Monthly Archives: March 2022

Living in Stuttgart or Schdugard

Expat Guide to Living in Stunning Stuttgart

Living in Stuttgart or Schdugard

Check out our Expat Guide to Living in Stunning Stuttgart: Facts about Stuttgart

 

Our Expat Guide to Living in Stunning Stuttgart will guide you through its 7 hills that give the city a special topography. The hills give you a wonderful panorama and an enchanting view of the city centre. Schdugard, as the locals say, is the capital of Baden-Württemberg.

If you decide on living in Stuttgart, you will have to get used to the unusual dialect and expect that it will take a while to feel like you have arrived. But you will be rewarded with a city that has been richly endowed by nature. With about 630,000 inhabitants, it is clearly ahead of Mannheim and Karlsruhe, the next largest cities in the state.

Stuttgart’s name comes from the fact that the Wasserburg, the former old castle. It used to be a moated castle built by the Duke of Swabia to protect his stud farm. The stud farm used to be called Stutengarten, and that is where the name of Stuttgart comes from.

Stuttgart also offers an incredible selection of events. Among the outstanding annual events are certainly the Stuttgart Spring Festival and Cannstatt Folk Festival, each of which attracts around 4 million visitors from Germany and abroad.

The Stuttgart Wine Village, the Stuttgart Christmas Market or the Summer Festival of Cultures are also popular and well-attended events. Stuttgart is additionally the city with the largest wine-growing area in Germany, outstripping Mainz. If you’re looking for work in the automotive sector, this is the place to be. Both Mercedes Benz and Porsche have their headquarters here.

Highlights of the City

The city of Stuttgart is famous for its television tower (the first in the world!), its strong economy and of course, the Swabian cuisine. The palace in the city centre at the Schlossplatz is supposed to symbolize a second Versailles. Quite a few people living in Stuttgart think that the client, Duke Carl Eugen von Württemberg, achieved that.

 

If you want to enjoy an extraordinary view over the square, you have to go to the adjacent art museum. On the top floor you will be treated to a unique panoramic view. Of course, the museum also offers exceptional exhibitions that are definitely worth a visit. Other places to visit in Stuttgart are definitely the Markthalle, which really has something for everyone.

In other German cities, there is actually always one particular trendy neighbourhood where there are hip stores, bars and restaurants. Not in Stuttgart! Not even locals could say which neighbourhood is the hippest. In this city, the scene is spread all over the city. So for immigrants, it’s a real challenge to stay in the city for a long time, if not for years, and to get to know all the special places, pubs and bars.

More Places to See

One meeting place, however, is definitely Marienplatz, which is visited by Stuttgart residents especially in the summer. Another is the so-called Zacke, one of four rack railroads in Germany, but the only one that is not only used for tourist purposes.

In addition, the people living in Stuttgart are always drawn to Mailänder Platz. Here, just like at Marienplatz, there are numerous cafes and restaurants that invite you to linger. There is also one of the architectural highlights of the city, the BIP. This library is home to over half a million books on nine floors and its facade is a real eye-catcher.

The Züblin parking garage in Lazarettstraße is another special feature in Stuttgart. Not only can you park there, but there are also art exhibitions in the parking garage as well as cultural events and concerts. They are integrated into this building and make it something extraordinary. Everyone who lives in Stuttgart should park there once and be caught by the fascination.

 

St. John’s Church at Feuersee (some call it the “Notre Dame of Stuttgart”) is another architectural highlight in the West of the city. Built in the neo-Gothic style, it is the first church in Stuttgart to be built after the Reformation. Its tower, destroyed during World War II, is now considered a memorial against the war.

Public Transportation

Public transport in Stuttgart is very well developed. There are 17 regional train lines, seven S-Bahn lines, as well as 19 subways, the Zacke and 359 bus lines. Nevertheless, it should be noted that Stuttgart’s transportation network is outdated in many places, which is why traffic jams often form. Also, the main station called Stuttgart 21 is lagging behind its completion. The completion planned for 2019 was postponed to 2025 for various reasons. But the city is developing concepts to remedy these problems.

The Manfred Rommel Airport of the city of Stuttgart has a small shortcoming compared to the other major cities in Germany. While there are flight connections to all aviation hubs in Germany and Europe, there are no transatlantic flights departing from Stuttgart. However, if you know about this, this minor problem can also be solved and you have to plan a stopover. This fact should not stop anyone from moving to Stuttgart.

Living in Stuttgart – the Most Popular Districts

The so-called women’s head quarter is ideal for people who are looking for peace and quiet, but still want to be in the city centre in a few minutes.

Bad Cannstatt is the district of Stuttgart with the highest population density. The historic core of Bad Cannstatt is now almost completely developed into a pedestrian zone. The half-timbered houses, small alleys and culturally significant buildings make up the special charm of the district.

Feuerbach, on the other hand, is a very family-friendly district that offers many schools, shopping opportunities, and jobs with some global corporations.

Those who prefer metropolitan life must, of course, move to Stuttgart Mitte. Art, culture, bars and restaurants characterize this district, which is why it is especially popular with young people.

Unfortunately, living in Stuttgart has its price. The price per square meter of net rent is around €10.38, which is well above the national average of around €7.11. Too few designated building sites are to blame, but those responsible in the city are already tackling this problem.

Food you must eat when in Stuttgart

Food or dishes that you definitely have to try when you come to Stuttgart are pretzels, which are said to have been invented here. Another specialty are Herrgottsbescheiserle, which are Maultaschen filled with meat. According to legend, they were invented by a monk during Lent, when you are not allowed to eat meat. Besides that, cheese spaetzle is a typical Swabian dish that you should try.

Of course you also have to eat a Swabian Zwiebelrostbraten, which is a rump steak with either fried or browned onions, spaetzle with a dark sauce, very tasty! At the Ackerbürger or the restaurant zur Kiste, for example, you will find these typical dishes. Otherwise, you can of course find restaurants in Stuttgart that offer international dishes.

But as always, the best way to find your own favourite restaurant is to try it out yourself. Good luck with it!

In summary, Stuttgart may not be the first city you think of when you immigrate to Germany. However, you should definitely take a good look at the city and its possibilities, because it offers many opportunities and also has a strong expat community doing lots of activities together. You’ll feel right at home! And if you are new to Stuttgart, Project Expat is here to help find all services you might need in English!

 

Daylight Saving Time in Germany Time Change

Daylight Savings Time in Germany

Daylight Saving Time in Germany Time Change

Daylight Savings Time in Germany- What does this mean?

Twice a year, our internal body clocks are challenged when we mark the start and the end of daylight savings time in Germany. Even this change of just one hour affects daily life significantly, as many people have trouble remembering when it happens, let alone in what direction the clocks are supposed to be changed. As an expat, this can become even more confusing, as different countries change their clocks on different dates and not all countries take part in this practice. We have collected all necessary information below.

Daylight Savings Germany

When does Germany change the clocks?

Daylight Saving Time Spring Forward

First things first: when do we need to change the clocks here in Germany?

The switch to daylight savings time, or Sommerzeit (summer time) as it is called in German, always happens on the last weekend of March. In the night from Saturday to Sunday, the clocks are changed forward from 2 am to 3 am. This means the night is one hour shorter!

You’ll notice that the sun rises later in the morning, but as a reward, night sets in later in the evening. 

Start of Daylight Savings Time in 2023: Sunday, March 26th 2023

First things first: when do we need to change the clocks here in Germany?

The switch to daylight savings time, or Sommerzeit (summer time) as it is called in German, always happens on the last weekend of March. In the night from Saturday to Sunday, the clocks are changed forward from 2 am to 3 am. This means the night is one hour shorter!

You’ll notice that the sun rises later in the morning, but as a reward, night sets in later in the evening. 

Start of Daylight Savings Time in 2023: Sunday, March 26th 2023

Daylight Saving Time Spring Forward

Later in the year, this switch is then reversed. On the last weekend of October, the Winterzeit or Normalzeit begins when in the night from Saturday to Sunday, the clocks are turned back from 3 am to 2 am. Hence, you get to sleep for one hour longer. The sun rises earlier in the day, however the days also feel shorter because it gets dark sooner.

End of Daylight Savings Time in 2022: Sunday, October 29th 2023

Autumn leaves

What time zone is Germany with & without Daylight Saving Time?

world time zones

Okay, so far so good, you now know when to mark your calendars. But with different systems in different countries, this still makes setting up zoom sessions with your family back home a nightmare.  We get it – so let’s break down the respective time zones for Germany so you know what to look up:

Daylight Savings Time – Sommerzeit

  • April to October
  • CEST (Central European Summer Time)
  • UTC+2

Normal Time – Winterzeit

  • November to March
  • CET (Central European Time)
  • UTC+1

Okay, so far so good, you now know when to mark your calendars. But with different systems in different countries, this still makes setting up zoom sessions with your family back home a nightmare.  We get it – so let’s break down the respective time zones for Germany so you know what to look up:

Daylight Savings Time – Sommerzeit

  • April to October
  • CEST (Central European Summer Time)
  • UTC+2

Normal Time – Winterzeit

  • November to March
  • CET (Central European Time)
  • UTC+1
world time zones

Does the clock change forwards or backwards?

Once you remember when the time changes take place, the second thing that sometimes trips people up is which way to change the clocks. Here are some helpful hints:

  • Always change the clock in the direction of summer. In spring, summer is still ahead, in the fall, it’s already behind us.
  • In Summer, the thermometer shows warm degrees (+), while in winter it shows negative temperatures (-). (This, of course, only makes sense to nations that use the metric system. Sorry, USA.)
  • Lastly, the classic mnemonic device: spring forward, fall back!
Summertime Sunset

Will Germany abolish Daylight Saving Time?

german bureaucracy

But wait a minute – wasn’t there some talk about stopping the use of daylight savings time in Germany? Yes, that’s correct. The German parliament had voted to abolish daylight savings time back in 2019, however this change was never implemented. 

The reason behind this is that the European Union hasn’t come to a common decision. A mix of different time zones among neighbouring states is to be avoided and some European states are against abolishing the time switches in general. Even a compromise has been introduced: how about just switching by half an hour? However, this suggestion has not garnered too much support so far.

But wait a minute – wasn’t there some talk about stopping the use of daylight savings time in Germany? Yes, that’s correct. The German parliament had voted to abolish daylight savings time back in 2019, however this change was never implemented. 

The reason behind this is that the European Union hasn’t come to a common decision. A mix of different time zones among neighbouring states is to be avoided and some European states are against abolishing the time switches in general. Even a compromise has been introduced: how about just switching by half an hour? However, this suggestion has not garnered too much support so far.

german bureaucracy

What happens if Germany stops Daylight Saving Time?

If the switch to daylight savings time in Germany is ever halted, what would this actually look like? It of course depends on which time zone the country would stick with. In any case, there would be both upsides and downsides: 

  • If we keep daylight savings time, it would stay light out for longer – on the other hand, the sun would rise only at 9:30 am on the shortest day of the year.
  • If we were to keep normal time, the mornings wouldn’t feel as grim as the sun would rise sooner. The nice, long summer evenings wouldn’t be as long, though: the sun would set at 8:30 pm on the longest day of the year.

While the decision about which of the two scenarios makes more sense has the public divided, there is a general consensus that getting rid of the back and forth is the way to go: over 70% of the German population are PRO abolishing daylight savings time in Germany. The negative effects felt after changing the clocks simply keep outweighing the positives for most people. Many report feeling sluggish, not sleeping well or not being able to concentrate on the days following the change – or even having depressive mood swings.

germany sunrise

How long has Daylight Saving Time been observed in Germany?

Energy conservation electricity

The first time that Germany implemented daylight savings time was from 1916 to 1918 during World War I. After the war, this measure for conserving energy didn’t seem necessary anymore and was immediately stopped after this two-year run. It was then reintroduced in 1940 – again, in the context of war. With the end of World War II, time zones became messy as the occupying powers didn’t follow common rules. Only in 1950, this chaos was resolved when the use of daylight savings time was ended.

It would take another 30 years until the topic was brought up again. Germany reimplemented daylight savings time in 1980, once again with the goal to conserve energy by making use of daylight more efficiently. With the sun setting later in the day during summer, turning on the light is not necessary as much. 

The initial idea does not actually work out, however. Studies showed that, while people use less energy for light, they do start heating their homes earlier, which makes up for the conserved energy.

With all the mentioned points of disagreement and current events keeping the political world occupied, it’s unclear when – or if – a decision will be made about ending the use of daylight savings time in Germany. So for the time being, changing the clocks will be part of our routines twice a year.

Find English-speaking services in Germany here.

The first time that Germany implemented daylight savings time was from 1916 to 1918 during World War I. After the war, this measure for conserving energy didn’t seem necessary anymore and was immediately stopped after this two-year run. It was then reintroduced in 1940 – again, in the context of war. With the end of World War II, time zones became messy as the occupying powers didn’t follow common rules. Only in 1950, this chaos was resolved when the use of daylight savings time was ended.

It would take another 30 years until the topic was brought up again. Germany reimplemented daylight savings time in 1980, once again with the goal to conserve energy by making use of daylight more efficiently. With the sun setting later in the day during summer, turning on the light is not necessary as much. 

The initial idea does not actually work out, however. Studies showed that, while people use less energy for light, they do start heating their homes earlier, which makes up for the conserved energy.

With all the mentioned points of disagreement and current events keeping the political world occupied, it’s unclear when – or if – a decision will be made about ending the use of daylight savings time in Germany. So for the time being, changing the clocks will be part of our routines twice a year.

Find English-speaking services in Germany here.

Energy conservation electricity
Brigitte Goletz Life Coach

Finding the Right Coach

Finding the right coach as expat is not easy. Often we are in situations in which we do not feel well and would like to change something. But we don’t know how and what we can really change. Is it the job, the boss, the life situation, the friend or other external circumstances?

This is the point where a Life Coach could step in. In this article our partner Brigitte Goletz, Personal and Business Coach, will give you useful information about what coaching is and how to find the right coach for you.

Finding the Right Coach

Finding a good coach is not that easy: there are many coaches on the market and the quality of the coach is not immediately recognizable because there is no uniform education. Apart from the professional education of the coach, it must also fit personally.

A good relationship with the coach is one of the most important things in coaching, so every client should take the time to make a phone call to see if the coach fits him or her personally. Professional quality characteristics can be training at a recognized institute, references to already (successfully) conducted coaching’s, membership in an association as well as certification.

Usually, coaches offer free initial phone sessions. Sessions are often 60-90 minutes long, depending on the arrangement. In a coaching session, a coach guides the client in formulating goals for the concern and in achieving the goal, using tools that are helpful in achieving the goal. Often 5-6 appointments are enough for this.

When Can Coaching Be Useful?

Occasions for personal coaching can be:

  • You are stuck in your structures and can’t move forward.
  • You feel that your life is difficult and you wish for more lightness.
  • You want to give your life a different direction, but you don’t know the way.
  • Your midlife does not have to mean a midlife crisis: Where do you want to go and what do you still want to achieve?
  • How do I deal with life interruptions? For example, with a separation, illness or losses?

Occasions for business coaching can be:

  • Self-awareness: Where are your strengths? How can you best contribute to your job?
  • Compatibility: How do you achieve a balance between professional demands and private wishes and goals?
  • You feel like a victim of mobbing
  • You are dissatisfied in your job and need support in changing jobs
  • You would like to find a job that suits you better
  • New position: You would like to strengthen your leadership skills

Choose Yourself

We are all strongly influenced by our childhood caregivers and our culture. This influence has left us with fixed patterns of behaviour and used to give us orientation and the necessary affection from our parents.

Today, they can sometimes be a hindrance and lead to undesirable thinking, feeling and behaviour. And then we do not feel comfortable in some situations.

Life coaching is a way to personal freedom and development. In a coaching session you can gain new perspectives, recognize and understand patterns and attitudes, formulate goals and start on the path to achieving them. What is still standing in your way? Start now!

Do You Have Any Further Questions?

“My first contact with coaching was when I was a coaching client myself. My wish was to free myself from old restrictive patterns. The experience of feeling freer and stronger afterwards fascinated me so much that I became intensively involved with the subject of coaching and then did the training to become a personal and business coach.” – Brigitte Goletz.

Get in Touch

On Project Expat: 

Web: 

Phone: 0221-98656707
Mail: 
Hamburg City Guide

Hamburg, meine Perle – City Guide

An Expat Guide to Living in Hamburg! My pearl – that’s how the locals or newcomers call their home. Hamburg is also one of the three city-states in Germany. This means the city has the same rights and the same responsibilities as the rest of the states in Germany.

Hamburg City

After moving to Hamburg and going through a difficult initial period, expats living in Hamburg will be rewarded for their perseverance for sure! The architecture, the sights, the restaurants, the harbour, the small city beaches, and last but not least, the people, make the second-largest city in Germany something very special!

City and Sightseeing

The cityscape of Hamburg is characterized by the two rivers and the port. Add to these the impressive architecture that makes Hamburg unique. The Elbe and Alster rivers have a positive influence on life in the city. Both the rivers invite you to linger as well as to indulge in water sports.

But this city has much more to offer: In addition to the numerous cultural offerings and the opera that hosts the most diverse selection of musicals, Hamburg also impresses with its modern architecture. The Elbphilharmonie is not only the new concert hall of Hamburg, but also a new landmark of the city, just like the Michel. The nave including the five organs, the vaulted cellar, and the mesmerising view from the church tower, are especially remarkable. In its nearly 400-year history, this church had to be completely rebuilt twice.

The Speicherstadt and the Harbour

The Speicherstadt also characterizes the cityscape. By far, one of the most celebrated photo motifs in the Speicherstadt is the moated castle at the end of the Holländischer Brook, which is now used as a tea office with gastronomy. It forms the centre of the third construction phase of the Speicherstadt and was built between 1905 and 1907. At that time, it was the solitary place in the Speicherstadt that was allowed to be inhabited.

An absolute must for tourists and expats living in Hamburg is a harbour tour. The Port of Hamburg, or the “Gateway to the World” as the locals call it, has something to offer for everyone and is truly impressive. There, you will also find museums and historic ships that remind you of the respective eras of the city’s history. If you want, you can end the day in the Strandperle, a famous restaurant.

Nightlife and the Kiez

Two highlights besides those already mentioned, however, are of course the world-famous Reeperbahn and the Hamburg fish market. Once considered wicked, the Reeperbahn is now an entertainment mile for everyone. Numerous bars characterize the streetscape. In contrast to the linguistic usage in Berlin, for Hamburgers, there is only one Kiez: the entertainment district in the St. Pauli district around the most sinful mile in the world.

hamburg fish market

 

Roughly speaking, Hamburg’s Kiez consists of the Reeperbahn, the Grosse Freiheit, Hamburger Berg, and Hans-Albers-Platz – at least in terms of going out in the evening. During the day, the Kiez seems rather quiet and inviting to one or the other. But as dusk falls, the Reeperbahn and the adjacent streets and squares come to life. Locals and tourists alike then visit the city’s most famous nightlife district.

In the Grosse Freiheit, a side street to the Reeperbahn, music history was made in the 1960s, as the Beatles had their first performances there. First, they performed in the club Indra, which is still open today after some renovations, followed by the still existing Kaiserkeller at Große Freiheit 36, and in the famous Star Club, which is only remembered by a memorial plaque.

St. Pauli also offers a lot of culture and art besides the Reeperbahn. You should take your time to discover the individual galleries and small museums, which will surely be a rewarding experience.

Hamburg Canals

The Fish Market and the Canals

The Hamburg fish market is also a Hamburg institution. Every Sunday morning, this fish market attracts thousands of visitors from Hamburg and all over the world to the Elbe. If you want to be there, you have to get up early – but it’s worth it. With its long tradition, maritime charm, and quick-witted market criers, the Hamburg fish market in Altona makes weekly shopping an experience for the young and old. However, besides all these sights, which actually cannot be overlooked, it is worth taking a second look at the city.

If you want it a little quieter, retreat to the small canals and enjoy the peace and quiet in the big city. The canals run through the entire city and shape the cityscape just like the architecture. All these aspects make Hamburg an interesting city, which is an attraction for immigrants and expats due to its internationality.

Transportation

Likewise, the connection through the airport, the port, and the location should be noted. The Helmut Schmidt airport is the fifth-largest in Germany. Hamburg’s main train station is one of the most important railroad hubs in Germany. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn networks are also excellently developed, which simplifies daily life enormously. Four subways and six suburban trains crisscross the entire city, which helps you to get from point A to B quickly. This way, expats living in Hamburg are well connected both locally and globally!

Food and Restaurants

In addition to all these cultural and practical aspects that make Hamburg attractive, physical well-being will also be catered for. The restaurant scene is determined by regionality as well as internationality. There is, so to speak, the right choice and variety for everyone. The Schoppenhauer, right next to the Speicherstadt, stands for modern Hamburg cuisine. There you can order both Labskaus, a typical dish for Hamburg, and a refined 3-5 course menus.

Hamburg Food

The Go is run by the famous German TV chef Steffen Henssler, and is known for his sushi creations. These are just two examples of the city’s diverse cuisine. Of course, there are still various restaurants that should be mentioned here, but it is easier to find them out on the spot.

For expats living in Hamburg, therefore, it is a city that is both attractive and exciting. Many Germans move to this cosmopolitan metropolis due to the above-mentioned aspects. All these make it an attractive place for expats moving to Germany and working here. Good luck and have fun exploring this extraordinary city! And if you need any help finding English-speaking services in Hamburg, just reach out to us here!

Düsseldorf City Guide

Living in Düsseldorf, the Art Metropolis

With about 620.000 people living in Düsseldorf, it is sort of the antithesis of Cologne. Even though it is much smaller than Cologne, it is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, which annoys many Cologne residents a bit.

Düsseldorf ranks second in NRW and seventh in the whole of Germany. Still, these two Rhine metropolises are rivals. This is true for sports, culture and drinks. While Cologne is known for its Kölsch (a light beer), people in Düsseldorf drink Altbier (an old and dark beer). In addition, Düsseldorf is considered the city of the rich and beautiful, who enjoy life there.

Living in Düsseldorf

As in Cologne, several million tourists come to Düsseldorf every year because there is a lot to see here. In the old town of Düsseldorf, there are several pubs and restaurants. A tour of the old town with its narrow streets is a must. The longest bar in the world is located here! However, only theoretically: only if you were to line up the counters of all 250 pubs, it would really be the longest counter in the world.

Along the Rhine you can take a nice walk, especially in summer. If you walk long enough, you end up in the Media Harbour. Many important companies are located there, and less than 100 people really live in this part of town. Instead, you’ll find the Rhine Tower there. You can see it from far away when you drive into Düsseldorf. It looks a bit like the Colonius in Cologne, but it is as striking for the Düsseldorf cityscape as the cathedral is in Cologne.

The landmarks of the Media Harbour are the three buildings by Frank Gehry, with their curved facades. In addition, Düsseldorf is known for its art scene. Along with numerous museums, there are countless galleries and art stores that make this city an art metropolis.

Must Visits

Especially the Kö, the Königsallee is the place to do shopping in the city centre, if you have the necessary change. A walk on the Kö is always worthwhile, because there is something for everyone to see. At the new Kö Bogen, architect Daniel Liebeskind has built an impressive building complex that combines gastronomy and retail.

In addition, Düsseldorf offers a home to about 7000 Japanese, as over 400 Japanese companies are located there. Their district is also called Little Nippon on the Rhine. There you will find not only traditional restaurants, (the Takumi is considered an insider tip) but also selected grocery stores for the Japanese cuisine.

In addition to the museums and galleries already mentioned, Düsseldorf has a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing. For example, the Basilica St. Lambertus, the Basilica St. Margareta and the Berger Church. The Botanical Garden is also worth a visit, as well as the Art Academy, which makes its contribution to the fact that Düsseldorf is considered an art metropolis.

 Architectural structures worth seeing include the before mentioned Gehry buildings, the Dreischeibenhaus and the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus. But you can also just drift and visit one of the numerous small breweries for a beer tasting. The Rheinterassen are an absolute must for everyone, whether tourist or local. Düsseldorf simply has something to offer for everyone, like all major German cities.

Living in Düsseldorf is unfortunately expensive. The average rent in Düsseldorf is €12.69 per square meter, while the average rental price in all of Germany is around €7.68 per square meter. So the cost of living in Düsseldorf is significantly above average, but for many people still worth paying.

A trendy neighbourhood in Düsseldorf is Flingern. It is easy to recognize by the numerous graffiti that adorn the walls there. While the apartments there were once cheap, they are now modern and pricy. But there is the Cafe Hüftgold, which is said to serve the best cake in town. 

Oberkassel on the left bank of the Rhine is one of the most expensive but also most exclusive residential areas of the city. From the Rhine meadows you can enjoy a fantastic view of the old town.

Public Transportation

As far as transport links are concerned, Düsseldorf – like Cologne – is very well developed and connected. With 25 suburban train stations, 18 city and streetcar lines and around 50 bus lines, Düsseldorf can be easily experienced by public transport. The subway, for example, takes travellers from the main train station to the city centre in just three minutes. The S-Bahn takes them from the main station to the airport in just ten minutes.

The DUS (Düsseldorf Airport) is not only the largest in North Rhine-Westphalia, but also the fourth largest in Germany. It is connected to 230 destinations in 65 countries, thanks to 80 airlines. About 25 million people use it per year and it is ideal for people who travel a lot for business.

Restaurants

The Brasserie Hülsmann is considered one of the best restaurants in the city. Here, upscale brasserie cuisine is presented in a casual atmosphere. The aforementioned Takumi will probably also soon lose its status as an insider tip. The Bar Olio is a casual scene restaurant serving modern crossover cuisine. If you prefer Italian cuisine, Riva at the harbour is the place to go. In addition, there are also the numerous inns and pubs in the old town, which you stumble upon during a visit, and which invite you to linger and feast.

Of course, it is impossible to name and recommend all the great restaurants and bars in a city. It is always a subjective evaluation. Therefore, you should always get an impression yourself and maybe just try a restaurant that you like. You will find something for every taste in Düsseldorf.

Summary

So let’s summarize the most important facts about Düsseldorf again:

  • Düsseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia.
  • Düsseldorf, like most big cities, is a bit more expensive, but it’s worth it if you want to live there.
  • The city is considered a metropolis for art.
  • The people are open-minded and make it easy for foreigners to get used to the typical charm of the city.
  • Little Nippon on the Rhine makes the city interesting for Asian immigrants.
  • Düsseldorf has a lot of green areas, which makes the city interesting for families.
  • The transport links allow fast travel both within Germany and internationally.

So if you are willing and can afford it financially, Düsseldorf is a good place to be.

And you can find English-speaking services in Düsseldorf here.