What to do in Düsseldorf

Activities, attractions and tours

Medienhafen featuring night scenes, a river or creek and a city
Medienhafen featuring night scenes, a river or creek and a city
Duesseldorf
Gehry Buildings
Gehry Buildings

Düsseldorf Attractions

An international business hub and financial centre, Duesseldorf is one of the smartest and sleekest cities in Germany. The fashion, advertising, telecommunications and banking industries all have a strong presences in the city, making it a great destination for anyone who wants to be at the heart of world business. Outside office hours, the city boasts a lively nightlife, vibrant arts scene and choice of shopping areas, perfect for exploring during an action-packed city break, business trip or a romantic weekend away.

Areas & Neighbourhoods in Duesseldorf

Altstadt – The Altstadt is made up of atmospheric streets and historic buildings. Though the Altstadt is a great place for sightseeing, eating and meandering, it’s best known for its nightlife with over 300 pubs and clubs found in its tiny area. According to local legend, the bar-counter of each watering hole connects with the next, giving the area the nickname “the longest bar in the world”.

Medienhafen – This redeveloped harbour area, located to the west of the Altstadt along the Rhine, is fast becoming a dynamic alternative to the older part of the city when it comes to nightlife. As well as a choice of restaurants, bars and clubs, the area boasts a number of buildings by famous architects including Frank Gehry, David Chipperfield and Joe Coenen.

Flingern – Once a quiet residential suburb, Flingern has been transformed in recent years by an influx of young, arty residents. Home to a burgeoning creative scene, a number of trendy bars and some interesting boutiques, the area has plenty to keep visitors busy for an afternoon of culture or a night of alternative partying.

Stadtmitte – The city centre of Duesseldorf is home to the main station, a selection of theatres and one of the busiest shopping streets in Europe. The perfect place to indulge in a bit of retail therapy, take in a show or soak up a bit of local culture, Stadtmitte is the commercial heart of the city.

Things to See in Duesseldorf

Duesseldorf’s most prominent sight is the Rheinturm, a high telecommunications tower in the heart of the city. Visible from across Duesseldorf, the tower is home to a high altitude bar and lounge with panoramic views of the city. Other famous sights include Koenigsallee, an elegant tree lined boulevard with a pretty canal running along its centre, and the Schloss Benrath, an imposing 18th century palace on the outskirts of Duesseldorf that houses a museum and event space.

Things to Do in Duesseldorf

Two of the most popular activities in Duesseldorf are shopping and drinking. Schadowstrasse, one of the city’s main commercial streets, is among the most frequented shopping areas in Europe, while Koenigsallee also offers a wide selection of designer outlets. One of the best places for a night out is the Altstadt, which transforms into one enormous bar come the weekend. Visitors who want to soak up a bit of culture during their stay in Duesseldorf should visit the iconic Schauspielhaus, the Deutsche Oper am Rhine or Kunsthalle Duesseldorf.


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Top places to visit

1. Konigsallee

Königsallee is a charming shopping boulevard separated by a scenic tree-laden canal in the heart of Düsseldorf. Fashion showrooms and high-end shops flank the sides of this wide avenue. Spend an afternoon exploring the boutique stores along the 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) commercial esplanade.
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Konigsallee which includes a city, a river or creek and modern architecture

2. Rhine Promenade

At the Rhine Promenade you can dine at beach bars and waterfront cafes, join a river cruise and take part in cultural summer events. German architect Niklaus Fritschi redesigned the area in the 1990s. It formerly contained a freeway separating the city of Dusseldorf from the river. Today, this pedestrian-only promenade connects the Old Town with a redeveloped harbor and is a popular city meeting point.
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Rhine Promenade

3. Classic Remise Duesseldorf

The Classic Remise Duesseldorf is a historic warehouse containing showrooms of old-fashioned cars. It also has several shops and a restaurant and beer garden. Sharpen your knowledge of classic and collector cars with a trip around this gallery of automobiles.
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Classic Remise Duesseldorf featuring heritage elements

4. Marina Düsseldorf

At the Dusseldorf Hafen you can visit Michelin-starred restaurants, enjoy panoramic views of the city, and visit some the city’s most intriguing buildings. Originally this was a shipping and trading dock in the early 19th century, but the harbor’s warehouses stood derelict until the late 1900s when media and gastronomy companies gave it a new look. Also known as the Medienhafen (Media Harbor), today the district is one of Dusseldorf’s most modernized areas.
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Duesseldorf-Hafen which includes outdoor art, a high-rise building and a city

5. Medienhafen

Medienhafen is a unique harbor district southwest of the city center. When the precinct was revitalized for the 21st century, developers were careful not to remove historic features. Explore the harbor district to see its stunning skyline, which incorporates a medley of architectural styles. The harbor’s gritty working character is retained in quay walls, cast-iron bollards and old cranes, while superb contemporary buildings form the backdrop. Visit acclaimed restaurants or go on a sightseeing voyage on the Rhine River.
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Duesseldorf

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What to do in Düsseldorf


Popular places to visit

Explore areas of Düsseldorf

Duesseldorf

Stadtmitte

4/5(115 area reviews)

Travellers choose Stadtmitte for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Schadowstraße Tram Stop or Jacobistraße Tram Stop and check out top sights like German Opera at River Rhein.

Stadtmitte
Düsseldorf Old Town featuring a city and a river or creek as well as a large group of people

Düsseldorf Old Town

4.5/5(27 area reviews)

Try the Old Beer at one of the many pubs, stroll along the riverside and visit the range of museums in Duesseldorf’s historic nucleus.

Düsseldorf Old Town
Gehry Buildings

Stadtbezirke 01

While you're in Stadtbezirke 01, take in top sights like Museum Kunstpalast or NRW-Forum Düsseldorf, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Lennéstraße Tram Stop or Dreieck Tram Stop.

Stadtbezirke 01
Düsseldorf at sunrise, view from Oberkassel to Friedrichstadt and MedienHafen quarters

Friedrichstadt

4/5(68 area reviews)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Friedrichstadt. If sightseeing is on the list, Savoy Theater is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Helmholtzstraße Tram Stop or Corneliusstraße Tram Stop to see more of the area.

Friedrichstadt
Tonhalle Duesseldorf

Pempelfort

4.5/5(19 area reviews)

Historical sites, shopping and river views highlight some notable features of Pempelfort. Make a stop by Museum Kunstpalast or NRW-Forum Düsseldorf while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Venloer Straße Tram Stop or Dreieck Tram Stop to get around town.

Pempelfort
Duesseldorf_Stockum_6205123-04

Stockum

Stockum is a destination travellers like for its museums, and you might hop aboard the metro at ESPRIT Arena-Messe Nord U-Bahn or Sportpark Nord-Europaplatz U-Bahn to explore sights like Merkur Spiel-Arena.

Stockum

 

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Day trip destinations from Düsseldorf

Frequently asked questions

Is Düsseldorf worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Düsseldorf is visit Capitol Theatre. Check this top sight off your agenda, then discover more of this area's bars and pubs and festivals.
How do I spend a day in Düsseldorf?
Once you've checked off top attractions like Medienhafen and Benrath Palace, spend some time exploring the food and retail options in Düsseldorf.
What is the top tourist attraction in Düsseldorf?
The top tourist attraction in Düsseldorf is Capitol Theatre, so make sure to put it on your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Düsseldorf?
Three days will be enough time to tick off many city attractions, like Capitol Theatre, Museum Kunstpalast and Benrath Palace. The average stay in Düsseldorf is two days. If you have the urge to extend your getaway, Cologne isn't far away.
Is Düsseldorf a walkable city?
That depends on what you want to do and see in Düsseldorf. Several top sights, such as Capitol Theatre and Museum Kunstpalast, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Düsseldorf's neighbourhoods, Stadtbezirke 01 is 2 kms (1 mile) away from downtown, while Stadtmitte is 2 kms (1 mile) away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Düsseldorf with kids?
Planning what to do in Düsseldorf with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're getting away with little ones or teenagers, there's no shortage of family-friendly tours and attractions to keep everyone happy here.

What to do in Düsseldorf for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Düsseldorf, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Mitsubishi Electric Hall or Konigsallee.
Are there free things to do in Düsseldorf?
One of the top ways to find free things to do in Düsseldorf is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can experience without taking your wallet out. Duesseldorf Grafenberg Wildlife Park is one place that doesn't charge an admission fee.

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