It’s hard to accurately describe Germany, simply because each region is so unique. Berlin and Hamburg are their own entities, Bavaria is perhaps the most popular region, and much of central and western Germany can end up being overlooked.
Well, after a week in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, I can definitely say that this area is well worth a visit!
Before I get into what I love about this region, I want to point it out so everyone knows exactly where we visited.
Much like the US, Germany is split up into states. There are 16 states in total.
As you can see here, Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen are 3 cities that are also their own states. Bavaria is probably the one you are most familiar with if you’ve never been to Germany and have only heard about it. Mountains, castles, one of Europe’s best football teams, and of course, Oktoberfest!
However, North Rhine-Westphalia is where we chose to go for the past 8 days. Why, you may ask? Well, it is actually one of the most densely populated regions in the entire country, and is known to have some of the best beer as well! Yeah, Bavaria, I said it! I’m Team NRW all the way!
Also, my friend Max grew up here and was able to give us some top-notch suggestions.
The most unique aspect of this area is the proximity of the cities, which all sit right on the Rhine River. We stayed in a small town called Hilden, which was about 15 minutes outside of Düsseldorf.
Because of Germany’s fantastic public transport, we were able to get into town very easily! It was also really refreshing to be in a place that was so off the beaten path. We said it a few times, but it was probably one of the most German experiences we’ve had. Not another tourist in sight!
The highlight of Hilden was a small little tavern called Haus Tillman, which had one of the best Cordon Bleu’s I’ve ever had.
We were also very close to the city of Cologne, which is the largest city in the region. Despite being very unique and very different from one another, Düsseldorf and Cologne are only about 20 minutes apart!
Because of this, there is actually a fierce rivalry between the two cities, particularly when it comes to the beer! While Düsseldorf is known for it’s caramel-colored “Alt” style brew, Cologne is famous for it’s golden-colored “Kölsch”.
We tried both of them, a few times, and I have to say, it’s extremely difficult to choose a definitive winner! They were both very different from each other. Alt was definitely the more distinct flavor, but Kölsch was so refreshing and easy to drink.
It was fascinating how just 45 km (27 miles) of separation on the river can create such different and distinctive brews!
One thing is for certain, North Rhine-Westphalia is an absolute must for beer lovers!
The one thing that Düsseldorf and Cologne can agree on is the way the beer should be served. Both Alt and Kölsch always came in small 0.2 liter glasses.
Every time they bring you another beer, they add a tally on your coaster with a pencil.
The theory behind the smaller glasses is twofold. One reason is that the alcohol hits your bloodstream at a better pace than if you were drinking out of a bigger glass. Pacing is everything when it comes to the drinking experience.
Ironically, we felt like we always ended up having more beer with the smaller glasses, because it is harder to keep track of how much you’ve actually had!
The other reason behind the small glasses is that it keeps your beer colder. You receive a new glass more often, meaning the glass isn’t sitting on the table as long.
They have it all down to a science, these Germans!
Although it would certainly be enough, the beer isn’t the only thing that makes these cities great! All of these cities have their own “altstadt” or old town district, where it is completely devoted to pedestrian traffic.
These parts of town are so picturesque, it is so fun to just let yourself wander through the narrow cobblestone streets.
Speaking of picturesque, the views on the Rhine are spectacular in both cities.
For Düsseldorf, it is the unique design of the bridges and the imposing TV tower that define the skyline.
For Cologne, it is the stunning cathedral that dominates the cityscape. Believe it or not, it is actually the tallest cathedral in the world! We caught it right at sunset from the other side of the Rhine, and even the beautiful pictures don’t do it justice.
Our last stop of the week was Bonn, another city on the Rhine, less than 20 minutes south of Cologne. Yep, you heard that right! These 3 cities are all within 50 miles of each other, I still can’t get over how crazy that is!
Bonn is the smallest of the 3, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm! It is a student town that also has a pedestrian district full of cool architecture!
Two fun facts about Bonn: It was actually the birthplace of Ludwig Von Beethoven! We walked past the house where he was born. Also, it is where Haribo gummy bears originally come from!
Because of the large student population, Bonn was definitely a lot cheaper than the other cities. We enjoyed a delicious döner kebab (one of our new favorite items) on our last night for only 4 euros each!
Our next stop will also be on the Rhine, even though we are leaving the state of NRW. We are heading south towards Switzerland, but we still have a few stops on the way first!
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