Best Things To Do in Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf is a city in the west of Germany and during your trip I invite you to let yourself be carried away by its contrasts. You will be fascinated by its multicultural neighbourhoods such as Altstadt and Königsallee, its gastronomy and its plans that unfold to offer you an unforgettable holiday.

Here you'll find the longest bar in the world and you can't leave without trying an Altbier beer. There is something for everyone and you can organise a Segway tour or a boat trip on the Rhine. If you're here for a couple of days, you'll even have time for a trip to Cologne, its charming neighbour. Düsseldorf awaits you with unforgettable sights and plans, and I'll leave you with a couple of ideas for your itinerary.

If you are going on holiday to Düsseldorf soon, you need to organise a complete itinerary, including the city's must-see sights. A treasure hunt can be an ideal way to learn about the city's history and culture in the company of friends or family.

Booking a treasure hunt experience in Düsseldorf offers another perspective and fun-filled learning experience. You will have to follow clues and solve puzzles to unlock quests in different parts of the city. Generally, these tours are done on foot and you will be guided by an interactive app. Here are some of the places you could visit with this activity.

Kuhna Wall

The Kuhna Wall is an artistic representation of the modernisation of Düsseldorf. This vibrant mural does not go unnoticed and its abstract forms are worth a closer look. It was designed by Professor Hermann-Josef Kuhna, in collaboration with 20 of his Fine Arts students. If you'd like to visit it, you should head for the centre and walk to Ratinger Straße, where you'll see it right on a path leading to the river.

Benrath Palace

Another must-see is Benrath Palace, a baroque mansion used by Duke Johann Wilhelm of Jülich-Berg in the 18th century. Here you will find a relaxing atmosphere and you can explore the outskirts of the city. Its exquisite rooms and royal flats, its pond and perfectly manicured gardens invite you to stroll through the royalty.

Gehry Houses

When cruising along the canals it is impossible to ignore Düsseldorf's Gehry Houses, also known as Neuer Zollhof. They look like dancing buildings because of their peculiar shape, which gives the optical illusion that they are in motion or about to collapse. Their metallic surfaces change their brightness as the sun increases or decreases in intensity.

Triton Fountain

Welcome to the fountain dedicated to the Greek god Triton, which awaits you among the canals of Düsseldorf. It's an ideal stop for those who enjoy legends and the first thing you'll notice is that it's made up of several tritons, each holding a seashell to collect water. This monument is said to bring prosperity to those who sail the city's canals.

A walking tour of Düsseldorf's Old Town is a great way to immerse yourself in the city's history and culture. In this district you can visit a large number of traditional bars and taverns, as well as the longest bar in the world, which is hidden in the famous Kneipen bar.

The bombings of World War II virtually wiped out Düsseldorf, but it was rebuilt and attempts were made to recreate its most iconic buildings. Surprisingly, the Altstadt district suffered little damage and is therefore considered the oldest quarter.

Its landmarks include the house of the poet Heinrich Heine, the town hall square and Burgplatz, a square by the Rhine River. Come here to see the crooked tower of the Basilika St. Lambertus and touch the statue of the Schneider Wibbel, which is believed to bring good luck.

Other tourist attractions

Altstadt is just one of the many interesting areas you can visit in the city. For this reason, many people choose to hire a guided tour of Düsseldorf and enjoy a complete tour that takes you to discover the secrets of the city and the main points of interest such as the following.

• Tonhalle Concert Hall: from the outside it is impressive, but if you have extra time you should take advantage of a show in this concert hall renowned for its exceptional acoustics.
• Kunsthalle Dusseldorf: admire its brutalist architecture and take advantage of all its art exhibitions, which are usually temporary and are renewed to stay at the forefront.
• Hofgarten: in the heart of the city, an oasis of tranquillity awaits you. This park stands out for its ponds, sculptures and summer events.

The city's most famous drink is the Altbier beer, whose flavour is distinguished by its high fermentation and combination of caramel and fruity notes. It is the star of every brewery and is usually served straight from the keg in small glasses. If you go in summer, you can enjoy a beer on the open-air terraces and venture out on a tour of traditional pubs, breweries and taverns.

Many of Düsseldorf's breweries have been in the city for years, so it's worth learning about their history and getting involved in the brewing and fermentation process. This way you can sample different styles of Altbier.

A fun fact is that a couple of years ago there were no heaters or thermal garments, so the breweries in the old town were interconnected through secret doors and passageways to avoid exposure to the freezing weather. Perhaps you can hear more details at Düsseldorf's oldest brewery, Bolten, which is in the Ratingen district and has over 750 years of history.

As I mentioned, the Old Town is the area with the most bars, but in the rest of the city you can also get plenty of options. Therefore, it is important to create an itinerary to visit the places that really offer an unforgettable experience. However, you can always book the Düsseldorf beer tour, which usually visits five local breweries and includes a drinks tasting.

During your holiday in Düsseldorf you will probably pass Königsallee a couple of times, as all roads lead to this picturesque shopping street. Here you will feel the crossover between the luxurious atmosphere of the fashionable shops and the tranquillity of the lushly vegetated path.

It is famous for the tree-lined stretch of the Stadtgraben canal that is surrounded by parks and cafés. In fact, when you look up images of the city on the internet, it's likely to be one of the first things you'll see. My recommendation is to walk around it and also take a boat ride on the canal.

But if you feel like doing something different, you can book a Segway tour of Düsseldorf. You will drive an easy and light electric vehicle and explore the whole city following the itinerary of a guide who knows the streets and monuments perfectly. This way, you'll also have time to discover the Oberkassler-Brücke, the Tonhalle and the old town.

If you'd like to enjoy the city from above and see its skyscrapers, you could start with the Rhine Tower. You'll climb up to a 168-metre-high observation deck that looms over the city and offers views of Cologne Cathedral, the neighbouring city.

Not only will you have access to a breathtaking viewpoint, you can also eat in a revolving restaurant. But don't worry! It's impossible to get dizzy because QOMO rotates slowly and completes a turn every 72 minutes, offering diners an unforgettable experience with 360-degree views.

You can visit from 10:00 to 00:00 and the city is full of natural viewpoints such as Aussichtspunkt am Rheinufer and the Fernsehturm Wuppertal TV Tower. If you're planning to book tickets for the Düsseldorf sightseeing bus, you can take advantage of the fact that the Rhine Tower is part of the route and hop off to see it.

Continue your tour of Düsseldorf with a fun ride on the Rhine River. You can choose between short 45-minute rides or full experiences spanning a couple of hours. From the water you can marvel at the old town, see the towering skyscrapers and admire the picturesque houses of the Kaiserswerth district.

Not only will you see the neighbourhoods surrounding the harbour, but you'll also be fascinated by the Rhine Tower and the old Town Hall, a building that withstood the Second World War. In general, it's a popular activity in summer, when the sun warms the water and it's more pleasant to sit on the deck. But you can do it any time of the year to see the most important sites in a short time and see the creations of Frank Gehry or Norman Foster.

Another unmissable stop is Düsseldorf Castle, or the ruins of what used to be. It's quite small and picturesque and you can experience snippets of life during 1174 and the cruel challenges of the Middle Ages.

In Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth lived Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, who ordered this building to have an escape point near the border. During your visit, pay attention, because you can still see its walls and the towers that protected the city. In general, it is advisable to visit it with a guide in order to understand its history and enjoy the experience more.

When you arrive in Düsseldorf you will be greeted by the contrast of German flavours and unexpected treats for the palate. Every dish is accompanied by an Altbier beer, although some prefer stronger spirits such as Schnaps. You can wander the streets and indulge in street snacks or visit Japanese restaurants, such as the Michelin-starred NAGAYA.

If you're looking for something more traditional you should visit the small but cosy Carlsplatz Market, where fresh produce and local specialities await you. Overall, Düsseldorf's food scene is diverse and I'll tell you a bit about what you can try.

Traditional dishes

• Sauerbraten: roast beef marinated in vinegar and spices and served with mashed potatoes and cruchet (lacto-fermented cabbage).
• Currywurst: sausage chunks with homemade curry sauce, quite typical at street stalls.
• Reibekuchen: fried potato pancakes with apple compote.

Traditional desserts

• Rüebekuchen: carrot cake, a classic in Düsseldorf bakeries.
• Japanese sweets: in Little Tokyo you can get delicacies such as mochi and dorayaki.
• Berliner or Berlina: doughnuts without holes, filled with cream or jam.

Did you know that you can travel to Japan without leaving Europe? In Düsseldorf's Little Tokyo district, one of the largest Japanese communities on the continent awaits you to show you its traditions, street food and nightlife culture. Among its streets you can find manga shops or try ramen, sushi or nabe in different types of izakaya.

Of course, you have to make a stop at EKŌ-Haus, a cultural centre that allows you to see temples, pagodas and teahouses up close. Here you can take advantage of Japanese calligraphy courses, spiritual rituals and even bokutō, classical Japanese swordsmanship and other martial arts events.

If you're travelling between May and June, enjoy the activities of JapanDay, which comes to life on the banks of the Rhine River. This German-Japanese gathering features a fireworks display, kimono rental booths and sake seminars. The programme varies from year to year, but there are usually artistic, cultural and gastronomic performances.

A fun fact is that this neighbourhood was settled in the city around 1950, when World War II devastated Japan and it was necessary to find a safe place to plan for its reconstruction.

One of the advantages of Düsseldorf is its proximity to other spectacular cities and charming towns in Germany. For example, it is quite easy to get to Cologne from here, as they are very well connected and it will only take you twenty minutes by train. Guided tours are available, but you can get there on your own with at least four companies operating 78 trips a day.

Cologne is a friendly neighbouring city, famous for its variety of cultural and artistic experiences. During your trip, a visit to the Kölner Dom and tastings at the Schokoladenmuseum chocolate museum is a must.

If you plan to travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne in December, don't miss the Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas market. Or maybe you'll be lucky and your trip coincides with the Cologne Carnival, one of the biggest and most colourful in Germany, which comes to life between February and March.

For a trip with the kids I would recommend you consider buying tickets for the Cologne Zoo and Aquarium which will welcome you with a diversity of species, feeding sessions and interactive activities.

• Weather: make sure you pack adequate clothing, especially in winter when temperatures can drop below 0°C and extra layers are a must.
• Transport: take advantage of public transport which is easy to use, efficient and has several routes that connect the city including trains, trams and buses.
• Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory, but it is customary to leave a tip of 5-10% in restaurants and bars if the service was good.
• Language: German is the official language and it's advisable to learn a few basic words, although you can communicate in English or use the translator.
• Itinerary: prepare an itinerary before you start your trip, this will help you to optimise your time and budget, as well as take advantage of all the wonders Düsseldorf has to offer. I suggest dividing it into days and allocating two to four activities per day, depending on how much you want to see and how much time you have.