Of the two, Dusseldorf would be my choice. Frankfurt is a business and travel center. A good place to overnight if you have a flight out the next day. Dusseldorf has an extensive shopping area, a pleasant riverside promenade and the Altstadt is a fun place to wander.
Düsseldorf is a very safe city overall, but locals on Reddit generally agree that you should exercise extra caution around Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), Worringer Platz, and parts of Oberbilk after dark.
Frankfurt, Germany via Cologne & Düsseldorf to Utrecht & Amsterdam in The Netherlands on a ICE 3 NEO
What is the nicest city in Germany?
While opinions vary, Munich, Heidelberg, and Hamburg are widely considered among the nicest cities in Germany, each offering a unique blend of beauty, history, and culture.
Yes, Düsseldorf is generally safe for walking at night, especially in well-lit and busy areas like the Rheinuferpromenade and Königsallee. With a crime index of 32.7 and safety index of 67.3, the city maintains low crime rates.
Lined with high-end boutiques, flagship stores, and elegant cafés, it is one of the most prestigious shopping streets in Europe. Beyond luxury brands, Dusseldorf has a strong design and creative scene. Young designers, concept stores, and modern showrooms give the city a forward-looking and stylish atmosphere.
Oberkassel. The Oberkassel neighborhood is on the left bank of the Rhine, one of four District 4 zones. It's one of the more affluent – and therefore expensive – parts of Düsseldorf featuring some spectacular art nouveau architecture and luxury family housing. Oberkassel is popular with expat families.
Spending 2 to 3 days in Düsseldorf is ideal to see the main highlights, explore the local food scene, and enjoy the waterfront. Most travelers find that 48 to 72 hours gives you enough time for a great overview without feeling rushed.
Whether Cologne (Köln) or Düsseldorf is nicer depends on your personal taste, as they feature a famous, friendly rivalry. Cologne is best for historic sights and a laid-back, youthful vibe, while Düsseldorf excels in upscale shopping, modern architecture, and dining. They sit just 25 miles apart on the Rhine River and are easily connected by a quick 30-minute train ride.
The best things to do in Düsseldorf include exploring the historic Altstadt (Old Town), walking along the scenic Rheinuferpromenade, and viewing the striking architecture at the MedienHafen.
One of the major cities of the Rhineland, Düsseldorf is closer to Calais than you might think, and offers a great escape into Germany. World-renowned as a centre of fashion, architecture and art, it boasts a host of attractions, and blends an edgy exciting feel with typical old world German charm.
Berlin is the vibrant capital of Germany, known for its deep 20th-century history, endless arts and nightlife scenes, and highly walkable neighborhoods. Frankfurt is Germany’s modern financial hub, boasting skyscrapers, high-end dining, and a major international airport.
Both are international cities and you cannot really get a good feel for the actual country by visiting these cities. So, I'd say go to Düsseldorf. Berlin is far away from everything and you have already been here. You will have many chances for short trips to Köln, Bonn, and Amsterdam from Düsseldorf as well.
Düsseldorf is generally a safe city. Pempelfort, Derendorf, and Golzheim score above the city average on the local safety perception index (63, 63, and 67, respectively). The areas you need to be careful in at night are Altstadt for its nightlife and party people, and parts of Oberbilk near the main station.
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Heidelberg, and Dresden are most frequently named as the prettiest cities and towns in Germany. Because Germany has no single official prettiest city, travelers and guides usually point to these top contenders depending on whether you want a medieval town or a grand metropolis.
Düsseldorf is famous for Altbier, Rheinischer Sauerbraten, and its unique local mustard Düsseldorfer Senf. The city's food culture blends hearty regional German comfort meals with a massive, vibrant Japanese culinary scene.
Munich is widely recognized as the safest major city in Germany, consistently leading national police crime statistics alongside runners-up like Nuremberg and Augsburg. ·properapi
Düsseldorf is a very international city, with around a quarter of its residents having foreign roots. Many people speak English, so getting around or handling basic interactions won't be too hard.
This is a city that likes to mix it up when it comes to going out, with a fantastic array of places to party. From centuries-old breweries pouring the famous altbier to chic contemporary bars where top mixologists serve up exquisite cocktails, Dusseldorf offers something for everyone.
Neither city is universally "better"; Cologne is best for grand historic sights and a bohemian nightlife, while Düsseldorf excels in modern style, fashion, and food. Opinions on the two neighboring hubs are mixed, as they sit just 25 miles apart (a quick 30-minute train ride) yet maintain a famous, playful rivalry.
Arikawa stated that the Japanese settlement began when ten businesspersons from Tokyo, trying to buy metal ore and machinery for Japan, established their businesses in Düsseldorf. Due to this settlement, information about the Ruhr region circulated within Japanese companies.
Cologne is Germany's fourth largest city after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich and just forty kilometres away from Düsseldorf. Its most famous landmark is without doubt the Cathedral, which houses the relicts of the Three Magi and became a World Heritage site in 1996.
