Dusseldorf has enough attractions and activities to fill several busy, happy days. For those pressed for time, there are certain sights in Dusseldorf that are absolute must-sees in order to get a feel of the city.
The Altstadt (Old Town), with its views of the Rhine, lines of shops, and the world’s longest bar, is a bustling hangout for locals and tourists alike. The Marktplatz Square has beautiful architecture steeped in history. Also, the Altstadt houses Dusseldorf’s best museums and the most beautiful churches. A walk in the Altstadt thus promises gems at every turn for tourists.
The Rhine is the lifeline of Dusseldorf, and thus no trip to Dusseldorf can be considered complete without spending some time in this peaceful part of the city. The Rhine embankment is the perfect place to enjoy a stroll or bask in the beautiful views of the river while sitting on one of the many benches. The more enthusiastic ones can cycle along the embankment, or take a river cruise to enjoy the sights of the city from a different perspective.
The Rheinturm, the icon of Dusseldorf, is the pride of Dusseldorf’s cityscape. This 240.5-meter-high telecommunication tower offers gorgeous views of the city for miles from its observation deck. A meal at the revolving restaurant in the Rheinturm is surely going to be the highlight of any trip to Dusseldorf.
Medienhafen, Dusseldorf’s historic harbor, has donned on a new outfit to become the most contemporary part of the city, all while retaining its old-world charm. It boasts of futuristic architecture (for example, the Gehry buildings), rows upon rows of nightclubs and the best restaurants in town.
Tourists who want to experience Dusseldorf like a local must visit one of the many farmer’s markets in the city. These markets offer fresh vegetables and fruits straight from the farm, as well as meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, and an assortment of other attractive items. Many of these markets have snacks or lunch options, which makes them an ideal half-day activity.
The green lungs of the city, Nordpark, is a beautiful expanse of walkways, old trees, meadows, colorful flowerbeds, ponds, and fountains. Nordpark also has several theme gardens, the most popular among which is the Japanese Garden, with traditional Japanese foliage and decorations.
Dusseldorf’s oldest public garden, Hofgarten, offers wild natural abundance on one hand, and immaculately manicured formal gardens on the other. Dozens of ducks have made their home by the River Dussel that flows through the park. Hofgarten also boasts of Schloss Jägerhof, a historic hunting lodge turned museum that houses the works of the famous German poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
This mid-18th century baroque palace is one of the most gorgeous sights in Dusseldorf. The palace is perched in the heart of a sprawling garden dotted with sculptures and rows of trees. The former residence of the Elector Palatine, Schloss Benrath is now a museum that offers public tours.
The Kaiserpfalz, ruins of Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa’s “Royal Palace,” tells stories of centuries of history. Exploring its historic walls, nestled amid lush foliage in one of the prettiest parts of the city, is an activity that never disappoints anyone.
What is a holiday without some retail therapy? And if shopping (or at least window-shopping) can be done in one of the most glamorous shopping streets in Europe, the vacation has to be memorable. The biggest and best brands of the fashion world line this boulevard, along with luxury restaurants and hotels, upping the glam quotient of Dusseldorf several notches.
Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus is easily the best theater in Dusseldorf, with regular performances, concerts, and readings. The shows at the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus are always packed and earn rave reviews owing to incredible acoustics, talented performers and impeccable costumes.
Eko Haus is a small slice of Japan in Dusseldorf, dedicated to the huge Japanese population in the city, and also a great spot for tourists to spend a few hours. With a little traditional house and a Buddhist temple set amid lovely Japanese gardens, the Eko Haus is straight out of picture books.
The Kunstsammlung museum is a must-visit for fans of modern art. The museum has carved its name among the most significant art museums in the world with its admirable collection of famous works, art installations, and paintings belonging to the period between 20th century to current times.
Automobile enthusiasts would be in heaven at the Classic Remise. This center for vintage cars is a one-stop shop for getting vintage automobiles serviced, and for buying spare parts, automobile-themed clothing, model cars, and more, or simply for gawking at the rows of historic and vintage cars.
Situated on the outskirts of Dusseldorf, the Neanderthal Museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through stages of human history and evolution. The museum has an extensive collection of human fossils and life-size sculptures of the first humans, along with an ocean of archaeological information.
This is an underground museum located within the Rheinufertunnel. This museum has an attractive ensemble of modern art, including art, paintings, videos, and sculptures. They organize frequent modern art exhibitions and music concerts.
St. Lambertus Church is one of the oldest buildings in Dusseldorf, and certainly one of the most gorgeous both inside and outside. This Lower Rhine brick Gothic structure is a pride of the locals and definitely worth stopping by for tourists.
Dusseldorf’s love for cartwheels goes back a long, long way. To keep the historic tradition alive, abundant images of the cartwheeler have been spread all across the city. The most famous one is the Radschlagerbrunnen in Burgplatz, which is a fountain depicting two young boys engaged in this fun sport.
The Kiefernstrasse, chock full of spectacular street art, is no less than a museum. Talented artists have transformed an ordinary street into am ensemble of intricate and gorgeous paintings, patterns, shapes, and colors, wowing locals and tourists alike.
This skyscraper is worth visiting for its futuristic architecture. The double-facade structure of the Stadttor, designed on the principle of double glazing, allows for natural ventilation, drastically cutting down on energy consumption.
