Carlstadt is the city’s exquisite quarter of galleries and antique shops. Citadellstraße with its elegant stately residences from the 18th and 19th centuries and the flair of its streets almost unchanged since these days, seems to have escaped the passing of time. A more profound insight into Düsseldorf’s history can be gained at Stadtmuseum at the corner of Bäckerstraße and Berger Allee. Its cosy garden is treated as an insidertip! The Carlsplatz, and its lively food market open from Monday to Saturday. From here, take the attractive Bilker Straße for a visit to the Heinrich-Heine- Institute or proceed past the former residence of Robert and Clara Schumann to Bastionstraße, a must for every lover of antiques.

The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar is one of Barcelona’s most stunning churches and a prime example of Catalan Gothic architecture. Its design showcases a cleaner, more restrained style compared to the elaborate ornamentation typically associated with Gothic structures. Construction began in 1329 and was completed in 1383—an impressive feat for such a monumental project. Inside, the basilica feels remarkably spacious and airy, with its three naves of equal height supported by towering, slender pillars. The sparse decoration of the chapels enhances this sense of openness. Natural light filters through the magnificent rose window on the main façade and the vibrant stained glass windows, bathing the interior in a serene glow.

The Rhine tower, the North Rhine-Westphalia parliament, the Gehry Buildings, the city gate or Colorium – MedienHafen is a hotspot for creative architecture in Düsseldorf. Several international architects played a creative role in the reconstruction of the old Rhine port area. Frank O. Gehry, David Chipperfield, Joe Coenen, Steven Holl and Claude Vasconi were among those who made a creative contribution to make it what it is today. Those goods depots which were protected by a preservation order had to be renovated with hi-tech engineering and creative interior design. The ancient storerooms have been recreated with a new style and grace. However, you can still feel the old port atmosphere everywhere despite all the reconstruction. Just a decade ago the warehouses were nothing but immense empty spaces inside. Today, various television channels and radio stations, and advertising and media agencies, design bureaus and suchlike have all set up shop inside. So that’s where the name came from: MedienHafen, which means media harbour. The MedienHafen also plays in the premier league where hospitality is concerned. From the exquisite “Berens am Kai”, with a Michelin star, through the “most golden” curry sausage in Düsseldorf, to a cosy cocktail in the evening – the restaurateurs here have adapted to their heterogeneous clientele, which is composed of business customers during the day and the funky in-crowd in the evening, who all meet up to party at the stylish “Rudas Studios” advertising film venue or at the “Port Seven”.