Start your exploration tour from Altstadt. The traffic-free center of the city will tell you stories from the past going back to its very origins. Along the cobblestone streets you will sense the old times, and they will lead you to the St. Lambertus Gothic Basilica, the town hall built in 1573, the St. Andreas Church with its fascinating interior decoration from the 17th Century, and the Alte Rathaus. A delightful stop on your tour could be the Karlstadt Quarter, with its old townhouses demonstrating that wealth has always been at home in Dusseldorf. The history has remained while the town heads into the future with the progressive pace of a rebel artist. Here, on the Ratinger Strasse, take a look inside the Ratinger Hof, the club that became famous for generating the German punk scene. Along the Altstadt, modern and ancient coexist. Shopping fans will have a lot to see, with stylish boutiques and fashion shops plus many other opportunities for money spenders, among them tra ditional pubs and modern bars inviting you in for a drink.

Take a turn to the south from the Altstadt to immerse yourself in Dusseldorf's museum and gallery area. Get started with the K20 and some of the best works of the great masters Dali, Picasso, Klee, and recently fascinating collections of Richter and Matisse are shown. The renowned Kunsthalle, where Jorg Immendorf used to teach art, is just a few steps away. The gallery of modern times in the K21 presents excellent works by contemporary artists, and is especially proud of the chef-d'oeuvres of Nam June Paik and Bill Viola.

You will surely need a refreshing midway stop before continuing, and you have the best place for it here in the Hofgarten, known as the lungs of the city. Take a walk along the calm, green alleys in the midst of beautiful gardens and fresh air. But nothing is quite what it seems in Dusseldorf. In the western end of the park, you will come upon the Goethe Museum. You surely have to visit this one, as it contains the largest collection of works of this great German poet. After getting charged up with poetic inspiration, you should try the cocktails at the nearby bar, Malkasten. You'll be surprised to learn that, though quite stylish and lively today, the place has a long history. Back in the 17th Century, it was one of the first artists' clubs in Germany, where ideas were born and revolutions discussed.