Did you know that Düsseldorf is a really fun city in Germany for a short visit? In this article, I’ll share 9 great things to do in Düsseldorf.
Why would you go on a city trip to Düsseldorf?
Düsseldorf is one of the largest cities in Germany and is very close to the border with The Netherlands. The Rhine river runs through the city. You can make really nice walks along the river shore.
A large part of the historic city center was destroyed in World War II, so you won’t see many historic buildings. However, the city is filled with architectural masterpieces and there are also many hip restaurants and interesting museums.
Düsseldorf is a fun destination during summer months, because of all the terraces along the river shore and it has some beautiful parks. During wintertime, Düsseldorf is also a popular destination because of the Christmas markets.
How to get to Düsseldorf?
Depending on where you’re traveling from, you can travel to Düsseldorf by plane, train, or bus.
By plane
Düsseldorf has a large international airport, which makes it an ideal location to arrive by plane. It’s also a great city to start in when you plan to travel to more beautiful destinations in Germany. Within Europe, you can find plane tickets for less than €100 (return). If you’re traveling from the US, a return ticket will cost you between €300 and €500. Check Skyscanner to compare itineraries and prices.
By train
It’s really easy to travel by train in Europe. Düsseldorf has a large central station (Hauptbahnhof) and you can travel there from many countries. There are several different trains, like fast high-speed trains and slower regional trains. If you travel from another country within Europe, you might want to check out the RailEurope. Train tickets are cheaper when you book them in advance.
If you plan to travel by train in Europe for a longer amount of time, it might be smart to check and compare Interrail passes.
By bus
Traveling by bus is probably one of the cheapest ways to go to Düsseldorf. A well-known company that specializes in long-distance bus rides within Europe is Flixbus.
Awesome things to do in Düsseldorf
What are you going to do in Düsseldorf? I’ve got nine tips:
Rheinturm
You’ll probably see it from far: the Rheinturm. This tower is 240.5 meters tall and that also makes it the tallest building in Germany. Around the tower, you’ll find a nice park to explore on a sunny day.
Do you like a good view? You can visit the tower! The view is phenomenal, on clear days you might even see the town of Cologne. You have to book a time slot to visit the tower. The most popular time of day is just before sunset, so make sure to book ahead if you’d like to visit the tower during that time. Check this website if you’d like to visit the Rheinturm.
Go (window)shopping at the Köningsallee
The Köningsallee is the Champs-Elysees from Düsseldorf. On this street, all the luxury brands have a store. It’s a majestic street and there’s a canal in the middle. There are a couple of beautiful bridges you can cross and there are also some gorgeous fountains to see.
Visit the Marktplatz
Would you like to see the historic part of Düsseldorf? Go to Marktplatz in Altstadt. This is one of the few places where you can see what Düsseldorf looked like many centuries ago. Marktplatz is an old square and in the center, it has a large statue of Johann Wilhelm von Pfalz-Neuburg. The city hall (Rathaus) from the sixteenth century on the north side of the square is as pretty as a picture.
Have a drink at the Rhine shore
When you walk from Altstadt to the Rhine river, you will see many bars and restaurants along the shore. From every single one, you’ll have a great view of the river and the sunset. A great place to go for a drink at the end of the day.
Check out the colorful street art
I’ve never seen so many colorful murals in any other city. Düsseldorf is filled with them! You don’t really have to look for them, because there are so many. Even from my hotel room I was able to see an amazing mural with a monkey on it. You will certainly find some cool street art in the area of the Academy of Arts, like the mural in the picture.
Go for a stroll in the Hofgarten
Do you like to explore city parks? Go to the Hofgarten! This is an enormous park located in the city center. Fun fact: this is the first and oldest city park in Germany. It has some hills, ponds, lots of geese and there are some interesting statues. You can see old historic statues and modern art installations. A great place to wander around for an hour or two.
Admire the architecture
Like I said before, Düsseldorf is home to some gorgeous and interesting architecture. I especially like the three buildings at the Neuer Zollhof, which were designed by the American architect Frank O. Gehry. It looks like they are moving! You might recognize his style from other famous buildings, like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (Spain) en de Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles (USA).
Visit the Schlossturm
The Schlossturm is one of the most prominent buildings along the Rhine shore. It’s an old castle tower which was built in the thirteenth century. In time, they added more levels so it got higher. Right now, the tower is 33 meters high. In the Schlossturm you can find the maritime museum. Check this website if you’d like to visit the Schlossturm.
Drink a beer in the longest bar in the world
The historic city center of Düsseldorf (Aldstadt) is also known as the longest bar in the world. In this neighborhood, you’ll find more than 300 bars and nightclubs. There’s something for everyone and it’s a perfect place for a night out. If you’re into discovering a lot of different German drinks while traveling in Germany, you might want to try the famous Altbier, which originated in this area.
Where to stay in Düsseldorf?
I was in transit both of the times I was in Düsseldorf, so for me, it was convenient to sleep in a hotel close to the central station. I stayed in Ibis Duesseldorf Hauptbahnhof and Ibis Duesseldorf City. Both hotels were perfectly fine. Basic, cheap, clean and it’s only a short walk to the station. From these hotels it’s about a 15-minute walk to Altstadt.
Would you like to sleep in a more central location? Then I recommend booking a hotel in Altstadt, like Living Hotel De Medici or Das Carls Hotel. Check Booking.com for all the possibilities and prices.
Do you prefer a little more space and would you like to cook your own meals? There are many listings on Airbnb for Düsseldorf. Have you never booked through this platform before? Use this link to get a discount on your first reservation.
These are my tips for the best things to do in Düsseldorf!
Would you like to read more about traveling in Germany?
Check out this article:
Bucket list: The most beautiful places in Germany
Or get one of these amazing guidebooks:
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