Stroll down the lively River Rhine promenade to the Media Harbour, Düsseldorf's Frank Gehry-designed creative district. Then sip dark Alt beer in the Old Quarter's buzzing brewery pubs. Watch the city's chic set from Königsallee's elegant cafes and discover the works of Beuys at the striking K20 Art Museum. Revisit Düsseldorf to discover the full Rococo splendour of Benrath Palace.
Düsseldorf's quaint Old Quarter nestles just east of the magnificent River Rhine. Follow the river southwards to the vibrant Burgplatz square, the 787-foot-high Rhine Tower and the futuristic Media Harbour district. The city centre hosts Düsseldorf's array of art museums and galleries, led by the Art Academy, where Beuys and Klee used to teach. Head south for the 18th-century Benrath Palace, built as a grand summer residence for the art-obsessed elector Karl Theodor.
Start your day in a busy riverside cafe on the River Rhine embankment and marvel at the Gehry architecture of the Media Harbour district. Browse the exclusive designer shops lining Düsseldorf's glamorous Königsallee boulevard, locally known simply as Kö. The beautifully kept Hofgarten park is great for a break. After seeing Klee and Picasso at the K20 Art Museum, check out the contemporary art at sister gallery K21. For dinner, sample traditional marinated Rhenish Sauerbraten braised beef in a lively Alt-beer pub in the charming Old Quarter.
Jump on a boat and see the city from the River Rhine. Leave Königsallee behind and discover the quirky fashion shops hiding in the Old Quarter, Shadowstrasse's department stores, and the delicatessen on Karlsplatz square. Afterwards, relax in the lush gardens of Düsseldorf's Rococo marvel Benrath Palace, or explore Little Tokyo, Düsseldorf's Japanese district, sprawling around Immermannstrasse. Fancy a treat? There's Michelin-starred cuisine in genteel Kaiserwerth in the far north, and frequent performances at the German Opera on the Rhine.
Düsseldorf International Airport flies over 18 million passengers a year from its modern terminal and offers a hassle-free travel experience. Frequent trains take you the 7.5km journey into central Düsseldorf in just 10 minutes.
