2026 North Rhine-Westphalia Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in March)

Medieval Fairy Tale Town Walking Guide 1. Preparation Before the Trip 🎒 - Transportation: 20 minutes by bus from Aachen, recommended to buy the "Aachen-Monschau" day pass for a better round trip deal 🚍 - Outfit: Wear comfortable sneakers! Cobblestone streets + winding alleys, walking 20,000 steps depends on them 👟; bring a light jacket in spring and autumn, riverside wind is strong but great for photos～ - Essentials: Small wallet (cash is convenient for buying handmade chocolates/mustard), camera (every shot looks like a medieval masterpiece 📸) 2. Must-Visit Route 🗺️ 1. Morning: Old Town Foodie Walk Walk 5 minutes from the station to the "Old Ruhr Bridge," take photos of the red houses and Ruhr River together (morning sunlight is soft, river surface sparkles beautifully ✨) → Stroll along the riverside street to see half-timbered houses, don’t miss the flowers on the windows, you can almost touch the fairy tale vibes 🌸 → Buy a pretzel bun at the bakery next to the "Textile Workers Fountain," pair it with a local dark beer, and sit in the square to soak up the sun 🌞 2. Afternoon: Unlock Hidden Perspectives Climb a 10-minute hill to "Monschau Castle," no need to enter the castle! The lawn at the castle gate offers panoramic views of the street, the half-timbered houses look like stacked building blocks 📸 → Explore the "Two Spiders Wall Art" alley, take photos with the street art, featuring a cute contrast vibe 🕷️ → Visit "Gerber Square" to watch locals feed pigeons and maybe catch a street musician playing the accordion 🎵 3. Evening: Riverside Leisure Time Find a bench by the Ruhr River, watch the sunset turn the red houses golden 🌇 → On the way, buy a jar of Monschau’s special mustard, choose your spice level, perfect with bread! 3. Pitfalls & Easter Eggs ⚠️ - Pitfalls: Don’t wear high heels! The cobblestone streets are uneven and easy to twist your ankle; weekends are crowded with tourists, for empty shots arrive before 9 AM～ - Easter Eggs: The Christmas market in December is super lively! Streets are decorated with colorful lights, the aroma of mulled wine and gingerbread drifts for three blocks 🎄; some half-timbered houses have "house age plaques" at the door, the oldest is over 600 years old, older than your great-great-grandfather 👴

Want to experience the unique charm of a German fairy tale town? Then come to Monschau, located at the border of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands! Here, well-preserved medieval buildings and enchanting natural scenery await. Driving through, you'll pass Belgian pastures, small town streets, and winding forest paths, as if stepping into the Land of Oz. There are three parking lots around the town entrance, making self-driving parking very convenient. When touring, you can first go up the mountain to Monschau Castle, which is now converted into a short-term student camp school. From the high point of the castle, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the town. Then start a town walk along the downhill path. The whole town is exquisite and cozy, with many traditional German half-timbered houses. You can find delicate craft shops and beautiful cafes everywhere. At the specialty stores, you can buy local liquor, which is strong but smooth to the palate, as well as various cute handicrafts. Come to Monschau to feel the romance and tranquility of the Middle Ages, start a fairy tale journey full of surprises, and leave unforgettable memories!

#ThailandAirTicketEvent Various flavors of feta cheese and ricotta cheese were on display for tasting. When the weekend market opens in the city center of Duisburg, be sure to visit. I recommend it because it is frequented by local Germans and you can enjoy the pleasant atmosphere with grandparents holding their grandchildren’s hands while shopping. #EuropeTravel #germanytravel

#ThailandFlightEvent At the festival held in the center of Duisburg's new city, you can also taste cool and sweet cocktails. You can order various flavors from famous cocktail names to non-alcoholic cocktails, so you can taste cocktails that are suitable for Germany's hot weather, so I recommend it as a to-go drink. #germanytravel

#HawaiiAirlineEvent The pretty colors of the hydrangeas caught my eye. There are many flowers that are easy to grow in the garden, and the flowers bloomed in various colors, so I could feel the energy of spring in the city. They are also great as gifts, so I recommend giving a flower pot as a gift to someone you know who loves flowers. #germanytravel

#HawaiiAirlineEvent I ended up passing on the food truck where you can taste oriental food because there were a lot of customers waiting for a long time due to the backlog of orders. Since it was an open kitchen, I could see the process of making food right in front of my eyes. I recommend it because you can taste the food that the busy chefs make with care. #germanytravel

#HawaiiFlightEvent The weekend market is open, so you can buy fresh strawberries and white asparagus Spargel, which can only be eaten in the spring in Germany. If you travel, I recommend you try the healthy and delicious white Spargel. #germanytravel

#HawaiiFlightEvent A bakery was operating at the airport so that you could eat something simple while waiting for your flight. They had everything from sweet breads like Berliner to various sandwiches with ham and cheese, so you could easily satisfy your hunger before departure. I recommend it if you want to eat something simple at the airport. #germanytravel

#HawaiiAirlineEvent I also saw baby clothes and various clothes for children. Most of them felt like they were handmade and the practical designs and patterns unique to German style caught my eye. I recommend them as gifts for nieces and nephews or homes with children. #germanytravel

#HawaiiFlightEvent I was able to see a variety of products that took into account the age range of visitors to the Duisburg City Festival. I saw fedora hats for middle-aged gentlemen that would be needed in the summer, and wide-brimmed hats for women, so I recommend buying a hat when traveling to Germany, as the sun is strong in Europe. #germanytravel

#HawaiiAirlineEvent Terminal A at Dusseldorf Airport is where you use flights heading to the Schengen area, so security checks are quick and there is no passport check, so the process was easy. Thanks to this, it was convenient to be able to shop and eat leisurely inside the airport. There were stores right in front of the gate, so I didn't have to worry about missing my flight. If you are planning a trip within Europe, I recommend looking up flights departing from Dusseldorf Airport as well. #germanytravel

#HawaiiAirlineEvent This is an abandoned building that can be seen in the inner harbor of Duisburg. The buildings that were used in the port in the past were left as they were, and the wild grass that grew between them and the lawn created a strange beauty. I recommend it because you can stop by while taking a walk. #germanytravel

#April Travel Grant I was able to see Goethe's books translated into Japanese and Chinese at the Goethe Museum located in the city center of Dusseldorf. I recommend it if you visit Dusseldorf because you can learn about Goethe, who is loved all over the world, and see him from a new perspective. #europa

#AprilTravelSupport I was able to see the construction site at Duisburg Central Station, which is currently undergoing renovation. The trains are still running right next to the platform where the work is being done to change the aging station, but there was no inconvenience when taking the train. There are many places to go to in the surrounding small cities, so if you are traveling to Germany, I recommend taking the train to visit the small cities. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupport I got a glimpse of the vibrant city at the City Festival held in Duisburg. To be honest, it looked a bit old when I saw it, but it was a festival enjoyed by locals with their families because there were various programs and food to enjoy, so if your schedule allows, I recommend visiting. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupport It looks like a family of ducks are enjoying a walk along the waterway in the inner harbor of Duisburg. The port, which was once bustling during the industrial boom, is now a place where waterways flow for the city's residents, so it's great for a walk. I recommend taking a walk here after visiting the art gallery in the inner harbor of Duisburg. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupportDusseldorfInternationalAirportTerminalAisbuiltontwofloors,sooneinconvenientthingwasthattherestroomswereonthe2ndfloor.Of coursethereisanelevatorsoyoucanuseit.Whilegoinguptousetherestroom,Ilookaroundthe2ndfloorandyoucanlookdownthroughtheglasswindowtotheDutyfreeshopdownstairsandyoucanseetheplaneswaitingontherunway.Alsothe2ndfloorgatesareseldomopensoitismuchquier, soIrecommendit. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupportDusseldorfInternationalAirportismoremodernthanFrankfurtandthespacebetweengateswaswide,soitwascomfortable. Aftergettingofftheplane,thesignswerewellwritteninEnglish,soitwaseasyforinternationalpassengerstofindit,soIrecommendit. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupport At Düsseldorf Airport Station, moving walkways were installed instead of step escalators for the convenience of passengers. One thing to be careful of is that when you are carrying a wheeled carrier, you should hold on to it tightly to prevent the carrier from rolling away. Even when many people are on board, you should be careful not to cause an accident. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupport I was able to see self-portraits of people who lived in the same era as Goethe at the Goethe Museum in Düsseldorf. It was meaningful to see self-portraits of Goethe's comrades who shared friendship and acquaintance in the 18th century. If you go to Düsseldorf, I recommend the museum because it is located in the city center and easy to find. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupport I took a flight departing from Terminal A of Dusseldorf Airport. It was a terminal where flights to the Schengen area depart, so it was a terminal where you could go straight to duty-free shopping without going through security checks and immigration. I recommend you plan your trip and depart from the clean and modern Dusseldorf Airport. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupport Ratinger Tor, which you can find while walking from Hofgarten in Dusseldorf, used to be a customs gate, but now it has become a place where cars run on both sides. I recommend visiting Dusseldorf, where you can see historical buildings that change with time. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupportDusseldorf This is a monument built to commemorate King Wilhelm I. It is located right in front of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Judicial Building, so it feels even more majestic, so I recommend stopping by while sightseeing in the city. 📍Martin-Luther-Platz #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupportInTheForest Bärlauch Minginamu In the spring, it grows again and gives you the joy of going out to collect it. If you went into the forest with light hands, you can return home with a heavy armful of them. I recommend you to be thankful for nature and heal in the forest. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupport Many people may not know that former German national soccer team player Lukas Podolski opened a kebab shop. The interior of the shop is clean and spacious for a kebab shop, so many people visit. It is located right in front of the central station, so I recommend it to those who want to have a simple meal. 📍Mangal Döner X Lukas Podolski #germanycity

#aprilblooms #frühling #yellow&green #nature #relaxingview

#AprilTravelSupport I didn't know that there was a Street Food & Music Festival, so I visited downtown Duisburg and looked around the many food trucks. I ordered something simple from a Peruvian food truck that I don't usually get to eat at. I recommend it because I was able to say hello and share a sense of warmth thanks to the friendly Peruvian couple who run the restaurant. #germanytravel

#AprilTravelSupport Whenever I go to Düsseldorf, there is always a long wait, so I purposely went there after lunch time. It is a small ramen restaurant, but it is more delicious than other chain ramen restaurants. I trusted the food when I saw the owner cooking it right in front of me, bringing out the flavor of the fire. 📍 Bismarckstraße 54A, Oststraße 109, 40210 Düsseldorf