Things to Do in Düsseldorf: Our Top 22 Highlights

The Most Important Düsseldorf Attractions on a Map

For a rough overview, we’ve marked the highlights on a map.

The Old Town of Düsseldorf

Smaller Highlights in Düsseldorf's Old Town

The Old Town, of course! It’s the original heart of Düsseldorf and remains so to this day. The streets leading down to the Rhine each have their own distinct character.

Bolkerstraße is the party strip, Flinger Straße is the shopping mile, Kurze Straße has more of an alternative, punky vibe, and Ratinger Straße is where Düsseldorfers of all income levels come together.

Bolkerstraße

The best-known is probably Bolkerstraße, which has made a name for itself as the longest bar in the world. Spoiler alert: in this case, the entire street counts as the bar, because one pub, bar, restaurant, and nightclub lines up after another. So there’s no single long counter, as many a tourist has fruitlessly searched for.

At the beginning of Bolkerstraße you’ll also find the Heine Haus, where the writer Heinrich Heine was born. The house hasn’t been turned into a museum, though — the ground floor houses a bookshop where literary events are sometimes held.

Kurze Straße

Although Kurze Straße is only a few meters away, tourists rarely wander over here. But you’ll find the typical Düsseldorf pub culture here too — tucked between cocktail bars and brewery pubs are two punk dives: Engelchen and Tube.

A little further along is Ratinger Straße. Here, Rhenish brewhouse culture holds sway, not just in the beer but in the kitchen too.

Ratinger Straße

If you’re not in the mood for a wild party strip but still want to make a night of it, head to Ratinger. On nice evenings you can join the fun at the standing tables on the street until midnight.

When the city’s public order officers call it a night on the street, just head into the Meilenstein. On weekends, things keep going there until 5:00 a.m.

A few meters further toward the Rhine you’ll pass the Stone. Live music is played here regularly, often by fairly well-known acts. The concerts tend to be heavily rock- and punk-oriented, and not without reason.

In the 1970s and ’80s, this spot was home to the Ratinger Hof — the birthplace of German punk and new wave. The grimy venue where Die Toten Hosen played their first gigs was torn down, though, and the Stone now stands in its place.

Flinger Straße

And then there’s Flinger Straße, where you can shop to your heart’s content. You’ll find classics like Only, Zara, Foot Locker, and Rituals. If you prefer something a bit more alternative, duck into Kapuzinergasse and check out Pick Up — a legendary store in Düsseldorf.

At the end of Flinger Straße you’ll also find the Kabüffke, where you can still drink a Killepitsch out of the window just like you could 60 years ago. We won’t say more — just try the Killepitsch for yourself. Next door there’s also a shop where you can pick up the tasty drop dressed up in souvenir clothing.

Our tip: Join a guided walk through the Old Town. Ideally right at the start of your stay in Düsseldorf — it’ll give you a great overview. Plus, the guides always have great extra tips up their sleeve.

Guided tour of the Old Town
Stop: Heinrich-Heine-Allee

Düsseldorf's Leaning Tower: The Basilica of St. Lambertus

One of the oldest and most striking buildings in the Old Town is the Basilica of St. Lambertus. The church tower, which rises above the Old Town’s rooftops, is noticeably crooked.

After a fire in 1815, wood that was probably too fresh was used to rebuild the tower, and it warped as it dried. Unfortunately you can’t climb the leaning tower, but do step inside the church — it’s truly beautiful.

The Rhine Promenade: Burgplatz & Kasematten

On a nice day, you should definitely take the time to stroll along the Rhine. The best place to start is Burgplatz, where you’ll probably first notice the historic Burgturm.

It houses the Shipping Museum. If you’re into boats, don’t skip the Burgturm — admission is just 3 euros, and inside you can take a break at the café with a lovely view of the Rhine.

Right in front of the Burgturm you’ll find the Rhine Steps. In summer, grab a beer from a Büdchen (Düsseldorf-speak for a kiosk), sit down with the locals on the steps, and soak it all in. Someone is almost always making music there, or there’s something else worth watching. At the very least, there’s the Rhine.

From the Rhine Steps, head left and you’ll be at the Kasematten in no time.

The shafts, which were originally meant to absorb Rhine floodwaters (and were called Kasematten), now house restaurant kitchens. The name stuck, and tables, chairs, and umbrellas were set up in front of the shafts — and voilà, the Düsseldorf promenade was born.

Admittedly, the creation of the Kasematten was a little more involved than we just made it sound. Today the shafts are divided among several dining establishments. You can choose between a cocktail bar, seafood, and a brewery tap.

Our tip: At the Schlüssel at the Kasematten you can get the excellent Schlüssel Alt and amazing Flammkuchen.

On the Rhine meadows on the opposite bank, across from the Kasematten, the Düsseldorf Rheinkirmes takes place every year in July. It’s the largest funfair on the Rhine. All day long you can roam from rides and cotton candy to Flammkuchen and brewhouse tents.

During the Kirmes, a ferry runs from the Kasematten to the other side of the Rhine for 2.50 euros. Since public transportation toward the fairgrounds tends to be packed, the ferry is a real alternative — and a fun change of pace.

Stop: Heinrich-Heine-Allee

The Best Market: Around Carlsplatz

Make sure you take a detour to the market at Carlsplatz. Alongside the usual fruit and vegetable stalls, it’s known for specialties and delicacies. You can stroll along the market stalls, sip a little wine here, sample some cheese there, or treat yourself to a Rievkooche.

If you walk a few meters from Carlsplatz into Berger Straße, you’ll find the mustard shop on the left. You can’t miss it — there’s a huge mustard barrel outside the door.

The traditional Düsseldorf mustard is ABB mustard, which you can get in classic stoneware pots. There are also plenty of different mustard varieties, all of which you can taste your way through.

And we have a breakfast tip too: Between Carlsplatz and the Rhine, Bistro Zicke hides on Bäckerstraße. The big breakfast is easily enough for two people. Add coffee, juice, and a glass of sparkling wine, and your day in Düsseldorf is ready to begin.

Special Places & Neighborhoods in Düsseldorf

Luxury Shopping and Architecture: Kö & Kö-Bogen

The former city moat is now Düsseldorf’s green luxury mile. On Königsallee you’ll find not only Prada, Bulgari, and Versace, but also Zara, H&M, COS, and Saturn. In between, you can take a shopping break at a café, recharge with coffee and cake, and watch the world go by.

Feel free to take a stroll along the Kö-Graben even if you don’t want to shop — it’s simply part of any visit to Düsseldorf. You might even spot the cheeky flocks of parrots that seem to think the Kö belongs to them.

Parrots in Düsseldorf? Sounds weird, but it’s true. There’s now a population of 1,500 birds in the city.

At the northern end you’ll find the relatively new Kö-Bogen. Here you have not only plenty more shopping options, but also a lot of modern architecture all around you. New York architect Daniel Libeskind had a hand in that.

If architecture is your thing, you should definitely join the architecture tour. It takes place every Sunday and gives you a fantastic insight into the history of the modern Kö-Bogen and the Old Town.

Online ticket for the architecture tour
Stop: Steinstraße / Königsallee

The Best View: The Rheinturm

Without a doubt, the best panorama over Düsseldorf is from the Rheinturm. The elevator takes you up to the observation deck with a bar at a height of 168 meters. You’ll need a ticket, which you can buy either at the tower itself or in advance online.

Our tip: First thing in the morning when the tower opens, and in the evening from 10:00 p.m. onward, tickets are much cheaper. And honestly, it’s great: we personally think the view is most beautiful after dark anyway.

One floor above the observation deck is the restaurant Qomo, which slowly rotates in a full circle. One full rotation takes 72 minutes, so over the course of your meal you’ll see every direction at least once.

If you’re after an exceptional and very elegant dinner, this is the place. The menu features Japanese fusion cuisine with lots of creative house specialties and delicious sushi.

To dine at Qomo, you need to reserve a table through their website in advance. Main courses with sides start at around 30 euros. With a restaurant reservation, you won’t need to pay admission to the Rheinturm, of course.

On Sundays between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., you can brunch at the restaurant with its stunning vista.

Modern and Totally on Trend: The Medienhafen

Until just a few years ago, Düsseldorf’s harbor was almost exclusively industrial. That has changed dramatically over the past three decades, though.

The name Medienhafen (Media Harbor) is no accident — numerous companies from the fashion, media, and advertising industries have discovered the neighborhood and set up shop here.

Between the modern, striking Gehry buildings that the Medienhafen is best known for, you’ll keep finding small cafés and restaurants. And thanks to various clubs and lounges, things stay lively here well after sunset.

The Medienhafen isn’t far from the Old Town at all. Starting from Burgplatz on the Rhine, it’s about a 20-minute walk along the Kasematten and past the Rheinturm to get there.

Our tip: Join a guided tour from the Rheinturm to the Medienhafen. You’ll hear great tips and stories along the way.

Online ticket for the Medienhafen tour
Stop: Stadttor or Speditionsstraße

Benrath Palace & Museums

In southern Düsseldorf, Benrath Palace is the absolute showstopper. It’s a bit out of the way, but a visit is genuinely worth it.

The palace gleams in an unusual shade of pink. The enormous park invites you to stroll through beautiful nature — and it’s free to enter. At the far end you’ll emerge at the Rhine, where you’ll have a wonderful view.

The main palace building houses the Museum Corps de Logis, which gives you a real sense of what daily court life looked like in the 18th century. The palace interior can only be visited as part of a guided tour, though tours run several times a day.

Find the current tour times here

The west wing of Benrath Palace houses the Natural History Museum, and the east wing is home to the Museum of European Garden Art. The latter is dedicated to garden culture across Europe — garden gnomes included.

Our tip: If the palace and museums interest you, plan at least half a day for it. It’s best to get a day ticket, which includes the Natural History Museum, the Garden Museum, and the palace tour.

Among the Locals: Nordstraße

On Nordstraße you can mix with Düsseldorfers out shopping or simply enjoying themselves. There are plenty of small shops, supermarkets, and everything else a local could need.

That naturally includes bars, cafés, restaurants, and brewhouses. Here you can eat and shop well away from the tourist hustle.

Our insider tip for coffee: Hidden in the courtyard at Nordstraße 80 is Café Bistro á Midi, where you can take a wonderfully peaceful cake break away from the bustle.

Along Nordstraße you can also get three Düsseldorf Altbiers from traditional brewpubs. At Himmel & Ähd you’ll find the delicious Füchschen Alt served alongside brewhouse fare and Rhenish specialties. The robust Uerige Altbier is available at the Brauhaus am Dreieck, and on a side street, Mutt’s serves the mild Altbier from the Schlüssel brewpub. (More on Altbier in #19)

At the Barrique near the Dreieck stop, you’ll find a huge selection of special wines and liqueurs as well as all sorts of unusual gifts for the folks back home. The red-and-white Fortuna liqueurs make especially good presents for people from Cologne.

One more tip: Every Thursday from 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. there’s an open wine tasting. Just walk right in.

On a side street off Nordstraße you’ll also find Hotel National, which we always recommend to friends visiting Düsseldorf. You can find more information in our article where to stay in Düsseldorf.

Stop: Dreieck or Nordstraße

The Best Activities in Düsseldorf

In the Middle of NRW Politics: The Landtagsforum

While on weekdays only groups with prior registration can visit the Landtag as part of a guided tour, on around 40 weekends a year you can simply drop by the Landtagsforum without any reservation at all.

You will need to pass through a security check, so make sure you don’t have a pocket knife or other sharp items on you. Inside, a multimedia presentation of the parliament’s work awaits you.

Find more information about visiting the Landtagsforum here

Great for Kids: Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum

The Aquazoo presents around 600 animal species in terrariums, aquariums, and a tropical hall. As you explore the themed worlds, you’ll encounter penguins, turtles, and all kinds of marine life.

On weekends and public holidays it can get really crowded. If you’re planning a visit on one of those days, we’d strongly recommend buying your ticket online in advance.

Our tip: Admission to the Aquazoo is free with the DüsseldorfCard. That alone makes the tourist pass worth it at just under 12 euros — and public transportation is included too.

Good to know: The hop-on/hop-off bus also stops at the Aquazoo.

Order the DüsseldorfCard online

Boat Trip on the Rhine

When the river is right on your doorstep, a little boat trip is a natural choice. On a one-hour panorama cruise, you’ll see Düsseldorf from a completely different angle — one of the best things to do in Düsseldorf on a sunny afternoon.

The trip departs and returns from the KD dock at the Kasematten. Take the cruise in the afternoon so you can kick off the evening afterward at the Kasematten with an aperitif.

In good weather these tours are very popular, so buy your ticket online in advance. A Rhine cruise starts at just 11 euros. And with the DüsseldorfCard you even get a 20 percent discount.

Get the Düsseldorf Card

There’s also the Weiße Flotte, which offers panorama cruises as well. At 15 euros they’re a bit pricier and last only 45 minutes, but they include free drinks.

With the Weiße Flotte you can also travel to the picturesque, northerly Kaiserswerth. In this charming, historic district with a village feel, the ruins of a 12th-century imperial palace sit right on the Rhine.

If you don’t feel like taking the boat back the same way, you can simply hop on the U79 subway line and be back in the Old Town in about 15 minutes.

Tickets for the Weiße Flotte are available on their website or directly at the dock.

Visit the Weiße Flotte website here
Stop: Heinrich-Heine-Allee

Dinner & Show: Roncalli's Apollo Varieté Theater

For a special evening out, we highly recommend the Apollo! The variety theater is tucked under the Rheinkniebrücke and puts on truly fantastic shows.

You can either watch just the show or book your dinner along with it. If you add dinner to the show, your evening at the Apollo begins an hour before showtime with the appetizer course.

Tickets are available directly on the Apollo Varieté website.

Art, Culture, and Museums in Düsseldorf

For Film Fans: The Film Museum

The Film Museum is, naturally, all about the wide world of cinema. From the invention of film to costumes and special effects to a reconstructed Hollywood studio, it’s all represented.

Our tip: Admission is free on Sundays! And on weekdays from 5:00 p.m. onward entry is always free too, though you’ll only have an hour for the museum.

The Film Museum is also included with the DüsseldorfCard.

A proper film museum naturally needs a cinema. In this case it’s called the Black Box, and it offers a varied program of classics, documentaries, comedies, and film series.

Information about what’s showing at the Black Box can be found here:

Black Box program

The Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen

Art lovers absolutely must put the Kunstsammlung on their itinerary. It comprises two museums: K20 & K21.

Our tip: With a combination ticket for 20 euros you can visit K20 and K21, even on different days. The ticket is valid for two months for one visit each. A shuttle bus also runs between the two museums, so you can conveniently visit both back to back.

Tickets for both museums can be purchased either at the entrances or in advance online through the Kunstsammlung website:

Buy tickets for the museums

Our favorite: K21 – Kunstsammlung im Ständehaus

In this historic building you’ll find modern international art and sometimes wild temporary exhibitions. All around it, you can stroll through the garden laid out by Napoleon, complete with the Kaiserteich pond. Along the way you’ll also pass the monument Vater Rhein und seine Töchter.

K20 – Kunstsammlung am Grabbeplatz

The K20 at the edge of the Old Town has earned an international reputation with its collection of modern art. Here you can expect works by Matisse, Picasso, Pollock, and Andy Warhol.

For Photography Fans: NRW-Forum

The NRW-Forum focuses on photography as well as digital and pop culture.

Various exhibitions, workshops, and festivals shine a light on current social issues.

On the first Thursday of every month, admission is free from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Exhibition Space Like No Other: KIT – Kunst im Tunnel

When the Rhine riverside tunnel was built in the 1990s — the reason we can all enjoy pedestrian-friendly riverbanks today (hallelujah) — a utility tunnel was left over at the end of construction.

This tube, running parallel to the Rhine and the underground roadways, quickly caught the eye of artists as an exhibition space. Since 2007, the KIT has been housed in this tunnel, featuring rotating exhibitions of contemporary art.

Honestly, we think a visit is worth it for the quirky setting alone. From the outside, all you see is the KIT Café in a glass pavilion. Inside the café, a staircase and an elevator lead down into the tunnel.

On every second Sunday of the month, admission is free.

The KIT is included with the DüsseldorfCard.

Food, Drink, and Tradition in Düsseldorf

Little Japan around Immermannstraße

If you enjoy Japanese food, you absolutely have to make a detour to Immermannstraße. More Japanese people live here in one spot than anywhere outside Japan — and with them came a host of fantastic restaurants.

On and around Immermannstraße you’ll find the best sushi and the most delicious ramen outside of Japan. It’s seriously one of the most unexpected and rewarding things to do in Düsseldorf.

Our ramen tip: Takumi Tonkotsu on Oststraße

By the way: every year in May, Düsseldorf hosts Japan Day. And every time it wraps up with a truly spectacular fireworks display. It’s considered the most beautiful of the year in Düsseldorf — even the Kirmes fireworks can’t top it.

You can also join a Japanese food tour, where you’ll learn more about Little Japan and sample Japanese specialties.

To the Little Japan Food Tour
Stop: Oststraße

Altbier and the Brewpubs

Altbier isn’t called Altbier because it’s been sitting in a barrel for years and grown old. Quite the opposite!

Altbier is a top-fermented beer. Top-fermented means it’s brewed at around 14 degrees Celsius — temperatures that are not unusual in Germany.

Bottom-fermented beer, like pilsner, is brewed at around 7 degrees. That was only possible year-round once refrigeration was invented.

Top-fermented beer has therefore been brewed for much longer, which is why it came to be called “Altes Bier” — old beer — or simply Altbier in Düsseldorf. Alt is best served as fresh as possible.

Today there are five traditional brewpubs in Düsseldorf that brew Altbier the old-fashioned way. Try your way through them — they all taste different. If you don’t like the first one, just move on to the next.

Each brewery also has an outdoor area where you can drink your Alt standing at high tables among locals. Düsseldorfers love drinking their Alt outside in summer and winter alike. It takes a blizzard before they’ll head inside.

You can also eat very well at all five brewpubs. They serve traditional Rhenish home cooking, some with more and some with fewer modern touches. For a meal, sit inside rather than at the standing tables — it’s more comfortable, and standing tables are really only for drinks.

At the entrance to Bolkerstraße, on the left, you’ll quickly come across Hausbrauerei Zum Schlüssel. Treat yourself to a mild Schlüssel Alt in the cozy taproom or at the outdoor seating out front.

Almost directly across the street is a tap for Brauerei Schumacher. Schumacher doesn’t brew in the Old Town — their brewery is on Oststraße near the main train station. Unless you happen to be on Oststraße, just try the Schumacher on Bolkerstraße.

On Kurze Straße in the Old Town, you’ll find the youngest of the brewpubs: Brauerei Kürzer only opened its doors in 2010, but quickly made a name for itself thanks to the quality of its beer. Even if you don’t normally like beer, give the Kürzer Alt a try. It’s a great beer for non-beer-drinkers.

You won’t find fresher Alt anywhere. At Kürzer, beer is poured directly from the tanks in the basement. When you walk in, you’ll immediately see the glass tapping system on the bar. In the back section, you stand or sit right next to the brewing tanks. On weekdays you can watch the brewmaster at work during the day.

Brauerei Füchschen is a long-established institution on Ratinger Straße. It has cult status, and its Altbier is undoubtedly one of Düsseldorfers’ favorite beers.

More recently, Füchschen has also started making a pilsner. The Düsseldorfers weren’t too happy about that at first, but because it’s a very good pilsner, Füchschen gets away with it.

Uerige Hausbrauerei has also achieved cult status. Their Alt is more of an acquired taste — it’s quite bitter. But that’s exactly why, in our opinion, Uerige absolutely cannot be left off your brewpub tour!

If you’d like to learn more about Düsseldorf’s brewpubs and taste all the Altbiers, we highly recommend this brewery tour. You’re guaranteed to have a great time with a true Düsseldorf local!

To the Altbier tour through the breweries
Stop: Heinrich-Heine-Allee

Düsseldorf Carnival

The fifth season is celebrated in grand style in this carnival stronghold. Starting on November 11, sessions take place regularly, and from Altweiber onward the Old Town transforms into one big carnival event for days on end.

The big carnival parade takes place on Rose Monday. The highlights every year are the themed floats by Jacques Tilly — most of them a papier-mâché indictment of politics dressed up in carnival style.

If carnival isn’t your thing, you should either avoid Düsseldorf between Altweiber and Rose Monday, or just be prepared to embrace your inner carnival reveler. Why not give it a try!

Special Neighborhoods in Düsseldorf

Dining Out and Bar Culture: Düsseldorf-Bilk

Düsseldorf-Bilk has incredible food, hipster cafés, iconic bars, punk concerts, and lots of students.

There are only a few hotels in this area, which means the tourist footfall is relatively low — locals tend to have this neighborhood to themselves.

Our insider tips for Bilk:

Restaurant Layali

At Layali you’ll find amazing Arabic cuisine. Be sure to order the appetizer plates. You’ll be served 10, 20, or 30 different dips and spreads, which together with the thin flatbread make for a wonderfully satisfying meal.

Pitcher

If you enjoy live music and cozy, unpretentious bars, head to the Pitcher on Oberbilker Allee. The little spot has cult status among punks and rockers.

Our favorite café: Café Knülle

Right across from the Pitcher, Café Knülle is open from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., and until 3:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Depending on when you show up, you can get breakfast, coffee, and juices or Füchschen Alt and cocktails.

Das Bilker Häzz

The Häzz is the newest addition to Bilk’s bar scene. It quickly became one of our favorite spots, though, because it’s a pretty laid-back place and they serve the delicious Kürzer Alt.

Once a month the Häzz hosts pub bingo. These nights have little in common with the dusty bingo most people know, though.

If you happen to be in town when the next round of pub bingo at the Häzz rolls around, join in. There are prizes to be won, you’ll meet the locals, and it’s just a lot of fun!

The best Greek restaurant: Taverne Savas

For authentic Greek food, head to Taverne Savas on Heresbachstraße. There’s no gyros like you’d find at just about every other Greek fast-food joint — instead, you get typical home-cooked dishes from the grill.

You mix and match your main and sides yourself, and wash it all down with the original Mythos beer. Because the place is unfortunately no longer a secret among Düsseldorfers, it can get pretty packed on weekends.

One more photo tip: The clocks on stilts you may have seen in a photo or two are called Zeitfeld and stand at the entrance to Volksgarten, right by the Volksgarten S-Bahn station.

Flingern

Northern Flingern doesn’t attract too many tourists either.

Among locals, though, the area is very popular for dining out, as there are lots of great restaurants here. On Ackerstraße they line up one after another.

Okra

If you’ve never had Ethiopian food and you’re feeling adventurous, head to Okra on Ackerstraße. Let the staff recommend something — there are often special daily dishes.

Luang Prabang

If you’re in the mood for Asian food, go to Luang Prabang on Platanenstraße. It tends to get busy in the evenings, especially on weekends. Tuesday through Friday it’s also open at lunchtime, when it’s considerably less crowded.

Our tip: Join a food tour through Flingern. You’ll learn more about the neighborhood and eat your way through it.

Online tickets for the Flingern Food Tour

Flingern isn’t just a great spot for eating — it’s also a must if you’re into street art. Kiefernstraße is basically one giant photo opportunity.

Just a few meters away, on Fichtenstraße, the cultural center Zakk has made a name for itself in a former factory hall.

It hosts all kinds of cultural events as well as party series and concerts spanning every imaginable genre — often including bands you wouldn’t have expected were still around.

You can check what’s on at the Zakk’s website.

Visit the Zakk website here

Our Hotel Tips for Düsseldorf

If it’s your first time in Düsseldorf, we recommend staying in the Old Town. That’s where you’ll find most of the highlights.

Our top hotel pick is the Ruby Luna Hotel. It’s located on the edge of the Old Town, but the center is only a 10-minute walk away. That also makes it nice and quiet.

The rooms are modern and stylish, and the rooftop bar offers a one-of-a-kind view. Thanks to its excellent value for money, it’s our absolute reader favorite in Düsseldorf.

Book the Ruby Luna Hotel

Here are our top 3 favorite hotels in Düsseldorf’s Old Town.

Which other neighborhoods we recommend for staying in Düsseldorf, along with matching hotel tips, we share in our dedicated article: Where to Stay in Düsseldorf.

General Tips for Your City Trip to Düsseldorf

To help you prepare as well as possible for your trip, here are a few general Düsseldorf tips first.

The Best Time to Visit Düsseldorf

Every season has its own appeal. In June, July, and August, temperatures often hover around 86°F (30°C) — perfect for soaking up the sun on the Düsseldorf Rhine.

Spring and fall are the best seasons for active city exploration. With temperatures around 68°F (20°C), you can discover the city without breaking a sweat. And if it does rain, that’s no big deal — there’s plenty to explore under Düsseldorf’s roofs, like the many museums.

In December, a huge Christmas market dominates the Old Town. Almost everywhere you look, you’ll find mulled wine stands, Flammkuchen, and hot cocoa to warm up with.

During carnival season, things get really hectic in the state capital. On November 11th, and from Weiberfastnacht through Rose Monday, you can join the festive madness in the Old Town.

Getting to Düsseldorf

If you’re traveling by train, you can reach Düsseldorf directly from many European cities and step off right in the heart of the city. Book early enough and you can often catch discounted fares.

If you’re flying in, you can get from the airport to the city center by taxi or S-Bahn. The S-Bahn takes about ten minutes to the main train station.

Our tip: The S-Bahn is pretty well hidden at the airport. On the arrivals level, look for McDonald’s. Coming from the baggage claim, turn right. Just in front of McDonald’s, you’ll head downstairs to the S-Bahn.

Long-distance buses also connect Düsseldorf with many cities across Europe at very affordable prices. Buses stop at Worringer Platz, right next to the main train station.

If you’re arriving by car, it’s best to check when booking your accommodation whether there’s parking nearby or whether the hotel has its own parking. Parking in Düsseldorf tends to be tricky.

We therefore also highly recommend the free Park & Ride lots on the outskirts of the city. You can find more information in our Düsseldorf hotel tips article.

The DüsseldorfCard

The DüsseldorfCard is a tourist pass that includes public transportation and admission to many attractions. The pass is available for 24, 48, 72, or 96 hours.

The DüsseldorfCard is already worth it if you visit just one of the included attractions and use public transportation.

With the card, for example, you get free entry to the Aquazoo, the Film Museum, and the KIT.

You can conveniently order the DüsseldorfCard online and then pick it up at one of the tourist offices at the main train station or in the Old Town.

Order the DüsseldorfCard online

Public Transportation in Düsseldorf

We have to admit that public transportation in Düsseldorf is pretty confusing. There are subways, streetcars, the S-Bahn, and of course buses.

Fortunately, many of the must-sees are clustered in the Old Town, so you can handle a lot on foot there. For everything outside the Old Town, we recommend sticking to the subway and streetcar lines. That’s at least somewhat manageable and covers the entire city.

Download a network map as a PDF here

You can buy single or multi-trip tickets for short or longer distances. Some tickets are also valid for several hours or days. For simplicity’s sake, we won’t go into every ticket type in detail, but we’ll tell you which fare makes sense for whom and when.

If you’ve booked accommodation in the Old Town, on the Kö, or in the Medienhafen, you’ll be able to reach most things on foot. In that case, just grab a 4-trip ticket at the machine in fare zone A3 for 11 euros.

That gives you four individual rides anywhere in Düsseldorf, which you can spread over several days. You need to validate the ticket before each trip.

But note: When you buy a 4-trip ticket, you don’t get four separate tickets — you get just one piece of paper. That paper ticket can simply be validated four times — twice on the front and twice on the back.

If you’re traveling as a pair, you can validate the 4-trip ticket in two spots at the same time.

If you’re arriving by plane, your accommodation is a bit further out, or you plan to explore beyond the city center and Old Town, a day pass or unlimited pass will be a better fit.

The 24-hour ticket in fare zone A3 costs 7.30 euros for one person. For two people it’s 10.90 euros.

For 48 hours you pay 13.90 euros for one person and 20.70 euros for two. Day passes only need to be validated once on your first trip. After that, you don’t need to think about it again as long as you have your ticket with you.

If you want to stay fully mobile throughout your trip, we once again recommend the DüsseldorfCard for 72 or 96 hours — especially if you’re staying longer. As you’ll see from our tips, there’s plenty to see and do in Düsseldorf outside the Old Town too.

Order the DüsseldorfCard online
Our tip: Düsseldorf’s newest subway line is the Wehrhahn-Linie. It only opened in 2016 and hides some artistic secrets. There’s even a guided tour available for it, which we really recommend!

Guided tour of the Wehrhahn-Linie

Hop-on/Hop-off Bus and City Tour

For first-time visitors to Düsseldorf, the hop-on/hop-off bus is a great way to get to know the city. It stops at the Kö, Burgplatz in the Old Town, the Rheinturm with the adjacent Medienhafen, and the Aquazoo, among other places. A solid first all-around overview of what to do in Düsseldorf.

The hop-on/hop-off bus runs daily from 10:00 a.m. to around 5:00 p.m. A one-day ticket costs 18 euros and you can hop on and off as many times as you like. With each adult, two children up to age 13 can ride free.

Ticket for the hop-on/hop-off bus in Düsseldorf
Important: Unfortunately the bus drivers don’t have a scanner to read your ticket. Instead, they collect it when you board. If you want to get back on later, you’ll need a second printout. So it’s best to print your ticket multiple times right away.

If you’re looking for a slightly different sightseeing experience, we highly recommend the comedy bus tour! You’ll experience the most important spots in Düsseldorf along with plenty of anecdotes — all in a fun way.

Comedy bus tour through Düsseldorf

Find even more recommendations for guided tours in our article:

11 special guided tours in Düsseldorf