Located along the northern end of the Rhine River, Düsseldorf is one of Germany’s largest and most fashionable cities. Altstadt (Old Town) is a hub of activity on the river’s east bank while a modern commercial district has sprung up to the west.
Park your campervan and head to the Rhine Tower, where sweeping city views give you a lay of the land. We suggest skipping the revolving restaurant and touristy observation deck in favour of the chic cocktail lounge M 168.
Düsseldorf attracts a fun, vibrant crowd, particularly in the evenings. As the sun sets, make a beeline for Old Town and partake in the beloved local pastime of pub-hopping.
Pair a late start the next morning with a lazy stroll along Königsallee, a pretty boulevard bursting with stylish boutiques and fashion showrooms. As you depart the city and make for the Netherlands and Belgium on this road trip, head southwest to add an afternoon stop at Castle Dyck, an important moated fortress dating back over a millennium.
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The next stop on this border-hopping, Germany, Netherlands & Belgium road trip: Belgium’s French-speaking Wallonia region.
The little city of Liège is dissected by the Meuse River and dotted with medieval landmarks like the Collegiate Church of Saint Bartholomew. The church is well known for its distinctive red facade and surreal Dali-esque inner courtyard.
Ten minutes away by foot is a different sort of local landmark, the so-called “Mountain” of Bueren. It’s actually not a mountain at all, but rather, a steep stone staircase ascending 374 steps uphill from the old town and boasting fantastic views at the top.
If you manage the climb, you’ll have earned yourself a Belgian waffle or three! The Liège waffle is characterized by its thicker dough, untrimmed edges, and melt-in-your-mouth sugar crystals. Join the queue at famous Une Gaufrette Saperlipopette bakery (open Wednesday through Sunday only) to indulge in home-made gaufres liégeoises.
The historic spa city of Aachen was the preferred residence of Charlemagne, one of Europe’s most powerful kings. As an easy ending to your Germany, Netherlands & Belgium road trip, you’ll quickly see the appeal.
While roaming Aachen’s cobblestone streets, it’s hard to miss the Aachen Cathedral, considered the oldest cathedral in northern Europe. A whopping 30 German kings were crowned here; it’s also the final resting place of Charlemagne himself. You can walk in his footsteps at the Centre Charlemagne, a local history museum nearby.
Sharing a border with Belgium and The Netherlands, the area’s hot springs and thermal baths have long attracted visitors seeking its rejuvenating mineral waters. The Carolus Thermen spa is the perfect place to spend your final full day, exploring indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas and steam rooms, or choosing from a range of healing spa treatments.
Feeling refreshed? Make your way back to Düsseldorf in just about an hour’s drive.
