Finally, as summer arrived in June, my next long journey began. After cycling mainly through Bavaria so far – read more on my recent Cycling trips in Germany – it was time to explore a different part of Germany. With my bike safely secured on top of my car, I was ready to set off from my home in Bavaria towards the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Along the way, I planned to combine road trips with cycling adventures. From Düsseldorf and Bonn to smaller, lesser-known places, I was excited to discover some of the pretty towns in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Moreover, I wanted to enjoy a mix of culture, nature, and outdoor adventures.
Before crossing any borders, however, my first stop was Nordrhein-Westfalen, on the western side of Germany. Known for its lively cities, riverside landscapes, and charming historic centres, this region has plenty to offer beyond its industrial reputation.
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I booked a hotel for two nights in the small town of Neuss, just outside Düsseldorf. Truthfully, I wasn’t expecting much, but the historic old town turned out to be surprisingly charming.
The first thing I noticed was the large urban beach set up right in the town centre. Germany really does love its beach bars. After visiting quite a few over the years, I can honestly say they’re one of my favourite things about summer here. With sand under your feet, deckchairs, palm trees, and a cold drink in hand, they’re the perfect place to relax and catch up with friends on a warm evening.
Düsseldorf
During summer in Europe, the days feel wonderfully long, with sunset not until just before 10 pm. Given that, there was still plenty of time after dinner in Neuss to take my bicycle out for an evening ride to Düsseldorf.
I was in search of ice cream, and the 9 km ride into Düsseldorf seemed just short enough for a relaxed little cycling adventure. It turned out to be a lovely way to spend the evening. The route was easy, the light was beautiful. Arriving in the city by bike made the whole experience feel even more fun.
Düsseldorf may not be a small town, but it certainly has its charming corners. And I know I will return one day for sure. Still, this trip had made me even more curious to discover the smaller and pretty towns in Nordrhein-Westfalen.
Out of all the pretty towns in Nordrhein-Westfalen I had visited so far, Düsseldorf was my favourite. Its historic old town is beautiful to wander through. There are elegant streets, lively squares, and plenty of cafés and restaurants to stop at along the way.
That said, the city was absolutely packed with people. Then again, it was a warm Friday evening, so I suppose I shouldn’t have expected anything else. There were perhaps a few more partygoers than I would normally enjoy. However, they certainly gave the city a vibrant atmosphere. After treating myself to a well-earned ice cream, it was time to hop back on my bike and enjoy the peaceful ride back to Neuss.
Read here my latest blog post about Düsseldorf – The best spot in Germany. Cycling along the Moselle River!
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Cologne, Bonn and the Castle ‚Drachenburg‘
The main reason I wanted to visit Cologne (Köln) was to see its famous cathedral. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The cathedral is absolutely magnificent, both in scale and detail. It’s easy to see why it’s one of Germany’s most iconic landmarks.
Beyond the cathedral, however, Cologne wasn’t really my kind of city. Much of the historic centre had to be rebuilt after the Second World War. To me, it lacked some of the character and charm I usually look for when travelling. That’s just my personal impression, of course.
Cologne also feels more like a vibrant business and cultural hub than one of the pretty towns in Nordrhein-Westfalen I was hoping to discover. While I can understand why so many people enjoy visiting, I found myself more excited to continue my journey in search of smaller towns with historic centres and a quieter atmosphere.
Next of the pretty towns in Nordrhein-Westfalen
Bonn, on the other hand, although I had originally considered skipping it altogether, turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. Its charming old town is full of beautiful historic buildings, cosy cafés, and lively squares. All of these give it a much more relaxed and picturesque atmosphere.
In my opinion, Bonn was far prettier than Cologne. Much of its historic centre has retained its original character, making it one of the pretty towns in Nordrhein-Westfalen that I would happily recommend exploring.
Adding to the experience, Bonn, being the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, was celebrating what would have been his 250th birthday. There was a unique outdoor exhibition called Unser Ludwig on Münsterplatz. Dozens of colourful Beethoven statues filled the square, each with its own artistic design. It looked fantastic and made for some wonderful photographs.
I have to admit, I was tempted to take one of the Beethovens home with me. But they were just a little out of my budget! I was simply happy to have visited at exactly the right time to experience this wonderful exhibition.
Drachenburg Castle
Nearby, I also wanted to visit Drachenburg Castle. As you probably know by now, I love exploring castles whenever I travel. This one had been on my list for a while.
Perched high on a hill and surrounded by lush green forest, Drachenburg Castle looked almost magical from the outside. Unfortunately, I arrived a little too early, about an hour before it opened at 10 am (in June). Because of that, I wasn’t able to go inside. A bit of a shame, really! Still, the views over the Rhine Valley were well worth the stop. Seeing the castle from the outside was enough to convince me that I’ll have to come back one day.
So far, my journey through the pretty towns in Nordrhein-Westfalen had exceeded all my expectations. The mix of historic towns, impressive castles, riverside scenery, and relaxed cycling made this part of Germany a wonderful surprise. I would highly recommend to visit them all!
Münster
Besides its surprisingly pretty old town and the impressive St. Paulus Cathedral (Dom), Münster also has a much darker chapter in its history.
Without going into too much detail, the Anabaptists took control of the city in 1534, establishing what became known as the Münster Rebellion. Their rule came to an end in 1535 when the city was recaptured by Prince-Bishop Franz von Waldeck after a lengthy siege. The surviving Anabaptist leaders were executed, and their bodies were displayed in iron cages suspended from the tower of St. Lambert’s Church as a warning to others.
Those very cages are still hanging from the church tower today. Can you spot them in the photo? It’s quite remarkable to see them still there, nearly 500 years later. They serve as a stark reminder of Münster’s fascinating and turbulent past.
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I really enjoyed my time in Münster, although I didn’t stay for long. My journey had only just begun, and I still had plenty of places to explore.
Overall, Nordrhein-Westfalen pleasantly surprised me. Before this trip, I had mostly associated the region with large cities and industry, but I discovered so much more. From charming historic towns and impressive castles to lively riverside cities and beautiful countryside, this is a beautiful part of Germany.
If I had to choose one favourite, it would be Düsseldorf. Its elegant old town and vibrant atmosphere made it stand out, even if it was a little busy for my taste. That said, I know I’ve only scratched the surface. There are still plenty more pretty towns in Nordrhein-Westfalen that I’d love to explore on a future trip.
For now, though, it was time to cross the border. The Netherlands was waiting for me! – Amsterdam and cycling in Netherlands!
(post 95)
