"Challenger's Duisburg Pages" Top 5 Page for this destination Duisburg by challenger

Duisburg Travel Guide: 119 reviews and 409 photos

My place of birth and place of residence for the first 28 years of my life, I guess I should feel all misty eyed and nostalgic about Duisburg, but can’t say I was sad to move away from it eventually.

With about 550.000 people living in there, Duisburg is actually Germany’s 10th biggest city, though you wouldn’t guess it when you see the empty streets at night.

Right smack in the middle of the Ruhrgebiet - the industrial Ruhr Valley –, home of the largest inland harbour of the world and originally dominated by steel factories and heavy industry that have now gone bust, this is not necessarily a favourite holiday resort for most people.

Duisburg, however, is an ideal place to stay when you can’t find accommodation in Duesseldorf or any other city in the area. The airport is as far away from Duisburg as it is from Duesseldorf and public transport is pretty fast, affordable and reliable.

You may also not necessarily think so when visiting the city, but Duisburg is actually very well regarded amongst the people living in it. Despite high unemployment and a general lack of having sweet eff all to do, most of its citizens appreciate the cleanliness and relative safety of its streets and are quite often very proud of being a “Duisburger”. Having nothing majorly exciting happening on your doorsteps here seems to be considered a virtue for a city to call home.

So while you may not be itching to get there anytime soon, should you ever end up here, you can make the best of it provided you follow my little VT survival kit here.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Aehhhhh
Cons:Pretty drab looking and unexciting
In a nutshell:You're stranded in Duisburg? Poor sod!

Last visit to Duisburg: May 2007
Intro Updated Jun 11, 2007
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Reviews (18)

More potatoes than you ever dreamt off Restaurants (1)

Located slightly on the outskirts of town, the Kartoffelkiste is Duisburg’s oldest restaurant, dating back as far as... more travel advice

Oscar Huber Things to Do (8)

The “Oscar Huber” is a museum’s ship. Previously used as a proper transport boat for the inland harbour, the “Oscar... more travel advice

Visit the zoo Favorites (3)

The Duisburg Zoo is an absolute must see if you’re in or around Duisburg. It is on huge premises and is one of the... more travel advice

Visit the zoo Favorites (3)

…. Mind the tigers……. more travel advice

Sports & Outdoors (1)
Regattabahn
Nightlife (3)
See All Independent cinema

Comments (10)

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Gerrem Sep 2, 2005 at 12:26 AM

Köpi: sicherlich eines der bemerkenswertesten Duisburger Highlights. Wie ist das Bier in Cork? Grüße, Michael
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chancay Jul 9, 2004 at 7:10 AM

Nikki De Saint Phalle in Duisburg...wusste ich gar nicht...wie waers noch mit nem kleinen Nachruf auf Schimanski ,-)) ??
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antistar Jul 8, 2004 at 6:20 AM

I liked Duisberg, especially the people who were polite and friendly. Sure it hasn't got any major tourist draws, but I wouldn't mind living there. You have good pages too :D.
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pepples46 Sep 2, 2003 at 6:38 PM

eigentlich ist Duisburg garnicht soooo schlecht. der Zoo Klasse und die Leute waren immer sehr freundlich..aber das ist ne Weile her. thanks for a fine page
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sabsi May 7, 2003 at 7:36 AM

i walked through the Innenhafen and wandered what all the half houses were... and now I found your page and know that its Garten der Erinnerungen :) Thanks!
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Henkster May 6, 2003 at 12:00 PM

Thanks for your real honesty!! The whole area is pretty depressing, if you ask me. I also warned about it on my Germany page!
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ania70pl Apr 15, 2003 at 3:50 AM

Well, from your page Duisburg seems to be quite nice city. Very well written tips, thanks.
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Todd64 Apr 14, 2003 at 2:56 PM

Great page; wonderfully dry humour. “Paternoster” must be the worlds first mechanized amusement ride as well, and KöPi IS great: FACT! Thanx! :)
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nepalgoods Apr 2, 2003 at 9:18 PM

Wow! The Niki de St Phalle-Fountain ist beautiful!! And Köpi and the Zoo!! I am very impressed!
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zrim Apr 1, 2003 at 10:19 AM

I'll have a KoPi. Can I have the beer while minding the tigers? Interesting tips.