Many visitors immediately associate Wuppertal with its famous suspension railway. Its construction in 1901 was a pioneering, innovative feat of engineering. It continues to be used to this day as a popular mode of public transport for the town. The route connects neighbourhoods along the valley with each other. Since 2017, new carriages have been gliding over the Wupper. A trip today is just as worthwhile as it was 100 years ago.

Situated in the centre of North Rhine-Westphalia in the business heartland of the Rhine-Ruhr region, Wuppertal today is a town on the move. The entrepreneurial spirit of its 19th century industrial heyday lives on today in the form of small, creative think tanks right through to innovative global players. The redesign of the entrance to the city centre (and the area around the Wuppertal main station) as part of the major Döppersberg project is just one example of the forward-looking development of a town in which there is much to discover.

Those looking for something to balance their conference programme, will find plenty of green spaces in the numerous parks that offer unparalleled views of the Bergisch landscape and the town. A highlight is the Grüne Zoo Wuppertal, Wuppertal's green zoo, one of Germany's most scenic zoos. The Schloss Burg - erstwhile seat of the Counts von Berg -, the Müngster Viaduct Park or Altenberg Cathedral are also classics when it comes to day trip destinations in the Bergisches Land.

Opera performances in the beautifully restored building from the 1950s are an experience, while plays performed by the Wuppertaler Bühnen await you in the new „Theater am Engelsgarten“.

The world-renowned Tanztheater Pina Bausch is often on tour, but with a bit of luck, you will find it in residence at the Opera House, which has been renovated in keeping with its period features. If that is the case, you may be able to combine your visit with one of their remarkable performances in Wuppertal.

Wuppertal Marketing offers a range of different city tours and guided visits so you can get to know the town.

Discover the town's unusual topography - the „San Francisco of North-Rhine Westphalia“, experience the insights and views offered by the „90 Minute Vintage Bus Ride“ or take the classic trip with the suspension railway in the historic „Kaiserwagen“.

Just a few minutes' walk from the Historische Stadthalle will take you into the town centre of Wuppertal Elberfeld.

The town centre which stretches as far as the adjacent Luisenviertel - the unofficial „old town“ - with its range of shopping and wide variety of with their bars, cafes and restaurants is a tempting place to stroll and linger.

Art lovers from around the world are enthralled by the Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden by internationally renowned sculptor Tony Cragg, who is based in Wuppertal. Temporary exhibitions by guest artists and musical events complement the permanent exhibition of Cragg's sculptures in the former private park of Wuppertal entrepreneur and paint manufacturer, Dr. Kurt Herberts.

(Picture: Tony Cragg, Points of View, 2008 im Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden)

Art lovers from around the world are enthralled by the Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden by internationally renowned sculptor Tony Cragg, who is based in Wuppertal. Temporary exhibitions by guest artists and musical events complement the permanent exhibition of Cragg's sculptures in the former private park of Wuppertal entrepreneur and paint manufacturer, Dr. Kurt Herberts.

(Picture: Tony Cragg, Points of View, 2008 im Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden)

“The University of Wuppertal regards internationally visible, top-level research and cooperative regional engagement as two sides of the same coin. It takes on specific issues from businesses, works on developing new technical solutions together with industry partners and in this way provides an impetus for innovation in the region.” (Vice chancellor Prof. Lambert T. Koch)

A focus on synergies and the creation of links between science and the economy not only drive the rapidly growing University of Wuppertal, but also other powerful institutions in Wuppertal, incl. the world-renowned Wuppertal Institute or the Business Development Corporation based in the w-tec technology park.

It is obvious that this strategy works. According to a survey by the German Economic Institute, the Bergisches Land ranks sixth among Germany’s 14 leading innovation regions. The Bergish Three and Wuppertal Marketing support this connectivity. Wuppertal makes sure it is fit for the future early on: the town’s junior university is one of a kind.

The Engels-Haus in Wuppertal-Barmen is a hotspot for the economic and social history of early industrialisation. Friedrich Engels was the son of a local textile manufacturer. In 1848, he wrote the communist manifesto together with Karl Marx. In 2020, Wuppertal will be marking the 200th birthday of the town's famous son.

The recently built Haus Müngsten offers outstanding views of the highest railway bridge in Germany and is located right on the banks of the Wupper. With imposing areas of glass and a steel fa�ade that gives it an industrial look, Haus Müngsten is part of the Viaduct Park which is criss-crossed by adventure hiking trails and includes a belvedere with panoramic views of the Wupper valley. Another major attraction is the „floating ferry“, which makes it possible to cross the Wupper in the direction of Schloss Burg by means of two wire cables.

The Von der Heydt Museum with its renowned collection of, amongst others, major works of the classic Modern period, is located in the centre of Elberfeld.

Nearby, in the „Hofaue“, the prestigious design faculty of the Bergische Universität Wuppertal has its „Institute for Art and Design in the Kolkmannhaus“, which is well wort a visit. It is housed in an old factory building on the banks of the Wupper.

There are a host of wellness, fitness and sport options in the city. Wellness enthusiasts will find the „Schwimmoper“ right next to the Historische Stadthalle. Visitors can take their exercise in the elaborately restored swimming pool or enjoy relaxing in the sauna and salt cave. For climbing fans, the Bouldercafé und -Halle offers steep walls in the urban setting of old factory production halls. Golfers like the region for its interesting courses including the Golf-Club Bergisch Land of the Golfclub Felderbach/Frielinghausen.

A further bonus for such a hilly town as Wuppertal is the Nordbahntrasse. With the support of local citizens, the 23 km long former railway line has been turned into a very popular cycling, skating, jogging and walking route. It offers unusual views of the city and iconic one-time train stations. This exemplary project was widely acclaimed throughout Germany and has won several awards.

The range of hotels in Wuppertal is growing. There is a wide selection of established, re-designed and new accommodation available close to the Historische Stadthalle. (In 2017/2018 almost 500 further beds will be added. More are planned.)

Wuppertal - the town of short distances is ideally located in the centre of North Rhine-Westphalia in the business heartland of the Rhine-Ruhr region. The high-speed ICE train station, numerous hotels and the town centre are all within walking distance. Reasonably priced car parks with over 700 spaces as well as very good connections to Düsseldorf and Cologne airports complete the town's infrastructure.

This former 65-metre high gasometer is an industrial monument with a skywalk and an innovative exhibition platform. Changing light installations are presented on a surface of 6,000 square metres which allow for a breathtaking 360-degree projection experience. The landmark Gaskessel is also a good option for a spectacular new event location on the eastern side of Wuppertal.