19 Best Things to Do and See in Düsseldorf
Exploring Dusseldorf on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Dusseldorf, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Dusseldorf. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA
MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA is one of Düsseldorf’s major modern venues, designed to host very different kinds of events in one complex. It features a football stadium and an arena for concerts, trade shows and business events. Its architecture reflects this versatility, with large, flexible spaces. Located in the north of the city, the arena plays a major role in Düsseldorf’s event identity and appeal for big occasions.
2. Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum Dusseldorf
Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum in Düsseldorf is a unique place to visit, combining a natural history museum and an aquarium. Discover a wide variety of aquatic and land animals in spaces dedicated to ecosystems, biodiversity, and the evolution of life. The route lets you observe fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other species from around the world while learning about their natural habitats. It is a popular attraction for families and curious visitors alike, offering an entertaining, educational, and immersive visit in the heart of Düsseldorf.
3. Classic Remise Düsseldorf
Classic Remise Düsseldorf is a must-see for car lovers and curious visitors in Düsseldorf. Set in a vast restored industrial space, it brings together collector cars, prestige models and exceptional vehicles, all displayed in a unique showroom atmosphere. Visitors will also find specialist workshops, shops and event areas. The visit is appealing both for the quality of the vehicles on display and for the architectural setting, which blends industrial heritage with the world of automobiles.
4. Hofgarten
The Hofgarten in Düsseldorf is a large urban park known for its shaded paths, well-kept lawns, and peaceful ponds. Located close to the city center, it offers a pleasant walk among mature trees, rest areas, and paths ideal for walking or cycling. Visitors and locals alike enjoy this green setting, perfect for a quiet break while staying near Düsseldorf’s main districts. It is a welcoming, simple, and calming place that invites you to enjoy nature in the city.
5. Wildpark Düsseldorf Grafenberg
Wildpark Düsseldorf Grafenberg is a wildlife park on the edge of the forest in Düsseldorf, where visitors can see European species up close in a peaceful natural setting. This zoological reserve is home to deer, fallow deer, wild boar and many birds, often visible in large enclosures designed to reflect their natural habitat. It is a popular outing for families and walkers looking to enjoy animals, pleasant trails and a green setting for relaxation.
6. Rheinuferpromenade Düsseldorf
The Rheinuferpromenade in Düsseldorf is a pleasant riverside walk along the Rhine, ideal for strolling or cycling while enjoying open views of the river and lively quays. Discover relaxing spaces, café and restaurant terraces, and a vibrant atmosphere linking the city centre to the waterfront. It is a great spot for a quiet break, a sunset walk, or simply watching the city from the riverbanks.
7. Capitol Theater
Capitol Theater in Düsseldorf is a large performance venue set in a former industrial building now dedicated to the performing arts. It offers a varied program that may include musicals, concerts, dance shows, comedies, and cultural events. Its atmosphere combines the charm of restored architecture with the energy of a modern stage, in a venue designed to welcome a large audience. It is a must-visit spot for vibrant cultural outings in the heart of Düsseldorf.
8. Burgplatz
Burgplatz, in the heart of Düsseldorf, is an iconic square inviting visitors to stroll between heritage and lively city life. Near the Rhine and the historic center, it offers a great glimpse of the old town with its façades, open spaces and welcoming atmosphere. It is often a busy thoroughfare, appreciated for its river views, terraces and connection to the city’s history. Depending on the season, the square also hosts popular events and festivities that add to its lively character.
9. Museum Kunstpalast
Museum Kunstpalast in Düsseldorf is a major art museum showcasing varied collections, from painting and sculpture to decorative arts, glass and design.
10. Kunstsammlung
The Kunstsammlung in Düsseldorf is one of the city’s leading modern and contemporary art museums, prized for the diversity of its collections and the quality of its exhibitions. Visitors can explore paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and installations by major artists in a setting that highlights the key movements of the 20th century through to more recent creations. It appeals to art lovers and curious travelers alike, thanks to its varied program and welcoming atmosphere. A must-see cultural stop on any trip to Düsseldorf.
11. Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen
Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf is one of Germany’s leading modern and contemporary art museums. Explore rich collections of paintings, sculptures, drawings and installations by major 20th and 21st century artists. The museum offers a curated route through modern art in spaces designed for contemplation and discovery. A must-see for art lovers looking to experience major international art trends in the heart of the city.
12. Haus der Geschichte North Rhine-Westphalia
Haus der Geschichte North Rhine-Westphalia explores the state’s history through its political, social, and cultural changes. Housed in the Behrensbau, it combines museum content with a striking building in central Düsseldorf. Visitors discover documents, objects, and displays that illuminate regional memory, social change, and the identity of North Rhine-Westphalia. The site also shows how a historic building can frame a contemporary story about a major German region.
13. Bonsai Museum Düsseldorf
Bonsai Museum Düsseldorf offers a focused look at miniature trees shaped with remarkable precision. Visitors can observe bonsai with aged trunks, refined branches, and silhouettes that reflect years of careful cultivation. The museum highlights the relationship between the plant, the container, and the surrounding space, in an approach that is both horticultural and artistic. In Düsseldorf, this specialist museum provides a rare immersion into a world where patience, technique, and visual balance are essential.
14. Heinrich Heine Institute
The Heinrich-Heine-Institut is a literary museum dedicated to one of Düsseldorf’s most important names. Discover manuscripts, early editions, letters, portraits, and other items tracing Heinrich Heine’s life and the reception of his work. The museum also reveals the strong bond between the writer and his hometown, while showcasing the archival work behind a key figure in German literature.
15. Bilker Bunker gGmbH
Bilker Bunker gGmbH is an art venue set in a striking building in the heart of Düsseldorf. Its special appeal lies in the meeting between a former bunker and a program focused on contemporary art. As an art museum and art gallery, it offers an unusual setting to discover exhibitions, artworks and visual projects that interact with the building’s architecture. Visitors experience both the weight of the structure and the cultural ambition behind this distinctive space.
16. Kunstmuseum Duesseldorf in the Ehrenhof
Kunstmuseum Duesseldorf in the Ehrenhof is an art museum set in the Ehrenhof in Düsseldorf, within a renowned architectural ensemble. Visitors discover artworks in a museum setting that highlights the relationship between collection, exhibition and architecture. The museum is part of the city’s artistic landscape and offers an insightful look at the role of cultural institutions in Düsseldorf. Its location near the museum district strengthens its identity as an urban art landmark.
17. Ständehaus
The Ständehaus is a museum housed in a former public building in Düsseldorf, on the edge of the Kaiserteich. It offers a place where historic architecture meets contemporary art, with rooms designed for exhibitions from the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen. The building impresses with its monumental presence and its direct relationship to the water and promenades around it. A visit reveals a striking example of heritage reuse in the heart of an important cultural district of the city.
18. Mustard Museum
The Mustard Museum in Düsseldorf offers a unique look at an iconic condiment, exploring its history, varieties, and culinary uses. In this museum, mustard appears as both a traditional product and an everyday staple, closely tied to local food culture. Visitors can see objects and references that illustrate its production, recipe variations, and place in the city’s culinary identity. Located in central Düsseldorf, it provides an original way to explore the region’s gastronomic heritage.
19. ArcheoPoint
ArcheoPoint is an archaeological museum in the heart of Düsseldorf, on Königsallee. It stands out for the way it presents archaeology in a very central urban setting. Visitors discover the past through remains, objects, and their interpretation, gaining a better understanding of the site’s ancient history and the city itself. The visit is shaped by the contrast between the modern avenue and the historical traces highlighted by the museum.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
