Located at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Düssel, Düsseldorf is one of the most breath-taking and second-largest cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is considered as a leading university town. Not only that, but Düsseldorf is also known as the fashion capital of Germany. And why not! The city is rich in arts and music.
From modern art pieces to medieval squares to mesmerizing riverside walkways, Düsseldorf has been a go-to holiday destination and tourist attraction for many years now alongside the nearby cities of Köln and Wuppertal.
If you’re planning to visit Düsseldorf, it would be good to make a list of all the places you want to visit when you get there! That’s because there are hundreds of exciting things to do in the city, and you may get overwhelmed with endless options.
Hence, to make sure you have the best time in Düsseldorf and make the most out of your trip, here is a list of the 23 best things to do in Düsseldorf in Germany. You can go through our diverse list and pick the ones that suit your likings best!
23. Schlossturm
Schlossturm (Castle Tower) is in Burgplatz, Old Town, Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf’s Old Town itself is a well-preserved location and filled with several tourist-attraction spots. Other than the Marktplatz, Hetjens-Museum, and Town Hall, Schlossturm is another remarkable highlight of the venue.
Schlossturm is the only existing section of the ancient Düsseldorf castle, dating back to the 13th century. Hence, if you are fascinated with historical buildings and architecture, Schlossturm should be a must-see attraction spot on your list.
Originally, the tower has only three floors. Later on, in 1552, the Italian fortress builder Alessandro Pasqualini built the fourth floor. It is a polygonal storey with Tuscan columns. A further fifth floor was added by Eberhard Westhofen, as ordered by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV.
Presently, Schlossturm is home to Germany’s oldest marine museum, Schiffahrts Museum, since 1984. You can find some of the most interesting exhibits on the history of trade and shipbuilding in this museum. During the early 2000s, Schlossturm was renovated with a new interior design. Despite several changes over the years, the castle tower remains one of the most popular tourist-attraction spots in Düsseldorf.
22. Göethe Museum
The Göethe-Museum Düsseldorf has been popular since 1956. It is one of the only three Göethe museums all over Germany, alongside the Göethe National Museum in Weimar and Göethe House in Frankfurt am Main.
The museum is devoted to the greatest German writer and poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It is managed by Christof Wingertszahn since 2013 and sponsored by the Anton-und-Katharina-Kippenberg-Stiftung along with the state capital, Düsseldorf. Since February 1953, the Göthe Museum came under the care and maintenance of the city of Düsseldorf.
The museum has a wealth of collections from the Goethe era. When you visit the museum, you can find around 50,000 original Goethe testimonials, including letters, music manuscripts, autographs, work manuscripts, first editions, graphics, paintings, and many more.
If you are a literature enthusiast or simply want to explore more about German culture, the Göethe Museum is a must-see!
21. Japanese Garden
You’ll find the Japanese Garden in Nord Park. To get to this area, you can take the metro, which will lead you directly to the park’s entrance.
The 90-acre Nord Park has multiple sections, one of which is the Japanese Garden. It was contributed to the city in 1975 by Düsseldorf’s Japanese community.
The Japanese Garden was designed and laid out by Iwaki Ishiguro, his son, and six other gardeners. It is a pond-type garden, filled with a wide variety of landscapes. You’ll find a man-made pond with an artificial stream inlet at the heart of the garden, which is surrounded by a pathway. There is also an island and a symbolic ship landing stage.
You can walk around the serene Japanese Garden and click great pictures as well. The Japanese Garden is truly one of the best spots for recreation and strolls. Outside of the pond area, the garden features dozens of Japanese maples and black pines.
20. Merkur Spielarena
Here is a fun venue for all sports fans out there! The Merkur Spielarena is a football stadium in Düsseldorf. It was previously known as the Düsseldorf Arena, LTU Arena, and Espirit Arena. The Merkur Sppielarena is a massive area with a total seating capacity of 51,500, further expanding in 2010 up to 54,600.
The Merkur Spielarena is located just next to the Rhine River, at the same site where stood the former Rheinstadion. Other than hosting the association football team, Fortuna Düsseldorf, the stadium also hosts numerous music events.
To get to the Merkur Spielarena, you can either take the train or even walk on foot as it is just nearby from downtown Düsseldorf.
Whether you are attending an event or not, visiting the Merkur Spielarena is worth a shot!
19. Filmmuseum Düsseldorf
The next thing you can do in the city is taking a tour of the Filmmuseum.
Germany has just seven film museums, and the Filmmuseum Düsseldorf is one among them. Like many other popular landmarks in the city, you can find the Filmmuseum in Düsseldorf’s Old Town.
If you want to dive into the world of films from its earliest beginnings to the modern-day, the Filmmuseum Düsseldorf is the place to be. It exhibits a rich history of ancient cinematography, decorations, costumes, props, set models, and many more. You can also find some technical devices and learn a lot about the history of films.
The museum also provides information on several personalities from the historical film era. Besides viewing artworks and learning about film history, you get to witness film studio and animation technology area replicas.
18. Volksgarten
Here is another historical garden which you can explore the next time you land in Düsseldorf. The Volksgarten is a 19th-century park in Düsseldorf. It has a rich history that dates back to the time of the industrial revolution. During this phase, Düsseldorf started expanding its area with an aim to upgrade the urban area with multiple parks. As a result, the Volksgarten, Florapark, Düsseldorf Zoo, and Ostpark were laid out.
Over the years, the garden has gone through several changes. As of today, the Volksgarten has a total area of 27 hectares as a part of the south park. What makes the Volksgarten stand out is its more natural landscape setting.
If you want to visit this park, you can easily take the local transportation through the Düsseldorf Volksgarten S-Bahn station, which will directly drop you at the venue.
17. Jever Fun Skihalle
Regardless of the season, if you’re in Düsseldorf and you love skiing, Jever Fun Skihalle is the place to be and a great alternative for the bigger ski resorts in Germany! It is an indoor skiing hall located in Alpenpark Neuss, Düsseldorf. You can visit this place with your friends and family to practice your skiing skills and have immense fun.
Jever Fun Skihalle was the first of its kind to be opened in Germany in 2001. And since then, over a million people come to visit this place every year. There is no doubt that this ski hall is a pride of the locals as well as a top attraction spot for tourists.
From 2004-08, the ski hall was under the name sponsorship of the Jever Brewery. Hence, it was named the Jever Fun Skihalle Neuss. Currently, it is known as the Ski hall Neuss.
16. Stadterhebungsmonument
Another historical and well-preserved landmark is the Stadterhebungs Monument, which you can find in Altstadt (Old Town), Düsseldorf. It is a detailed bronze sculpture that has a rich history. Hence it attracts a large crowd of tourists year-round. If you are visiting the city and want to see all the places and landmarks that depict the history of Düsseldorf, the Stadterhebungs Monument is a must-see!
Here is a little background about the monument before you go visit it. In 1288, one of the most remarkable things took place for the city of Düsseldorf. The small settlements of people on Düssel were granted the city rights by Count Adolf V. This was a result of the Battle of Worringen. Hence, to observe this historic moment, the Stadterhebungs Monument was erected at the 700th anniversary of Düsseldorf. The name of the monument simply means City Founding Monument.
The monument was sculpted by the artist Bert Gerresheim in 1988. The monument depicts three historical scenes from the 13th century. It shows scenes from the Battle of Worringen, the economic upheaval of Düsseldorf, and the seal of the city deed.
15. St. Lambertus Church
There are four Roman Catholic churches in Old Town, Düsseldorf. And Sankt Lambertus is one among them. It is not only one of the oldest buildings in the city but also among the most eye-catching ones. Everything about the St. Lambertus church is beautiful and breath-taking; from its exterior architecture to its interior designs.
If you plan to visit Düsseldorf’s Old Town, make sure not to miss checking out the St. Lambertus church. Even more so, if you like exploring new places with a rich historical background, you’ll be enthralled by this beautiful landmark. The church came into existence in 2011 through the agreement between the parishes of St. Maximilian, St. Lambertus, and St. Mary’s Conception.
The church is in the name of the martyr, St. Lambertus, who was murdered in 705. One remarkable aspect about this church is the tomb of Duke Wilhelm V von Julich-Kleve-Berg that lies in the middle of the ambulatory.
If you don’t already know, St. Lambertus Church is built on top of Düsseldorf’s first cemetery, which now lies buried under.
14. Nordpark
Nord Park is one of Düsseldorf’s most treasured parks filled with lush greenery, modern fountains, and manicured gardens. The park is located a little away from downtown, in Kaiserswerther Str., Düsseldorf. However, getting to this location is a breeze. You can simply take the metro to Nord Park or Aquazoo and directly land at the park’s entrance.
The park opened in 1937, and right from the start, it had an aim to incorporate a massive tree population. As a result, hundreds of trees were planted in the park. And today, the 90-acre Nord Park features a wealth of lawns, trees, water features, gardens, flowerbeds, and many more.
Taking a stroll along the tree-lined lawns is one of the favorite things to do in this park. If you get tired of walking around, you can find benches and chairs to take a break. Within Nord Park, you can also find a zoology museum, the famous Japanese garden, statues, and a church.
Don’t forget to check out the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum, Botanischer Garten Düsseldorf, and the Japanese Garden if you visit this beautiful park.
13. Burgplatz
The Burgplatz falls right in between Düsseldorf’s Old Town and the Rhine embankment. You can take the metro or any public transportation to easily get to this place. The Burgplatz is usually packed with locals and tourists as it is one of the most happening venues in the city.
Burgplatz is also known as one of the most beautiful German squares, built after the war period. In this square, you’ll also find the historical castle tower, which currently is home to a maritime museum.
The flight of stairs at Burgplatz is another popular meeting point for many tourists. You can take the stairs to view the beautiful sunset and take some amazing pictures. You’ll also find lines of restaurants and cafes, just opposite the square.
12. Kunsthalle Düsseldorf
Next up, here is another spectacular museum/ exhibition hall which you can write down on your must-visit list whenever in Düsseldorf. The hall was built in 1967 as an exhibition hall for Düsseldorf’s contemporary art.
The building on the Grabbeplatz houses two independent institutions; the Kunstverein für die Rheinlande und Westfalen and the Kunsthalle. This pair of exhibition halls host numerous contemporary art exhibitions year-round. If you want to experience something unique and extraordinary, you should definitely make time to pay a visit to the Kunsthalle Düsseldorf.
You’ll be glad to know that the Kunsthalle Düsseldorf also offers locals and tourists free entry on Family day (the 2nd Sunday of every month) and on the last Thursday of every month.
11. Classic Remise
Are you a car fanatic? If yes, you’re going to love exploring the Classic Remise in the city. Known as a service center for automobiles and motorcycles, the Classic Remise displays a huge collection of vintage and classic vehicles. It is truly a car lover’s paradise!
Classic Remise was initially a project of the European Business School. The first center opened in Berlin in 2003. Later on, the project found new grounds in Düsseldorf. The center first opened as Meilenwerk in 2006. However, since 2011, both the centers in Berlin and Düsseldorf came to be known as the Classic Remise.
In Classic Remise, you’ll find a really cool combination of showrooms, parts shop, repair center, auto storage facilities, and shops for buying auto-related items. Another unique feature about the Classic Remise is the glass storage service, where owners can park and store their cars securely. You can see through the glass “boxes,” and admire different car collections.
10. St. Andreas Kirche
Located in the heart of the city of Düsseldorf stands the magnificent Church of St. Andreas. It is a Roman Catholic parish church with a rich historical background. The church is devoted to St. Andrew and was built in 1622. Constructions went on for seven years until it was completely made in 1629.
The church shows a true South German Baroque style with mesmerizing interiors. Its yellow-golden brickwork is what makes the St. Andreas Church unique and striking. With white porcelain-esque architecture and exceptional craftsmanship, the church also includes vintage stucco and massive sculptures of the saints and apostles of the Society of Jesus.
9. K20 Kunstsammlung
The Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection) is an art collection institution that has three different exhibitions – K20, K21, and Schmela Haus.
K20 is the largest collection center located in Grabbeplatz. The building itself is a work of art with a modern design featuring a facade of Bornholm black granite. The center was opened in 1986. And since then, it has been a top attraction spot.
The other section is the K21, which is just 3km away from K20. Hence, if you are done exploring the beauty of K20, you can just get on the museum’s minibus for a free ride to K21 and enjoy the rest of what German art has to offer.
Two words that perfectly describe the art of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen would be classical modernism. Exhibiting works of renowned artists like Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, and Piet Mondrian, the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen is one of the favorite places to be for any art enthusiast.
8. Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum
Located in one of Düsseldorf’s most popular parks, Nord Park, the Aquazoo Lobbecke Museum, as a name suggests, is an aquarium and a natural history museum. This museum covers a total area of 1.7 acres and showcases over 470 animal species. The Aquazoo Lobbecke Museum is a great place to be with your friends and family. Due to its fascinating collection of water species, kids also enjoy visiting the Aquazoo Lobbecke Museum.
Getting to this venue is super easy, even for tourists. Just hop on the metro and get your tickets to the Nord Park or Aquazoo Lobbecke Museum, and you’ll reach your destination without any hassle!
7. Hofgarten
Located in the city center in Pempelfort and Stadtmitte districts, Hofgarten is the central park of Düsseldorf with a total area of 27.73 hectares. The garden area is panned out right from the Old Town and Königsallee area, all the way to the banks of the Rhine river.
Throughout the Hofgarten, you’ll find several modern sculptures and historical monuments that perfectly reveal the modern English landscape and baroque styles of the garden. There is so much to explore in Hofgarten with extensive wooded areas, ponds, line-up trees, and streams.
When you are at the Hofgarten, don’t miss out on checking some remarkable landmarks and buildings, including the Baroque Hofgärtnerhaus (Court Gardener House). This is the former house of the architect, Maximilian Weyhe. It is now known as the Düsseldorf’s Theatre Museum.
Other popular tourist attractions include the Schloss Jägerhof, Goethe Museum, Märchenbrunnen, and many more.
6. Museum Kunstpalast
Düsseldorf is no stranger to museums. The city has many spectacular art museums, and the Kunstpalast is one of them. It was first founded as Kunstmuseum Düsseldorf, in Ehrenhof, Düsseldorf.
The unique thing about Museum Kunstpalast is its diverse collection of artworks from the 3rd century BC up till the present generation. This is why people of all ages can find something amusing at the Museum Kunstpalast.
The museum includes a wide array of collections from sculptures, drawings, fine art to over 70,000 items of photos, applied art, and graphic art. The collection also includes artworks from ancient periods like Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic, and a massive collection of ZERO works.
On the other hand, the modern art collection of Kunstpalast features works by renowned artists like Warhol, Dali, and members of the Düsseldorf School of Painting and Expressionism.
5. Wildpark Grafenberg
If you’re done exploring the city’s historical and literature side and want something more adventurous, you may want to consider paying a visit to the Wildpark Grafenberg. The wild park is located in the Grafenberg forest and is one of Düsseldorf’s largest parks with a total size of 36 hectares.
The park was first created with a size of 10 hectares in 1927. During its initial days, it housed two types of animals only – roe deer and fallow deer. However, today, Wildpark Grafenberg houses some of the most exotic animals, including foxes, raccoons, wildcats, mouflon, birds, and lots more.
4. Rheinuferpromenade
Located between Burgplatz and Apollo Platz, Düsseldorf, the Rheinuferpromenade is a 1 ½ kilometer-long pedestrian route. Along this route, you’ll find multiple landmarks like the Oberkassel Bridge, St. Lambertus church, and Schlossturm tower, among many others. With so many tourist attraction spots, you can expect to find crowds of tourists and locals year-round.
Rheinuferpromenade is also known as Düsseldorf’s Rhine Embankment Promenade. It was built in 1997 to hide Düsseldorf’s busiest roads, which now lies buried under the promenade.
You can find several restaurants, galleries, cafes, and shops lined up on one side of the route. And on another side lies the great Rhine river, giving you a distinctly Mediterranean vibe in Düsseldorf.
Other than the countless sightseeing opportunities, the venue also offers an excellent bike path. Hence, if you’re a bicycle enthusiast, you can hire a bike from the city and ride along the Rheinuferpromenade route, enjoying all its beauty. But don’t worry, even if you can’t ride a bike, taking a stroll on this beautiful road, especially at night, is as rewarding!
3. Schloss Benrath
The next place on this list is the Schloss Benrath (Benrath Palace), located just 10 km away from the city center. You can easily get to this venue by taking public transportation. It is a Baroque-styled pleasure palace in Benrath. If you don’t already know, Benrath now comes under Düsseldorf.
The palace is not only famous for its phenomenal architecture and landscape but also its rich historical background. It was constructed for the then Elector Palatine and his wife, Charles Theodor and Countess Palatine Elisabeth. The construction began in 1755 which went on till 1770. The palace has three museums – Museum Corps de Logis, Museum of Natural History, and the Museum for European Garden Art. Not only that, but there is also a breath-taking park that surrounds the palace.
Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply love exploring some historical places, Schloss Benrath is a great place to be!
2. Königsallee
You already know that Düsseldorf is a city of fashion. And if you are in the city with a primary motive to shop to your heart’s content, Königsallee is the best place to stop by! The locals address this place by the name “the Kö.” You can not only shop here but also live here as the venue is home to multiple 5-star hotels in the city.
Königsallee means “King’s Avenue,” which was laid out in 1802. Here you’ll find dozens of exclusive designer clothing stores, boutique shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and many more. Königsallee is indeed one of the ritziest shopping venues in the whole of Germany.
The avenue has a distance of 1km, from Graf-Adolf-Platz to the Hofgarten. It ends at the magnificent Triton Fountain. The place is also great for taking evening strolls with lighted up trees along the landscaped canal.
1. Rheinturm
First up on the list is the popular landmark, Rhine Tower, also known as Rheinturm. This popular tower is located in the middle of Düsseldorf’s harbor area. With a total height of 240 meters, the Rheinturm is the tallest tower in the city. Not only that, but it is also the largest digital timepiece in the world. This gives you all the more reason to visit the Rheinturm if you plan to visit the city.
If you’ve been to Düsseldorf and not seen the Rheinturm, then you have truly not lived the city. Why? Because it is the best viewpoint from where you can enjoy an awesome view of the city. If you’re the adventurous kind, you can even lean against the glass panels to look down on the entire city. And if you are worried about getting all the way down when hungry, don’t be, because there is a restaurant just above the tower.
