What are the best things to do in Düsseldorf?
Top picks in Düsseldorf include Theatermuseum, Cartwheelers' Fountain, City Monument, Schifffahrtmuseum Düsseldorf. See the full list and itinerary on this Düsseldorf travel guide.
Photo: Dirk Eubel from Berlin · CC BY-SA 2.0
Why visit Düsseldorf
Travel guide for Düsseldorf, Germany — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Düsseldorf is a stop in Germany, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Theatermuseum, Cartwheelers' Fountain, City Monument instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 100–220 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Düsseldorf
1
Theatermuseum
2
Cartwheelers' Fountain
3
City Monument
4
Schifffahrtmuseum Düsseldorf
5
Christmas market
Budget travel
Free things to do in Düsseldorf
Cartwheelers' Fountain
City Monument
Christmas market
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Düsseldorf itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Theatermuseum
- Visit Cartwheelers' Fountain
- Visit City Monument
- Eat at Zum Kochlöffel
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Schifffahrtmuseum Düsseldorf
- Visit Christmas market
- Eat at Ham Ham bei Josef
Budget
Düsseldorf trip cost
Budget
USD 45–75
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 100–220
per person / day
Luxury
USD 255–420+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Düsseldorf, Germany. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Düsseldorf
Estimated total (USD)
$2,880
≈ $1,440 per person · $411 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $160/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Düsseldorf mid-range ground costs (budget 45–75 · mid 100–220 · luxury 255–420+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Zum Kochlöffel
Very good German home cooking. You can go here for sandwiches to meals. Individual daily specials are being presented every day. Tasty and f
Ham Ham bei Josef
Very good and varied food, and magnificent attention.
Schweine Janes Altstadt
A great place to taste the flavors of a good simple cuisine that evokes the stories of the old city. Small restaurant with freshly roasting
Ludwigs Bier&Brot
The drinks and the food are very good and it has reasonable prices.
Ess-Klasse
Fresh home made food Fast, delicious and varied lunch menu. The stews and soups are recommended. The atmosphere is appropriate
Pizzeria Am Medienhafen
The pizzas taste very good. The ambience is modern with two super nice owners.
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $
Rheingoldhotel Düsseldorf City
Family-run hotel in the city centre between the Central Train Station and the Oldtown.
Hilton Düsseldorf
Renovated traditional hotel in the north of Düsseldorf.
- $
Ibis Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof
A clean hotel with the basic equipment. The hotel is situated in the central railway station which also is the hub for local transportation,
InterCity Hotel Düsseldorf
Next to the main station, easy access to all sightseeing spots.
Innside Premium Hotel Derendorf
Hotel in the north of Düsseldorf.
Shopping
- Breuninger
- Kaufhof an der Kö
- KÖ Galerie
- Mayersche Droste
- Karstadt
- Galeria Kaufhof
Museums & culture
- Theatermuseum
- City Monument
- Schifffahrtmuseum Düsseldorf
In pictures
Düsseldorf gallery
Photos: Dirk Eubel from Berlin, GraphyArchy, Onderkokturk — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Düsseldorf travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Düsseldorf?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Düsseldorf?
Plan at least 2 days in Düsseldorf for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Düsseldorf?
Popular stays in Düsseldorf include Rheingoldhotel Düsseldorf City, Hilton Düsseldorf, Ibis Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Düsseldorf cost?
On the ground in Düsseldorf (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 45–75 per person per day, mid-range about 100–220, and luxury about 255–420+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Düsseldorf, Germany. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
