Düsseldorf is located in the heart of Europe. This German city delights with its hospitality and joyful atmosphere. The historical sights of Dusseldorf, which have been preserved since the Middle Ages, are harmoniously combined with modern skyscrapers, numerous shopping centers and offices. Having started its history as a small settlement, today it has become the most popular city in Germany.
The city's cultural offerings
Düsseldorf has a rich cultural life. Concerts, festivals, exhibitions are regularly held here, which attract guests from every corner of the world.
The Messe Dusseldorf exhibition center plays a major role in the international image of the city. Representatives of over 100 countries take part in exhibitions-fairs, which occupy leading positions in the branches of trade, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals. About 40 such international exhibitions are held annually.
Dusseldorf LTU-arena is one of the ten multifunctional sports complexes in Europe. It hosts international sporting events such as the METRO marathon, the FIS-Ski Cup cross-country skiing competition and others.
In Dusseldorf, it is easy to become a participant and original events. For example, numerous tourists visit the "Art in the Tunnel" exhibition, which is located under the Rhine embankment, or enjoy the Robert Schumann Music Festival. Also, thousands of local residents and foreign guests are happy to participate in the bright and unforgettable city carnival. Beer festivals, Christmas markets, night of museums - this is not a complete list of exciting events that take place every year in Dusseldorf.
Castles, palaces and halls of Dusseldorf
The Kalkum Castle is very popular among tourists. The restorers managed to preserve the original appearance of the building. The magnificent building was built in the Baroque style. You can get to the castle by metro U79, go to the Kalkumer Schlossallee station.
Heltorf Castle is located 3 km north of Altstadt. The palace is still inhabited by the descendants of Count von Spee. For this reason, guests can only stroll through the English park, laid out in 1796. The pavilions with frescoes by Karl Mücke are also available for free. The castle area is open in summer, weekends and holidays.
The Tonhalle Concert Hall welcomes pop stars, opera singers, symphony orchestras, organists. A place in the gallery costs about 150 euros, on the balcony - 210, in the parterre - up to 325 euros. Concerts start at 15.00, 17.00, 18.30, 19.00 and 20.00.
The romantic tour "Rhine Castles" by boat will be an original way to enjoy the picturesque landscapes and ancient structures of the valley.
Benrath Palace is a luxurious elector's palace built in the Rococo style. The park area is adjacent to the Rhine. A ticket for a complex tour costs 14 euros. In summer and on weekends, the castle is open until 18.00, in winter - until 17.00. Sightseeing tours are conducted at intervals of 1 hour.
City museums
The Kaiserswerth Museum tells the story of the castle where the German emperor Frederick I Barbarossa lived. Only the ruins remind of the majestic structure, but thanks to excavations, many fragments were found and preserved. On Sunday the museum is open from 11.00 to 13.00, on other days from 14.00 to 17.00.
The museum of the great German poet Goethe is open to visitors in the Jägerhof castle. The museum displays various authentic things from the time of Goethe: furniture, paintings, prints, dishes, even books and a collection of 25 thousand coins. There is also a library and reading room here. The cost of the visit is 4 euros. From Tuesday to Friday the museum is open from 11.00 to 17.00, on Saturday from 13.00 to 17.00.
The Kunstpalast Art Museum in the Ehrenhof district resembles a horseshoe in appearance. The museum's collections include paintings, graphics, sculptural compositions, works of applied art of the 15th-20th centuries. From Tuesday to Sunday, the complex is open from 11.00 to 18.00, on Thursday - from 11.00 to 15.00.
Religious buildings
Dusseldorf is an ancient city, the first mention of which dates back to the XII century. Over the centuries of its existence, hundreds of religious buildings have been built here. Many of them are real architectural treasures that attract tourists from all over the world.
In total, there are more than 150 churches in Dusseldorf.
To get to the Apostle Andrew Church, walk one block from Burgplatz and into the interior of the Old Town. The church has an organ that was made back in 1782. Inside, there are sculptural portraits of the twelve apostles. But the altar, which was badly damaged during the Second World War, was re-carved in 1960. Since 2005, the church belongs to the Dominican Order.
The Basilica of Saint Lambert was erected on the site of a wooden church in 1394. Since then, this oldest building in Düsseldorf has become a symbol of its independence. Tourists are attracted by the portal of Golgotha with crucified martyrs and mourners at the crosses, which is enclosed in a stone portico.
Famous for the Basilica of St. Lambert and the composition of the modern sculpture by Bert Gerresheim, which depicts the battle of the opposing camps at Worringen.
The bell towers of the church of St. Cecilia are visible from every point of the city. The history of this church began more than 330 years ago, and even today foreign pilgrims come to the temple to touch a fragment of the Holy Cross and other shrines.
Other places of interest in Dusseldorf
In 1978, the city started talking about the need for a television and radio broadcasting tower. The winner of the competition was the 240-meter tower by architect Harald Deilmann. The Rheinturm observation deck is visited by more than 300 thousand tourists annually. The cost of an admission ticket for an adult is 5 euros, for children under 12 years old - 3 euros, for teenagers under 18 years old - 4 euros. The TV tower is open to visitors on Friday and Saturday from 10.00 to 01.00, from Sunday to Thursday from 10.00 to 24.00.
Hoppeditz is the symbol of the Düsseldorf carnival. This humorous character appears during the holiday to review the events of the past year. His story is full of black humor and tricks about the local authorities. Traditionally, the mayor speaks in response. Recently in Düsseldorf a new monument to the jester sitting on a mountain of masks appeared.
The old town hall, which rises above the Marktplatz square, is a U-shaped Gothic building. It is always crowded here during the Wine Festivals and during the Christmas markets. In the building of the town hall there is a gallery, where portraits of Düsseldorf celebrities are displayed. The exhibition is open to visitors on weekdays.
Historic Center - Altstadt
The old town or the historic center Altstadt is the main attraction of Düsseldorf. In this area you will find ancient architectural monuments.
The old town is the best place for dating, walking and shopping. There are 260 beer bars, cafes, pizzerias and traditional Irish pubs concentrated here. Altstadt is rightfully called the beer center of the world.
However, the Old Town is famous not only for its beer and entertainment venues. On its streets is the Düsseldorf Academy of Arts, which contains a unique collection of contemporary art. Also in Altstadt, tourists and townspeople visit the Film Museum, the Heinrich Heine Institute and the only ceramics museum in Germany.
The walking tour usually starts from the building of the old Town Hall to the Rhine embankment, from where you can take a river boat trip and admire the majestic bridges.
Altstadt is considered the heart of Düsseldorf, and the embankment - its arteries.If you do not have enough time for a walk around the city, give preference to the Old Town, because only here you will get to know the true Dusseldorf.
Altstadt on the city map.
The oldest square Burgplatz
Burgplatz is the most beautiful and ancient square of the city, therefore it has become a favorite place for walking and recreation for tourists and townspeople. It is noteworthy that the only tower of the Düsseldorf Castle has survived on the square, which today houses the Museum of Shipping.
It is always crowded here. Lovers of delicious food can visit cafes and restaurants.
Since the square is located on the river bank, in cloudless weather you can simply enjoy the warm sun rays on the wide steps of the promenade balcony, admire the unique view of the Rhine.
It is here that a variety of public events are held: festivals, days of Japan and France, sports competitions, fairs. In addition, the Burgplatz square is an architectural monument, which is included in the list of protected sites by UNESCO.
Burgplatz is considered one of the most visited attractions in Düsseldorf
Burgplatz is located in the center of the Old Town, so it is close to other attractions in Düsseldorf. You can get to it by metro U70, U74, U75, U76, U77, U78, U79 or by tram 703, 706, 712, 713. You need to go to the Heirnrich-Heine-Allee stop.
The famous Koenigs Alley
The popular Koenigs Alley also attracts tourists. It is on this street that boutiques of famous world brands are located. The alley looks more like a boulevard, along which customers walk with paper bags, moving from one store to another. There are cafes along the boutiques where you can have a cup of coffee and watch local and visiting characters. The locals affectionately nicknamed her "Kyo".
If you are tired, relax on the bench and admire the Triton Fountain. The sculptural composition in the Baroque style has become the highlight of Dusseldorf.
In the center of the composition is the figure of the ancient god Triton, who, surrounded by frightened boys and cherubim, is fighting a giant fish.
From the bench you can watch the carp in the river and simply contemplate the beautiful landscape.
Königs Alley and Burgplatz square are located in the Old Town in close proximity to each other, so you can visit these attractions in one day.
Hofgarten: the oldest park in Europe
The Hofgarten Park is an attractive green oasis in the city center. To be filled with a special atmosphere of tranquility, you should walk here slowly, with stops. Shady alleys lead to clear lakes, where snow-white swans glide along the water surface.
This is the oldest park not only in Germany but also in Europe.
Numerous sculptures reflect the taste preferences of previous eras. Tourists also come to admire the building with an unusual pink facade. Hundreds of years ago it was the Hunting Castle, but after some modernization it began to resemble a palace, where unique expositions of the Goethe Museum are collected.
Hofgarten Park address: Hofgartenstr. 1, 40211 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Take tram 701, 706 or 715 to the Sternstraße stop.
What to see in the vicinity of Dusseldorf
Enjoy driving to Wuppertal, a 20-minute drive from Düsseldorf Main Station. The journey will take you on an unusual tram that runs on a suspended railway. Through the windows of the vehicle, you can see life in the Wupper Valley like in a showcase. It is the second largest architectural fund in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Frequent ascents and descents, picturesque landscapes await you in the valley. The exhibition grounds of the Gründer era in the Ebersfeld area are worth seeing. Also impressive is the Briller-Viertel quarter - one of the largest homogeneous villa quarters in Germany.
Neandertal is a 10 km drive from Düsseldorf. In the nineteenth century, archaeologists discovered here the remains of a human ancestor - a Neanderthal man, which became a world discovery. These and other valuable historical artifacts can be seen at the local museum.
These are not all the attractions that are located around Dusseldorf. Nearby are such famous cities as Cologne and Essen, which will delight you with artsy architecture, art galleries, cathedrals and basilicas.
And in the neighboring city of Gelsenkirchen, it is worth visiting the Musical Theater with a luxurious hall and unique acoustics, thanks to which it is considered one of the most beautiful architectural monuments of the post-war period.
Summarize
German Dusseldorf, where history and modernity are harmoniously combined, is in indisputable demand among tourists. The most beautiful and interesting places are located in the historical center of the city - Altstadt, which is very convenient for a day trip. Of course, be sure to visit the luxurious palaces, look into the numerous museums and cathedrals.
When planning your independent travels in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2021, take the time to travel around Düsseldorf, there you will find pleasant surprises.
