The 9 best attractions in Düsseldorf

At luxury shopping street Königsallee, you'll find Prada, Gucci, Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton and all the other flagship designer stores. It's actually known by its nickname Kö, and is a promenade that stretches a long mile. If you're looking to go on a shopping trip that won't break the bank though, you'll also find big chains H&M, Zara, Massimo Dutti and more. As well as shopping, there are trees and a picturesque canal, making it a great place to stroll along. There are also cafes if you feel like stopping for a coffee. 

Time Out tip: We're convinced of nowhere better than the namesake Cøffe, to head for a quick caffeine refill. It's very trendy and cosy, and their coffee art is pretty impressive too.

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.)

Time Out tip: The Altstadt is a raucous scene, especially in warm weather, so get there on the early side to score a seat.

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.

Time Out: So, you're a culture vulture but you want to tighten the purse strings? Every first Wednesday of the month there's a KPMG Art Evening which is free admision from 6pm.

This once-dingy commercial port area along the Rhine has been transformed into a haven for architecture aficionados, with postmodern masterpieces by a who’s-who of architecture, including Frank Gehry, David Chipperfield and Steven Holl. Now a hub for media, fashion and other creative industries, the redeveloped harbor is an interesting mix of the old and new, with renovated warehouses standing side by side these shiny new icons. Head-turners include Gehry’s Neuer Zollhof complex, a trio of twisting, leaning buildings clad variously in red brick, white plaster and stainless steel, and the uber-Instagrammable Roggendorf House, covered by brightly colored climbing figures, known as Flossis, by German artist Rosalie. The best perspective of the architecture is from the Living Bridge, a pedestrian walkway that connects the two sides of the harbor.

Time Out tip: If you’re hungry, in the middle of the Living Bridge is the swanky Lido Hafen restaurant, a glass-walled cube that offers magnificent views of the harbor and good (if pricey) French cuisine.

The riverfront is one of the finest places to while away an afternoon in Düsseldorf. This mile-long stretch links the Old Town to the contemporary MedienHafen. The upper level is lined with luscious trees, cafes, bars and pathways to stroll along. From the Burgplatz pier you can hop on a river cruise, or simply relax and take in the view from the grassy banks of the river on the southern end of the promenade. While you're up the southern end, you may as well pop into the Kunst im Tunnel, a contemporary art gallery located underground.

Time Out tip: While you're up the southern end, you may as well pop into the Kunst im Tunnel, a contemporary art gallery located underground.

A 40-minute tram ride north from the Altstadt lands you in this adorable riverside hamlet, dripping with all the requisite charm of a historic German village: cobblestone streets bordered by pretty 18th-century row houses, a leafy main platz ringed by cafes and beer gardens, and yes, even a crumbling medieval castle. Shaded by linden trees, the main avenue, Kaiserswerth Market, extends down to the Rhine, and is lined with chic boutiques and cozy restaurants, including a particularly good spot for flammkuchen (aka Alsatian pizza) called Zum Einhorn. A few minutes’ walk along the river will take you to the impressive ruins of the Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth, an imperial palace that dates to the 12th century. It’s open for self-guided tours from Good Friday to October. If you plan to visit between April to October, you can opt for more romantic journey by boat to Kaiserswerth from Düsseldorf’s Burgplatz pier.

Time Out tip: Round off the day with dinner plans at the nearby En de Canon restaurant. The vibe here is very relaxed and they have a decent selection of wines. 

When you’ve had your fill of museum-hopping and shopping, head to this tranquil green space in the heart of the city. Germany’s first and oldest park dates to 1769 and its nearly 70 acres feature expansive meadows, ancient trees, multiple ponds, fountains, flowerbeds and plenty of lovely walking paths and bridges, especially along the picturesque Düssel canal. Be sure to have a look at the many modern and contemporary sculptures along the way: There’s the Las Meninas sculptures, based on the famous Velázquez painting, near the Jägerhof Palace; “The Admonisher,” a bronze by Jewish-Russian artist Vadim Sidur, on the Ananasberg hill; and next to the opera house, Henry Moore’s “Reclining Figure in Two Parts.” A sentimental favorite is the 1904 “fairytale fountain” by French sculptor Max Blondat showing three children sitting together and looking at three frogs. From May to September, catch a gratis Sunday morning concert at 11 a.m. at the open-air Hofgarten Pavillon, on Jägerhofstraße.

Time Out tip: One of the best places to dine and hangout during the summer months has to be Schillings. We love it for its laid-back elegant backdrop and beauutiful views of Hofgarten.

Set in the hip Flingern neighborhood just east of the city center, this sprawling new gallery is a must-see for fans of cutting-edge art. Local businessman Gil Bronner converted a former glassworks factory into a sleek 20,000-square-foot space for his personal collection, which focuses on the work of contemporary Düsseldorf artists. Along with top talents like Andreas Gursky, Thomas Grünfeld and Thomas Struth, plenty of real estate is given over to emerging local artists, like abstract painter Silke Albrecht and photographer Sebastian Riemer. There’s also a 6,000-square-foot rooftop sculpture garden, open seasonally. You can visit the collection Thursday from 4 to 8pm (without a guided tour) and Friday to Sunday, when a guide is required. However, there’s only one tour given in English (on Friday at 4pm), so be sure to book ahead online. The gallery’s vintage-industrial style bar and café, Glas Lennarz, stays open even after the museum closes, until midnight on Thursday and even later on Friday. Perhaps the coolest thing about the gallery, though, is that you 'pay what you wish' for admission, meaning the works on display remain accessable to all. 

Time Out tip: just a heads up; the Philara Collection is closed  between 1st and 31st July. 

One of largest food markets in the world, Carlsplatz Markt is great if you're looking for local produce. It's in one of the squares in Altstadt where you'll be surrounded by locals and tourists. It's perfect for if you're a foodie. Here, you'll find all kinds of market sellers and items, including meats, cheeses, freshly baked bread, pastries, crisp vegetables and so much more. And if you have a sweet tooth, there are also plenty of desert food stalls to feast your eyes on. Take home a few souvenirs and gifts while you're at it, too.

Time Out tip: Discover the all the culinary delights of Old Town through the markets Gourmet Tour.