This weblog comprises affiliate hyperlinks and is a member of the Amazon Providers LLC Associates Program. Should you make a purchase order utilizing certainly one of these hyperlinks, I could earn a small fee at no further value to you. This helps preserve this content material free.
After numerous visits to Germany, I lastly made it to Düsseldorf, a metropolis whose identify I used to be acquainted with, but a metropolis that I had managed to keep away from. For some motive I had gotten it into my head that I wouldn’t like Düsseldorf; my reasoning was that Germany has loads of charming cities with castles and timbered homes galore, so why would I need to go to what I imagined was a contemporary, nondescript metropolis?
Properly, I certain swallowed my phrases, as a result of it seems every little thing I had envisioned about Düsseldorf was fallacious! I ended up have the perfect time within the metropolis and there have been even a number of moments over the course of my journey the place I discovered myself trying round and pondering, “I might truly stay right here”.
Düsseldorf is a inexperienced and livable metropolis, it has tremendous funky futuristic structure but additionally historic pockets, cool road artwork and free out of doors concert events, and sufficient eating places to make any foodie drool.
It was the proper metropolis break and in the present day I’m going to share my 72-hour itinerary of a few of the finest issues to do in Düsseldorf in order that hopefully you can also see what all of the fuss is about!
Issues to do in Düsseldorf
Friday
12:00 p.m.
Test into the me and all lodge
Earlier than we might start our exploration of Düsseldorf, we would have liked to eliminate our luggage, so we checked into the me and all lodge which is situated within the Japanese Quarter only a brief stroll from the practice station. This was a brilliant enjoyable lodge with a relaxed vibe and even free sweet, however extra on that later.
Tackle: Immermannstraße 23
1:30 p.m.
Have lunch at Hausmann’s
First up, we would have liked meals so we made our strategy to Hausmann’s, a bistro and brasserie specializing in German dishes with a contemporary twist.
The restaurant was began by Chef Tim Mälzer, a tv cooking present host in Germany, and the place had a relaxed but artsy really feel with cool murals, industrial lighting, and mismatched furnishings. Since this was our first meal again in Germany, we went for a traditional: Currywurst!
Tackle: Hafenstraße 9
3:00 p.m.
Pattern some mustard at Löwensenf
After lunch, it was time to eat some…mustard?
Sure, I do know visiting a mustard store sounds a bit quirky, however this place is an establishment in Düsseldorf. They’ve particular flavours like honey, dill, chilli, cherry, onion and absolutely anything you can think about.
Should you’re a mustard fanatic it’s a enjoyable place to pattern some new flavours and even decide up a memento or two to take again dwelling.
Tackle: Berger Straße 29
3:30 p.m.
Have a sip of Killepitsch
It could have been a bit early to begin consuming, however our buddy insisted we would have liked to strive Killepitsch and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than we had little shot glasses in entrance of us!
Killepitsch is a herb liqueur from Düsseldorf that’s flavoured with fruits, berries, herbs and spices. It additionally occurs to have 42% alcohol content material!
It’s a fairly polarizing drink; you both adore it or hate it, and I used to be within the second group. To me, it tasted a bit like cough medication with a robust burn on the best way down, however to every their very own.
Tackle: Flinger Straße 1
4:00 p.m.
Wander across the Altstadt
Earlier than visiting Düsseldorf, I had this picture in my head of Düsseldorf being a really new metropolis, and whereas that’s partially correct, Düsseldorf additionally has an enthralling Previous City, higher often known as Altstadt.
Some factors of curiosity right here embody the Rathaus, the previous metropolis corridor; Glockenhaus, with bells that ring on the hour; and Schlossturm, the final remaining a part of the Metropolis Palace.
The Previous City can be dwelling to ‘the longest bar on the earth’ as a result of it supposedly has over 300 steady pubs, discos, and bars. I feel which may be stretching the reality a bit because you’re not simply one single institution, but it surely’s a hub for nightlife however.
5:30 p.m.
Feast on poutine at Frittenwerk
Possibly it’s as a result of I’m Canadian, however I used to be actually excited to have dinner at Frittenwerk.
They concentrate on poutine, which for the non-Canucks is a quick meals dish that consists of French fries, beef gravy and cheese curds.
They’d the traditional poutine, but additionally a number of enjoyable creations together with Chilli Cheese served with chilli con carne, Tijuana Road Fries served with guacamole, and BBQ Pulled Pork which was as scrumptious because it sounds.
Tackle: Friedrichstraße 145
Saturday
9:30 a.m.
Stroll the canal alongside Königsallee
Technically, Königsallee is dwelling to designer manufacturers and high-end procuring – as a matter of truth, it’s been nicknamed Germany’s Champs-Élysées – however that’s not the one motive to go to.
Königsallee is a couple of kilometre in size and it has an attractive tree-lined canal that runs proper down the center of it. It’s an city escape proper in the midst of the Stadtmitte district, and it’s simply a kind of stunning spots you must see for your self.
11:00 a.m.
Have a fast snack at Carlsplatz Markt
From there, it’s only a brief stroll over to Carlsplatz, an outside meals market that sits simply south of Altstadt. It’s open 6 days per week apart from Sundays, and it’s the place to choose up contemporary produce, baked items, and deli meats, however you may as well get pleasure from some ready-made meals and drinks within the patio space.
12:30 p.m.
Seize lunch at Zum Ürige
Zum Ürige is a craft brewery and restaurant situated within the coronary heart of Düsseldorf’s Previous City and the beer is at all times flowing right here. In case your waiter sees an empty glass on the desk, he’ll refill it earlier than you’re in a position to increase any objections. The one strategy to cease the top-ups is by inserting your coaster on high of your glass – which means you’re executed consuming. Additionally, as a result of that is Düsseldorf, you’ll be consuming Altbier, so don’t you dare ask for the rest!
I additionally discovered that the proper accompaniment to Altbier is Soleier, which is a hard-boiled pickled egg. As soon as the dish arrives on the desk, you must reduce the boiled egg in half, scoop out the yolk, pour a little bit little bit of vinegar and olive oil, add a beneficiant dollop of mustard, after which combine all of it collectively. You then stuff this paste again into the egg (it’s fairly harking back to deviled eggs). It’s scrumptious!
Tackle: Berger Straße 1
3:00 p.m.
Dangle like a spider at K21
For one thing fully out of my consolation zone, we went to K21, a contemporary artwork museum in Düsseldorf with a extremely in style artwork set up that has been luring individuals from far and extensive; we’re speaking about Tomás Saraceno’s In Orbit.
This set up is suspended 25 meters over the museum’s courtyard and it seems to be like an enormous spider net. To take part, you’re given painter fits to put on, and then you definately climb up the online the place you possibly can stroll (or in my case, crawl!) alongside the totally different ranges and round unusual spheres.
It’s sort of terrifying for those who don’t like heights!
Tackle: Ständehausstraße 1
5:00 p.m.
See what’s enjoying within the Hofgarten
Hofgarten is kind of the energetic spot through the summer season months and you may at all times depend on there being an occasion. I occurred to be there whereas the Jazz and World Music Pageant was on, so I spent the afternoon lounging on the grass and having fun with some stay music. It was cool to see individuals of all ages in attendance and there have been even a number of pups!
6:30 p.m.
Pattern some worldwide delicacies
I’ve been speaking quite a bit about German meals and German beer to date, however Düsseldorf additionally has a world meals scene, so for dinner that evening, we opted for Indian. We went to Tandoori, the place we ordered a pleasant mixture of vegetarian and meat curries to share with pals. Once more, tremendous tasty!
8:00 p.m.
Go as much as me and all lounge for drinks and metropolis views
The lodge the place we had been staying is well-known for placing on cool occasions that aren’t simply open to friends but additionally locals, and on this specific evening, they’d Sons of Time, a cool hip-hop band from Berlin, enjoying. It was a extremely enjoyable evening with pals the place we tried some new German drinks, loved some actually cool music, after which had been additionally handled to improbable views of Düsseldorf at evening.
Tackle: Immermannstraße 23
Sunday
9:00 a.m.
Take a look at the road artwork on Kiefernstrasse
Should you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Düsseldorf which are a bit extra off the crushed path, I’d recommend trying out Kiefernstrasse, a road identified for squatting, road artwork and different life-style.
The condo blocks alongside Kiefernstrasse had been first occupied in 1905 to accommodate the employees from the native steelwork. Nevertheless, when these jobs shut down within the 70s, house owners started to terminate their present tenancy agreements and the buildings turned municipal property. This marked the start of squatting, as individuals on the lookout for someplace to stay started transferring into these empty residences, and over time this turned a hub for different tradition in Düsseldorf.
10:30 a.m.
Take a cruise down the Rhine River
From there we hopped in a taxi and made our strategy to the banks of the Rhine River for a ship cruise with KD Rhine . That is the longest river in Germany, and you may even journey all the way down to a few of the neighbouring cities by boat, however this go to was all about Düsseldorf, so we opted for the 1-hour cruise which took us so far as the Media Harbour.
12:00 p.m.
Stroll alongside the Kasematten
Should you’re feeling peckish after your river cruise, look no additional than the Kasematten. This part of the Rhine Promenade is lined with totally different bars and eating places, and it’s a pleasant spot for some al fresco eating and drinks through the hotter months of the yr.
2:00 p.m.
Go up the Rhine Tower for metropolis views
For a chook’s eye view of Düsseldorf, we then made our strategy to the Rhine Tower which stands 240.5 metres above the town. This gave us a higher concept of simply how large the Rhine River actually is, plus as a result of it was a transparent day, we had been in a position to spot the neighbouring metropolis of Cologne off within the distance.
Tackle: Stromstraße 20
4:00 p.m.
Take a look at the structure in MedienHafen
Also called the Media Harbour, this a part of Düsseldorf made me really feel like I had been transported to the long run. The buildings on this space had been very trendy and out of doors of the field.
That is one other enjoyable place to wander round with a digital camera in hand (and also you’ll possible spot many a style shoot going down!), plus in addition they have quite a lot of bars and riverside eating places the place you possibly can get pleasure from a relaxed sundown drink.
8:00 p.m.
Exit for Japanese meals
Seeing as Düsseldorf is dwelling to one of many largest Japanese communities on the earth (and since we had been additionally staying proper within the coronary heart of the Japanese Quarter!), we simply needed to exit for some Japanese meals. We went to Wakaiido for a sushi buffet, however there isn’t any scarcity of Japanese eating places within the metropolis – the truth is right here’s an inventory of a few of the finest Japanese eating places in Düsseldorf.
Monday
9:30 a.m.
Tour Düsseldorf in a VW Beetle
And to end off our wonderful weekend in Düsseldorf, we joined Düsseldorf Safaris for a tour of the town and a little bit style of the countryside. They’ve a fleet of VW Beetles from the Nineteen Seventies and even a VW Bus, so we went cruising in model! Should you really feel snug driving customary, you possibly can drive the automobile your self or you possibly can ask to have a driver too.
The place we stayed in Düsseldorf
And now going again to our lodging, whereas in Düsseldorf we stayed on the me and all lodge, which is among the coolest properties I’ve stayed at in a very long time.
The lodge is about within the coronary heart of the Japanese Quarter so that they actually performed that up when it comes to the design; they cabinets filled with manga within the foyer, vibrant lanterns of their lounge, and the rooms felt like a little bit oasis with a bamboo forest-themed bathe and sliding partitions to make the bed room darkish and comfortable. Their foyer additionally had a cool wall the place you can write an merchandise in your bucket record, play on the ice hockey desk, and seize free sweet on the go!
And that was my introduction to Düsseldorf! I had a good time on my first go to to the town and it’s positively a spot I’d go to once more, subsequent time, hopefully with a number of extra days to spare!
Should you’ve loved our Düsseldorf publish remember to try our Hamburg Journey Information for extra locations to go to in Germany.
Have you ever been to the town?
What are a few of your favorite issues to do in Düsseldorf?
