Dusseldorf or Cologne?

I've only been to Cologne. We were also on a cruise, and we were there a day. I didn't think it was dirty at all. I enjoyed the cathedral and the area around it. I had a little walking tour that I had pulled from a guidebook. I would make sure to cross the bridge (with the padlocks) for the view of Cologne/cathedral from the other side of the river.

One interesting thing about Cologne is that except for the cathedral, the town was pretty much decimated during WWII. There were some interesting signs with photos. So, of course the buildings are all newer because the town was rebuilt.

I don't really like beer, but Cologne is known for kolsch beer. Its a lighter more summery beer. We made sure to try some.

Has your friend been to Rome or Naples? Some people are shocked at the appearance of those cities. I rather like the edginess. Also, in terms of Dussledorf/Cologne, it could all depend on where the ship could dock. Our recollection is that we were pretty much docked in Cologne city center, which was attractive and made site seeing quite convenient.

I genuinely like Cologne. I would trust Chatgbt only as far as I could throw an IBM 360.

To me, Dusseldorf felt "grittier" as in more urban-like than Cologne. I don't mean that in a bad way. Just more modern, more lived-in, if that makes any sense.

I stayed in Dusseldorf and did a day trip to Cologne. We did the typical 6 hour stuff that you mentioned: cathedral, chocolate factory, great lunch at Brauerei zur Malzmühle, a bit of shopping in that central district, Kolsch sampling in alstadt. Fun but touristy.

I chose Dusseldorf over Cologne because it felt a bit different than the other German cities we were visiting. Little Tokyo is a cool little area and offers an alternative over the typical German fare. D has a more upscale shopping experience if that's your thing. I liked D's alstadt better than C. It actually felt more like an outdoor party.

The Düsseldorf waterfront is nicely developed with cool places to eat and drink and adjacent to that is a smallish but lively old-town zone that is patronized by lots of Düsseldorfers that want to see and be seen. The rest of Düsseldorf is mostly uninspiring cityscape and really isn't all that interesting for visitors, IMHO.

Cologne has of course the Cathedral, Germany's most visited landmark. Also there is an assortment of museums, including the NS Documentation Center:

https://www.cologne-tourism.com/arts-culture/sights/detail/ns-documentation-center

https://www.cologne-tourism.com/arts-culture/museums

Cologne and D'dorf have both felt a little rough around the edges to me at different times. Which one? Depends on your interests.

We really like the older, quaint, charming villages/cities. We don't really want to spend a lot of time shopping (maybe browse a few shops) but willing to try some beer.

Chat GPT is wrong. Cologne has higher tourist numbers than Düsseldorf.

Officially these cities do not like each other, little bit more image than real hate. Celebrating Carneval they have in common but with different yell-outs. I find both cities more or less ugly but as business traveler I never had time for the nice places.

Düsseldorf is capital of state NRW, not larger Cologne. Also large tax paying companies have their HQs there, most of them service sector. It has Europe's largest Japanese community, also celebrating this (e. g. last weekend). For long years they had no debts which changed. Therefore they care a lot for their outward experience and had more money for city improvements. But they do not have the large tourist attractions. And Düsseldorf has one of Germany's best punk bands: Die Toten Hosen - their song "Tage wie diese" is a hymn describing celebrating life in Düsseldorf.

Cologne is somehow the other side of a tourist's coin: traditionally lot of workers in production sector, always a controversy creative scene, large gay community, very known for celebrations in the beer houses. The sights are more known and attractive. Cologne has an own slang, partly hard to understand. They also have attractive day trips in reach, e. g. Aachen or Bonn. Cologne has also great musicians; Wolfgang Niedecken and a lot of bands to mention here.

Btw: biggest difference is the beer: Kölsch is very different to Altbier. Do not order the "wrong" beer in one of these cities.

We really like the older, quaint, charming villages/cities.

Then both cities are the wrong choice because bombed out in WWII. Münster and Bonn had in NRW the lowest damage rates from WWII. If you like it smaller Bad Neuenahr is worth a look and a stay.

I was recently in both cities. I preferred Cologne if only because there was more to do there with the cathedral and art museums. I also highly recommend a visit to Schloss Augustusburg, which is an easy 20-minute train ride from Cologne.

The two cities have a similar vibe. I would not describe either as gritty. Both cities were decimated during WW2 and rebuilt in a modern style, so they lack some of the charm that you find in other European cities, but I thought both were still nice. As with most German cities, some homeless, high, and/or mentally ill people will be encountered, typically near or in the train stations. Some might come up and ask you for money. However, both cities are still ten times cleaner and safer feeling than American cities. I can't imagine anyone feeling uncomfortable in either city unless you are someone that just doesn't feel comfortable in any urban area.

Dusseldorf has the edge on beer in my opinion, if that matters to you, with their alt style being much more interesting than Cologne's kolsch style, but that's all subjective of course!

Good points here. I also stayed in Düsseldorf (for business) and did a day trip to Cologne. Neither is really gritty IMO. Actually, the Kö in Düsseldorf is one of Germany's top addresses for upscale shopping. Overall I thought Düsseldorf is more elegant and upscale than Cologne. If you like smaller towns have a look at Kaiserswerth in the northern suburbs of Düsseldorf and Gerresheim in the east. I liked both.

Cologne was more crowded when I visited, especially the main touristy area around the cathedral, Hohe Straße etc. I saw the cathedral and two other amazing Romanesque churches (which it is famous for), had a time at cafe Jansen by Fassbender and strolled all across the old town. Did not have time for museums, but I know there are a couple very good ones in Cologne.

This is all great input. Sounds like differing opinions on the 2 cities so I'll have to talk it over with my hubby and then decide. Thanks everyone.

Yeah, as you can tell, it really depends on your expectations and what types of things you want to do. I don't think that you can go wrong with either one, they are in about the same category so far as appeal, things to do, and historical interest, not top destinations, more middle tier, with Cologne getting a bit more love and more tourists, at least Americans/Canadians. The good thing is, since they are only 20 minutes apart (almost an hour by slow train) you can easily day trip to one from the other and make your own judgement.

Cologne has dozens of great museums! Their shopping streets are fantastic. Your friend must not have done much research.
There is certainly more to see here than the cathedral. Beautiful neighborhoods too.

We decided to take the excursion to Cologne for the day. Thanks everyone for your input!

Sam is showing his age! But I agree completely. I'm glad you've let reality overule AI, it's worth noting that in the Wales forum yesterday there was a detailed plan created by Chatgpt and almost every line of it was badly wrong. It's only a matter of time before that nonsense persuades somebody to walk across quicksand!