Best things to do in Düsseldorf
Chic Düsseldorf is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city of swish hotels, contemporary art and designer labels. Its prosperity strikes visitors most forcefully in the Altstadt’s earthy bars and the chichi boutiques on stately Königsallee.
Viewpoints and panoramas
Rheinturm: Standing at 240m tall, the views over the city and the Rhine River are sensational, especially at sunset.
Kö-Bogen: An architectural masterpiece designed by Daniel Libeskind, you can enjoy a unique perspective of Düsseldorf's cityscape from the top of its terraced steps.
The best districts
Altstadt: Far more than merely “the longest bar in the world”, Düsseldorf’s Altstadt has an almost Mediterranean élan on fine summer nights.
Carlstadt: Among its antiquarian bookshops, art galleries and chic shops, delightful Carlstadt preserves some of the handsome 18th- and 19th-century houses that have long made it a favoured residential district.
Königsallee: The lavish 82m-wide boulevard laid out at the beginning of the 19th century is now probably Germany’s prime spot for flâneurs or fashion victims, its 812m length an A-to-Z of international designer names from Armani to Ermenegildo Zegna.
Museums
Museum Kunstpalast: Worth a visit for its eclectic collection of modern and not-so-modern art, but particularly not to be missed is Glasmuseum Hentrich, with an encyclopedic glass collection that encompasses the Romans, Tiffany, Gallé, Lalique and some superb contemporary Czech and German fine-art glass.
Filmmuseum: Highlights here include the tin drum from Volker Schlöndorff’s 1978 film of the same name, plus costumes from Peter Greenaway’s The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover and Werner Herzog’s Nosferatu.
Parks and gardens
Historical monuments
Andreaskirche: The uplifting Baroque Andreaskirche was built for the Jesuits in the early 17th century; its standout feature is a pretty, icing-sugar stucco interior.
St. Lambertus Church: Forming the visual focus of the agreeably walkable Altstadt, the church’s spire owes its twisted shape to the use of unseasoned timber when it was rebuilt after a lightning strike in 1815. Inside, the highlights are the rocket-like 15th-century Gothic tabernacle and the splendid Renaissance memorial to Duke Wilhelm V.
Day trips in the area
Cologne: Just a 30-minute train ride away, Cologne is a city that’s fascinating, free-spirited and enormous fun to visit - and in the Kölner Dom, it possesses one of the world’s great cathedrals.
Essen: A thoroughly enjoyable place to spend a day, with plenty of high culture, a smattering of interesting sights including one UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Zollverein Coal Mine - and a lively nightlife scene.
Activities for families in Düsseldorf
There’s no shortage of fun to be had as a family in Düsseldorf, with some superb attractions - including plenty of the animal variety - geared towards young and old.
Zoos and aquariums: Located in the heart of the city’s Nordpark, Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum is a cleverly conceived hybrid aquarium and natural history museum, showcasing more than 500 species of native and exotic aquatic creatures.
Wildlife parks: For a more natural experience, Wildpark Grafenburger Wald is a free-entry wildlife park with dozens of native animals that you’ll get to see in their natural habitat, some up close, including wild boar, wildcats, raccoons and deer.
Adventure parks: Freizeitbad Düsselstrand is a family-fun water park with lightning-fast water slides, splash zones, lazy river attractions and even spa treatments for the adults - a cracking day out guaranteed for all.
Free things to do in Düsseldorf
Carnivals and concerts dominate the year's cultural calendar, but there are many other ways you can restrict your spending on your Düsseldorf holidays.
Free events: The city celebrates the climax of carnival in February with as much fervour as Cologne; and in July the Grösste Kirmes am Rhein – an odd blend of folk festival and shooting fair – fills the river banks with old-fashioned funfair rides. Düsseldorf’s Christmas market fills Altstadt's squares from late November until the end of December.
Summer concerts: In summer, head to the Hofgarten near Benrath Castle for the weekly Sunday concerts; these are special (and free) treats.
Rhine Embankment walks: The riverfront is one of the finest places to while away an afternoon in Düsseldorf, especially the mile-long stretch linking the Old Town to the contemporary MedienHafen.
Nature and outdoor activities in Düsseldorf
The Rhine provides the focus of any outdoor fun here in Düsseldorf, be it cycling or walking, while the local lakes will satisfy those seeking water-based fun.
Cycling along the Rhine: Düsseldorf is another fantastically bike-friendly German city, with well-maintained bike paths along the Rhine River.
Hiking: Just outside the city, Grafenberg Forest is an enjoyable spot for a gentle ramble; as well as numerous trails for hiking and trail running, it’s also home to the Wildpark, where you can spot native wildlife.
Water sports: Unterbacher See is the place to head to for watery thrills, whether that’s sailing, windsurfing or paddleboarding; this beautiful lake just a short distance from the city centre also has a sandy beach area, from where locals like to swim.