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- Dusseldorf
Düsseldorf city breaks
Make your Düsseldorf holiday unforgettable with our ultimate city guide. Discover top attractions, hidden gems, and expert tips to make the most of your Eurostar city trip.
Düsseldorf holidays and city breaks
At the meeting of the Rhine and Düssel, Düsseldorf blends modern style with historic charm, lively arts, and its famous Altbier. With over half the city as green space, parks buzz with activity, while top-tier shopping and dynamic galleries invite exploring on foot or by bike.
Arrive from Brussels in just 2 hours 16 mins with Eurostar and start discovering the city immediately—with room to bring home plenty of souvenirs thanks to our generous luggage allowance. Find out everything you need to know about your next city break to Düsseldorf.
Things to see and do in Düsseldorf
Königsallee
Anyone who is anyone in fashion (including the likes of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Hermès, Chanel and Dior) has a store on Königsallee (known as ‘the Ko’) – one of the most upmarket shopping streets in Europe. Fashion boutiques and luxury shops fill the one-mile boulevard, which has a canal at its centre and attracts shoppers from around the globe.
Altstadt
The buzzing Altstadt is home to many of the city’s landmark historical sights include St. Lambertus Church, dating back to 1206, the Renaissance-style Rathaus, and the Schlossturm, a remnant of the castle built here in the 16th century.
Museums
Düsseldorf has huge clout in terms of culture. Alongside the 100-plus museums and galleries across the city, there are spectacular classical music and dance offerings. The K20 Grabbeplatz shows major works by Matisse, Mondrian, Picasso and Pollock, while the K21 showcases contemporary art in the former 19th-century parliament building. Art is in the veins of Düsseldorf, and you’ll even find creative installations in the city’s subway, in six stations, from Wehrhahn to the city centre.
Opera, theatre and architecture
Düsseldorf delivers world-class culture through its theatre, opera, and bold architecture. Landmark designs like the Gehry buildings in the MedienHafen and the Kö-Bogen define the city’s striking skyline. Culture lovers can enjoy major performances, from Opera on the Rhine’s imaginative productions to cutting-edge theatre at the Schauspielhaus. You can even visit the house where poet Heinrich Heine was born.
Best places to eat and drink in Düsseldorf
Pubs, bars and breweries
Altstadt is often referred to as ‘the longest bar in the world”. Covering half a square kilometre, it has more than 300 pubs, cocktail bars, restaurants, breweries and clubs. The local beer, a dark malty brew named Alt, is served in quarter-pint glasses as opposed to the Pilsner Tulips or litre glasses used in other parts of Germany. Aside from the old town party quarter, the Rheinuferpromenadei is a popular café and beer garden-lined embankment to wander and people watch.
Little Tokyo
Fine dining is abundant in Düsseldorf, which has a grand total of 40 Michelin-recommended restaurants, but it’s also home to the third largest Japanese community in Europe. 'Little Tokyo' has some of the best ramen you’ll eat outside Asia, plus plenty of izakayas (Japanese pubs) serving Japanese delights.
Local food specialties
Düsseldorf’s vibrant Japanese food scene sits alongside hearty local classics. Try Rheinischer Sauerbraten, a marinated pot roast, or the deceptively named Halve Hahn—actually a buttered rye roll with Gouda, mustard, pickles, and onions. Another favorite is Himmel und Erde (“Heaven and Earth”), a comforting mix of mashed potatoes, apples, and sausage. All pair perfectly with Düsseldorfer Altbier, the city’s traditional copper-coloured brew.
Best shopping and nightlife in Düsseldorf
Boutiques and concept stores in Düsseldorf
Explore boutiques beyond the main shopping streets in Flingern, Unterbilk, Carlstadt, and the Altstadt, each filled with unique shops and emerging designers. Visit the concept store APROPOS for a curated selection of men’s and women’s brands. For vintage finds, head to Broke, stocked with labels like Carhartt, Vans, G-Star, Acronym, and Adidas. Craving something sweet? Stop in Flingern Nord at Café Huftgold, famous for its daily selection of homemade cakes.
Shopping centres and malls
If you prefer the convenience of shops and food options under one roof, Düsseldorf has plenty to offer. Shadow-Arkaden features around 60 stores in the heart of the city, the Kaufhof an der Ko has been an iconic department store, while Sevens on the iconic Königsallee adds fashion, electronics, and a food court. Don’t miss Breuninger, a 15,000-square-metre destination for clothing, sportswear, and beauty. And for great bargains, stop by the Zalando outlet store.
Vibrant nightlife
From Altstadt’s lively bars to late-night dance spots, Düsseldorf promises a full weekend out. For a sip of history, visit Schumacher, one of the city’s oldest breweries. Music lovers can explore an eclectic scene: Salon des Amateurs is known for its avant-garde electronic sets, while Nachtresidenz offers a glamorous night beneath chandeliers. For skyline views, head to Lucy’s Sky, where cocktails and upbeat tracks create the perfect atmosphere for dancing under the stars.
Best time to visit Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is inviting year-round, but May–September is ideal. In spring, parks bloom and warmer days invite leisurely strolls. Summer offers long daylight, outdoor concerts, open-air films, and lively evenings by the Rhine. Autumn brings fewer crowds and often lower prices. For festive magic, visit between late November and early January, when Christmas markets glow and mulled wine warms the season.
How to get to Düsseldorf
Thalys is becoming Eurostar, bringing you more routes and easier connections to Düsseldorf – including direct trains from Paris.
Your journey from Brussels to Düsseldorf
In just 2 hours 15 minutes, you can travel from Brussels to Düsseldorf, arriving right in the heart of the city. Be sure to arrive at the station at least 20 minutes before departure to leave plenty of time to find your platform. Pack plenty of clothes with our generous luggage allowance and sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey in comfort.
Practical info
Address: Konrad-Adenauer-Platz 14, 40210
Finding your way: See map (opens in a new tab) (opens a PDF) to orientate yourself when you arrive.
Phone number: +49 211 3680 1888
Facilities: Car park, bike park, luggage lockers, free wifi
Lost and found: Find out more on our Lost Property page if you’ve lost something.
Public transport: On Eurostar’s trains across Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany you can buy your ticket for public transport at the Eurostar Café, at the same price as buying a single ticket at the ticket desk. Search for details of your onward journey using public transport (opens in a new tab)
Connecting trains: Check timetables in real time for your connecting trains (opens in a new tab)
Airport connections: Düsseldorf International Airport
Best day trips from Düsseldorf
From Düsseldorf, with Eurostar the Rhine region is at your fingertips, making it easy to turn your trip into a series of exciting day trips. Discover the historic charm of Aachen with its stunning cathedral, or experience Cologne’s iconic skyline dominated by its world-famous cathedral and vibrant cultural scene. Explore Duisburg’s unique harbor district, Essen’s industrial heritage and modern art, or Dortmund’s lively markets and football culture. Each city offers its own story, architecture, and flavors—perfect for adding variety and adventure to your Düsseldorf getaway.
FAQs
Travelling from Brussels to Düsseldorf takes 2hr 16mins.
Düsseldorf is famous for its vibrant mix of modern style and historic charm. The city is a hub for fashion and design, with the iconic Königsallee shopping street and a thriving arts scene. It’s also known for its riverside promenades along the Rhine, traditional Altbier, lively festivals, and unique architecture, including the striking Gehry buildings in the MedienHafen. Düsseldorf’s combination of culture, cuisine, and cutting-edge style makes it a standout destination in Germany.
Absolutely! Düsseldorf is perfect for a weekend trip. Its compact city center makes it easy to explore on foot or by bike, from the historic Altstadt with its lively bars to the modern MedienHafen and stylish shopping streets. You can enjoy world-class theatre, opera, and striking architecture, relax in green parks, and sample local Altbier and cuisine. With day-trip options to nearby cities in the Rhine region, Düsseldorf offers a full, varied experience in just a few days.
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