Modern art and style meet centuries-old structures and historic sites in this vibrant city full of unique attractions
Düsseldorf’s worldly appeal is nothing new—Napoleon himself fell for the charms of this city on the Rhine, dubbing it "Little Paris." Founded 730 years ago, the capital of the North-Rhine Westphalia state is certainly steeped in history, most evident in the narrow, cobbled streets of the picturesque medieval Old Town. But the city has a sophisticated modern edge, too. Gleaming new architecture has transformed the skyline, and the ever-expanding arts scene—26 museums and 100-plus galleries—rivals that of much larger cities. Add to that stylish shopping and vibrant nightlife and bar scene, and there are more than enough attractions in Düsseldorf to keep any visitor busy.
The best attractions in Düsseldorf
Königsallee
Düsseldorf is one of the wealthiest cities in Germany, so it’s no surprise that luxury shopping is a favorite pastime here. The well-heeled flock to posh Königsallee (King’s Avenue), better known by its nickname, Kö, a nearly mile-long promenade brimming with high-end designer boutiques including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Ferragamo. For those with less-deep pockets, the southern end of the avenue is home to big chains like H&M, Zara and Massimo Dutti. Whatever your budget, the Kö is a lovely stretch to stroll, shaded by tall trees and flanked by a picturesque, bridge-laced canal. At its northernmost tip is the snazzy Kö-Bogen, a modern glassy retail and office complex designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. Opened in 2013, the mall’s biggest draw is the Apple Store, but it also houses several upscale German brands—Porsche Design, Hallhuber, Graf von Faber-Castell—plus the ritzy German department store Breuninger. Cafes line the Kö, with tables facing toward the shops, so settle in for a coffee while ogling the parade of fashionistas. Just be sure to get your shopping fix Monday to Saturday; stores are closed in Germany on Sundays.
Altstadt (Old Town)
With around 300 bars, clubs and breweries all concentrated in one compact quarter, the Altstadt (Old Town) is known as “the longest bar in the world”—and it’s the place where everyone in Düsseldorf comes to party. In the evenings, revelers spill from bars along Bolkerstraße, Kurze Straße and Berger Straße out onto the streets, crowding around waist-high tables and squeezing into picnic benches to down the famed local brew, Altbier. One of the most famous spots to drink the hoppy malt beverage is the restaurant/brewery Zum Schiffchen, an old-school haunt that has been around since 1628—though it, like much of Düsseldorf, was largely destroyed during Second World War and rebuilt. (Napoleon quaffed beer in Zum Schiffchen after a victory parade in 1811; look for a bust of the emperor in the corner.) The Altstadt is a raucous scene, especially in warm weather, so get there on the early side to score a seat.
Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen (Museums K20 and K21)
Sigmar Polke, Joseph Beuys, Paul Klee and Andreas Gursky are among the celebrated German artists who attended the famed Düsseldorf Arts Academy, cementing Düsseldorf’s reputation as a hub for modern and contemporary art. The city amassed a vast number of works by these and other 20th- and 21st-century artists; the collection is so large, in fact, that it’s housed in two separate museums, K20 and K21. If you’re not too exhausted after viewing all the Pablo Picassos, Andy Warhols and Gerhard Richters, along with 100-plus works by Paul Klee, in the K20, hop the shuttle bus (complimentary with a combination ticket) over to the K21. Inside this spectacular glass-domed former parliament building are some seriously challenging contemporary art and video installations by the likes of Nam Jun Paik and Chiharu Shiota. A tip: Wear comfy clothes and shoes if you want to take full advantage of Tomás Saraceno’s climbable steel mesh installation “Orbit” in the dome of K21.