People looking for property in Germany could find the western region is the place for them thanks to its unique status as a European Capital of Culture. While other countries have cities that hold the same position, in Germany a unique development occurred in 2010 when the entire western region of the Ruhr was granted the accolade.

In all 53 towns and cities are covered by the title, grouped under the banner of RUHR.2010, with 5.3 million residents of property in Germany living within the borders of the Ruhr and 170 different nationalities represented there.

Venues accessible from property in Germany’s Capital of Culture

Although property in Germany’s Capital of Culture is spread over almost 4,500 sq km, that does not mean that residents are far from some of the entertainment venues that helped to earn the title for the Ruhr region. There are 100 arts centres and 200 museums, 100 concert venues and 120 theatres all providing things to do and a taste of what makes the Ruhr region a celebrated area of German community.

In addition, the region’s tourism body adds that there are 3,500 industrial monuments which offer a taste of where the area has come from – and also where it is going. Coal and steel remain important parts of the industrial heritage of the Ruhr, but it is making advances similar to those seen in industrial parts of other European countries, establishing itself as a cultural region and not an area where "grey melancholy" prevails, Ruhr Tourismus says.

Property in North Rhine-Westphalia provides further treats

The Ruhr is part of North Rhine-Westphalia, which in turn is one of five states which touch Germany’s western border; the others are Baden-Wuerttemberg, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate and Lower Saxony, with Schleswig-Holstein extending the western perimeter of the country as it emerges from the north-west corner of Germany.

Dortmund ranks among the most fully fledged cultural destinations both in the Ruhr and in North Rhine-Westphalia as a whole, with museums covering the automotive industry, history and technology. DASA is a fine example of the connection between the region’s industrial past and cultural future, with exhibits covering the steel industry, cranes and personal safety within the construction sector.

Dusseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, with no modern transformation required in order to cement its place as a historically significant destination. The Old Town of the city is known as the "longest bar in the world", with over 250 restaurants, bars and pubs lining its streets. Ceramics, movies, paintings and modern art are among the disciplines that draw creative minds to Dusseldorf – and which provide some of the exhibits that appear in its museums and galleries.

Property in western Germany’s other states

Property in Germany’s other westerly states can serve a variety of different tastes. Schleswig-Holstein is unique in bordering both the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, with sandy beaches that make surfing and sailing realistic pursuits. Water also forms the southern boundary of the state as the Elbe separates it from Lower Saxony.

Lower Saxony itself – or Niedersachsen, in German – centres on Hannover, with attractions in the city all year round. In summer, Maschseefest brings two million tourists to the region for a three-week party, while in winter the Christmas market adds a touch of romance and tradition to the snowy backdrop.

Rhineland-Palatinate’s state capital is Mainz, from where visitors can set out to experience a quite different landscape, in the form of the spectacular Rhenish Slate Mountains, home to vineyards and castles and whose elevation helps to fuel the rivers that snake through the land.

Saarland packs a lot of geography into a relatively small land area of just over 2,500 sq km, making it the smallest non-city state in Germany. Despite this, activities on offer range from hot air ballooning to donkey trekking, with river valleys, lakes and forests contributing to the scenery.

Baden-Wuerttemberg completes the journey along Germany’s western perimeter, with Stuttgart providing plenty of culture. For automobile enthusiasts, the Porsche Museum is just one indicator of the city’s motoring heritage, with exhibits dating back to the early days of the luxury marque and a main area featuring post-1948 designs from the manufacturer.