Düsseldorf travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Düsseldorf.
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- family-friendly lake lido, calm water and picnic lawns
- Two supervised lido areas (Nord and Süd) with sandy lawns
- Day ticket sold at the gate (about EUR 4.80 adult in an older local report; confirm the current price)
- Naturist area in one of the lidos
- Sailing school, surf school and SUP launch
- Kiosks and restaurants
- Toilets and changing rooms
Unterbacher See (Strandbad Nord and Strandbad Süd)
Editor’s tip. Arrive before late morning on hot summer weekends to find parking and a good spot on the lawn.
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- local riverside picnic scene, relaxed and sociable at sunset
- Wide grass banks for sunbathing and picnics facing the Altstadt skyline
- Free access
- Cafés and kiosks on the Rheinuferpromenade
- Cycle and walking path along the Rhine
- Ship traffic viewing
- Site of the Größte Kirmes am Rhein funfair each July
Rheinwiesen Oberkassel (Rhine meadows)
Editor’s tip. Do not swim in the Rhine; currents and ship traffic make it dangerous.
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- lively riverfront promenade, beer gardens and sunset crowds
- Wide stepped promenade for sitting beside the river
- Free access
- Beer gardens and cafés on the Altstadt side
- Boat landing stages for Rhine cruises
- Public toilets nearby
- Not a bathing spot: swimming in the Rhine is dangerous
Rheinuferpromenade and Burgplatz steps
Editor’s tip. Do not enter the water; swimming in the Rhine is dangerous.
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- quiet local park on the river, joggers, cyclists and picnics
- Park lawns on the Rhine bank near the Ehrenhof museums
- Free access
- Playground and walking paths
- Cycle path on the Rhine promenade
- Not an official bathing spot
Rheinpark Golzheim
Editor’s tip. Do not swim; this is not an official bathing spot and the Rhine current is strong.
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Düsseldorf memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
The Unterbacher See lidos open around May and close in mid-September; July and August have the warmest water and the biggest crowds. The Rhine banks can be used for sunbathing from April to October.
Transport
The Unterbacher See is reached by Rheinbahn tram and bus from Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof; the Rhine meadows, Burgplatz promenade and Rheinpark Golzheim are on the U-Bahn and tram network or reachable on foot. The Deutschlandticket (EUR 63 per month, about USD 72) covers all local transport.
Cost
Unterbacher See day ticket reported at about EUR 4.80 adult (about USD 5.52) in an older local report, so confirm at the gate; the Rhine meadows, Burgplatz promenade and Rheinpark Golzheim are free.
Booking
Day tickets at the Unterbacher See lidos are sold at the gate; check the lake's website on hot weekends for capacity limits.
Accessibility
The lake lidos have sand and grass paths that can be hard for wheelchairs; the Rheinuferpromenade is paved and step-free in most sections.
Safety
Swim only in the supervised lido areas at the Unterbacher See. Swimming in the Rhine is dangerous because of strong currents and ship traffic and is not recommended.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Düsseldorf’s coast.
Can visitors swim at Unterbacher See?
Yes, swimming is possible in the supervised lido areas during the bathing season. Visitors should confirm current opening times and lifeguard hours locally.
From the Unterbacher See (Strandbad Nord and Strandbad Süd) editorial.
How do visitors get to Unterbacher See from Düsseldorf?
Rheinbahn tram or bus lines run from Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof towards Unterbach and Unterbacher See in about 35 to 45 minutes. The current line can be checked in the Rheinbahn app, and the Deutschlandticket is valid.
From the Unterbacher See (Strandbad Nord and Strandbad Süd) editorial.
Can visitors swim at the Rheinwiesen?
No. The Rhine has strong currents and constant ship traffic, so swimming is dangerous. The meadows are used for sunbathing, picnics and relaxing by the water.
From the Rheinwiesen Oberkassel (Rhine meadows) editorial.
Is there an entry fee?
No, access to the meadows and the riverbank is free.
From the Rheinwiesen Oberkassel (Rhine meadows) editorial.
Can visitors swim at the Rheinuferpromenade?
No. Swimming in the Rhine is dangerous because of strong currents and ship traffic. The promenade and steps are for sitting, walking and watching the river.
From the Rheinuferpromenade and Burgplatz steps editorial.
Is there an entry fee?
No, the promenade and Burgplatz steps are free to visit at any time.
From the Rheinuferpromenade and Burgplatz steps editorial.
Can visitors swim at Rheinpark Golzheim?
No. It is not an official bathing spot, and the Rhine has strong currents and ship traffic. The park is for lawns, picnics and walks by the river.
From the Rheinpark Golzheim editorial.
Is there an entry fee?
No, the park and riverbank are free to visit.
From the Rheinpark Golzheim editorial.