A successful mix of Rhenish charm and international flair, the heart of Düsseldorf has been a meeting place for young and old alike for generations. However, the old quarter has much more to offer than the 'world's longest bar'. Packed into this compact area are a variety of architectural gems from the past and present, as well as cultural attractions, shops, historical monuments, beautiful squares and, of course, the Rhine riverside promenade: a fantastic setting for all types of festivities, from the Japan Festival, book fair and town fair to Halloween and the Jazz Rally.

Düsseldorf was already setting the fashion agenda back in the days of Elector Jan Wellem in the 18th century. Soon the pleasure of wearing beautiful clothes was no longer reserved exclusively for court society, but was also enjoyed by the middle classes. Regular events kicked off in 1949 with an outdoor fashion show on Königsallee and the IGEDO, the world's first fashion fair and still the largest of its kind in the world. Several times a year designers and buyers flock to this city on the Rhine from all over the world.

Probably Düsseldorf's most famous hallmark, Königsallee is a symbol of exclusivity, luxury and elegance. It is one of a small group of shopping streets with an international reputation that truly deserve to be called a ‘boulevard’. Lovingly referred to as the ‘Kö’ by many, it ranks among the world's most prestigious thoroughfares with its exclusive shops and luxury malls. In addition to a number of fashion boutiques, there are also jewellers, antique shops, bookstores and many other specialist outlets, all keen to draw in the high spenders. Königsallee has also long been home to leading art dealers and gallery owners.

With its twisted towers and modern buildings, the media harbour is an architectural showcase of international renown. With its steel and glass structure, the Stadttor building is an important signpost on the modern skyline of this city within a city, alongside Kniebrücke bridge, the Landtag (state parliament), Rhine Tower and a host of new high-rise buildings designed by architects such as Frank Gehry. A signature Düsseldorf landmark since 1999, the Gehry buildings impress with their slanting walls and crooked towers. Restaurants, bars and a UCI cinema complex have been added, turning this thriving business centre into a popular night spot as well.

Carnival time in Düsseldorf is a charming blend of local tradition and typical Rhenish exuberance. Every year, there is plenty of fun and high jinx at more than 300 carnival gatherings, receptions and costume balls in the city. The celebrations kick off with Women's Day, during which the city's women storm the town hall and take the mayor hostage. He usually manages to buy his freedom by giving them a few bottles of wine and singing some funny songs. The highpoint of the carnival is the Rose Monday parade featuring more than 70 floats along a 6.5km route, with 5,500 participants, up to 50 brass bands and – very importantly – around 40 tonnes of sweets.

Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre provides the perfect setting for events of all sizes. With halls offering between 4,000 and 25,000m² of exhibition space, as well as separate entrances, state-of-the-art technology, an outstanding infrastructure and direct links to conference facilities, it is an extremely popular venue for trade fairs with a particular theme. Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre is also suitable for smaller, more specialised events: more than 40 trade shows are held in Düsseldorf, including 23 international flagship trade fairs. Around 1.5 million visitors come here every year to visit a trade fair, and more than a million take part in one of the 2,800-plus congress and trade events.

A large number of wonderful parks and gardens form a 'green belt' right across Düsseldorf. Beginning at Nordpark with its Japanese Garden, it continues through Rheinpark and Hofgarten gardens and then on through Südpark to Fleher Wäldchen. Other popular green areas in the city include the gardens on the site where the zoo once stood and Ostpark in Grafenberg, famed for its beautiful rhododendrons, along with Garath palace gardens and Lantz'scher Park near the Rhine, a magnificent tranquil park dating back to the 19th century. To help you decide which one to visit, you can enjoy a fantastic view of all the city's parks from the 172m-high Rhine Tower.