Düsseldorf, The Kö

The Rhein River twists and turns for many miles in Düsseldorf, as it heads north through the heart of the city. A few blocks east of the Rhein is the main shopping street, Königsallee, known throughout Germany as the “Kö,” pronounced approximately “coo.” Over a half mile long and 270 feet wide, one of Europe's most wealthy and fashionably luxurious boulevards, traffic lanes are separated by the river Düssel, after which the city is named. The grassy river banks are populated with swans, and lined with trees. Office buildings, banks, dozens of bars, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and glittering department and specialty stores displaying fashions, furs, jewels, and china, line both sides of the Königsallee.