Overview

The majority of Dusseldorf's attractions can be found in the Old Town. This is a good starting point for a tour of the city. Some of the most popular attractions found here include the Town Hall (Rathaus), St Lambertus Church, and the round Castle Tower (Schlossturm) on Burgplatz and the river promenade. There are also shopping boulevards, town squares, a selection of churches and a number of museums to explore.

Old Town (Altstadt)

The Old Town is not just somewhere which houses most of the city's major attractions, it is actually an attraction in itself. There are many traditional narrow lanes to explore, beautiful architecture, breweries, pubs and restaurants. It attracts tourists from all over the world and as a result, it has a buzz about it which is not found anywhere else in the city. Having a coffee, relaxing and enjoying a spot of people watching are great ways to spend a couple of hours.

Rhine Embankment Promenade (Rheinuferpromenade)

This riverside promenade is particularly beautiful during the summer months. It boasts beautiful views across the Rhine and is a great place to enjoy a lunchtime picnic. There are many attractions along the promenade and also the chance to see some of the city's premier residential areas with million-dollar mansions and beautiful gardens.

Town Hall (Rathaus)

Located in the Old Town, the city's Town Hall dates back to the Renaissance period and is an impressive structure both inside and out. It is made up of three buildings boasting a wealth of art and information on Dusseldorf's history. There is a free guided tour available which takes visitors through the complex, including the famous Jan-Wellem room and past the entry hall's 380 furnace plates and the council's silver collection.

Königsallee

This is one of the most popular boulevards in the city, attracting the city's elite as well as many tourists. You will find exclusive designer shops, trendy boutiques, top-class restaurants and luxury hotels. It is the place to be seen in Dusseldorf and the perfect hotspot to indulge in retail therapy.

Carlsplatz

The market located on this square is open Monday to Saturday and is alive with both tourists and locals. It was once a farmer's market but today offers much more than just cuts of meat. You will find delicious gourmet food, souvenirs and a wide range of local handicrafts. Once you have wandered around the market, the square is also home to a beautiful church, St Maximilian, which is worth a visit.

State Academy of Art (Staatliche Kunstakademie)

This art gallery is one of the best in the city and a showcase for local artists. The ground floor is home to an enormous frieze which includes the names of over 60 leading artists that helped to bring the academy to fame including Paul Klee. The building itself, constructed from 1875 to 1879 is an attraction.

Benrath Palace

This stunning Baroque palace dates back over 200 years and is regarded by many as having the most beautiful gardens in the country. It is situated on the banks of the River Rhine in the southern part of the city and also houses the Museum of European Garden Art. This is an ideal spot to stroll among gardens, sculptures and a mirroring pond.

Overview

Dusseldorf has a range of spectator sports on offer, of which the most popular is football. However, there are also many American sports played here such as ice hockey and American football, which also have large followings. Tickets for all spectator sports are on sale in the city. For something a bit less competitive, relaxing in one of the city's parks is a great way to spend an afternoon. Many of the parks have lakes and a selection of water sports available, as well as nature trails and cycle paths.

Football

The most popular sport in Dusseldorf is football. The local team, Fortuna Dusseldorf, have a steadfast following and has just built a new stadium where all local games are played. If you are visiting in soccer season and are a fan of the sport, tickets can be bought for games at the ticket office within the stadium's grounds.

Handball

Handball is a team sport which sees two teams of seven players each pass and bounce a ball and try to throw it into the goal of the opposing team. It is very popular throughout Europe and is played professionally in Germany. The local team is HSG Dusseldorf and tickets can be purchased for their games.

Ice hockey

Many American sports are popular in Dusseldorf and ice hockey is one of the most widely played. There are a number of local teams which fight it out each year for the championship in front of thousands of spectators. The main games are played at the brand new ISS Dome and tickets are widely available. It is a great activity for the whole family and especially for those who are not familiar with the sport.

American football

American football is almost as popular as regular football in Germany. The Dusseldorf Panthers are the local team and the most successful in the country with six national champion trophies and the Eurobowl under their belt. Largely due to the team's success, it has a very large following and while tickets are available to all major games, they can often be hard to get hold of and should be bought in advance. Games are held on Sunday afternoons and watching them is a great way to spend a day. You will be surrounded by ardent fans looking to share their expertise should you need to brush up on the rules of the sport.

Parks and gardens

Dusseldorf is home to a number of parks, gardens and open spaces which are perfect for many outdoor activities or simply soaking up the sun and enjoying a good book. Many of the larger parks are home to beautiful lakes which offer a range of water sports such as rowing and kayaking. One of the most popular parks is the Hofgarten, which is located in the centre of the city. It has many nature trails on offer as well as cycle paths and bird watching opportunities. It is a great place to escape the bustle of the city's streets and is close to every convenience and many of the city's attractions.

Dining and shopping

The variety of cuisine and restaurants in Dusseldorf is enormous and should satisfy all tastes and budgets. There are over 250 restaurants in the Old Town alone and this number continues to grow every year. This number does not include the bars and pubs which serve food and often boast extensive menus at very reasonable prices.

There are also a number of excellent restaurants outside of the Old Town, especially along the river. Here you will find local fare as well as international cuisines such as Italian, Indian, French, British and Japanese. In fact, there are more Japanese restaurants here than in any other city throughout Europe. For a good selection of Japanese restaurants, visitors should head to Immermanstrasse and Klosterstrasse.

While in Dusseldorf, the local food should be sampled. Germany is famous for its sausages (wurst) and sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), but there is a lot more besides these two options. Locally made thick pea soup (äädze zupp) should be tried as a starter along with a small rye bread roll. Other must-tries include: halver hahn (a strong flavoured cheese); Rhenish sauerbraten (pickled roast beef with stewed apple) and blutwurst (blood sausage). All of these local dishes are best served with local beer such as Altbier or Früh Kölsch.

When it comes to shopping, Dusseldorf has it all. It is one of the best places to shop in Europe, boasting luxury designer outlets, large shopping brands, chic boutiques, long pedestrianised areas dedicated to high street brands and a number of markets. The markets can be found on many of the city's squares and while they are usually held at weekends, there are some which open Monday to Friday.

The street known as Schadowstrasse is lined with shops which all have year-round sales and see the highest turnover in Germany. Designer labels from around the world can be found along Konigsallee and anybody who's anybody can be found browsing the shops here. The shopping street is one of Dusseldorf's best known landmarks and as well as clothes, there is also jewellery, antique, book, electronic and gadget shops and cafés and restaurants. It is one of the busiest areas in the city.

The Old Town in Dusseldorf is regarded by many as the ‘longest bar in the world'. It is a compact area home to bars, restaurants, entertainment and of course, shops. There are many quirky shops selling a range of alternative souvenirs, gifts, clothing and accessories. There are a number of avant-garde boutiques found along the small lanes where you are bound to pick up something unique.

For something completely different, the Japanese Quarter offers a range of Japanese supermarkets, department stores, markets and souvenir shops. Dusseldorf is home to the largest Japanese community in Europe and this part of the city reflects it.

Dusseldorf is home to an excellent number of restaurants, with over 250 in the Old Town alone. It will not be possible to try them all while you are here, but it will be possible to try a number of different cuisines. As Dusseldorf is home to an exceptionally large Japanese community, you will find many restaurants serving up sushi, sashimi, sake and teriyaki as well as much more. If you are searching for an authentic German restaurant, you will not have any trouble as they can be found all over the city and serve up some of the favourite dishes of the region. For all other cuisine, the Old Town has the largest selection.

Overview

The most popular way of entering and departing the city is by air. Dusseldorf boasts a modern, well-equipped facility offering a wide range of services to a number of destinations both domestic and international. Other ways of arriving in the city include trains, buses and driving. Once in the city there is an excellent public transport network available, with passes available for unlimited travel.

Airports

Dusseldorf International Airport is one of the largest air hubs in Germany. There are three terminals within the facility, which sees one of the highest numbers of passengers through its gates in Germany. Each terminal, A, B and C, boasts a wide range of amenities including shops, duty-free, restaurants, bars, information desks, pharmacies and banking facilities as well as an abundance of parking and the entire airport is suitable for disabled passengers.

A number of destinations throughout Germany are served from Dusseldorf Airport as well as many cities throughout the world. The major airlines offering services to and from here include: Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Spanair and Lufthansa.

Car hire is available at both the domestic and international Arrivals halls and there is a taxi stand directly outside. There is also a bus station at the front of the Arrivals building and a train service available directly from the airport to the city centre. The SkyTrain connects the airport's rail station to the terminals, operating daily services from 03:45 to 00:45. The train takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to reach the city.

If you want to drive or take a taxi, journeys to the city centre will be approximately 20 minutes while if you are on a tight budget, buses offer an alternative and cheaper service which takes about 30 minutes.

Public transportation

Dusseldorf is easily reached from anywhere in Europe via a car, train or bus. The city lies on major motorways within the country, making travel by road possible and quick. If you are arriving from elsewhere in Germany and don't want to drive, there are regular bus services from major cities.

Once in Dusseldorf, the public transport network is very efficient, clean, safe and reliable. The network is made up of trams, buses and metro services, which together cover over 800 different routes. When you are in the city, it is possible to purchase a
Dusseldorf Welcome Card which entitles visitors to unlimited travel on the metro, buses and trams for a specified period (either one day, one week or one month). The card also includes discounts to many of the city's museums and sights. The card can be bought from the Dusseldorf Tourist Association as well as from many hotels.

Taxis are found in abundance throughout Dusseldorf and can either be booked in advance or flagged down in the street. There are also many taxi stands strategically located throughout the city. While walking around the centre of town is a good way to see the sights, taxis are excellent for longer journeys or for travel late at night. Taxi drivers also offer daytrips and city tours; prices of which can be negotiated in advance.