altstadt (old town) in Düsseldorf is particularly popular for its bars and pubs, which serve the local Altbier.
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Shopping
Both cities are known for their shopping, but they cater to different tastes.
Cologne's Schildergasse is the most popular shopping street in the city, with a mix of department stores, international brands, local shops, cafes, and restaurants. Hohe Straße, near the cathedral, is another popular shopping street, with a mix of high-end stores and affordable brands. Schildergasse is also a modern shopping mall with over 60 stores.
Düsseldorf, on the other hand, is known for its designer shopping and luxury boutiques. The Königsallee, or "Kö", is a beautiful shopping area that runs alongside a canal. It is often compared to New York's 5th Avenue and Paris' Champs-Élysées. Here, you'll find high-end luxury shops, fashion boutiques, and fine-dining restaurants. The side streets off Königsallee also offer interesting small private shops. If you're looking for budget shopping, head to Schadowstrasse, one of the busier shopping streets in Düsseldorf, with affordable international brands and small boutiques.
If you're looking for a mix of shopping and dining, the Carlsplatz Market in Düsseldorf offers fresh produce and meats, as well as ready-to-eat German lunches.
While both cities offer excellent shopping opportunities, the choice between the two depends on your preferences and budget.
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Transport links
Cologne and Düsseldorf are both served by extensive public transport networks. Cologne's KVB network includes trains, trams and buses, while Düsseldorf's Rheinbahn network consists of city trains, suburban trains, trams and buses. Both cities are easily navigable on foot, with most of the main attractions in Düsseldorf reachable on foot, and the Old Town and nearby neighbourhoods of Cologne walkable.
Cologne's public transport system offers a 10% discount on tickets bought online, and the KölnCard provides access to public transport and up to 50% off at many attractions for just €9 for 24 hours. Düsseldorf's equivalent, the Düsseldorf Card, offers unlimited public transport and up to 100% off museums, attractions, tours and souvenirs.
Both cities are well-connected to other towns and cities in the region, including each other. The journey between the two takes just under 30 minutes by train.
Cologne is well-connected to the German train system, making it easy to explore the area. Düsseldorf is a junction centre for the iCE, regional trains, S-Bahn and U-Bahn lines, IC train and the NJ night train.
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Frequently asked questions
Both cities have plenty of options for a night out, but Cologne is generally considered to have a better nightlife scene. The people of Cologne know how to have a good time, with many beer halls and local breweries to visit. However, Düsseldorf has the longest bar in the world in its old town, with over 300 bars and pubs.
Both cities are known for their shopping, but for different reasons. Cologne is extremely popular for shoppers, with all the major European chains and souvenir shops, as well as a major shopping street, Schildergasse, and several shopping malls. However, Düsseldorf's Königsallee is considered the most glamorous shopping street in Europe, with luxury brands and boutiques, as well as luxury hotels and fabulous restaurants.
Both cities have a rich history, but Cologne is particularly known for its 2,000-year history, including its Roman rule. The city also has a world-famous Gothic cathedral and is considered a cosy, charming city. Düsseldorf, on the other hand, is considered a noble Rhine metropolis and a business and financial hub.
Both cities offer a mix of regional specialties and international options. Düsseldorf is particularly well-known for its restaurant scene, with a mix of traditional dishes and international cuisine. Cologne's food scene consists mostly of brewpubs, where you can find local cuisine, as well as many Turkish kebab shops near the train station.
Both cities are known to be very family-friendly. Cologne has many playgrounds, including Rheinpark, and kid-friendly museums such as Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. Düsseldorf also has plenty of playgrounds and parks, as well as the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum and Grafenberger Wald, which has about 100 animals.
