Altstadt, Medieval district in Düsseldorf, Germany
The Altstadt is an old town in Düsseldorf with narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional buildings, restaurants, breweries, and art galleries. The district spans about one square kilometer and displays a mix of half-timbered buildings, sandstone facades, and modern shops that sit side by side.
The district developed in the Middle Ages as a trading and residential area along the Rhine and suffered severe destruction during bombing raids in World War II. After the war, large-scale reconstruction in the 1950s preserved the medieval street layout and restored the character of the neighborhood.
The district serves as the heart of local beer culture, where Altbier connects people to the area's identity and traditions. You will see visitors and locals gathering in traditional taverns and breweries that function as important social spaces for celebrations and everyday gatherings.
The district sits in a central location near the Rhine River with easy access to public transportation, shops, and cultural institutions within walking distance. The narrow cobblestone streets can become slippery in wet weather, so shoes with good grip are recommended.
The district goes by the nickname 'The Longest Bar in the World' because the high concentration of taverns and bars in a confined space creates an almost continuous row of drinking establishments along the streets. This dense cluster of venues is unusual in scale and concentration for Germany.
Location: District 1
GPS coordinates: 51.22890,6.77361
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01
Düsseldorf offers photographers a diverse range of settings that blend centuries of history with contemporary urban design. From the pink Rococo facade of Benrath Palace and the medieval ruins of Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth to the bold modern structures of MedienHafen designed by internationally recognized architects, the city presents countless opportunities to capture compelling images. The contrast between old and new appears throughout Düsseldorf, whether you're photographing the historic gravestones at Alter Golzheimer Friedhof, the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, or the sleek observation deck of the Rheinturm rising 551 feet (168 meters) above the Rhine. The city's green spaces add another dimension to your photography, with the 173-acre (70-hectare) Hofgarten providing tree-lined paths and open meadows, while Nordpark showcases formal Japanese gardens and seasonal flowerbeds. Along Königsallee, a tree-lined canal creates natural reflections that complement the surrounding storefronts and architecture. Whether you're interested in architectural details, natural settings, or urban landscapes, Düsseldorf's varied locations work equally well in morning light, afternoon sun, or after dark when building illumination transforms the cityscape into a different visual experience altogether.
Ratinger Hof
132 m
Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen
168 m
St. Lambertus
181 m
Komödchen
226 m
Kunsthalle Düsseldorf
214 m
Schlossturm
234 m
Church of St. Andrew
194 m
Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
194 m
Stadterhebungsmonument
195 m
Alfred Schmela Galerie
247 m
Schifffahrtsmuseum
246 m
Stadthaus
168 m
Kreuzherrenkirche
27 m
Löwenhaus
92 m
Benders Marie
230 m
Josephskapelle Düsseldorf
181 m
Palais Spinrath, Düsseldorf
39 m
Kunstgewerbe-Museum
207 m
Ateliergebäude der Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
235 m
Haus „Zum Schwarzen Horn“
64 m
Altestadt 14, Düsseldorf
49 m
Palais Schaesberg
86 m
Fischerjungen-Brunnen
135 m
Lambertusstraße 6
114 m
Reichsbankgebäude Düsseldorf
218 m
Ehemalige Lambertusschule
125 m
Ritterstraße 10
102 m
Säulenheilige Paar I
225 mReviews
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