You may, or may not, have heard of the German city of Düsseldorf. It is the state capital of Nordrhein Westphalia and has a prominent location in western Germany on the banks of the mighty river Rhine.
Over the years, Düsseldorf has evolved into a bustling metropolis on the Rhine with over six hundred thousand inhabitants. The city is an international business and financial centre, well known for its trade fairs, art scene and fashion industry and, although those from Munich may disagree, it has also been named as ‘the fashion capital of Germany’.
But there is much more to the city than its commercial front. In fact it is also a rich cultural hub, offering its visitors and locals plenty of festivities, events and celebrations throughout the entire year. These include the world famous ‘Karnival’ celebrations, the ‘Kermis’ – a huge waterside fair and of course, thanks to its relatively large Japanese community, the spectacular ‘Japan Fest’.
Düsseldorf is also where I spent a year of my life, working in a grammar school as an English teacher, so y’know, I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert where the city is concerned!
In this post I have put together a suggested itinerary for spending 72 hours days in the Rhenish capital – so read on for the ultimate guide to Düsseldorf.
Day 1
The most obvious place to start is at Düsseldorf Airport, the third largest airport in Germany after Frankfurt and Munich and one that offers a whole host of international flights. Several airlines fly to and from Düsseldorf including scheduled flights with Lufthansa and British Airways, as well as budget options such as Easy Jet and German Wings.
From the airport, the journey into the city is quick and painless. Hop aboard the S-Bahn (suburb train) from the airport terminal or catch the Sky-train to the Airport station where you can catch the slightly faster Regional-Bahn. Within between ten and twenty minutes you will arrive in the centre of the city and can locate/ check into your hotel.
Once settled into your accommodation, catch the U-Bahn (metro) as far as Heinrich Heine Allee and spend your afternoon exploring the atmospheric Altstadt. Window shop along Flingerstrasse, stroll along the Rheinufer (promenade) perhaps stopping for a drink at Kasematte, see the beautiful Rathaus (townhall) and historic Schlossturm before wandering the narrow cobbled streets around the Basilica St. Lambertus.
For refreshments, head for a traditional ‘Altbier’ at the famous Uerige brewery, or try Zum Schiffchen just around the corner.
From there make your way along the curious Schneider Wibbel Gasse, also known as ‘Little Spain’ until you emerge in Bolkerstrasse. Here you will find an abundance of watering holes which have given the Düsseldorfer Altstadt the celebrated nickname of the ‘longest bar in the world’ (längste Theke der Welt). Yes, the city’s small Altstadt has more than 300 bars and clubs, whose bar-counters, it is said, supposedly connect to the one next door.
Bolkerstrasse is a great place to stop for a bite to eat and offers all sorts of cuisines, from the traditional German Brewery/ Pub, to Argentian cuisine, fast food and Asian. Fear not, just because this is the main culinary thoroughfare, the prices are not extortionate and many locals also chose to eat here, always a good sign! If you fancy somewhere quieter, explore the small side streets leading off to the edges of the Altstadt. For a delicious pizza, a lively atmosphere and an interesting interior, I would recommend Pinocchio on Altestadt.
Day 2
Start your second day in the city with a leisurely breakfast at one of the waterfront restaurants in the Media Hafen (Media Harbour), a modern marina which features some spectacular post-modern architecture, namely the three twisted buildings (Neuer Zollhof) designed by the one and only Frank Gehry.
Once breakfast is finished, wander around the marina and perhaps make your way up the Rheinturm TV Tower for some great views out across the city and along the river.
A must do whilst in Düsseldorf includes blending in with the rich and famous, by taking a stroll along the picturesque and idyllic settings of Königsalle. Literally meaning ‘Kings Street’, this luxury shopping street is certainly fit for Kings, with every premium brand you can think of plus some more!
After eyeing up a vintage Cartier or Rolex at the end of the street, you will pass by the likes of Gucci, Prada, Tiffany’s and many, many more. Make sure you don’t miss the various arcades leading off from the main street, including the fancy Kö Arcade and Sevens.
At the Altstadt end of Königsalle you will reach the Kö-Bogen shopping ‘centre’ and the edge of the peaceful Hofgarten, offering waterways, places to sit, and one of my favourite pastimes, people to watch.
Düsseldorf is often referred to as ‘Klein Tokyo am Rhein’ (Little Tokyo on the River Rhine) as it is home to a huge Japanese community, reported to be the third largest in Europe – right behind London and Paris!
With this in mind I’m sure it comes as no surprise that there are plenty of Japanese restaurants, travel agencies, shops and supermarkets to be found in the city, all centred around Immermannstrasse. I would certainly recommend stopping off at one of the many restaurants here for an evening bite to eat – just be prepared for a short wait as many locals have the same idea!
Day 3
Day 3 calls for a trip out of the city centre, away from the hustle and bustle. But don’t worry you don’t have to travel far!
To the south of the city centre is the leafy district of Benrath, home to the beautiful pink hunting lodge which is Schloss Benrath, plus its nearby lakes and grounds. Schlosspark Benrath is one of the city’s loveliest green areas, with a selection of planted gardens along with wild wooded areas to explore. Why not sit back and relax in the fancy but affordable cafe, or if you feel a little more adventurous, make your way through the park and sit beside the river Rhine and watch the water traffic go by.
How to get there: the most direct route is by taking the U74 from Hbf which takes roughly half an hour. You can also take the 701 although the journey takes slightly longer. Time it right and the S-bahn or Regio Bahn will take you from the Hbf to Benrath, and then it is a 10 minute walk back through the town to the Schloss.
Another option is a relaxing boat trip up the river to charming Kaiserswerth. Boat company Weisse Flotte makes this trip on a regular basis from the Altstadt. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and costs 18euros – rather costly but well worth it for the lovely views and the provision of free wine and beer on board. As one of Düsseldorf’s oldest quarters, and perched right on the banks of the river, Kaiserswerth provides a nice place for a walk, either along the river or through the village’s maze of alleys. The area’s architecture is eye-catching and a sweet building with bright coloured shutters is never far away. Not far from the ‘centre’, along a peaceful tree-lined walkway are the ruins of an old castle, as well as a number of small pubs and eateries, all who offer pleasant beer gardens and delicious food. The Beer garden at Galerie Burghof, is a must in good weather.
Alternatively, make your way across the river to Feste (Fortress) Zons, a medieval fortress somewhat similar in character to Rothenburg ob der Tauber (but without the hordes of tourists!) Once a toll fortress on the banks of the Rhine, Zons is a great place to spend half a day and the well-preserved nature of the city wall, gates and streets make for a nice walk.
How to get there: without a car, the journey to Zons is rather lengthy although it is possible to get there by public transport from Neuss. Should you have a car or a bike, the crossing from Urdenbach by ferry is rather pleasant. There is a small cost involved which can be found in more detail here.
Arriving back in the city after your day of exploring, return to the Rheinufer for a pre-dinner drink ready to say your farewells to the city and soak up the atmosphere in and around the Altstadt and its many Brauerei before your departure.
Before you leave ensure you have made the acquaintance of the Radschlager, sampled a Killepitsch (or two) and tasted one or two of the local specialities – Halve Hahn, Himmel und Ääd and Reibekuchen.
Have you visited Düsseldorf before? What did you think of the city? Is there anything I have missed from my ultimate guide – do let me know in the comments below!
Love Victoria x
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