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  • Things to do

Welcome to Düsseldorf, a centuries-old city where history lurks around every corner. But that doesn’t mean you should spend all your time in museums (though they should be high on your list).  Here you’ll find skyview bars, old-school bakeries and plenty of street art to admire, as well as tons of free art galleries to get stuck into. Oh, and not all the museums here are what you’d expect: there’s one that’s solely about mustard. Ready to explore? Here are the best things to do in Düsseldorf. RECOMMENDED:🍽️ The best restaurants in Düsseldorf🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Düsseldorf🎨 The best attractions in Düsseldorf This guide is by travel writer Jennifer Ceaser. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

  • Restaurants

Hungry in Düsseldorf? If you’re into your food, you’re in the right place. This city is home to an absolute bucketload of Michelin stars (the first five on our list were awarded the prestigious title, to be exact).  But it’s not just high-end grub you’ll find here. Düsseldorf has plenty of low-key and quick-stop spots, like its German neighbours, from hearty ramen bowls to traditional Westphalian Blutwurst (you haven’t heard? That’s a sausage made out of blood). Whatever you’re after, you’ll find it here. Here are the best restaurants in Düsseldorf.  RECOMMENDED:🚆 The best places to visit in Germany🥙 The best restaurants in Germany🇩🇪 The essential guide to Germany Michaela Cavanagh is a writer based in Berlin, Germany. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

  • Attractions

The worldly appeal of Düsseldorf is nothing new. Even Napoleon fell for the charm of the city, dubbing it 'Little Paris'. Founded over 730 years ago, the German city and capital of the North-Rhine Westphalia state is certainly steeped in rich history, most evident in the narrow, cobbled streets of the medieval Old Town. How picturesque.  But thanks to the ever-evolving modern world, the city has a sophisticated and modern edge, too. New architecture has transformed the gleaming skyline and the expanding art scene rivals that of larger cities - a whopping 26 museums and over 100 galleries (way more than just a weekend trip). Add to that stylish shopping, vibrant nightlife and great restaurants, and there are more than enough attractions in Düsseldorf to keep any visitor busy. Check out our selection of the best attractions in Düsseldorf.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The 19 absolute best things to do in Düsseldorf This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.  

  • Things to do

Hitting up Düsseldorf for the first time? We’ve got some tips for you. Over the last century or so, Düsseldorf has developed from a collection of disparate villages into one of the most exciting cities in Germany, a hub of innovation and culture that attracts visitors, entrepreneurs and adventurers in equal measure. The ‘traditional yet modern’ cliche is alive and well here, with a community vibe that juxtaposes that glittering skyline and business-friendly mentality of the city. Our collection of travel tips for first-time visitors to Düsseldorf will help you navigate the city and make the most of this marvellous place, with its impressive range of restaurants and exciting attractions.  RECOMMENDED: The 19 best things to do in Düsseldorf

The best bars in Düsseldorf
  • Bars and pubs

We all know German beer culture is among the best in the world, but Düsseldorf and the Rhine region are a world apart. Have you heard of Altbier? It’s brewed in Westphalia and is synonymous with Düsseldorf. You can’t visit and not drink Altbier at the 'world’s longest bar' in the altstadt (old town), just like you can’t go to Paris and not eat a baguette. Altbier tastes a bit like bacon, and is best served in teeny-tiny glasses (and refilled frequently). Though the beer culture is strong here, the cocktail scene thrives as well. Between imbibing heavily in the regional beverage of choice, and the insane per-capita cocktail prowess of bartenders, Düsseldorf is so much more than a community centered around requisite industry happy hours. The city’s nightlife, alongside a range of fantastic restaurants and other great things to do, is vibrant and welcomes newcomers. Check out our pick of the best bars in Düsseldorf.

The 5 best day trips from Düsseldorf
  • Things to do

In the heart of western Europe, Düsseldorf is a great jumping-off point for exploring huge swathes of the continent. In two hours by train you can be in Brussels; in three, Amsterdam. The world really is on Düsseldorf’s doorstep. But there are also incredible options closer to home. Düsseldorf boasts day excursions that’ll have you admiring the arts or getting a feel for that uniquely German notion of waldeinsamkeit—being alone in the woods. The happening arts scene of Cologne and political hub of Bonn are just a short southbound train away. Cross the border west and you’ve got Eindhoven, the Netherlands’ eastern design capital, and up north you’ve got the Ruhr Metropol – the three cities that comprise the Ruhrgebiet’s cultural capital. No matter which trip you choose, there’s plenty to see and do just outside the city. RECOMMENDED:📍 The 10 best attractions in Düsseldorf🏛 The 19 best things to do in Düsseldorf

  • Things to do

Düsseldorf is one of the easiest cities to get around without a car; it may be easier for visitors to the city to do without one, as parking and traffic can take a lot of fun out of your time in the city. If you’re in need of wheels and are keen to rent a small car by the minute, there’s a car-sharing service, Car2Go, with vehicles scattered around the city which you can access via an app. Still, traveling by car means you’ll miss out on some of the city’s prettiest sights, like the Rhine River Promenade, built atop the tunnel where the B1 (a busy thoroughfare) runs along the river’s embankment. Perhaps the most convenient way to take it all in is by bike—a favorite means of transportation here, even in rain and snow. If you’re going further afield, Düsseldorf has an extensive network of trains, trams and buses that are all run by the Rhein Bahn, making it inexpensive and convenient to get wherever you’re going in the city. Grab a Düsseldorf Card on your first day and enjoy unlimited travel on the buses, trams and trains run by Rhein Bahn within the city limits. To get to the city from the international airport, you can take a high-speed ICE train run by the Deutsche Bahn one stop or the slower regional S-Bahn S11, both of which will get you to the main train station in minutes.

The 10 most beautiful buildings in Düsseldorf
  • Things to do

Düsseldorf is one of Germany’s most architecturally significant cities—just be sure to check your stereotypes of what’s “typically German” at the border. With a name that literally means the Village on the Düssel River, Düsseldorf only grew into a major metropolis after World War II. Allied bombings had ravaged nearby Cologne and in the rush to get a functioning center of government up and running in the west, Düsseldorf was appointed capital of North Rhine-Westphalia—much to the chagrin of the larger Cologne, with which the city shares a friendly rivalry.  The devastation of the war means that much of Düsseldorf is either reconstructed or employs modern architectural styles, making the traditional timber-framed houses many associate with Germany a rarity. Instead, the city’s reputation as a hotbed of industry has led to magnificent steel-and-glass buildings, like the Stadttor, going up around the skyline. It has drawn contemporary architects like Frank Gehry to the Media Harbor, where he modernized structures aesthetically while repurposing them from their original use as warehouses and port structures. Even those buildings which remained standing after the war, like the former parliamentary building now housing the K21 art museum has a modern touch, with a glass-domed roof.

Zum Uerige
  • Bars and pubs
  • Beer hall
  • price 2 of 4

Some people call Dusseldorf’s Altstadt the “longest bar in the world,” thanks to the hundreds of bars, restaurants and beer houses that line the street. Some people also say that Zum Uerige is home to the world’s best Altbier. In fact, the world champion beer sommelier has proclaimed Zum Uerige’s Altbier to be the best German regional beer, which is no small feat. It’s sad to smell like caramel with a hint of cocoa and oranges, but all you need to know is that it’s delicious and distinctive. Go to Zum Uerige for the beer, but stay for the Rheinish specialty snacks and the traditional German brewhouse atmosphere. Tip: when you’re done, put your coaster on top of your beer glass to get the server’s attention.

  • Things to do
  • Cultural centres
  • price 1 of 4

Known as Little Tokyo on the Rhine, one of the largest Japanese populations in Europe (around 7,000) sits in Düsseldorf. The buzzing commercial hub is Japanviertel (the Japan quarter), around Immermannstraße, and is packed with shops selling colorful kimonos and waving cats, sushi and karaoke bars, Japanese (and Korean) restaurants and Asian supermarkets. For a more tranquil experience, cross the Rhine and head to the Niederkassel district, a suburb popular with Japanese expats. Here you’ll find EKŌ-Haus, comprised of a Buddhist temple, a traditional Japanese house, a Japanese garden and a tea room. Or take a free stroll through the peaceful Japanese garden in the northwest corner of Nordpark, landscaped with Japanese maples, stone lanterns, waterfalls and a pond. Hungry? One of the best spots for ramen in the city—as evidenced by the queue that forms outside every day at noon—is Takumi, at Immermannstrasse 28, in the Japan quarter.