Solingen
Introduction
Solingen sits in North Rhine-Westphalia, about 25 km east of Düsseldorf, along the northern edge of the Bergisches Land and just south of the Ruhr. It is one of the main cities of the Bergisches Land, second in the region after Wuppertal, and belongs to the Rhineland regional authority.
Before you go
Solingen sits in the hills between Wuppertal and Düsseldorf, at the edge of the Bergisches Land region. It is best known for its long history of knife production, so expect that craft and its legacy to shape what you notice around the city. It is not the most thrilling destination, but it works well as a base if Düsseldorf feels too expensive for your stay.
Getting there
Solingen Hauptbahnhof is served by regional and local trains running to Wuppertal, Düsseldorf, Cologne and beyond, with the occasional ICE also stopping there. The station sits on the edge of the Ohligs district, a few kilometres from the city centre, but trolleybuses and regular buses connect it onward, including services to Düsseldorf. For the centre itself, Solingen-Mitte is a small local stop on the winding line towards Remscheid and Wuppertal.
By air, Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund and Frankfurt airports are all within close proximity to the city.
Getting around
Solingen's shape matters for how you travel: the city stretches across a wide area, and its main rail station sits at the edge of the Ohligs district rather than in the centre. Plan around that split and the city is well served by public transport. The most distinctive option is the trolleybus — Solingen is one of only three remaining German cities with buses driven by overhead wires, alongside Eberswalde and Esslingen. The network runs within Solingen, with one exception continuing to Wuppertal-Vohwinkel station, and all trolleybuses meet at the Graf-Wilhelm-Platz stop, making it a convenient interchange in the city centre. Everything runs under VRR fares, so standard regional tickets and passes apply; buy through the usual VRR channels and consider a day or multi-day pass if you plan several trips.
Conventional buses cross the city toward neighbouring towns: from Solingen Hauptbahnhof to Haan and Düsseldorf, and from Graf-Wilhelm-Platz to Wuppertal, Leverkusen and express services to Cologne. Two stations matter to visitors and are not interchangeable — Solingen Hauptbahnhof, on the edge of Ohligs, handles regional and local trains toward Wuppertal, Düsseldorf and Cologne, while Solingen-Mitte is a small local stop near the centre on the line toward Remscheid and Wuppertal. There is no metro or tram network. Walking works for the immediate area around Graf-Wilhelm-Platz or whichever station you arrive at, but the hilly, spread-out geography makes getting between districts on foot unrealistic. Cycling is possible but not effortless; the Korkenziehertrasse, a cycle path on an old rail alignment toward Wuppertal, is a notable route.
Where to stay
Solingen's sleeping options are practical rather than plush, and most cluster within easy reach of the centre. For a simple stay, the Adler Apotheke occupies a former pharmacy building long used by craftsmen, offering bed and breakfast with shared bathrooms and toilets. Similar in spirit is the Monteurzimmer Solingen on Kölner Straße, another bed-and-breakfast aimed at tradespeople, also with shared facilities. The Hotel Solinger Hof combines a restaurant with three skittle lanes, while Zum Roten Ochsen is a small hotel with eighteen rooms.
If you prefer a little more comfort, the H+ Hotel Solingen is the mid-range choice, with rooms that come equipped with a TV, radio, fridge and private bathroom.
Food & drink
For Turkish and Mediterranean cooking, head to Fasil on Am Neumarkt. Seafood is the draw at Gaston - Fischerstube near Breidbacher Tor. Bistro & Café Valentino on Küstergasse serves breakfast, lunch and cakes.What to see and do
Solingen's best-known sight is the Müngstener Brücke, the highest railway bridge in Germany, which spans the valley between Solingen and Remscheid. Below it, the Brückenpark offers playground items, a mini-golf course, a hand-operated overhead ferry and a bistro, with hiking trails threading through the surrounding area. For history, head to Burg Castle, a 12th-century castle that was once the seat of the Duchy of Berg and was reconstructed from the late 19th century; it is now the largest reconstructed castle in the state and holds a museum, guided tours, gastronomy and large events such as medieval games. The German Blade Museum examines the blades and knives for which Solingen is famous. If you're after something more astronomical, the Galileum Solingen near the Hauptbahnhof houses a planetarium and observatory inside an old gas storage tank.When to go
Solingen has an oceanic climate, so you can expect mild, wet conditions year-round rather than sharply defined seasons. July brings the warmest weather and the most pleasant conditions for being outdoors, though rain remains possible at any time. Extreme heat is rare, but it has occurred. January is the coldest stretch of the year, with frost and occasional snow possible.
December is the wettest month, so damp, grey days are common in winter. Snow has fallen as early as late October and as late as early May, meaning wintry conditions can bookend the colder period. Whenever you visit, plan for rain.
Three days in Solingen
Day one: Arrive at Solingen Hauptbahnhof and use the VRR network to reach the centre. Base yourself in Mitte, the central district, and get your bearings on foot. The Korkenziehertrasse is a former railway line turned walking and cycling route, and it gives you an easy way to cross the city without traffic. Stop at the Adler Apotheke, a historic building in the centre, before an evening meal in Mitte.
Day two: Head to Ohligs, the district around the main station, and explore its streets on foot. From Solingen you can reach Wuppertal and Remscheid easily, and the wider Bergisches Land is on the doorstep for cycling. If you prefer a bigger city for the day, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Bonn are all reachable by ICE or regional train, with Leverkusen and Haan also close by. Return to Solingen for the evening.
Day three: Use the VRR network for a final morning in Mitte, then take the Korkenziehertrasse again if you want a last walk or cycle. The Ruhr and the Rhineland lie within reach if you are continuing your journey, and Dortmund and Frankfurt are connected by ICE. Plan your departure from Solingen Hauptbahnhof, allowing time to change at Ohligs or Vohwinkel if your route requires it.