You are not from Germany but you are in Düsseldorf for a business trip. And you consider Sightseeing Düsseldorf… what comes to your mind when you hear this ?
Altbeer, Altstadt…. maybe the rhine tower. But then it stops ?
Well, I believe you need somebody who truly loves the city, then you can enjoy the spirit of the city, too.
I travelled to multiple countries & cities in the world, I am always curious and really like many cities. I saw good tours and also not so good sightseeing tours.
I believe, a good sightseeing does not only depend on the city, it strongly depends on the guide. After seeing so many cities in the world, I want to give something back and (give my best) to offer “being a good guide” to -especially sporty- tourists that arrive in Düsseldorf.
But what to see and where to start ?
I would like to describe here my personal 5 Highlights that are “must does” when being in Düsseldorf
Sightseeing Düsseldorf Spot 1 – The Oldtown
Well… that is an easy and expected choice I guess? But yes, the hearth of the city beats here. If you want to experience Düsseldorf, you will tackle the old town with its unique culture. When I was 21 I described the difference between Düsseldorf and other cities: “If you are in any city in the world and want to party or drink a beer, you decide where to go, go there and enjoy the evening. If you are in Düsseldorf, you first go to the Oldtown and then you can decide what to do because everything is possible”.
This describes maybe more a feeling of a young guy and a bit less of the reality… but there is a deep truth in it. Bar next to bar, restaurantes and a lot of freedom to walk around offers you so many choices.
I’d love to tell you more about it in a personal talk, in a Sightrun – there are so many options and something for each taste.
But party & drinks are not everything there. You will find cute churches, you will find “the Schlossturm” and the big stairs with a beautiful view on the river. I believe at a certain point I will write a blog to show a “city walk” for Düsseldorf with my recommended places “togo”
Sightseeing Düsseldorf Spot 2 – Oberkassel & “The little Skyline”
There is a river in Düsseldorf, the Rhine. Without the Rhine Düsseldorf would not be the same city as it is. Now there are a few areas that are on the Western part of the Rhine (“Schäl sick”) while most of the city is on the Eastern part. I am born on the Schäl sick in Oberkassel and have a bias to that part.
The green grass, the river, the bridges, the view… It is nothing “big” or huge skyscrappers that get your attention – no, it is really a view into the hearth of the city over a river.
In the evening you see the Oldtown in shiny light and can drink a beer on the green grass.
During the day you can do there a long walk and enjoy the scenery.
And in some special times of the year, you will face the “Düsseldorfer Kirmes” exactly on that place.
During a sightrun, for sure I will show this place, where we can tell you also a story about a bridge that was being moved from one place to another 🙂
Sightseeing Düsseldorf Spot 3 – The Rhinepark (Rheinpark)
The Northern Part of the Rheinpark is located in walking distance of the old town. To me it was a not very beloved place – it was simply some green area that I never used. But in the past years I realized how much you can get there. It is nature, it is sports and it is events. And even culture ;-).
There are various pieces of art in the Rheinpark that you might not realize if you do not explicitly search for them.
The history of the park is quiete amazing, from a stomp area it developed to the place that we today can use for Sports.
Playing soccer or baseball even cricket and Baseball you see there or any other kind of sports. For sure everyday a high number of runners pass by this park.
Finally also the nature tells its stories here – a big storm called “Ela” in 2014 killed close to 50% of all trees in the park – old, big trees, I still miss them especially in summer when there is nowadays less shadow than it was in the years before.
Sightseeing Düsseldorf Spot 4 – MyClub, Fortuna Düsseldorf
If you want to feel how a city really beats – go with native people to a sport event. Don’t sit somewhere, no, go to the crowd and feel the spirit. Breathe the city!
This I love to do in other countries, in other cities…. and this I recommend also to you to do in Düsseldorf
I have to admit that the scenery changed in the recent years. It used to be one big crowd and very emotional with a lot of positive energy. In the recent years it calmed a bit down. Still completely peaceful, still with positive energy but not as loud as it was used to be. But things will also change again positively.
If you are in Düsseldorf and have the chance…. take it! The Arena (Merkur Spiel Arena AKA Rheinstadion) is easy to reach with the subway, you can get a very good beer in the stadium and even if you “only” sit somewhere in the arena, you will take something out of it. (Of course even better if you can get into the crowd :-))
Sightseeing Düsseldorf Spot 5 – The biggest digital watch in the world
The rhinetower from close up perspective
The Rhinetower…. of course, it must be one of the hightlights. Actually I MUST mention it because it is the spot that you use to identify Düsseldorf when you are approaching it from any direction. The first thing that you will see is always this long tower.
When I was doing hiking trips from any direction (Add links here, Jens 🙂), the TV tower was always coming in sight at a certain point and it generates a feeling: Coming home!
The tower itself -I fear- is not that beautiful but it has its secrets;
From outside the funny lights are actually a big watch – if you join us on a Sightrun, I will challenge myself and try to teach you this watch while we are running in less than 60 seconds. Furthermore there are from time to time laser shows that are really exceptional
Inside the tower you will have an amazing view over Düsseldorf. And not only that, on top you have also a restaurant with a really special feature: It has big panorama windows and while you are eating and sitting, the restaurant makes a 360 degree turn within 1 hour, hence you will have the chance to look into every direction without even moving.
Isn’t this amazing?
This is just my opinion – Jens (learn more about me if you fancy ;))
Anf of course, take the chance and book a sightrun with us!
But way more important:
What are your favorite spots?
