Ideas for weekend trips from Düsseldorf

My first-hand experience in Germany starts to peter out north of Düsseldorf, so I'd have to direct you in a southerly direction.

For a guy in his 20s, the old univesity town of Marburg would be one of my first recommendations. I don't like the term "fairy tale" to describe towns, but I'll make an exception here. The old town winds around a hill, topped with a castle.

Nearby, check out the huge castle at Braunfels. It's a reconstruction, but why should that matter (other than for a few purists on this website). And if you're in the area, also check out the town of Wetzlar. And Dillenberg, while you're at it.

If you want to see a very well preserved walled historical town, but don't want to drive all the way to Rothenburg or deal with tour buses and trinket shops, look into Fritzlar in northern Hessen, or Ahrweiler near Koblenz.

Hamburg is always a good option, but I would recommend taking the train.

PS- You can go anywhere in Belgium for mussels during the season. The closest decent-sized cities to Düsseldorf are probably Hasselt (which has a ton of restaurants) and Tongeren (which doesn't).

I see that you have been to Maastricht in the high elevation part of the Netherlands - one baby step beyond Aachen, but have you been in the countryside between Aachen and Maastricht? Thermae 2000 is pretty good.

The Nürburgring and its amazing Nordschleife. Has to be seen to be appreciated. Has to be driven to be understood.

Hi,

Since you idea of this excursion includes that of an overnighter, you have a numerous options. Going to Koblenz is not far way at all, especially on the ICE train. If you're really into the history, I recommend Koblenz and follow that up by going a bit down to Bad Ems an der Lahn, (of the Ems Depesche event) and in the opposite direction of Marburg an der Lahn. Like numerous cities in this western area, Köln, Stuttgart, Koblenz, Minden an der Weser, Dortmund, you'll see another memorial statue to William I (Kaiser Wilhelmsdenkmal) in Bad Ems.

If it's just a day trip not too far, then I suggest Bonn, Kaiserswerth, or Neuss. If you rather head north or east of Düsseldorf, then I suggest Minden and Soest. Soest is relaxing, scenic and quaint but interestwise i much prefer Minden. All are very doable by train and within your time constraint.

Near Arnhem in The Netherlands you can visit quaint places like Deventer and Zutphen, or more north little Elburg, Kampen and Zwolle. Closer to Arnhem the Open Air Museum or the Kröller-Müller Museum near Otterlo with its Van Gogh collection. Palace “Het Loo” with temporary Grace Kelly exhibition, near Apeldoorn is to recommend. Google for websites about opening hours.

More to the coast you can make a trip to Zierikzee (+Flood Disaster Museum), Veere, Middelburg, Domburg and see also the Storm Surge Barrier in the Delta Region. In Vlissingen you can view large ships passing very closely going to and from Antwerp and Ghent

Around Bruges you can visit Damme, Oostkerke and the large medieval barn near Lissewege. For eating moules-frites there are plenty of places in Belgium, especially Flanders. According weather forecast coming Friday till Sunday it will be dry with temperatures around 16 / 17 °C and with a bit of luck you can still enjoy the mussels open air. To my opinion for the taste and the smell the best place to eat them, especially those open air restaurants along the promenades of the coastal places. However hard to guarantee if they are still open wheather permits, guess they are. Little De Haan with it´s Belle Époque architecture is a nice coastal place, so you can try them there.