Six Experiences that Should Not Be Missed on Your Düsseldorf Vacation

All we say is: slurp ramen, get a head for heights, relax on the city beach

The list of ideas on how you would like to spend your time off in Düsseldorf is endless? From A for Aquazoo to Z for (New) Zollhof? That's right, the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia has so many attractions that you'd be better off thinking about moving instead of going on holiday. If that has to wait for various reasons: start by enjoying a series of the most typical Düsseldorf to-dos. This will give you a first impression of the city's diversity and when you leave, you'll long to come back as soon as possible. Sounds good, right?! 

Watching passers-by in a café on the Kö 

Does the name Anna Wintour mean anything to you? The legendary editor-in-chief of the US fashion bible "Vogue" almost always wears sunglasses at fashion shows. Why? This allows you to critically observe the collections and their details without anyone noticing. If you're planning on doing something similar in Düsseldorf, there's no better place than the legendary shopping street Königsallee, affectionately known as "Kö". Sit down in one of the many cafés - perhaps "Rosalie's Café" (Königsallee 1-9) - and enjoy a perfectly brewed coffee while watching the fashion fans from all over the world passing by and the trends they're wearing. Less crowded (especially on Fridays and Saturdays), but no less visually exciting, is the Hofgarten and there at "Pocchino Espresso" (Königsallee 2b). From this café you can also enjoy the best view of the passing crowd as well as the flora and fauna in and around the Northern Düssel.  

Hanging out in Saraceno's net 

Coffee drunk, breakfast eaten? Then take a short digestive walk through the Hofgarten before you devote yourself to art and culture. The tip to let the first meal of the day sink in a little is not without reason - because in the K21 art collection (Ständehausstraße 1) you will be taken to dizzying heights! In fact, you will quickly find yourself in a work made of almost transparent steel nets by the Argentinian artist Tomás Saraceno. "In orbit" turns you into temporary Spiderman at a height of more than 25 meters (even if the protective suit provided by the museum is less Hollywood-like, but safety comes first!). Important: The K21 advises that you wear shoes with a strong profile when entering the spectacular installation, such as trekking shoes. Then nothing will stand in the way of your knees shaking like never before, including a whole new feeling of freedom. There is no more adrenaline rush in the early morning! 

Slurping Ramen in Little Tokyo 

Phew, take a deep breath! Celebrate your courage for conquering every fear (of heights) at K21 with a really good lunch. And where would you find this if not in Düsseldorf's Japanese quarter!? Whether it's extra fresh sushi, crispy karaage or juicy rice balls, no culinary wish remains unfulfilled around Immermannstrasse. One highlight among many: Ramen! The strong broth, often served with yakibuta (pork ham), negi, i.e. spring onions, or gyoza, can be enjoyed in various restaurants, with each restaurant sharing one thing in common with all the others: the seats fill up so quickly that you can hardly bat your eyelashes twice. So if possible, get there before rush hour between 12 and 1 p.m. or bring a little time to wait, because it's worth it. Once you have a bowl of steaming soup in front of you, with tender pieces of meat, golden miso egg and the finest of noodles floating in it, you will understand the daily (!) rush for your favorite dish. It sounds a little spiritual, but: If you want to give your inner self a gift, slurp a plate full to the brim of this happiness in food at Takumi (Immermannstrasse 28), Café Rika (Gehrtstrasse 16) or Naniwa (Oststrasse 55), for example. 

A detour to Flingern, Oberbilk, Oberkassel  

Finally (again) in Düsseldorf, finally time to get to know the center very well. A great idea and yet maybe there is still a minute or two left to discover the parts of the city that are less familiar to you. We are thinking of Flingern with its inimitable charm, which is based on a little defiance of appearing too conformist. Or Unterbilk - specifically Lorettostrasse - with its many shops lovingly run by owners that offer unique things in both material and culinary terms. And of course Oberkassel, which positively confirms Düsseldorf's reputation for being très chic . Luegallee with the market on Barbarossaplatz and the surrounding top-notch restaurants, cafés and shops should make you a fan in no time. Try it out! 

Drink your first Alt in the beer garden in front of the Neanderkirche 

Anyone who has walked at least 10,000 steps through Düsseldorf will definitely be looking for refreshment in the form of beer. In Düsseldorf, you should definitely try the local specialty, Altbier, which is known far beyond the country's borders and is even admired worldwide. Produced by the local breweries Füchschen, Schumacher, Schlüssel, Uerige and Kürzer, among others, the top-fermented drink tastes particularly delicious because it is tart and refreshing. One of the most beautiful places to toast is the Neanderkirche in the old town (Bolkerstrasse 36). Built in 1687 in the Baroque style and named after the pastor and hymn writer Joachim Neander (1650-1680), the Schlüssel brewery uses the churchyard as a beer garden. What a setting, with a view of the hustle and bustle of the old town and with divine assistance, to taste your first Altbier! Don't miss the opportunity to marvel at the impressive organ in the Protestant church. Because of its design, it served as a model for a whole generation of subsequent instruments. 

Enjoying the sunset on the city beach 

Loud laughter, trusting whispers, deep gazes towards the object of desire: Düsseldorf's city beach provides the backdrop for many unforgettable evenings with friends and (temporarily) strangers - and at several locations. For example, settle down in the deck chairs at the Rheinknie Bridge, the Oberkassel Bridge or the Theodor-Heuss Bridge to "take the view of the Rhine with you" while enjoying a crispy bratwurst and a cold drink, only to enthusiastically join in with your family in the distance via video call. After all, joy shared is joy doubled, right?! At the Oberkassel Bridge, the city beach team also serves you "the finest live music", and all for free (you can find out about the program on the Instagram account @stadtstrandduesseldorf). Your relatives are probably already on their way to Düsseldorf in the meantime. 

Source & Image Credit: Düsseldorf