Germany is a vast and beautiful country that normally does not receive all the love it deserves. While Berlin is a fascinating, stunning city, travel westward and you’ll arrive in the city of Dusseldorf.
Dusseldorf has everything you want in a European city; 13th-century architecture, a thriving art scene, and a gorgeous river running right through the center. So dip your toe into something new and take a journey to Dusseldorf.
What to Do
Ironically, one of the trendiest spots in Dusseldorf is Altstadt or Old Town. The quaint narrow streets of Altstadt are juxtaposed with elegant stores and restaurants, along with some seriously incredible places to see art. Whether you just want to window shop or if you’re a night owl and you want to check out the pumping nightlife, Altstadt is a must.
While you’re in Altstadt, check out the Kunstsammlung Museum, also known as the K20. In this museum, you will find incredible works from famous painters like Klee and Dali, and many more contemporary and modern artists from within Germany and outside.
The Rhine River runs directly through Dusseldorf, and it really is quite pretty! If you want a free activity, just walk down it and enjoy the scenery. Or, if you don’t mind spending some money, you can actually take a short cruise down it, which is always a fun way to see the sites!
If views are super important to you, then get to new heights and climb the Rhine Tower. Though it does cost a small fee, it’s definitely worth it. The tower is over 240 meters high, which is almost 800 feet! The top-level has an all-glass observation deck where you get total views of the city, and on a clear day, you can even see the German city of Cologne. Best of all, there’s a restaurant inside the tower so if you want to dine with the best views of the city, you have that option.
What to Eat
If you want a peek into typical Dusseldorf fare, you have to try Dusseldorfer Senfrostbraten. This is a take on the German Sauerbraten, which is meat marinated in vinegar for several days and served with sauerkraut. In Dusseldorf, they change it up by smearing on their famous spicy mustard on top.
One of the best places to get it into the city is at Hausbrauerei Zum Schlüssel located in the Old Town. Though it’s definitely not for everyone, you should absolutely give it a shot, and if you don’t like it, Hausbrauerei Zum Schlüssel has plenty more traditional German dishes.
You might be surprised to find that some of the most authentic food in this German city is from Japan. There is a large Japanese community in Dusseldorf and with them an expansive Japanese cuisine. You can find many ramen and sushi restaurants, so definitely go ahead and try some because it’s pretty authentic as Japanese cuisine goes! Head over to the Japan Quarter and take your pick of restaurants.
