One day in Düsseldorf isn’t enough time to experience all that the city has to offer, but you’ll be able to see the main attractions! This detailed itinerary shares the top places to visit in Düsseldorf on a day trip.
This post contains affiliate links, from which we may receive a commission. You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.
Düsseldorf is a lesser-known gem that many foreigners overlook when planning a trip to Germany.
It’s the fashion capital of Germany, as well as the birthplace of the famous writer Heinrich Heine. Düsseldorf also boasts the largest Japanese population in Germany, and the food scene here is unbeatable!
In this detailed itinerary, I’ll be sharing the top places to visit in Düsseldorf if you’ve only got one day.
Whether taking a day trip from neighboring Cologne, Duisburg, or Essen, or stepping off a Rhine cruise ship for the day, here are the things you simply have to do in order to say that you’ve “seen” Düsseldorf.
Claire’s Tip: Düsseldorf makes a unique contrast to its grittier neighbor, Cologne, and if possible I suggest visiting both while you’re in Western Germany.
Table of Contents
Click “show” to see the full table of contents for this post. You can jump around the post as desired by clicking on the individual sections listed below.
Claire’s Tip: Getting Around Düsseldorf
The places mentioned on this itinerary are all easy to reach on foot, and I purposely listed the stops in a way that makes the most sense if walking from attraction to attraction.
However, you can opt to purchase a day ticket for city’s local transportation (costs 8.80 Euros). Düsseldorf’s public transportation is operated by Rheinbahn, and you can download their app before your visit to make booking tickets easier.
Stop 1: Carlsplatz Market
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm Monday – Friday, 8am to 4pm Saturday, closed Sunday
Start your day trip to Düsseldorf as you mean to go on — with some fantastic local food!
The roughly 60 stalls in the city’s oldest operating market sell an abundance of fresh produce, freshly caught fish, cut flowers, handmade cheeses, and so much more.
If a rabbit’s breakfast of fresh fruit and veg doesn’t appeal to you first thing in the morning, load up on pastries from Pure Pastry (don’t fret, they sell coffee and tea too for those of you who can’t get by without a cuppa first thing in the morning!).
Saftladen also sells fresh-pressed juices and smoothies, should you be looking for something a little lighter.
Claire’s Tip: Check the Carlsplatz Market website for a map of the market (my favorite stalls have gotten shuffled around between visits to Düsseldorf before). Also note that the market is largely cash-only.
Stop 2: Old Town (Altstadt)
Spanning a mere half-kilometer, Düsseldorf’s Old Town is one of the smallest I’ve visited in Germany (and I’ve been to many!).
Don’t worry, there’s still quite a bit to do and see despite its small size!
To reach the Old Town from Carlsplatz Market, head north along Berger Straße. When the street becomes Marktstraße, you’ll know you’re mere steps from the picturesque Marktplatz (Market Square).
Düsseldorf’s 452-year-old Old Town Hall is located on the Marktplatz, and the city’s main Christmas market is set up around the lovely Jan-Wellem equestrian statue in the center of the square each December.
After admiring the town hall and square, window shop your way along Burgplatz on your way to the historic St. Lambertus Basilica.
Local legend says that the basilica’s spires got their unique twisted appearance from the Devil himself — he tried to uproot the church … but failed.
Claire’s Tip: You’ll notice quite a few shops in the Old Town selling local products. Düsseldorf is known for its Altbier, which is a kind of top-fermented beer you won’t find anywhere else. The Aechter Düsseldorfer Mostert (“Real Düsseldorf Mustard”) is another local specialty and makes a great souvenir from your day in Düsseldorf!
Stop 3: Königsallee
Named to appease King Friedrich Wilhelm IV following a disastrous 1848 visit where locals threw manure at him, “King’s Alley” is a must-visit while in Düsseldorf.
The Königsallee is German luxury shopping at its finest. A tree-lined canal runs through the center of the shopping boulevard, with the Triton Fountain at the northern end providing the perfect backdrop for photos.
Even if you don’t pop into any of the high-end stores along the Königsallee, it’s still worth strolling along the canal.
Claire’s Tip: Be sure to pop into the Müller & Böhm Bookstore (Bolkerstraße 53) en route to the Königsallee. This house is where the famous German writer and poet Heinrich Heine was born!
Stop 4: Media Harbor (MedienHafen)
Once you reach the end of the Königsalle, you can catch a bus from Graf Adolf Platz or take the subway from the D-Graf-Adolf-Platz U Bahn station to reach the MedienHafen.
Düsseldorf’s “Media Harbor” was once a bustling harbor. Today, nearly 700 companies have offices here.
What makes the MedienHafen so unique is its blend of modern and postmodern architecture.
The most famous trio of buildings can be found at the site of the former customs building, now called the Neuer Zollhof. Here you’ll see the fantastic structures that were designed by American-Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry.
Other famous architects you’ll see represented around the MedienHafen include David Chipperfield, Joe Coenen, Steven Holl and Claude Vasconi.
(Have no clue who any of these people are? Consider booking a guided tour of the MedienHafen to learn all about it!)
Stop 5: Rhein Tower
Opening hours: 10am to midnight (observation deck only)
Price: 12.50 Euros, with discounts for children, teens, and seniors (book tickets in advance here)
One last thing you have to do during your day in Düsseldorf is head up the Rhein Tower for a spectacular view of the city from above.
The 240-meter high tower was finished in 1982, and from the M168 observation deck you can see as far as the Cologne Cathedral on a clear day!
The observation deck can get a little crowded during peak season, so be sure to book your tickets in advance to avoid any lines.
Stop 6: Little Tokyo
Finish your day in Düsseldorf as you started it — with food!
Little Tokyo is home to Germany’s largest Japanese population. This entire neighborhood is packed with amazing Japanese restaurants, specialty boutiques, and grocery stores.
You’ll want to fuel up before heading back to the train station, and I suggest strolling along Dusseldorf’s “Japanese restaurant mile” (Immermannstrasse and Klosterstrasse) to find somewhere to eat.
Some of the most popular Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo are Takumi (Immermannstraße 28), Naniwa Noodles & Soups (Oststraße 55), and Takezo (Immermannstraße 48).
Claire’s Tip: If you have time before your train leaves, head to Takagi (Immermannstraße 31). It’s the oldest Japanese bookstore in Europe!
Map of the Places Mentioned in This Itinerary
Excited to Spend a Day in Düsseldorf?
As you can see from this itinerary, there’s lots to do in Düsseldorf in a day.
If you have any questions about what to do during your visit to Germany’s fashion capital, leave me a comment below and I’ll happily do my best to answer!
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!
Leave A Reply!