Best Things To Do in Düsseldorf
Two Day Itinerary
Tired of the usual haunts like Berlin and Frankfurt? How about a quick stop to the colourful city of Düsseldorf?
Here are some of the reasons why you should explore Düsseldorf, as well as travel tips and a sample one and two day itinerary!
Why should you visit Dusseldorf?
Known as a young and vibrant city, Düsseldorf has been considered as the country’s most prominent university town. Many scholars and artists also claim it as an important centre for the arts, culture, and fashion. Did you know that it is one of the cities with the most museums and galleries in Germany? With 20 plus museums to choose from all located close to one another, you can learn and embrace the history and culture of Düsseldorf very easily.
With its wide streets lined with elegant shops, parks, and gardens, it also boasts of a lively downtown area. Case in point: Düsseldorf is famous for the “longest bar in the world” in Altstadt (the Old Town).
When should you visit Dusseldorf?
Most travel sites would tell you to visit during September to December, but there is really no “best time” to visit Düsseldorf as its charm surpasses any given weather or season. And as with any other trip, you have to consider your schedule and the activities you want to do.
Day One in Dusseldorf Itinerary
Here is your travel guide to spending 24 or 48 hours in Dusseldorf.
Breakfast: Rosie’s
Start your day at this cosy bar serving a delicious breakfast and continental cuisine with vegan and gluten free options. Did we mention that this restaurant is also very Instagram-friendly? Perfect for your coffee o’clock Instagram story!
Rosie’s
Open 10am to 1am
Adersstrasse 21, 40215 Dusseldorf
+49 211 8766666
Morning Activity: Rheinturm and Schifffahrtsmuseum (Maritime Museum)
The Rhine Tower is undeniably Düsseldorf’s most recognizable landmark. It stands proud by the edge of the city center’s southern district. The viewing platform is accessible from 10 am until midnight.
Positioned at the top of the tower at a height of 172.5 metres, is a revolving restaurant that rotates around its own axis once every 72 minutes. It also has a separate viewing platform which gives you a breath-taking view of the metropolis. However, this is only open from 6 pm onwards.
If you’re not too tired and can spare an hour or so before lunch, you can also drop by Naval Museum or the Maritime Museum. It is a research facility that doubles as a museum!
Rhine Tower
Viewing platform is open from 10 am to 6 pm
Stromstrasse 20, 40221 Düsseldorf
+49 211 8632000
Maritime Museum
Open 10am to 6pm
German Maritime Museum
Hans-Scharoun-Platz 1
D-27568 Bremerhaven
+49 471 482 07 0
Lunch: Explore and eat in Old Town – Bob & Mary’s
Düsseldorfs Altstadt (Old Town) consists of around 260 pubs and bars, and therefore is known as the longest bar in the world!
For some grub, go to Bob & Mary’s, best known for their juicy burgers and tasty salads. Bob’s Burger Patties are made daily from 100% fresh German beef with a large roast beef portion. You can also try different types of burgers such as Avocado Burger and Goat Burger!
Bob & Mary’s
Berger Str. 35, 40213 Dusseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia Germany
+49 211 86930710
Afternoon Activity: River Rhine Cruise
Explore this fun city through its river! The best part is you can get fantastic views of both the old and modern parts of town! Most of these cruises just last an hour or two hours long and would set you back around €15 to €25, depending on the duration of the trip and if you pick a return or one-way ticket.
There are several operators of this river cruise so we suggest that you do your research ahead of time and book tickets early!
Dinner: Have dinner and drinks at one of the bars on Rhine promenade after cruise at Kasematten Düsseldorf
After the cruise, continue enjoying the sights and sounds of the city by dining at one of the restaurants along the Rhine. You can’t go wrong with any of the choices here but one popular spot is the Kasematten Düsseldorf that offers Mediterranean dishes, Nordic cuisine and affordable cocktails.
Casemates Dusseldorf
Open 10am to 12am
40213 Dusseldorf, Germany
After dinner drinks or activity: Salon des Amateurs
If you’re into EDM (electronic dance music) and clubbing, you’ll definitely enjoy Salon de Amateurs. This is especially handy if you’re in Düsseldorf for the weekend as they’re only open on Fridays and Saturdays!
Amateur’s Salon
tombstone 4, 40213 Dusseldorf
Open 6 pm to 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays
Day Two in Dusseldorf Itinerary
In addition to the one-day plan mentioned above, you can explore more of Düsseldorf on your second day;
Morning Snack: Cafe Extrablatt
In the mood for some breakfast buffet? This is where you need to go. They have an expansive menu which includes American food, salads, sandwiches, and more. Perfect for a quick pit stop to set you up for the day.
Cafe Extrablatt
Grünstrasse 15, 40212 Düsseldorf
Open 8:30 am to 11 pm on Sundays to Fridays and up to 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays
+49 211 8628280
Activity: Shop Until You Drop at Koenigsallee
Germany may not be known for its shopping districts but Königsallee can rival any Parisian street for designer brands. Known as “Kö” by locals, this street has become a household name for the wealthy and elite.
Whether you’re there to buy the latest bag from your favorite fashion house or just to window shop, this shopping strip is also a must-see!
Lunch: Tino’s Bar
Live piano music, European dishes and champagne served in a classy bar with sofas and modern artwork.
Tinos Bar
Koenigsallee 59, 40215 Dusseldorf
Open from 11 am to 12 am on Sundays to Fridays and up to 2 am on Fridays to Sundays
Closed on Sundays
+49 211 53808138
Activity: Sky Spa
After two hectic days, you deserve to rest and relax! Pamper yourself at the Sky Spa of Clayton Hotel Düsseldorf! It’s already pretty amazing that you get to treat yourself to a massage or a facial, or just enjoy the pool, but to have fantastic views as well is taking it to another level!
Dinner: Sushi Bar
In our livly lobby discover our sushi bar , a modern fusion kitchen.
Under the motto “Japan meets Rhineland” head chef Marco Schmidt reinterprets European classics with Japanese style. In stark contrast to this, master Hisato Mochizuki’s sushi bar serves authentic sushi and sashimi specialties. Our stylish bar provides the necessary backdrop to achieve this harmony. Let yourself drift between tradition and modernity sampling each appetizing morsel.
Get sashimi a la carte, sushi sets, udon or Japanese-style burgers. Order matcha tea and revel in their selection of sake and Japanese whiskey.
After dinner drinks or activity: Explore Little Tokyo (Japanese Quarter)
Here’s a fun fact: Düsseldorf is home to the largest Japanese community in Germany. And what better way to celebrate their rich culture than visiting Little Tokyo? Authentic Japanese restaurants and izakayas or pubs serve fresh sushi and other delectable meals, which were declared as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013.
Undeniably, it is one of the liveliest quarters in Düsseldorf, with its Japanese-themed bakeries, ramen snack bars, supermarkets, bookshops selling manga or comic books, and more! You would often see otakus (anime or manga fans), foodies, and office workers coming together here.
