Düsseldorf city breaks
Düsseldorf holidays and city breaks
Germany’s wealthiest city sits at the confluence of the Rhine and Düssel rivers. This elegant, clean and relatively small metropolis blends modern architecture, skyscrapers and an atmospheric old town – rebuilt and painstakingly preserved after World War II, complete with church spires and cobbled streets. Its business credentials have earned it the moniker ‘the desk of the Ruhr’ but it’s so much more than a place to work. Over half of this outdoorsy city is green space, and there’s always something going on in Düsseldorf’s parks. Meanwhile, there’s a dynamic fashion culture to dip into, and one of the best shopping streets in Europe, plus a thriving art scene with endless galleries and museums open to visitors. Most of Düsseldorf’s attractions are accessible on foot or bike.
Things to see and do in Düsseldorf
Königsallee
Anyone who is anyone in fashion (including the likes of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Hermès, Chanel and Dior) has a store on Königsallee (known as ‘the Ko’) – one of the most upmarket shopping streets in Europe. Fashion boutiques and luxury shops fill the one-mile boulevard, which has a canal at its centre and attracts shoppers from around the globe.
Altstadt
The buzzing Altstadt is home to many of the city’s landmark historical sights include St. Lambertus Church, dating back to 1206, the Renaissance-style Rathaus, and the Schlossturm, a remnant of the castle built here in the 16th century.
Museums
Düsseldorf has huge clout in terms of culture. Alongside the 100-plus museums and galleries across the city, there are spectacular classical music and dance offerings. The K20 Grabbeplatz shows major works by Matisse, Mondrian, Picasso and Pollock, while the K21 showcases contemporary art in the former 19th-century parliament building. Art is in the veins of Düsseldorf, and you’ll even find creative installations in the city’s subway, in six stations, from Wehrhahn to the city centre.
Best places to eat and drink in Düsseldorf
Longest bar in the world
Altstadt is often referred to as ‘the longest bar in the world”. Covering half a square kilometre, it has more than 300 pubs, cocktail bars, restaurants, breweries and clubs. The local beer, a dark malty brew named Alt, is served in quarter-pint glasses as opposed to the Pilsner Tulips or litre glasses used in other parts of Germany. Aside from the old town party quarter, the Rheinuferpromenadei is a popular café and beer garden-lined embankment to wander and people watch.
Little Tokyo
Fine dining is abundant in Düsseldorf, which has a grand total of 40 Michelin-recommended restaurants, but it’s also home to the third largest Japanese community in Europe. 'Little Tokyo' has some of the best ramen you’ll eat outside Asia, plus plenty of izakayas (Japanese pubs) serving Japanese delights.
How to get to Düsseldorf
Thalys is becoming Eurostar, bringing you more routes and easier connections to Düsseldorf – including direct trains from Paris.
Practical info
Address: Konrad-Adenauer-Platz 14, 40210
Finding your way: See map (opens a PDF) to orientate yourself when you arrive.
Phone number: +49 211 3680 1888
Facilities: Car park, bike park, luggage lockers, free wifi
Lost and found: If you’ve lost something on your journey please see the advice here.
Public transport: On Eurostar’s trains across Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany you can buy your ticket for public transport at the Eurostar Café, at the same price as buying a single ticket at the ticket desk. Search for details of your onward journey using public transport
Connecting trains: Check timetables in real time for your connecting trains
Airport connections: Düsseldorf International Airport
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