Located in the west of Germany, the city of Düsseldorf, which gained city status in the 12th century from a village near the Rhine, is the capital of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The blue ribbon of the river divides the city in half, separating modern districts from the ancient Altstadt, located on the eastern bank. There are many interesting places in the city, famous for its originality and elegance. Find out what to see in Düsseldorf in 1 day to enjoy its enchanting atmosphere, leaving warm memories of this day.
How to Get from the Airport to the City Center
The city’s main gates open for guests at Düsseldorf International Airport, located within the city limits, 7 km from the historic center. All three terminals A, B, and C are under one roof, and it is convenient to move between them on foot. You can also use the free Sky Train monorail, which runs every 3-7 minutes from the terminals to the parking lot and train station.
The metro (S-Bahn) is a convenient and inexpensive way to get to the center. You will find the station at terminal C. The metro ride takes 12 minutes to the central train station. Tickets costing 2.6 € are purchased at the station ticket machine, indicating the final stop Dusseldorf Hbf.
Buses depart for the center from the bus station located next to the main airport hall, taking up to 20 minutes. Route No. 721 will take you to the central train station, and route No. 896 to the Düsseldorf-Messe trade fair center. The fare on all routes is 2.3 €, and buses do not run at night. Taxis run 24/7 to the center for 24 € in 10-15 minutes. You will see special taxi stands near each terminal, where you can order a car.
Benrath Palace
The view of the exquisite Benrath Palace, located on the banks of the Rhine, adorns the eponymous street Benrather Schloßallee. It was built for Elector Karl Theodor from 1755 to 1770 according to the project of a French architect in the fashionable Rococo style with the addition of architectural details of the emerging Classicism. In the palace complex, architecture harmoniously merged with landscape art. The main building, located near a pond, is shaped like a pavilion topped with a dome with adjacent wings.
Alleys lead from the park in the French-English style to the banks of the Rhine. The palace interiors impress with wall paintings, marble decor, skillful statues, luxurious furniture, and paintings depicting the seasons, hunting, and peasant scenes. Tourists are interested in visiting the palace and the natural history museum and the museum of European garden art located in it.
The palace welcomes guests: from Tuesday to Sunday from 16.04 to 31.10 from 10.00 to 18.00; from 01.11 to 15.04 — from 11.00 to 17.00.
Rhine Tower
On the Düsseldorf waterfront, the Rhine Tower, the tallest structure in the city, rising to 240 meters, catches the eye. The tower, resembling an alien spaceship, has become a recognizable symbol of Düsseldorf and the best observation deck in the city, located at a height of 166 meters. By taking the elevator up there, you will get a wonderful view of the city’s sights. The architectural highlight of the platform is the angled window panes, on which you can lie down for a better view of the city.
The revolving restaurant, located a floor above the observation deck, is worth a visit. Sitting at a table with a drink, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Düsseldorf. The Rhine Tower is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the world’s largest illuminated clock, where the time, illuminated by 62 lamps, is read from top to bottom: first the hours, then the minutes, and finally the seconds.
The observation deck is open from 10.00 to 22.00, and on Fridays and Saturdays until 1 am. The restaurant serves from 10.00 to 23.00.
Königsallee
Königsallee stretches through the entire Altstadt from north to south. It is a boulevard lined with chestnut trees and divided in the center by a kilometer-long canal 30 meters wide. As a rule, tourists start their acquaintance with Düsseldorf from Königsallee, which intersects all the streets of the old town, heading from the train station.
The avenue delights the eye with lush greenery, skillful sculptures, a famous fountain, beautiful bridges, and wrought-iron benches. Königsallee, with its numerous boutiques of famous fashion houses, is a paradise for shopping enthusiasts. In addition, it is notable for cultural attractions: the Theater Museum, the German Opera, the Drama Theater, and the Goethe Exhibition.
Bismarck Monument
The merit of Otto von Bismarck, nicknamed the “Iron Chancellor,” is the unification of the German lands into an empire. The copper monument to the first chancellor of the empire, recognized worldwide as an outstanding politician of the 19th century, was unveiled in 1899 on Luther Square, near the monument to Emperor Wilhelm I, whom he faithfully served. The courageous figure of the “Iron Chancellor” leaning on a sword and striding forward stands in full height on a pedestal.
On one side of the pedestal is a sculpture of a warrior holding a bundle of oak logs, symbolizing the unification of the German people. On the other side, we see a figure of a woman with a hammer in her hands and an anchor at her feet — representing Germany and Düsseldorf, spread along the banks of the Rhine. The tandem of monuments creates an interesting architectural ensemble next to St. John’s Church, distinguished by its neo-Gothic architecture.
Triton Fountain
The Triton Fountain, which adorned Königsallee at the northern end of the canal, was installed in 1902. Since then, its sculptural composition has become a calling card of Düsseldorf. The center of the composition attracts attention with the sculpture of the herald of the sea depths — the mythological Greek god Triton, thrusting a trident into the body of a huge toothed fish. Behind Triton, small children hide from the sea monster.
The expression of fear is reflected on the children’s petrified faces. An artful bench made of the same stone as the fountain complements the fountain ensemble. Tourists love to take photos near Triton and watch the fish swimming nearby.
Neander Church
The Neander Protestant Church was built at the end of the 17th century in the Baroque style in the depths of Bolkerstraße. The small church building with a several-story tower in the center and attached wings on the sides does not stand out with luxurious decor. The eye is drawn to the clock installed on the tower, impressing with its large dial.
The spacious interior of the church, decorated in light tones, is richly adorned with stucco on the vaults, walls, and columns. Statues of saints revered by Protestants are placed along the walls. The church is famous for its extravagant organ, created by Austrian masters in the mid-20th century. Parishioners and tourists come to listen to its sound at concerts held in the church.
You can visit the church from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 18.00 for free, taking the metro lines: U70 and U74 — U79 to the Heinrich-Heine-Allee stop.
Monument to the 700th Anniversary of the City’s Founding
To commemorate the 700th anniversary of Düsseldorf’s founding, sculptor Bert Gerresheim erected a bronze monument on Castle Square. The sculptural composition of the triptych is embodied in 17 historical scenes, read from left to right. In the center is a charter with the seals of Count Adolf von Berg, testifying to the significant event, a shield with the image of the “Lippe Rose,” the figure of the Berg Lion, and an anchor. The city’s symbols are complemented by a market scene illustrating the city’s peaceful life.
On the left are depicted peasant militias with primitive weapons and knights on horses in the battle for independence under the leadership of Count Berg. The right part of the monument, depicting a monk holding a reliquary with the remains of Saint Apollinaris and four Roman Popes, reminds of the abbey founded by the count and the spirituality of the townspeople. Modern items are embedded in the triptych, symbolizing the continuity of generations, moral values, and the problem of existing violence in the world.
Old Town Hall
On the main square of the city, Marktplatz, the eye is drawn to the ivy-covered old building made of red brick — the City Hall. The three buildings that make up today’s architectural ensemble of the City Hall were built at different times, so each part is expressed in its style — Late Gothic, Baroque, and Neo-Renaissance.
The central building, dating back to the 16th century, has served as the mayor’s office for 500 years. In the City Hall, the eye is drawn to the Gothic octagonal tower with a statue, clock, and intricate gables on the pediments. In the 18th century, the central facade was adorned with Rococo details, adding pilasters and attaching an intricate balcony above the main entrance, from which the mayor congratulates the people on holidays.
Inside, the City Hall is interesting with its abundance of artifacts and a portrait gallery of all former mayors. Here you will see the Goethe Memorial Room with a bust of the poet, a collection of his letters, and drawings. You can visit the City Hall only on guided tours held on Wednesdays at 15.00. To get to Marktplatz, it is convenient to walk one block along the promenade from the Castle Tower to the northwest.
St. Maximilian Church
St. Maximilian Church, founded by Franciscan monks in the mid-17th century, played a significant role in the city’s spiritual development. The church had a theological school, and to this day, a parish school operates here, where the famous German poet Heinrich Heine studied.
People come here to see and listen to the extraordinarily beautiful organ, adorned with figures of musical angels, on which famous composers Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Robert Schumann played at masses in the 19th century. The church interior impresses with paintings by Rubens and many artistic masterpieces.
In an inconspicuous chapel, parishioners and tourists come to venerate the famous icon “Madonna with Merciful Eyes” by Rubens. To get to the church, take trams: No. 703, 706, 712, 713 to the Benrather Straße stop. The church is open all week from 10.00 to 17.00. Evening masses are held on Saturdays and Sundays at 18.00.
Goethe Museum
Although Goethe never lived in Düsseldorf, a museum dedicated to him was opened in the mid-20th century in the elegant Jägerhof Palace, built in the Rococo style in the mid-18th century. Its luxurious building adorns Jacobi Street opposite Hofgarten Park. When visiting Düsseldorf, the poet stayed at the home of the Jacobi family, which stood near Jägerhof Palace, so the authorities decided to open the Goethe Museum here. The museum’s collection is based on a private collection donated to the city by Leipzig publisher Anton Kippenberg’s heirs.
The museum halls display over 50,000 exhibits related to the 18th century: paintings, medals, busts, coins, manuscripts, letters, and 17,000 books, and 3,000 musical scores. A special value is the collection of minerals personally collected by Goethe. A separate hall, called the Faust Room, is dedicated to the development of the plot, artistic and musical works on the theme of the genius creation. Here you will see original illustrations for Faust by Peter Cornelius, lithographs by Delacroix, and etchings by Salvador Dali.
The museum is open: Tuesday-Friday and Sunday from 11.00 to 17.00, on Saturday from 13.00 to 17.00.
Kunstpalast Museum
On Heine Allee, opposite Grabbeplast Square, the attention of tourists is drawn to the “P”-shaped building from the early 20th century, expressed in the style of Expressionism. In this extravagant building is one of Germany’s significant museums — Kunstpalast. The core of the museum’s collection was the artworks belonging to Elector Johann Pfalz and his wife Anna Medici in the early 18th century.
Now the Kunstpalast collection has almost 100,000 exhibits: paintings, sculptures, engravings, glassware, and contemporary art. The museum’s picture gallery holds the valuable paintings “Venus and Adonis” and “The Assumption of the Virgin Mary” by Rubens.
The graphics hall displays 70,000 works from the 15th to the 20th century, with particular interest in the graphic works of outstanding artists Raphael, Michelangelo, Altdorfer, and Veronese. The variety of statues and sculptural compositions is impressive, and the glass exhibition allows you to see with your own eyes the crystal items used by monarchs and elites in the 17th-19th centuries.
Kunstpalast is open: Tuesday – Wednesday, Friday – Sunday from 11.00 to 18.00, on Thursday — until 21.00.
Castle Tower
At the end of the 12th century, along with gaining city status, a castle was built, within which was the square — Burgplatz. Over the centuries, the castle was destroyed by numerous fires, the last of which in 1872 completely destroyed it, making it non-recoverable. The only structure preserved from the 14th century from Düsseldorf Castle is a small Castle Tower on Burgplatz, where every stone holds the tragic history of the castle’s disasters.
Now the tower houses the Rhine History Museum, where over 120 models of boats and steamships representing the history of navigation from ancient times to the present day are displayed. The museum is open to visitors from 11.00 to 18.00. In the “Lantern” of the tower, tourists love to relax in the panoramic restaurant, offering a circular view of Altstadt, with views of the promenade and the Rhine Tower.
Basilica of St. Lambertus
The oldest building in Düsseldorf is considered the Basilica of St. Lambertus. Its history begins with a small chapel built by St. Willeic at the place where the river Düssel flows into the Rhine. Seven centuries later, the Basilica of St. Lambertus on Stiftsplatz attracts attention with historical sculptural compositions on its portals. One portal shows Golgotha with crucified Christians and mourners who bowed their heads near the crosses.
Another composition depicts the story of Düsseldorf’s independence — the Battle of Worringen, where knights in armor, peasant militias, and weapons are depicted in exact detail in the confrontation. Inside, the church amazes with a luxurious Baroque altar, a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a column, and 15th-century wall paintings.
The basilica’s holy relics are the remains of St. Apollinaris of Ravenna, the patron saint of Düsseldorf, St. Lambertus, and St. Willeic. Parishioners venerate two miraculous icons — Mary of Victory and Mary of Quick Help. The basilica is open daily from 9.00 to 18.00. You can reach it by metro U70, U74 – U79, getting off at Heinrich-Heine-Allee station.
Hofgarten Park
The oldest city park, Hofgarten, founded in the 18th century, is the central park of Düsseldorf, designed in the traditional English style with Late Baroque architectural forms. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a monument to the painter Peter Cornelius, and shady alleys lead to ponds with black swans and other waterfowl, to cozy resting spots. It is a pleasure to watch the flying green parrots and tame squirrels here.
It is especially beautiful here on summer evenings on the alley leading to the hunting castle, where benches illuminated by neon light create a charming atmosphere. The park’s alleys are decorated with sculptures embodying heroes and events of past eras in stone. The landscape is particularly charming with fountains, the picturesque shore of Lake Landskrone, and the Neanderthal Museum. Tourists love to take selfies near compositions where children are examining a frog and bronze baronesses.
You can get to the park by trams No. 701, 706, 715 to the Sternstraße stop.
Tonhalle Concert Hall
The view of Tonhalle architecturally does not associate with a traditional Philharmonic Hall. The building project, constructed in 1926 for a planetarium, belongs to the famous architect Wilhelm Kreis. In the post-war years, it was rebuilt as a concert hall, preserving the central dome, reminiscent of the building’s original purpose. The Tonhalle dome, shining inside like precious stones, is considered a masterpiece of modern art.
The enchanting glow is given by a unique chandelier with numerous mirrors, created according to the sketches of the painter Adolf Luther, located in the center of the dome. The spacious foyer with beautiful mosaic floors is bathed in the light of original lamps. The auditorium stands out with its round shape, with walls adorned with picturesque murals, paintings, and equipped with comfortable seats.
Many symphony orchestras, outstanding musicians, opera, and pop stars perform in Tonhalle, which has been nicknamed the “Colosseum of the 20th century.” To see it, take the metro lines U70, U74 — U77 to Tonhalle/Ehrenhof station.
Düsseldorf Observatory
Düsseldorf-Bilk Observatory, created with funds from Johann Friedrich Benzenberg in the eponymous area, began operations in 1843. Three years after the founder’s death, the observatory became the city’s property. Observations of the starry sky were conducted with a long-focus refractor, and since 1874, with a powerful equatorial by Carl Bamberg. With the help of these telescopes, 24 asteroids, called by astronomers “24 Düsseldorf Planets,” were discovered in the 19th century.
In recognition of the observatory’s merits, one of the asteroids was named Bilk. During World War II, the observatory was bombed and completely burned down. Today, a 40-meter monument shaped like a bombed telescope stands at the site of the former observatory on Bachstraße. This place is 2.5 km south of the Basilica of St. Lambertus.
Golzheim Cemetery
Golzheim Cemetery, located in a picturesque landscaped area, is called the historical book of Düsseldorf. The famous cemetery, with more than 50,000 graves, is located on the northern outskirts of the city and is 130 years old. Most of the tomb sculptures made in the 19th century amaze with their artistry and originality. “Million Hill,” where owners of vast fortunes are buried, is like an open-air museum, distinguished by monuments made in the styles of Neoclassicism, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau.
Among them are tombstones created by famous architects for the Henkel factory owner’s family, the steel plant owner, the Veba company owner, and other wealthy people. Near Millionaires’ Hill, you will see tombstones and sculptures of the cultural and political elite. On the site of the North Cemetery, visitors are particularly interested in the last resting place No. 50 of the still-living Riemenschneider family. A beautiful mausoleum, built among trees according to the design of a famous Dutch architect from hewn limestone, impresses with frescoes, mosaics, and decorative windows.
At the main entrance to the cemetery, near the Theodor Heuss Bridge, stands a neo-Gothic chapel, where the sightseeing walk begins. The cemetery is open around the clock. You can get there from the main station by metro U78/79 to Theodor-Heuss-Brücke station and then walk 700 meters, following the chapel.
Aqua-Zoo and Löbbecke Museum
“Aqua-Zoo” Water Zoo and Löbbecke Natural History Museum is a single complex spread over the territory of Nordpark. In the equipped aquariums, fish, reptiles, sharks, and turtles live comfortably. The protected shores of the reservoirs have become home to sea lions and penguins. In terrariums, it is interesting to observe the habits of snakes and many types of reptiles. Entering the zoo’s tropical forest, you see hummingbirds and bright tropical butterflies flying overhead, and in the lakes — lazily dozing crocodiles.
The museum’s collection impresses with an abundance of mollusks, of which there are more than 250,000, and 650,000 insects from around the world. In the thematic halls, looking at the exhibits, you can trace the evolution of the animal world and see the natural habitat of many animal species. The water zoo and museum are open daily from 10.00 to 18.00. You can get there by metro U78 and U79 to Aqua-Zoo stop.
Rhine Promenade
The promenade, which adorns the right bank of the Rhine, stretches for 2 km through the districts of Altstadt, Carlstadt, and Unterbilk, becoming Düsseldorf’s youngest attraction. Laid out at the end of the last century, the promenade was recognized as the best example of urban planning in the country. The section of the promenade north of the Oberkasseler Bridge is notable for the Tonhalle Concert Hall. In the southern direction from the bridge begins the Castle two-level section of the promenade, pleasing the eye with an alley with a “living roof” formed by the intertwining of trees at the upper level.
Going further, you reach the Burgplatz square, which opens onto the promenade’s balcony, offering panoramic views of the lower promenade, the river, and the Rheinkniebrucke and Oberkasseler bridges. On the square, you will see the Castle Tower and the Ferris wheel. The continuation of the promenade is its town hall part, stretching from Burgplatz to Bäckerstraße and the former harbor. In this section, the main attractions are concentrated on Marktplatz square: the old town hall and the monument to Elector Johann Wilhelm on horseback.
The southernmost part of the promenade from the bridge to the new harbor is today a respectable district. The regional parliament and the Rheinturm TV tower with a panoramic restaurant at the top are located there. Next to the tower, an unusual modern building, resembling an ice block, attracts attention. You can get to the Rhine promenade by bus No. 726 to the Alter Hafen stop and by metro U70-U79, U83, getting off at Heinrich-Heine-Allee station.
Neanderthal Museum
The opening of the Neanderthal Museum was preceded by excavations in 1856 in the Neander Valley near the Düssel River, where a cave with the remains of an ancient human was found. In 1996, near this place in the depths of the forest between the cities of Erkrath and Mettmann, an archaeological museum was opened. The main museum exhibition, designed in a spiral, embodies the stages of human development.
The use of modern digital and volumetric technologies vividly reproduces everyday scenes of Neanderthals, their tools, and dwellings. Visitors are interested in examining life-size figures of ancient ancestors dressed in modern clothing. In a workshop designed like the Stone Age, it is amusing to participate in masterclasses on making simple stone tools and household items. The tourist route leading to the cave where traces of ancient human habitation were found is especially attractive.
In the cave, tourists find themselves in the recreated setting of a Neanderthal dwelling, reproduced through an installation. From the main train station, take the S-Bahn on line S-8 in the direction of Hagen to the Hochdahl stop. Then walk for 15 minutes. The second option is to take the regional train line S-28 towards Mettmann, get off at Neanderthal stop, and walk about 7 minutes.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00. Entrance to the cave is open until 17.00 in summer and until 16.00 in the winter season.
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