A cosmopolitan approach to life in Cologne, industrial heritage in the Ruhr region, open countryside in Westphalia: North Rhine-Westphalia is a state of contrasts.
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10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia
Düsseldorf's Communication Tower
For centuries, Düsseldorf and its neighbor Cologne have been engaged in a friendly rivalry. Whether in the realm of business, art or even tradition, the western cities are keen to outdo each other. When it comes to modern architecture though, Düsseldorf has the edge. The Rheinturm communications tower, the so-called "Gehry Bauten" architecture and the harbor show off the city's contemporary class.
10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia
Cologne Cathedral
As the city's most famous landmark, Cologne's Cathedral, is known the world over. Towering almost 160 meters high, it dominates the city's skyline. While the foundations were laid in 1248, the cathedral was not completed until the nineteenth century. Inside, the Shrine of the Three Kings, a masterpiece crafted in gold and thought to contain the bones of the three Wise Men, is well worth a visit.
10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia
Carnival in the Rhine Region
One of the most solid traditions in North Rhine-Westphalia is the annual celebration of Carnival. In the period leading up to the Christian observance of Lent, millions of revelers take to the streets dressed in their most bizarre and colorful costumes. The highlight is "Rosenmontag," the Monday before Ash Wednesday. In Cologne, some 12,000 people take part in the city's carnival parade.
10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia
Former Government Quarters in Bonn
Another particularly notable city in the western German state is Bonn. It saw its heyday as the capital of West Germany from the post-war period right up to re-unification. Some of the old government buildings are now open to the public to visit today, while others have retained their function as ministerial centers. DW's headquarters are located in the "Schürmann-Bau" (center of the photograph).
10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia
Hiking in the Eifel Mountains
North Rhine-Westphalia doesn't just attract city slickers; it's a haven for nature-lovers too. With its varied landscapes, the Eifel mountain range is a big hit among cycling and hiking enthusiasts. The National Park prides itself on protecting the three 'Ws:' Water, Wildlife and Woodland. More than 7800 animal and plant species have been identified, of which a quarter are listed as endangered.
10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia
Aachen Cathedral
In 1978, Aachen's Cathedral became the first German building to be listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Commissioned by Charles the Great, or Charlemagne as he's better known, the cathedral's foundations were laid in the year 796. The Aachen Cathedral Treasury houses the famous fourteenth-century Charlemagne Bust. The leader himself is buried in the church.
10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia
Biking in Münster
When it comes to biking, Münster reigns supreme. The city of 300,000 inhabitants is apparently home to half a million bicycles. The city is synonymous with cycling, as this photograph of the Prinzipalmarkt square illustrates. The "Promenade" ring road, which circles the city, is restricted to pedestrians and cyclists. With more than 55,000 students, Münster is also a well-known university town.
10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia
Corvey Abbey
Corvey Abbey, now a UNESCO heritage site, was home to Benedictine monks until 1792. Situated in the city of Höxter, it's one of the most important examples of Carolingian architecture. The abbey's "Princely Library," where the poet Hoffmann von Fallersleben once worked as a librarian, boasts a collection of 75,000 books.
10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia
Swimming at Zollverein Industrial Site
The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex is a visitors' magnet. The site once housed one of Europe's largest coal mines and coking plants. Today, like Aachen Cathedral and Corvey Abbey, it's a UNESCO world heritage site. The old industrial buildings are now centers of art and culture. The swimming pool on the site attracts huge crowds in the summer.
10 reasons to love North Rhine-Westphalia
Football Derby in the Ruhr region
The Ruhr area is famous for football too; there are supposedly more regular players here than anywhere else in Germany. The biggest teams, Schalke and Dortmund, are known all over the world. A meeting of the two teams is an unmissable event in the German football calendar.
Author: Elisabeth Yorck von Wartenburg
North Rhine-Westphalia, in the far west of Germany, is the state with the highest population and the greatest contribution (21%) to the domestic economy, even though the coal and steel industries are now history. An especially impressive testament from the heyday of industry in this region is the Zollverein Industrial Mine Complex in Essen, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Watch video01:31
Travel tips for North Rhine-Westphalia
Rhine metropolis Cologne
Most of the residents do not live in the state capital of Dusseldorf but in Cologne. Its inhabitants are considered cheerful, cosmopolitan and tolerant. The presenter of the DW travel magazineCheck-in, Lukas Stege, explores the Cologne people's way of life. The shoot took place before the coronavirus crisis.
What does Dusseldorf have that Cologne doesn't? Before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Check-in presenter Nicole Frölich traveled to the state capital, to find out what makes the difference. An extensive shopping tour, a visit to the Japanese community and of course an Altbier beer at the world's longest bar in the state capital of North Rhine-Westphalia were on the agenda.
The greenery of Westphalia is in stark contrast to the Rhineland with its large cities. This is where Germany's bicycling capital, Münster, lies. Cycling is an integral part of life in this university town, and not just for students. From the mayor to the bishop, everyone rides a bike. So does Check-in host Lukas Stege, of course. This recording took place before the coronavirus pandemic.
Just as Cologne would be unthinkable without its cathedral, the Zeche Zollverein colliery is an integral part of Essen. Its striking, winding tower is the landmark and symbol for the era of coal in the entire region. Instead of three million tons of coal per year being mined today, art, cultural events and concerts are being produced in the middle of the industrial backdrop.
There are certainly bigger metropolises on the Rhine than Bonn. However, not many cities can claim decades of being the German capital. And the birth of a musical genius: Beethoven lived in Bonn for 22 years.
10 reasons to visit Bonn
Beethoven Monument in Münsterplatz
What would Bonn be without Beethoven? The city is proud of its famous son and built his monument in Münsterplatz in 1845. Not far from there is the house where he was born, which is now a museum.
10 reasons to visit Bonn
Old Townhall on the Market Square
Behind this fancy rococo façade, Bonn´s mayor receives his guests. The Golden Book of the City, situated in the old town hall, has been imprinted with many famous signatures over the years. From 1949 to 1990 – while Germany was divided – Bonn was the provisional capital of the German Republic.
10 reasons to visit Bonn
Plenary Chamber in the Old Waterworks
The old waterworks on the Rhine is an authentic place to reflect on Bonn's time as national capital. The German Bundestag sat here for six years until it was moved to Berlin in 1992. For those interested in history, tours to the old plenary chamber are available.
10 reasons to visit Bonn
House of History
With more than 850.000 visitors annually, it is one of the most visited museums in Germany. The permanent exhibition allows one to experience history since 1945. More than 6000 objects and documents can be admired here. An eye-catcher is Konrad Adenauer´s work car. The first German chancellor had a Mercedes 300.
10 reasons to visit Bonn
Beer Garden by the Old Customs House
Where once the customs house collected its dues from seafarers, one can now enjoy a drink in the beer garden. Kölsch, a beer from Cologne, is traditionally served. Except people from Bonn call it "Bönnsch". Included in the experience is a great view of the river Rhine, the Siebengebirge, and the Post Tower. At 162,5 meters, the latter is the tallest building in North Rhine-Westphalia.
10 reasons to visit Bonn
Deutsche Welle
Next to the Post Tower, Deutsche Welle has its headquarters. Employees from more than 60 nations produce multimedia content in 30 different languages daily. Those who are interested can look behind the scenes after registering for a tour.
10 reasons to visit Bonn
Cherry Blossoms in the Old Town
This extraordinary natural spectacle takes place annually in the spring. Tourists from all over the world admire the pink sea of blossoms the old town of Bonn turns into. Especially beautiful at that time of the year is Heerstraße, widely regarded as one of the most stunning tree-lined streets. The cherry trees were originally planted in the 1980s to bring some color into the old town.
10 reasons to visit Bonn
Poppelsdorf Castle
The Prince-Electors of Cologne once resided in this castle. Today Bonn university's scientific collection is housed here. The neighboring Botanical Garden counts as one of the oldest and most varied in the world. An inspiration for anyone with a green thumb, admirers of classical music also shouldn't miss out on the castle concerts that are held every summer.
10 reasons to visit Bonn
The Drachenfels in the Siebengebirge
The hill known as "Dragon´s Rock“ is one of the most visited recreation destinations in the Rhineland. Those who are ambitious hike up. The others just take the cable car. The reward at the top is a breathtaking view of the Rhine, with the city of Bonn in the distance.
10 reasons to visit Bonn
Rhine in Flames
Every first weekend in May the city transforms into an enchanted world full of light and color. In addition to illuminated castles and ships there are fireworks accompanied by music. These create a festive atmosphere. After the performance, people head to the Rheinaue to enjoy the various music stages.
Author: Luisa Wolf
Ludwig van Beethoven, considered one of the greatest and most influential composers of classical music, was born in Bonn. Beethoven's birthplace has been a place of remembrance of the famous son of the city since 1889. Check-in presenter Lukas Stege toured the city on the trail of the musical genius. The filming took place before the coronavirus pandemic.
The rococo castles Augustusburg and Falkenlust in Brühl are among the most important palace buildings of the 18th century. Let us show you the UNESCO World Heritage Site from a drone’s perspective.
In the far west, on the border to the Netherlands and Belgium, lies the old royal city of Aachen. This is where Germany's first UNESCO World Heritage site, Aachen Cathedral, stands. It's part of the imperial palace built for Charlemagne in the late 8th century and was for many centuries where German kings were crowned.
One of Germany's most popular theme parks is also in North Rhine-Westphalia: Phantasialand in Brühl, near Cologne. Visitors can enjoy the whole day here, and ride on the roller coaster or Germany's steepest log flume.
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