Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Dusseldorf?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Dusseldorf?
Most visitors spend two to three days in Dusseldorf when visiting. The historic city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the historic old town, the food, the museums and landmarks, and the big city activities.
Dusseldorf is located in western Germany and it's split by the Rhine River. On one side you'll find the city's old town (Altstadt) and on the other is a modern commercial district. The city has historic sights as well as Königsallee which is a popular shopping street.
Do you have one or two days to visit Dusseldorf? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Dusseldorf?
One day is generally not enough time to experience everything in Dusseldorf even though it's not huge. A shorter schedule may leave you feeling like you didn't fully get to browse around the old town, taste delicious cuisine, browse through museums, and discover the big city activities. To genuinely appreciate the best areas of the historic city, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for two to three days here. After all, Dusseldorf, a medium-sized city offering numerous sights and attractions, is fairy popular with visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend a day in Dusseldorf
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town is popular for its bars and pubs, which serve up the local altbier. The atmosphere is charming and there are restaurants that spill out onto the streets.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided Walking Tour in Dusseldorf ($22)
- Dusseldorf : Private Walking tour with A Guide (Private Tour) ($52)
- Dusseldorf: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App ($7)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. You'll find a mix of regional specialties and international restaurant options. Traditional dishes include Rheinischer Sauerbraten (Rhine style marinated roast), Haxe (shin), Flönz (blood sausage), and Ähzezupp (pea soup).
Dusseldorf is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. It's easy to explore most of the city on foot.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Dusseldorf?
To do everything that Dusseldorf has to offer, you'll need more than a weekend, but two or three days does allow you a bit more time to explore. You'll have a chance to experience at least some of the highlights. In addition to the great charming old town and fun food, visitors can enjoy the big city activities, nightlife, and shopping. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here, and we have some suggestions below.
Dusseldorf, Germany
How to spend 2 days in Dusseldorf
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Dusseldorf, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Dusseldorf is Altstadt (the Old Town), so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. You'll find the highest concentration of bars and pubs in the old town area. Try to find a brewerie where you can try Dusseldorf's famous altbier.
The public transit in Dusseldorf is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. All of the public transportation in town is operated by Rheinbahn. There's a city railway, (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses. Dusseldorf is also easily connected to the many other nearby towns and cities including Cologne.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Dusseldorf, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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