A central-west Rhineland city, Düsseldorf is one of Germany’s international business hubs—but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s all work and no play. Düsseldorf is also Germany’s fashion capital and boasts all the buzz that comes with it. If you’re looking for things to do in Düsseldorf, contemporary architecture abounds, galleries and shops are aplenty, and the city’s medieval Altstadt (old town) is where the good times roll. Fashion folk, bankers, tourists, and students let their hair down here, sipping the local altbier at one of the Altstadt’s 300-plus pubs, beer halls, clubs, and restaurants—aka “the longest bar in the world.”
Düsseldorf enjoys mild temps year-round. The colder (yet rarely snowy) winter months host events like the Düsseldorf Christmas markets and the raucous Düsseldorf Carnival. At the end of May, the Japan Day festival celebrates the city’s vibrant Japanese community with a giant street party and fireworks over the Rhine. In the summer, Düsseldorf’s pubs and cafés spill out onto the sidewalks, and movie screenings and concerts take place alfresco.
Avoid driving to Düsseldorf: The parking and traffic will suck the joy out of exploring. You can walk around the central sights easily, or enjoy the flat terrain by renting a bike. If you plan to explore and visit lots of attractions, consider picking up a DüsseldorfCard; for a limited time (24, 48, 72, or 96 hours), the travel card lets you ride free on public transportation and grants you discounts of up to 100 percent on museums and tours.
Think of Germany, and hearty foods like sauerbraten and wiener schnitzel may spring to mind. While there’s no shortage of these gutsy plates in town, Düsseldorf is getting more attention these days for its Japanese cuisine, thanks to the city’s sizable Japanese population. Head to Little Tokyo—the enclave spread around Immermann Street (Immermannstrasse)—where a medley of Japanese supermarkets, bookshops, soba joints, and sushi restaurants beckon.
Attractions 14 | Tours 67 | Reviews 225 |
Centuries of history aside, Düsseldorf is best known as a global business center and a fashion and culture hub. It’s also a beer hotspot, with altbier-style beer tracing its roots to Düsseldorf. The German Romantic poet Heinrich Heine was born in the city and thought highly of it, much like the eclectic community who live here today.
...MoreYes, there are lots of things to do in Düsseldorf for visitors. Art lovers have world-class galleries like the Kunstpalast, shoppers can peruse the high-end stores along Königsallee boulevard and the indie boutiques of Unterbilk quarter, and beer aficionados have the Altstadt’s bars before them.
...MoreSet a morning aside for a Rhine River cruise and a trip up the Rheinturm telecommunications tower to see Düsseldorf from two perspectives. Then, contrast the contemporary architecture of MedienHafen to Altstadt’s medieval style. The shops, galleries, and beer halls—all of which are famous—will fill the rest of your time.
...MoreYes, with its small-town feel and multicultural air, Düsseldorf is a welcoming place for foreign and German tourists. Like many European cities that attract tourists and businesspeople, English is widely spoken. Düsseldorf’s locals are a diverse bunch, too, with large communities of Japanese immigrants and international expats.
...MoreIt depends on your tastes. Both of these Rhineland cities seem similar but have a few key differences. Cologne boasts more historical architecture, is generally less expensive, and has more nightclubs. On the other hand, Düsseldorf is the place to go if you’re looking for contemporary architecture, shopping, and pubs.
...MoreYes, Düsseldorf is a small city—comparable in size to Amsterdam in Holland—and is easy to explore by foot. Some locals even call it the “10-minute city,” meaning that anything you might want to see is roughly 10 minutes away. Buses, trams, and trains also link up the Düsseldorf suburbs.
...More
