The 12 things to do in Düsseldorf

Are you leaving for a trip to Germany? Discover our selection of the 12 things to do in Düsseldorf!

What to do when visiting Düsseldorf? Düsseldorf, do you say? Yes, it is the capital and the second town of the North Rhine-Westphalia land, located in the “European megalopolis” and in the Rhine-Ruhr conurbation, northwest of Germany. Specifically, Düsseldorf is north of its historic rival, Cologne , as well as a few kilometers east of Netherlands and of Belgium . A city inhabited by 612,178 inhabitants in the heart of a vast conurbation of 11.3 million people (Rhin-Ruhr axis), Düsseldorf is a major cultural, economic and artistic capital for Germany.

Between historical monuments, artistic and cultural activities, the spots where to drink beer, restaurants or fashion shopping, we will not miss things to do by visiting Düsseldorf: here is our selection of the must-sees of the city.

1. Old town

Located on the banks of the Rhine, the old town – Altstadt – retraces the soul of Düsseldorf: a high concentration of bars and restaurants, which would be no other than the “longest bar in the world” because of this very long cord constantly of nearly 250 counters where endless groaning of artisanal beer.

Through a city tour, test it Altbier a local artisanal beer. To savour it among others, you can even opt for a guided tour of the city punctuated with beer tastings!

Between bars and museums, the exhibition of K20 , Kuntshalle or Filmmuseum museum are also to be seen.

2. Königsallee, “Avenue of the King”

Want to make luxury shopping by visiting Düsseldorf? If you want to spend money, this is where you have to go: we call it Königsallee – the King’s Avenue” – is the shopping paradise. Düsseldorf, German capital of fashion and nicknamed « Petit Paris » is proud of its Königsallee , sort of local Champs-Elysées. The shaded avenue, crossed by the Stadtgraben River, is known as the most cabbage avenue in the city.

3. The Rheinuferpromenade

Do you like urban walks? Do you know what to do in Düsseldorf? The Rheinuferpromenade ("walk on the banks of the Rhine") will offer beautiful walks to discover the city. A few minutes from the old town, you can walk along the shores, see the Burgplatz , Schlossturm and its steps (Rheintreppe), very famous and always very frequented.

4. The Rheinturm

South of the city centre, and still on the banks of the Rhine, is a must in Düsseldorf: Rheinturm the city’s television tower was 24.5 metres high. A panoramic observation point is 170 metres high, and a panoramic restaurant rotating on its axis in an hour, to see the city 360° by eating at 174.5 metres.

5. MedienHafen neighbourhood

MedienHafen , it is a former harbour and popular district of the Rhine, rehabilitated in the media and telecommunications district. So there are skyscrapers and renovated buildings in old silos and halles. You can walk along a large wooden pontoon, the Kaistrasse, around countless bars and restaurants where to drink and eat while observing the futuristic buildings.

For a cultural walk, do not hesitate to opt for a guided tour : between modernity and history, the Rhine Tower promises to be remarkable.

Finally, at nightfall, the neighbourhood becomes a holiday place: bars and discotheques are filled with young thirsty and noctambule.

6. Stadtmitte, the Japanese quarter

After Paris and London , Düsseldorf is the city with the largest Japanese community in Europe: located east of Altstadt (the old town), the Stadtmitte is the Japanese quarter. Rendez-vous on the Immermanstrasse , where we find karaokes, saké bars and Japanese restaurants. Moreover, for those who would like to push the song to discover the city otherwise, there is a special visit: on board a bus, you are invited to interpret your favourite tubes, while exploring the main interests of Düsseldorf.

Want to eat noodle soups, feel a bit of Japan in Germany? North of the neighborhood is a more commercial soul, with large shops and a vast park, the Hofgarten . It's a good day.

7. The parks and green spaces of the city

Hofgarten is an unmissable city if you don't know what to do to visit Düsseldorf. In Hofgarten Park, you will have the feeling of being in the countryside: the green space is 28 hectares and also sheltered the Goethe museum , in Jägerhof Castle. Do you like the vast green spaces? See you at Südpark , where to stroll in two huge public parks. This huge park offers large lawns lined with ponds where picnic, a zoo and playgrounds for children.

8. Biergarten, an open-air brewery

Biergarten means "open-air brewery." You see us coming, it’s about drinking beer and eating outside. Originally equipped, this popular and friendly activity is essential in Germany. The principle is simple: we sit outside, on large tables to eat local dishes and taste dozens and dozens of local beers. Biergarten an der Rheinterrasse will drink his beer by admiring the Rhine!

9. The ruins of Kaiserswerth

Kaiserswerth is a village north of the old town, now a Düsseldorf district, in which a Benedictine abbey was built in 700. An imperial palace was built in 1045. The ruins of the palace are also a must to visit Düsseldorf if you love history. By its architecture, it seems to be an extension of the Roman Empire, since the building was built almost 600 after the fall of Rome. Not far. Basilica Saint Suitbertus – the name of the missionary who founded Kaiserswerth – is also worth visiting.

On foot or even en segway , this place in charge of history is worth a visit to the passengers of Düsseldorf: so think to note it in your essentials of the stay!

10. The castle of Benrath

Built between 1755 and 1770, the castle Benrath is an unmissable visit if you want to discover the history of the city. This building is a rococo style pleasure house – a European artistic movement of the 18th century – a former palace of nobility that has become a museum of natural history, a venue of exhibitions and a concert hall.

11. The Zollverein Industrial Centre

The Zollverein means "German Customs Union". It symbolizes a key stage of industrialization of the country in the middle of the 19th century, which gave birth to the German state in 1871. The Zollverein consisted of applying financial solidarity between States and economic protectionism for the emerging industries: colossal revenues were generated, allowing to finance the German industrial boom.

A UNESCO-listed coal mine in the Zollverein, located in Essen, is a witness to the German industrial revolution in the inter-two wars.

12. Unterbacher See

The problem of visiting Düsseldorf is that we are far from the sea. A Unterbacher See , you can relax on the sand on two artificial beaches, built by Lake Unterbach. To the south of the city, where you can make pedals, sailing, volleyball, acro-branch, ball games, etc. The lake is obviously very frequented from the beautiful days of spring, all summer and back autumn season.

How to get to Düsseldorf?

Düsseldorf is very well served by transport. Regular flights provide connections to Düsseldorf from all major cities in Europe: the Düsseldorf International Airport has 15 million passengers per year. See you on Ulysses to compare the best flight deals.

When at the train, it is also taken to access Düsseldorf, and for cause: the Düsseldorf train station is 4 hours from Paris, with a first departure at 6:13, last train at 8:25 (between 94 € and 135€ in January 2019).

Where to stay in Düsseldorf?

The old town, the media district – MedienHafen -, the Japanese district – Statdtmitte – and the central station district, are the places you are recommended to stay in Düsseldorf: they are home to the majority of hotels and rooms where to sleep. To find out where to stay in Düsseldorf, do not hesitate to take a look at our article dedicated to the subject.

When at the type of accommodation, the city offers a whole range of accommodation: hotels, apartments, hostels... It's for all tastes! To find a cheap hotel, visit this site Compare hotels . If, on the other hand, you are looking for an apartment or studio for a more authentic ground foot, Airbnb will offer you the best accommodations.