North Rhine-Westphalia

An important state in western Germany with rich sights including Cologne Cathedral, Aachen Cathedral and the industrial heritage of the Ruhr.

North Rhine-Westphalia lies in western Germany, bordering the Netherlands and Belgium, with the Rhine running through it from end to end. Cologne Cathedral is Germany's most famous Gothic building, and Aachen Cathedral is associated with Charlemagne; both are World Heritage sites. Düsseldorf is known for its Old Town pub district and artistic atmosphere, while the former capital, Bonn, has Beethoven's birthplace. In the Ruhr, the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex shows how industrial heritage has been transformed. Cologne's Carnival and Christmas markets are popular. Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn airports are the main gateways, and the rail network is dense.

Destinations

• Cologne
• Essen & the Ruhr
• Münster
• Bonn
• Kassel

Itineraries

• Cologne, Bonn, Aachen & Rhineland – Stay in Cologne's Old Town and take day-trip trains to Bonn, Drachenfels, Aachen, and the palaces of Brühl.
• Fairy Tale Road Northern Section: 6-Day Self-Drive Itinerary – Drive south from Bremen along the Weser River to Kassel, connecting the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and the town of the…
• Ruhr Industrial Heritage Route – Based in Essen, take regional trains to explore coal mines, blast furnaces, mining museums, and football culture.
• Münsterland Water Castles Cycling – Start from the bicycle city of Münster and cycle along the southern loop of the 100 Castles Route to visit water castle…
• Germany Grand Rail Loop – Starting and ending in Frankfurt, connect the Rhine, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Rothenburg, and Munich by train.