Düsseldorf Travel Guide
With a slew of classy fashion boutiques, plus bars and restaurants aplenty, Düsseldorf is a city that has it all – even its own beer.
As the state capital of North Rhine–Westphalia, Düsseldorf is one of the richest cities in Germany – and it shows. Straddling the mighty Rhine and the blink-and-you’ll-miss–it Düssel rivers, it’s a smart, fashionable metropolis with a confident (but certainly not arrogant) swagger. It is also extremely cosmopolitan, with a sixth of the total population foreign-born.
Although Düsseldorf made its fortune from international banking, it’s not filled with faceless accountants in suits. Prosperity has turned the locals into enthusiastic patrons of the arts and fashion. There’s the Königsallee with its ultra-trendy shopping, plus a wide range of galleries and museums. Its mouth-watering choice of quality dining options reflects both the city’s multinational ascent and a willingness to pay for top-quality nosh.
It hasn’t always been one long success story, however. Düsseldorf suffered enormous damage in WWII with more than three quarters of the centre all but wiped from the map. Much of it had to be rebuilt virtually from scratch.
But rather than throw up a faceless concrete metropolis, lost medieval landmarks were meticulously and lovingly recreated in their original forms, meaning the central Altstadt (Old Town) remains an enchanting warren of cobbled streets. This is where over 200 popular bars (many serving locally brewed Altbier), and countless restaurants and nightspots, rub shoulders with vestiges of the past, turning it into one of the hippest spots in the country.
Contrasting with the historical core, there’s also a thriving new scene in the rebooted and rejuvenated harbour district, MedienHafen, with its modern glass buildings and an abundance of chic drinking dens and eateries.
Although Düsseldorf is known for its nightlife year-round, things get especially lively during the pre-Lent carnival, which turns the city into one giant party zone. December, when several Christmas markets spring into action, is also a great time to be in town, but Düsseldorf will still enchant whenever you decide to visit.
It might be an industrial hub today, but Dusseldorf started life as a tiny dorf (village) on the banks of the River Düssel in the 8th century AD. Part of the marshy Rhine region, it was largely ignored by the Romans, with the result that the city didn’t really emerge as a settlement much before the 10th century. Indeed, its first real mention in the record books didn’t come until 1135.
Incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire under Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa, Düsseldorf came under the rule of the Counts of Berg in 1186. A century later, in 1288, it was finally granted official status and given permission to become a town by Count Adolf VIII of Berg. In 1380, it became the seat of the Duchy of Berg and swiftly grew fat on trade – much of it fuelled by the River Rhine.
The city continued to grow under the Counts of Palatinate-Neuburg who took Düsseldorf in 1609 after a bloody struggle. During this period, in particular during the reign of Johann Wilhelm II, the city established itself as a hub for culture and trade as the ruling dynasty used their wealth to encourage the arts.
But Düsseldorf’s luck ran out when the Napoleonic Wars brought disaster to the city, which was ravaged by the French as they passed through. After Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, Düsseldorf was handed over to Prussia, which established the parliament of its Rhine Province in the city.
The resulting boom and speedy industrialisation saw Düsseldorf become one of Prussia’s richest cities, with oil, mining and manufacturing among the main businesses.
Growth slowed during WWI but soon fired up again, helped along by Hitler’s rearmament programme of the 1930s.
But the war that followed had disastrous consequences for Düsseldorf, with the city and its heavy industry almost flattened during the Allied bombing campaign. Conquered by the Americans in 1945, the years since WWII have seen Düsseldorf rebuild, regroup and re-establish economic dominance once more.
The Dusseldorf tradition of cartwheeling is said to have originated as an expression of celebration when the Germans won the Battle of Worringen in 1280.
Düsseldorf is a carnival hot spot. One million visitors come for the Shrove Monday procession every year.
After WWII, the Old Town was rebuilt on its original foundation walls, so that it maintains its historic organisation.
Düsseldorf has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters; prolonged periods of frost or snow are rare. Rain, however, can fall at any point in the year, so it’s best to pack a variety of clothes.
July and August, when the city is in holiday mood, is the best time to enjoy alfresco dining, while the Christmas Market lends a magical atmosphere to the Old Town in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Getting around Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf Altstadt (Old Town) is reasonably compact and quite easy to cover on foot. The remainder of the city has an efficient and extensive network of trams, buses, U-bahn (partially underground metro trains), and an S-Bahn (regional trains, with lines linking Düsseldorf with nearby Dortmund and Essen). Pick up a route map from any station or the tourist office.
Rheinbahn
Telephone: +49 1806 504 030
Website: www.rheinbahn.com Runs Düsseldorf’s integrated public transport system.
Single tickets (EinzelTickets) are available from vending machines located at all tram and U-bahn stops, and from bus drivers. Validate them before use.
You can also buy a day ticket (Tagesticket), which is valid until 0300 the following morning, but a much better alternative if you are sightseeing is the DüsseldorfCard, which gives you unlimited free travel within the city as well as free entry to museums. Note also that many hotels offer free transport passes for the duration of your stay.
Companies include
Taxi-Düsseldorf
Telephone: +49 211 33333
Rhein-Taxi
Telephone: +49 211 212121
You must hail taxis from designated ranks, or book them by phone. You can’t flag them down on the street.
Central Düsseldorf is compact, so you generally won’t need to drive unless visiting outlying areas. There is plenty of parking available across the city, including parking garages. Always park in a secure place if possible.
Cycling is a popular way of getting around Düsseldorf and is highly recommended if you have experience of urban cycling.
Biking around the narrow lanes of the Altstadt and along the Rhine promenade is particularly enjoyable.
Pay special attention to trams and never leave an unattended bike unlocked. For bicycle hire, try
Rad ab
Address:
Friedrichstraße 116, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 336 661
Website:
www.radab.de Alternatively
Radstation Düsseldorf
Address:
Willi-Becker-Allee 8, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 514 4711
Website:
www.radstation-duesseldorf.de
Nextbike
Runs a bikeshare scheme, with docking stations across the city.
Website:
www.nextbike.de
Benefit from Travoley’s great deals available all year round for a seamless car hire experience in Düsseldorf. Travel your way by choosing from our collection of brand new cars.
Whether you are looking for car rental in Düsseldorf as part of a vacation, or renting a car for a special event, you will be sure to find a car to suit your needs from our wide range of economy and luxury models.
In order to hire a car, drivers must be at least 21 years old, depending on company policy. All drivers without an EU licence must carry an International Driving Permit.
Our simple booking system makes it easy to reserve online before you go, offering flexible short- and long-term rental, all at great prices with no hidden charges, so when you arrive all that’s left is to discover the best of this exciting city.
In partnership with Get Your Guide
Book popular activities in Düsseldorf
Things to see in Düsseldorf
Attractions
- Düsseldorf Altstadt (Old Town)
In addition to the myriad of eating and drinking opportunities in Düsseldorf’s Old Town (with around 300 cafés and pubs it has been dubbed ‘the longest bar in the world’), don’t miss the charming 16th-century Rathausplatz (Town Hall Square), the churches of St Andreas and St Lambertus, the grotesque Battle of Worringen monument on the Burgplatz, next to the tiny River Düssel, and the quieter, leafy southern area, adjacent to Karlstadt.
Address:
Altstadt, Düsseldorf.
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- MedienHafen (Media Harbour)
The revitalised harbour district gets its name from its new commercial tenants: the television, radio, fashion and design companies which have colonised its striking waterside buildings, some of them designed by Frank Gehry. His most famous and arresting creation is the riverside Neuer Zollhof, a striking grouping of three seemingly randomly shaped high-rise buildings. It’s best to visit the area on a sightseeing cruise before returning for the nightlife. The area is packed with restaurants, bars, and shops.
Address:
Hafen & Unterbilk, MedienHafen, docks area, Düsseldorf.
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Website:
www.medienhafen.de
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- K20-K21 Kunst Sammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen (NordrheinWestfalen Art Collection)
The superb permanent collection here is displayed in two contrasting buildings that juxtapose the art within. With a polished black stone façade, modern ‘K20’contains 20th-century masterpieces by Kandinsky, Matisse, Picasso, Mondrian, Klee and Kirchner, and American art after 1945 with works by Warhol, Rauschberg and Pollock. The more sober 19th-century architecture of K21 conceals cutting edge creations by post-1980 international artists.
Address:
Grabbepl. 5, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 838 1204
Opening times: Tues-Sun 11:00-18:00.
Website:
www.kunstsammlung.de
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Hetjens-Museum/Deutsches Keramikmuseum (German Ceramics Museum)
Established in 1909 from the bequest of a private collector, this huge collection of pottery, earthenware and porcelain from all around the globe now consists of around 20,000 separate items. There is an especially strong Islamic section, and the museum also lays claim to being the only one in the world encompassing the entire history of ceramics from their ancient origins to the present day.
Address:
Carlstadt, Schulstrasse 4, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 899 4210
Opening times: Tues-Sun 11:00-17:00.
Website:
www.duesseldorf.de
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Schifffahrt-Museum Schlossturm (Castle Tower Shipping Museum)
This striking landmark tower in the Altstadt is all that remains of an old medieval castle that once stood on the banks of the river. It houses a small collection on Rhineland river transport, plus an audio-visual guide (in English) on the city’s history. There are also good views to be had from the café at the top.
Address:
Altstadt, Burgplatz 30, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 899 4195
Opening times: Tues-Sun 11:00-18:00.
Website:
www.freunde-schifffahrtmuseum.de
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
The eclectic and extensive art collections at Museum Kunst Palast comprise of works from the Middle Ages, the Baroque period and the Düsseldorf School of Painting, right up to some startling contemporary artworks. The museum is particularly known for its works by German expressionists and also for having one of Europe’s finest collections of glass art. Expect cutting-edge temporary exhibitions and works from Peter Paul Rubens, Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini and Lovis Corinth among others.
Address:
Pempelfort, Ehrenhof 4-5, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 5664 2100
Opening times: Tues-Sun 11:00-18:00.
Website:
www.kunstpalast.de
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Many people consider the ‘Kö’ to be Germany’s most elegant street. It is also Düsseldorf’s main shopping boulevard, and the prime showing off point for the city’s undoubted affluence. This double-sided avenue has a tree-lined canal running down its centre bordered by a thin strip of green parkland. The biggest draw for most, however, is that it is lined on either side with cafés, top-end designer fashion outlets and other trendy boutiques
Address:
Stadtmitte, Königsallee, Düsseldorf.
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Website:
www.duesseldorf-koe.de
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
- Classic Remise Düsseldorf
The massive circular building housing the Classic Remise Düsseldorf museum was originally erected as a roundhouse that was used for servicing railway locomotives in the golden age of steam. Today it forms an appropriately impressive backdrop for another form of transport: the car. Boasting a large collection of classic and vintage cars that represent every era of motorised transport, this place is for real enthusiasts. It also has shops for spare parts and accessories, as well as numerous model cars.
Address:
Eller, Harffstrasse 110a, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 2295 0570
Opening times: Daily 08:00-20:00.
Website:
www.remise.de
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
The heinuferpromenade (Rhine Promenade) follows the banks of the river for 10km (6 miles) from Düsseldorf’s southern suburbs to the northern environs, passing the western edge of the Altstadt en route. The entire length is a popular place for walking, cycling or rollerblading, while the less exercise-minded will find the central zone a particularly happy hunting ground for bars and cafés.
Address:
Altstadt, Carlstadt & others, Rheinufer, Düsseldorf.
Opening times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
The iconic emblem of Düsseldorf, this 240m-high (786ft) tower dominates the city horizon from its riverside location, just to the south of the Altstadt. The panoramic 360-degree views from the large glass windows at 164.5m (538ft) take in the whole city, the river and the surrounding region. The extraordinary building immediately below is the new Landtag (regional parliament). The upmarket Restaurant Top 180, found one level above the observation deck, opens daily for lunch and dinner.
Address:
Unterbilk, Stromstrasse 20, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 863 2000
Opening times: Daily 10:00-12:00.
Website:
www.rheinturm.de
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Address:
Rheinstraße 3, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 1720 2840
Opening times: Daily 10:00–18:00.
Website:
www.visitduesseldorf.de
Besides standard tourist information, Düsseldorf Tourismus also offers a hotel room booking service and sells tickets for concerts and other events in the region. There is a second office in the Altstadt at Marktstrasse on the corner of;
Tourist passes
The DüsseldorfCard gives free or discounted admission to most visitor attractions as well as unlimited travel within the city. Choose between 24-, 48- and 72-hour cards for individuals or groups, available from tourist offices, museums, hotels and the Rheinbahn (public transport) ticket offices.
Things to do in Düsseldorf
- Drink in an Altstadt brewpub
No visit to Düsseldorf would be complete without sampling the city’s local dark amber beer, Altbier, which is served in a regular stream of 200ml (0.35 pints) glasses. The best spot to indulge is at
Uerige
Telephone:
+49 211 866 990
Website:
www.uerige.de
The lively brewpub at Berger Strasse 1. The turnover here is so fast that fresh barrels are brought up from the cellar and tapped several times every hour.
- Get educated with the City Rally
The City Rally is a self-guided walking tour of the Alstadt that’s designed to exercise your brain and powers of observation. Two sets of questions (one for adults, one for kids) will show you the sights and test how much you’re really taking in about your surroundings.
Website:
www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de
- Go primitive in the Neanderthal
Just east of Düsseldorf is a valley that gave its name to an entire prehistoric race of people. Near the very spot where the first and most famous set of Neanderthal fossils were found in Germany, the
Neanderthal Museum
Telephone:
+49 02104 979 70
Website :
www.neanderthal.de
Hosts multi-media displays that tell their history and a collection of the ancient relics they left behind.
- Take a swing at a golf club
Much of Europe’s golfing scene is the preserve of snobbish ‘members only’ clubs, but Germany’s first municipal course
Golf Sport-Verein Düsseldorf
Telephone:
+49 211 410 529
Website :
www.gsvgolf.de
At Auf der Lausward 51, is a non-profit sports club that will allow anybody who is interested in playing a round to turn up and take a swing. Reservations are still recommended.
One of the best ways to appreciate a waterside city is to take to the waves. Regular hour-long cruises will take you down the Rhine, past the Altstadt and around the renovated MedienHafen harbour district. Buy advance tickets from the
Tourist office
Telephone:
+49 211 172 020
Website:
www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de or simply turn up at the departure point, the KD-pier, near Burgplatz.
Düsseldorf tours and excursions
Düsseldorf tours
Boat tours ply the Rhine in Düsseldorf, offering a number of cruises by day and moonlit dinner, disco and jazz cruises by night. The main operators are Weisse Flotte and KD Schiffstouren.
Telephone:
+49 211 326 124 ,
+49 211 208 8318
Website:
www.k-d.com
Reisebüro Adorf coach tours (in German and English) depart from Düsseldorf’s railway station in the morning and Königsallee in the afternoon daily. Both include admission to the Rhine Tower, and the afternoon tour includes a boat cruise to the Media Hafen. There is no need to book. In winter there is also a one-hour tour of Düsseldorf by night. Tours depart daily except for Carnival Thursday and Monday, Fun-Fair Sunday, Christmas and New Year.
Telephone:
+49 211 418 970
Website:
www.stadtpfade-reisen.de
Düsseldorf excursions
Cologne is an easy day trip from Düsseldorf by river. The highlights are its magnificent Cathedral (Dom), its Altstadt (Old Town), its Romanesque churches and its three top museums: the Römischer-Germanisches (Roman Germany Museum); the Imhoff-Stollwerck chocolate museum; and the Museum Ludwig modern art collection.
Address: Kardinal-Höffner-Platz 1, Cologne
Telephone: +49 221 346 430
Website: www.koelntourismus.de
Benrath Palace and Park Out in the southern suburbs, Benrath Palace and Park is a beautiful 18th-century garden palace. It includes extensive landscaped grounds, a Natural History Museum and a Museum of European Garden Art. Benrather Schlossallee 100-106,
Telephone:
+49 211 892 19 03
Website:
www.schloss-benrath.deShopping in Düsseldorf
Mention shopping in Düsseldorf and the ‘Kö’ (short for Königsallee) will inevitably be in the next breath. This handsome leafy boulevard, bisected by an ornamental canal and fountains, hosts top designer shops such as Cartier, Lacoste, Gucci, Chanel, Hugo Boss, Joop and Prada.
The Altstadt features small, individual shops and local specialities, such as the Mustard Museum and Shop, Berger Strasse 29, and the Gut & Gerne Schokolade chocolaterie and café at Burgplatz 3. There is a daily, high-quality food market on Carlsplatz with some mouth-watering gourmet items. Naturally, Königsallee still draws the most shoppers, but the Schadowstrasse, known as ‘Germany’s shopping mile’, does its best to challenge it.
For everyday items, there’s a large daily market on Carlsplatz, at the southern edge of the Altstadt. The Altstadt is also home to a popular Christmas market that sets up each December.
The shopping centre Kö-Galerie with around 100 shops is located at the “Kö”. Off the Kö, the Stilwerk mall at Grünstraße 15 is a temple to modern interior design, while the striking Schadow Arkaden mall (nearby at Schadowstraße 11) is home to more designer outlets. Saks of 5th at Heinrich-Heine-Platz 1, occupies a splendid art nouveau building and is Düsseldorf’s top department store. The Düsseldorf Bilk Arcaden attract shoppers with 120 shops, restaurants and a swimming pool.
Shop opening times in Düsseldorf are generally Monday to Saturday 093:0-20:00, with late opening on Thursday evening. Some shops close early on Saturday afternoon.
Tourist shops sell classic Germanic souvenirs from across the country. Browse for anything from Black Forest cuckoo clocks to large and ornately decorated beer steins. The latter are slightly ironic since the local tipple, Altbier, for which the city is famous, is always served in small measures. The symbol of Düsseldorf is the Radschläger, or ‘cartwheeling man’. His image can be found on everything from key rings to coffee mugs.
The standard rate of sales tax (VAT) in Germany is 19%. A lower rate of 7% is applied to certain everyday items, including food, plants, books, newspapers and entry to cultural sites. Permanent residents of non-EU countries can ask for a Tax Free Form in shops displaying the Global Tax Free Shopping logo in their window, and can claim a VAT refund at the airport on departure. Duty-free prices at the international airport are only available to passengers departing the European Union.
Restaurants in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf has a wide range of restaurants catering to every taste and budget, from Michelin-stars to snack bars. In the Altstadt alone you’ll be dazzled for choice.
The restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over €40)
Moderate (€20 to €40)
Cheap (up to €20)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one without drinks or a tip. Add a 5-10% tip to a bill if the service is good.
Expensive
Cuisine: Fine dining
Fusion This Michelin-starred restaurant offers a chic and welcoming atmosphere for its guests. Named after its owner, Agata serves delicious modern European dishes with Korean influences. This fusion can be seen and tasted in dishes like the oberbergische rainbow trout and duck liver.
Address:
Kirchfeldstrasse 59, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 2003 0616
Website:
www.agatas.de
Cuisine: Italian
This gourmet Italian restaurant is often fully booked and for a good reason. Run by two brothers, La Luce Due offers highquality authentic Italian meals including various pasta dishes and pizzas in a warm and cosy atmosphere. Furthermore, the meals are freshly prepared, and diners can choose from a wide variety of wines. Guests are recommended to book in advance to secure a table at La Luce Due.
Address:
Dorotheenstasse 20, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 691 2645
Website:
www.lalucedue.de
Cuisine: Japanese, Fusion
This fashionably understated eatery was one of the first Japanese restaurants in Europe to find itself recognised with a coveted Michelin star. Fused with European influences, the superb dishes here are given a modern artistic twist by the award-winning chef Yoshizumi Nagaya. Sushi, tempura and sashimi are all honoured on the menu, but they’re finished with flair and panache not usually found outside of Museum Kunst Palast.
Address:
Stadtmitte, Klosterstrasse 42, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 863 9636
Website:
www.nagaya.de
Moderate
Cuisine: Seafood
This traditionally decorated, black-and-white tiled fish restaurant in Düsseldorf is smart and welcoming with lots of outdoor tables. It serves the best fish and seafood dishes in the Altstadt with specialities that include salmon soup and salad with sole and prawns. In the summer, try to bag a table on the terrace, where you can soak up the atmosphere of the Old Town. Be warned: it’s nearly always full, so book ahead if you can.
Address:
Altstadt, Berger Strasse 3-7, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 854 9864
Website:
www.fischhaus-duesseldorf.de
Cuisine: Thai
This beautifully decorated Asian restaurant evokes a charming atmosphere of the East even before you’ve sat down to eat. And happily, those feelings of well being are easily maintained once the food starts to arrive. Most agree it’s the best Thai cuisine in town, and the duck dishes come particularly recommended.
Address:
Stadtmitte, Bahnstrasse 76, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 860 4470
Website:
www.silathai.com
Cuisine: Vegan
For those prepared to leave the meat out of the ‘meat and two veg’ equation, sattgrün offers a mouth-watering array of vegan fair-trade choices. Main courses are served up buffet style – patrons select from a dozen or so hot dishes, plus salads. It’s the perfect antithesis to all those pork-based local classics, and the concept is clearly catching – there are now four branches across the city. This one is in the trendy MediaHafen district.
Address:
Hafen, Brückenstrasse 12, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 1592 3290
Website:
www.sattgruen.com
Cheap
Cuisine: German
HeimWerk Altstadt partook of the kitchen’s superior brand of Düsseldorf comfort food, which is served here in large quantities. Try the homemade liver dumplings or the Rhineland herrings which come with boiled potatoes, apples and onion in a light, creamy sauce.
Address:
Hafenstraße 9, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 8632 6373
Website:
www.heimwerk-restaurant.de
Cuisine: Seafood
With superb fresh North Sea fish, and serve-yourself seafood at bargain prices, the riverside promenade restaurant-cumstall, Der Sylter Fischkutter, is always packed. Grab yourself a front-seat view of the Rhine and tuck into everything from salt water eels to steaming stacks of mussels. Ideal for a cheap, tasty belly-filler; the wine list punches above its price tag as well. With 4,500 outdoor seats making a reservation isn’t necessary.
Address:
Untere, Rheinwerft 14, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 862 9749
Website:
www.gosch.de
Cuisine: Japanese
This friendly and bustling ramen bar proves that great Japanese food does not necessarily require a bank loan. Naniwa serves a wide range of noodle soups, fried noodles and fried rice dishes, and while all of them are good, it’s hard to beat the Gomoku – vegetable fried noodles with pork belly, prawns and squid. The diminutive dining area means you may have to queue for a table, but the wait will be well worth it.
Address:
Stadtmitte, Oststrasse 55, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 161 799
Website:
www.naniwa.deDüsseldorf Nightlife
With hundreds of pubs crowding its streets, it’s no wonder Düsseldorf’s Altstadt has gained a reputation for being the ‘longest bar in the world’. The Old Town is a very lively place for a night out, but if you’re looking for more cultural events, the Düsseldorf tourist office can provide information on what’s on.
Bars in Düsseldorf
Drink in some sweeping panoramic views over a cocktail or two at Germany’s highest lounge bar. This swanky saloon is located some 168m (551 ft) above the ground, on the observation deck of the Rheinturm tower. Thankfully the prices aren’t as breathtaking as the location. Different coloured stools, faux-bricked walls and an alluring menu of spirits and beers, should keep your head in the clouds for a few hours at least.
Address:
Unterbilk, Stromstrasse 20, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 863 2000
Website:
www.rheinturm.de
- Et Kabüffke Killepitschstube
Opposite the popular beer hall, Uerige, is Et Kabüffke, a bar that prides itself on being the smallest in town. Space is certainly at a premium, especially during peak times, but this diminutive drinking den is the only place to try Düsseldorf’s best-known speciality liqueur, Killepitsch, which is made up of a secret mix of some 90 fruits, herbs and spices. Locals will tell you not leave town without having tried it.
Address:
Alstadt, Flinger Strasse 1, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 133 269
Website:
www.killepitsch.de
Another of Düsseldorf’s central brewpubs, Im Füchschen has a sprawling interior and a large terrace. Both can get packed on a weekend evening. The kitchen turns out delicious but stomach-stretching portions of classic regional dishes, while the bar staff pour the house Altbier in an almost constant stream.
Address:
Altstadt, Ratinger Strasse 28, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 137 470
Website:
www.fuechschen.de
First opened way back in 1536, Im Goldenen Ring lays claim to being Düsseldorf’s oldest brewery. Today the local beer, Altbier, flows as freely as ever in its airy beer hall and is best washed down with a hearty plate of food. The dishes served here are typical German and Düsseldorf fare, so you won’t leave empty stomached. In summer, try and get a table on the cobbles outside where shade from the trees keeps the beers cooler for longer.
Address:
Altstadt, Burgplatz 21, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 9608 6010
Website:
www.brauhaus-goldener-ring.de
Located in the MedienHafen, this recently opened lounge bar enjoys stunning views. It’s on the 16th floor of the new Innside Düsseldorf Hafen hotel, and looks out over the river and the rooftops of the Altstadt. The bar mixes sharp modern design with classy old fashioned touches and is already making a name for itself as the place to head for an aperitif or a cocktail.
Address:
Hafen, Speditionstrasse 9, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 447 17 1665
Website:
www.theview-duesseldorf.de
Another of the city’s famed brew pubs, Zum Schlüssel has a reputation for developing some of the finest Altbier in town. Often busy and always noisy, the bar is best enjoyed when the authentic beer hall band strikes up. The food, like hearty Düsseldorf pork knuckle and other regional favourites, is also good, but come prepared, as service rarely comes with a smile.
Address:
Altstadt, Bolkerstrasse 41-47, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 828 9550
Website:
www.zumschluessel.de
A night out in the Altstadt means a visit to one of its many brauereigaststätten, venerable beer halls which brew their own beer and serve weighty portions of food. The largest and most famous is Zum Uerige with its arched ceilings, wooden benches and stain-glassed windows. Be warned: the waiters here have a reputation for not letting you leave until you’ve drunk your fill of Altbier, the local tipple.
Address: Altstadt, Berger Strasse 1, Düsseldorf.
Telephone: +49 211 866 990.
Website:
www.uerige.de
Clubs in Düsseldorf
This popular lounge bar and club, in the heart of the Altstadt, serves up a range of exotic cocktails and knows how to put on a party. For those who like to dance as they drink, the resident DJ enjoys a reputation for playing some of the hottest tunes in town from Wednesday through until Sunday. Free shots have been known to make an appearance here too.
Address:
Ratinger Str. 23, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 172 517 1200
Website:
www.cubanitos-bar.com
Easy to find, because the music is so loud. The club plays a mix of Metal & Rock. Listen to the metal sounds and drink beer in this dark and alternative bar from around noon until early morning.
Address:
Bolkerstraße 33, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 862 9749
Website:
www.engel-duesseldorf.de
Located at the Kunsthalle Düsseldorf exhibition hall, the Salon des Amateurs is open daily as a bar, and has DJs playing into the night at weekends. Known for its relaxed vibes, it’s a favourite among students and anyone else of an artistic persuasion, and holds occasional readings, lectures, and live concerts.
Address:
Altstadt, Grabbeplatz 4, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 171 2830
Website:
www.salondesamateurs.de
Located in an industrial suburb, this wildly popular nightspot is also one of the largest dance clubs in town. Besides hosting regular DJs and themed music nights, there are also occasional live acts of various genres, from R & B to hardcore punk and even the occasional comedy acts (in German).
Address:
Ronsdorfer Str. 134/Stahlwerk, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 730 350
Website:
www.stahlwerk.de
Live music in Düsseldorf
Live Still a little rough around the edges, Dä Spiegel Night Live has been one of the best venues for live music in central Düsseldorf since the late 1960s. It regularly hosts performances by local pop and rock bands. Most shows begin at around 2200 and entrance is usually free. Don’t expect an early finish though, chucking out happens around 0400.
Address:
Carlstadt, Bolkerstrasse 22, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 323 7490
Website:
www.daespiegel.de
Classical music in Düsseldorf
The main venue for classical music in Düsseldorf is the green-domed Tonhalle, just a few steps north of the Altstadt. This remarkable piece of landmark architecture, home of the Düsseldorf Symphoniker orchestra, seems to elevate the performances here. Aside from classical ensembles, the Tonhalle puts on shows by a wide range of national and international touring musicians.
Address:
Pempelfort, Ehrenhof 1, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 9138 7538
Website:
www.tonhalle-duesseldorf.de
Music and Dance in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf has a thriving performing arts scene and it’s no more evidential than at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein opera house, which has put on regular grand opera and operetta performances since 1956, often at very reasonable prices.
The company also shares its home theatre with the Ballett am Rhein classical dance troupe.
Address:
Stadtmitte, Heinrich-Heine-Allee 16A, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 892 5211
Website:
www.operamrhein.de
Tanzhaus Nrw is the spiritual home of contemporary, multicultural music and dance in Düsseldorf. Widely acclaimed as a major regional centre for the arts, the national premieres of a great many cutting-edge productions get their debut here. Housed in a former tram station, Tanzhaus has two stages and puts on around 200 events annually.
Address:
Oberblik, Erkrather Strasse 30, Düsseldorf.
Telephone:
+49 211 172 700
Website:
www.tanzhaus-nrw.deDüsseldorf food And Drink
Best Food in Dusseldorf
Düsseldorf has a diverse and exceptional culinary scene, offering traditional German fare to trendy international cuisines.
Dusseldorf has a diverse culinary scene, offering everything from traditional German cuisine to international delights. Some must-try dishes include
- Rheinischer Sauerbraten (marinated roast beef)
Meat (usually beef, veal, venison or horse), marinated in wine and/or vinegar, vegetables, and spices. Ingredients used in the marinade, and accompaniments served with sauerbraten, vary across regions.
this dish is served accompanied by bread and boiled potatoes, making it a filling and hearty meal.
- Rheinischer Döbbekooche (Döppekooche)
Rheinischer Döbbekooche is a potato cake that was historically consumed by poor people on St Martin’s Day when they couldn’t afford goose. It is made of grated potatoes, eggs, spices and onions, with sausages and bacon strips often added to it. The mix is then baked for a couple of hours, resulting in a crusty texture.
- Westfälischer Pickert, ‘Westphalian potato pancake’
Has been a popular dish in NRW since the 18th century. The dough for the pancake is made from potatoes, eggs and flour and is cooked over a pan. It can be served with sugar, butter and marmalade, or with ground meat.
Grünkohlessen is a traditional German dish that is very popular in Dusseldorf. This hearty dish consists of kale, sausages, baked sweet potatoes, bacon and mustard. It is traditionally a wintertime dish and often associated with merriment and festivals.
Westphalian pumpernickel is a special bread belonging to the NRW region. It is made of rye flour, sugar beet syrup and malt extract. It is kneaded thoroughly (traditionally using the feet) and baked at a low temperature. Traditionally, it was baked for over 24 hours, giving it a brick-hard, burnt texture. But in modern times, it is baked for just a few hours, giving the bread a rustic appearance and a sweetish flavour. This bread is usually allowed to sit for about a week before being served.
Blutwurst, or blood sausage, is made from pork left over after slaughter. Other ingredients added to the dish include beef or mutton scraps, onions, oatmeal, milk, thyme and herbs. The dish is thickened with blood. The mix is then made into smoked or air-dried sausages. The Blutwurst usually has a dark-brown colour and is usually served with bread, mashed potatoes and salad.
- Currywurst (curry sausage)
Currywurst (German: [ˈkœʁiˌvʊɐ̯st]) is a fast food dish of German origin consisting of steamed, fried sausage, usually pork (German: Bratwurst), typically cut into bite-sized chunks and seasoned with curry ketchup, a sauce based on spiced ketchup or tomato paste topped with curry powder, or a ready-made ketchup.
Sliced sausage topped with a tomato sauce flavoured by spices including yellow curry powder, paprika and potentially a few secret ingredients too — has been a German favourite for over half a century. It can be eaten at almost any time of day, and at any level of intoxication.
- Himmel un Ääd (potatoes mashed with apple sauce)
Himmel und Ähd , which is Rhineland dialect for “Heaven and earth”, is the name of a popular type of local brewhouse food consisting of mashed potatoes, apple sauce, fried black pudding and onions.
Himmel und Erde (‘Heaven and earth’) is a traditional German dish of mashed potato with stewed apples. It is frequently served with sliced blood sausage. The dish is popular in the Rhineland, Westphalia, Lower Saxony and, historically, in Silesia. It has been known since the 18th century.
Miesmuscheln, or mussels cooked in white wine, are a delicacy usually eaten accompanied by rye bread slathered in butter. Historically, mussels for this dish used to be gathered in the Rhine Delta, and rarely reached Dusseldorf. But with improvements in river transportation, Miesmuscheln have become very popular in Dusseldorf.
Best Drink In Dusseldorf
Is a herbal liqueur from Düsseldorf, Germany. It is a blood red colour and is flavoured with fruits, berries, herbs and spices. Its alcohol content is 42% by volume. Killepitsch has been produced by Busch family of Düsseldorf since 1858.
Altbier (German: [ˈaltˌbiːɐ̯], German for old beer) is a style of beer brewed in the Rhineland, especially around the city of Düsseldorf, Germany. It is a copper coloured beer whose name comes from it being top-fermented, an older method than the bottom fermentation of lagers.