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About Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia and, with about 630,000 residents, the state's second-largest city and Germany's seventh largest, on the right bank of the Rhine. The Altstadt, whose Bolkerstraße and Ratinger Straße bars earn it the nickname 'the longest bar in the world', is the home of Altbier, the dark top-fermented local beer served in Brauhäuser such as Uerige, Schumacher, Füchschen and Zum Schlüssel. Königsallee (the 'Kö') is one of Germany's best-known luxury shopping streets, the Rheinturm and the Frank Gehry buildings of the Medienhafen define the modern skyline, and the Kunstsammlung NRW (K20 and K21) and the Museum Kunstpalast carry the city's art tradition from the Kunstakademie founded in 1773. The Hofgarten, the Japanese Garden in the Nordpark and the baroque Schloss Benrath give green space, Immermannstraße forms Germany's largest Japanese quarter, and Karneval with the Rosenmontagszug in February is the biggest festival of the year. Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), the Rheinbahn U-Bahn and trams and fast trains to Köln (about 25-35 minutes), Essen, Dortmund and Amsterdam make a car unnecessary.
- Capital
- Berlin (national capital); Düsseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia
- Largest city
- Köln (largest city of North Rhine-Westphalia); Düsseldorf is the state's second-largest city and Germany's seventh largest
- Population
- About 630,000 (city of Düsseldorf); over 1.5 million in the wider Düsseldorf metropolitan area
- Languages
- German
- Currency
- Euro
- Time zone
- Europe/Berlin (UTC+1, summer UTC+2 CEST)
Explore Düsseldorf by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Düsseldorf
The 17 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Königsallee (Kö)
Rheinturm
Medienhafen and Gehry Buildings
K20 Grabbeplatz (Kunstsammlung NRW)
K21 Ständehaus (Kunstsammlung NRW)
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Düsseldorf Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Düsseldorf, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Düsseldorf
- Days 1-2Düsseldorf city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Düsseldorf
- Days 1-3Düsseldorf comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Düsseldorf, departure
Where to stay in Düsseldorf
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget EUR 100 (about USD 115)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range EUR 225 (about USD 258.75)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury EUR 550+ (about USD 632.50+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Carls Hotel
Upscale hotel at Benrather Straße 7a in Altstadt, in the Old Town, close to the Rhine promenade and the bars and brewpubs of the Altstadt.
Check rates on Booking.comHaus Rheinblick
Small independent hotel at Mühlenstraße 15 in Altstadt, in the Old Town, close to the Rhine promenade and the bars and brewpubs of the Altstadt.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel St. Andreas
Mid-range hotel at Andreasstraße 13 in Altstadt, in the Old Town, close to the Rhine promenade and the bars and brewpubs of the Altstadt.
Check rates on Booking.comNeues Hotel an der Oper
Mid-range hotel at Heinrich-Heine-Allee 15 in Altstadt, in the Old Town, close to the Rhine promenade and the bars and brewpubs of the Altstadt.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Düsseldorf
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Zum Uerige
Brauerei im Füchschen
Brauerei Schumacher Stammhaus
Hausbrauerei Zum Schlüssel
Im Goldenen Kessel
Brauerei Zum Schiffchen
Book a food tour in Düsseldorf We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is a city of about 630,000 people on the Rhine and a major rail and air hub of North Rhine-Westphalia. Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof sends ICE, IC and regional trains to Cologne, Essen, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels and Berlin. Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is about 7 km north of the centre and is linked to the Hauptbahnhof by the S-Bahn S11 in roughly 12-13 minutes. Rheinbahn runs the Stadtbahn and buses inside the city, and the Deutschlandticket (EUR 63 per month, about USD 72) covers all local transport and regional trains.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 55 (about USD 63.25) | EUR 130 (about USD 149.5) | EUR 350 (about USD 402.5) |
| Food (per day) | EUR 25 (about USD 28.75) | EUR 55 (about USD 63.25) | EUR 130 (about USD 149.5) |
| Transportation | EUR 8 (about USD 9.2) | EUR 10 (about USD 11.5) | EUR 30 (about USD 34.5) |
| Activities | EUR 12 (about USD 13.8) | EUR 30 (about USD 34.5) | EUR 50 (about USD 57.5) |
| Daily total | EUR 100 (about USD 115) | EUR 225 (about USD 258.75) | EUR 550+ (about USD 632.50+) |
Best time to visit Düsseldorf
Weather through the year in North Rhine Westphalia
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for North Rhine Westphalia.
Visit in May-June or September to mid-October for mild weather, open terraces and festivals without the highest prices; December suits the Christmas markets, and February suits Carnival.
Late spring and early autumn have mild temperatures of 15-24 C, open Rhine terraces, Altstadt beer gardens and park blossom without the highest hotel prices.
Essential travel tips
- Download the Rheinbahn app or buy tickets at machines at stops; the DüsseldorfCard from Visit Düsseldorf (visitduesseldorf.de) bundles transport and discounts
- Many museums close on Monday and shops close on Sunday; supermarkets and most stores are shut on public holidays
- In a Brauhaus the Köbes (waiter) brings a fresh small Altbier whenever a glass is empty until a beer mat is placed on top of the glass
- Try Altbier, Rheinischer Sauerbraten, Halve Hahn, Himmel un Ääd, and Düsseldorf mustard (Löwensenf) with a Mostert-Röggelchen
- Book hotels early for Karneval, Messe Düsseldorf fairs and the Christmas markets; the Visit Düsseldorf Tourist-Information is at Rheinstraße 3, 40213 Düsseldorf, open daily 10:00AM-6:00PM, hotline +49 211 7371 7070
Safety information
Keep phones, passports and wallets in zipped inner pockets in the Hauptbahnhof, on the Königsallee, on Rheinbahn trams and U-Bahn trains and in crowded Altstadt pubs.
Wear a cross-body bag in front of the body in crowds and never hang a bag on a chair or leave a phone on a café table.
Avoid lingering around the Worringer Platz and the Bahnhofsviertel streets after dark; use the main exits of the Hauptbahnhof and take a taxi if the route is unclear.
In the Altstadt on Friday and Saturday evenings, keep to busy streets such as the Bolkerstraße and the Rheinuferpromenade and be ready to leave an argument.
Observe weapons-ban zones: weekend-night zones have been reported in the Altstadt and around the Hauptbahnhof, and even pocket knives are banned in them; follow the signage.
Do not swim in the Rhine; currents and ship traffic are dangerous, and the Unterbacher See has designated bathing areas.
Use the emergency number 112 for ambulance and fire and 110 for police; both are free from any phone.
Keep a photo of the passport and travel-insurance details on the phone, and carry the originals only when needed.
At the Christmas markets and large events, expect bag checks, bollards and police patrols; keep valuables inside the coat.
Check DB Navigator and the Rheinbahn app for strike and disruption notices before travelling to the airport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Düsseldorf?
Two days cover the Altstadt, Königsallee, the Rheinturm and Medienhafen, one or two museums and a Brauhaus evening; add a day for Köln, Essen or the Neandertal.
Is Düsseldorf safe for solo travellers?
Yes. Watch for pickpockets around Hauptbahnhof and during Karneval, and use official taxis late at night. Emergency number: 112 (ambulance, fire) or 110 (police).
Do I need a car in Düsseldorf?
No. The Altstadt is walkable and the Rheinbahn U-Bahn, trams and buses plus regional trains reach everything else; see rheinbahn.de.
What currency is used in Düsseldorf?
The euro (EUR). The guide uses 1 EUR = 1.15 USD for planning; many small Brauhäuser and shops still prefer cash or a girocard.
When is Karneval in Düsseldorf?
Karneval peaks from Weiberfastnacht (Thursday) to Rosenmontag; in 2027 the Rosenmontagszug runs on 8 February. Check duesseldorfer-karneval.de for the route and times.