Top 15 Things to Do in Dusseldorf over 48 Hours
Top 15 Things to Do in Dusseldorf over 48 Hours – We didn’t have huge expectations of Dusseldorf, it’s often overshadowed by Cologne down the road, but we absolutely loved Dusseldorf, to the point that we extended our stay for an additional night. This city is compact, stylish, with riverside attractions, beerhalls and the utterly delicious Little Tokyo. Plan your trip now.
1 Explore and EAT in Little Tokyo
[FREE to explore] This was our favourite location in Dusseldorf. Yes, the food was amazing. Dusseldorf has Europe’s third largest Japanese population after Paris and London, and the streets of Little Tokyo are a riot of Japanese manga cafes, matcha, mochi and more. Our highlights – Toy Dispensers, Ramen, Matcha, Mochi, Sushi, comic store and Fish-shaped waffles. Read our complete guide for all the addresses and cafe names here. Look out for Dusseldorf’s Japanese Day, it next falls on 26 May 2026.
2 Walk Along Königsallee for the Triton Fountain and Designer Shopping
FREE to explore. Königsallee is the premier address in town, flanked by chestnut and sycamore trees on either side of the Kö-Graben canal. Be sure to stop at the photogenic Triton fountain. If you like designer clothes shopping or window shopping then this is the smart street for you. Or drop into the Jones Brasserie terrace for a drink in the sun (indoor seating also available) and grab a sweet treat from its gorgeous patisserie selection.
3 Ascend the Rhine Tower – Things to Do in Dusseldorf
If you have a head for heights ascend the riverside Rhine Tower by lift. As well as a viewing gallery there’s also a bar/restaurant at the top. We didn’t spend long here as we didn’t stop for food/drink and the lift makes for a speedy ascent, but you could pass a few hours.
4 Boat Trip along the Rhine – Things to Do in Dusseldorf
We set off on a KD boat trip. This company offers relaxed spacious mini cruises, with ample indoor and outdoor seating. It was easy to find outdoor seating in the shade and the sun. Refreshments and even light lunches are served onboard too. The trips set sail from the Pier at Burgplatz, which is a really central embarkation point and easy to find. And they allowed us to see curiosities that we may not have walked miles to see, such as the silver, white and brick red beautifully asymetrical and squint Gehry buildings, plus the Rhine Tower.
5 Promenade Along the Rhine
6 Beer Halls – When in Dusseldorf, Drink Altbier
Dusseldorf is famed for is Altbier. It’s served in small measures, approximately €2.50 a glass, in traditional beerhalls (think quaint wooden interiors). The brusque waiters will keep bringing you beer (marking your coaster with each glass you receive) till you place your beermat on the top of your empty glass. Then you settle your bill. The beerhalls also serve up traditional German food, think hearty meat and potatoes dishes, or bread dumplings.
Zum Schlüssel Brewery is great because it’s central and close to the river. Its name means ‘to the key’ and refers to a medieval custom when the key of the city gate was kept in a pub. Schumacher Brewery is handy as it’s close to Little Tokyo. Both have good beer and relaxed vibes. Kids are welcome, and soft drinks are served.
7 Look out for the City’s Cartwheel Symbols
FREE The cartwheel symbol or ‘Radschläger’, portrays a child performing a cartwheel. This historic symbol commemorates the children’s celebration after the Battle of Worringen in the late 13th century. The victory secured the city’s charter. An obvious place to find the symbole is at the Radschläger-Brunnen (Cartwheelers’ Fountain), but I liked spotting it in more low key spots, like doorhandles, manhole covers and on little sourvenirs such as fridge magnets.
8 Explore the City’s Green Spaces – Things to Do in Dusseldorf
The Hofgarten (off Konigsallee) is said to be the first and oldest public park in Germany, created in 1769. It’s a wonderfully calming and central spot for some fresh air. Dusseldorf also makes its buildings green. Visit Kö-Bogen 2, featuring an an eight-kilometre long hornbeam hedge, approximately 30,000 plants in total. You can even walk on its roof and take some interesting snapshots.
9 Drop by Dusseldorf’s Art Galleries
Dusseldorf is renowned for its art galleries. K20 is very central, and was my preferred option as it showcases 20th century art, which I’m a fan of. Look out for pieces by Picasso, Matisse and Warhol, to name a few. For something more modern and experimental, hit up K21. [Look out for opening times of 11am, which I considered quite late!]
10 Try a Shot of Killepitsch – Things to Do in Dusseldorf
Killepitsch is a Dusseldorf herbal liquor with a 42% alchohol volume. Drink it by sitting in a bar, or buy a quick shot through the window, down it, and continue on your day (please drink responsibly, obvs). I believe we stopped at Haus zum Helm on Flinger Strasse.
11 Step inside the St Andreas Catholic Church
FREE While Dusseldorf simply can’t rival neighbouring Cologne’s cathedral, what makes St Andreas special is its calming white and gold interiors, which appear uplifting and radiant. Step towards the light!
12 Visit the Aquazoo – Things to Do in Dusseldorf
The Aquazoo is slightly out of the centre of town, but it’s easy to jump on a tram or drive (ample parking on site). A good rainy day option too, with many must-see creatures, from seahorses to crocodiles. We spent two hours staring at sealife! Outside is an attractive park with water fountains and a Japanese garden, so a good spot for kids to run off some steam or catch the rays. [Take the subway U78 direction from the city centre.]
13 Visit a ‘Bad’ or Swimming Pool
When we visited Dusseldorf, the weather didn’t bring us to outdoor swimming. We had lined up to visit the Rhinebad, and will hopefully return to try this at a future date. Catch the subway U78 direction from the city centre.
14 Visit the Botanic Gardens
FREE Want to escape the city centre? Head out of town towards Cologne, to explore Dusseldorf’s Botanic Garden. The highlight is the dome that hot houses more exotic plants. We spent about an hour here.
15 Book a Walking Tour
Book general Dusseldorf tours, or specific tours covering the beer or Little Tokyo to get shown ALL the best places. The lovely Irene took us around Little Tokyo, and Jorg gave us an overview of the city. Our tours were booked via Visit Dusseldorf – have a look at their walking guides here.
Where to Stay – Things to Do in Dusseldorf
We have four options for you.
Budget – Premier Inn
Located near the station, like most European cities, you can meet some ‘characters’ at the station, but the Premier Inn is a few streets away with a 24-hour reception. You cannot beat the price – we paid €69 for a family room for 4 people in July! Bear in mind, camping costs about €50 a pitch. The Premier Inn also has a bar plus an honesty shop.
Art Paradise – Living de Medici Hotel
If you adore art and are a fan of reasonably priced luxury, book into Living De Medici Hotel. I’m unsure if the owner built the hotel to house his art collection, or simply used his art to decorate his hotel. Either way, it’s stunning. Also, the hotel is wonderfully central, and set back in its own courtyard area, so surprisingly quiet and private for such a central address. Outdoor terrace, brasserie, bar, smoking room, Egyptian spa, sauna and steam room complete the picture.
Luxury – Steigenberger Icon Parkhotel
You know it’s top end when the address is on Königsallee. For a hotel that dates back to 1902, the rooms at the Steigenberger Icon Parkhotel are contemporary and stylish. My son also found the remote controlled toilets utterly fascinating, they featured a spray and blow-dry feature – imagine discovering this when you’re 10! The trendy Pink Pepper bar is a place to see and be seen. Jones Brasserie offers a strong menu, with seafood highlights and champagne, but lots of meat and beer too. The terrace is a glorious spot on a sunny day. There’s also a Cigar Lounge. A spa, sauna, steam and wellness room make for a very civilised afternoon.
Have a great time exploring Dusseldorf!
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