Wuppertal

Travel Guide

Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board

Ride one of the world’s oldest monorails, admire elegant buildings and wander around town to find an excellent range of galleries, museums and theaters. 

Wuppertal is a city of roughly 350,000 people in northwestern Germany, not far from Düsseldorf and Cologne. It spreads out along the Wupper River and is surrounded by hills and countryside. Between the 18th and early 20th centuries it became one of Germany’s most important industrial centers, developing distinct working-class and bourgeois neighborhoods. Today the city is home to outstanding cultural attractions, great museums and plenty of parks.

Walk the city streets and admire buildings of various size and scale. Check out the Brill neighborhoods for a collection of 19th-century villas or wander through Ölberg to see historic working-class houses. Catch the iconic Schwebebahn suspended monorail to crisscross the city and pick out grand old churches and administrative buildings. The monorail began frequent services in 1901 and remains one of the city’s distinguishing features.

Visit the Von der Heydt Museum to see an excellent selection of paintings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Be sure to drop by the Engels-Haus, a museum where you can learn about the life and work of social philosopher Friedrich Engels. Nearby you’ll find the Museum of Early Industrialization, focusing on the social and political context of the era and containing old tools and machines.

Take a break and relax in the Waldfrieden Sculpture Park, dotted with works by British artist Tony Cragg. Kids and animal lovers will want to head to the Wuppertal Zoo. The 59-acre (24-hectare) complex is home to gorillas, tigers, elephants and many other exotic species.

For a great night out, book tickets to a show in the magnificent Stadthalle Concert Hall. It was the town hall at the end of the 19th century but has recently been converted into one of the most elegant venues in the city. Dance fans should attend a production by the renowned Pina Bausch Company in the Opera House or Theater Foyer.

Wuppertal is a dynamic little city with fascinating architecture and a well-developed cultural scene. Stroll the streets or ride the monorail, take in the sights and soak up the history.

Where to stay in Wuppertal

Wuppertal showing a city

Elberfeld-Mitte

If you're spending time in Elberfeld-Mitte, check out sights like Von der Heydt-Museum or Historic City Hall and hop on the metro to see more the city at Ohligsmuehle Station or Kluse Station.

Elberfeld-Mitte

Barmen

4/5(1 area review)

The bars and museums are just a few things visitors like about Barmen. Wuppertal Dance Theater and Bergisches Land Nature Park are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Loher Bruecke Station or Adlerbruecke Station to get around the larger area.

Barmen
...and I rode this for two whole hours. I am always going to be a child! :)

P.S. Read more about my trip to Wuppertal

Gemarkung Vohwinkel

When in Gemarkung Vohwinkel and the surrounding area, you'll want to check out sights like Wuppertal Zoo or Historic City Hall and hop on the metro to see more the city at Bruch Station or Vohwinkel Tram Stop.

Gemarkung Vohwinkel
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Grifflenberg

Though Grifflenberg might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Historic City Hall and Wuppertal Zoo.

Grifflenberg
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Friedrich-Engels-Allee

If you're spending time in Friedrich-Engels-Allee, check out sights like Wuppertal Dance Theater or Museum for Early Industrialization and hop on the metro to see more the city at Loher Bruecke Station or Adlerbruecke Station.

Friedrich-Engels-Allee
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Gemarkung Dönberg

When in Gemarkung Dönberg, you can plan a visit to Hardenberg Castle and Historic City Hall, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Gemarkung Dönberg
Maritim Hotel Köln
Maritim Hotel Köln
Heumarkt 20, Cologne, NW
$117 nightly
The price is $131 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$131 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,154 reviews)
"The room had a lovely view of the river and part of downtown. Great service and very friendly staff."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Maritim Hotel Köln
Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf
Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf
Maritim Platz 1, Düsseldorf, NW
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$111 nightly
The price is $125 total per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
$125 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Düsseldorf. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Convenient for airport
"5 minutes walk from the airport, comfortable, good breakfast selection, nice staff"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf
URBAN LOFT Cologne
URBAN LOFT Cologne
Eigelstein 41, Cologne
$93 nightly
The price is $104 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$104 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,180 reviews)
"Nice clean and modern rooms. The girl at check in could have been more professional, the other staff seemed to make more of an effort though."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

URBAN LOFT Cologne
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
limehome Düsseldorf
limehome Düsseldorf
Stresemannstraße 15, Düsseldorf, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Düsseldorf. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Konigsallee and Rhine Promenade are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (157 reviews)
"Our room was clean and quiet."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

limehome Düsseldorf
Nena Apartments Bochum City
Nena Apartments Bochum City
Alleestraße 34, Bochum, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Bochum. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (168 reviews)
"Super value for money! Great for any entertainment stays at Veltins Arena Gelsenkirchen"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Nena Apartments Bochum City
Numa Cologne Ehrenfeld
Numa Cologne Ehrenfeld
Venloer Straße 241-245, Cologne
Stay at this aparthotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Cologne Cathedral and Musical Dome are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (64 reviews)
"overall a great experience"

Reviewed on May 11, 2025

Numa Cologne Ehrenfeld
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Wuppertal

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great place if you have car

5/5 - Excellent

Joan

Wuppertal is a very cute city! The downtown has wonderful shops and restaurants and is a joy to walk around in! Don't miss the random sights such as the Lego bridge or the painted steps that are around the city!

Cities near Wuppertal