Düsseldorf is a huge city, a major industrial, transport and cultural center in western Germany, not often mentioned in travel guides — and for good reason! It has the trendiest boutiques, abundant restaurants, and the liveliest streets. If you want to visit the mysterious, stylish, and splendid Düsseldorf, choose the spring and summer seasons. It is the best time of year to walk the streets.
There are exciting things to do for children and adults alike. You will have the opportunity to see the most hidden corners of the city, and after visiting them, you can tell your friends interesting facts about Düsseldorf! You won't be bored!
Fact 1: Radschläger is an unusual symbol of the city
The city's symbol is the Radschläger, 'the boy who does the cartwheel.' Doing the cartwheel is probably one of the oldest and most original customs in Düsseldorf, whose origin is not precisely known, but a version does exist. The most prevalent version has to do with the Battle of Worringen. Count Adolf defeated the Archbishop of Cologne in 1288, and Düsseldorf was incorporated as a town. The townsfolk, especially the children, entered the streets and started doing cartwheels joyfully.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when numerous town fairs and exhibitions were very popular, enterprising children earned money with their cartweel skills by performing in front of spectators for a penny.
But the public's enthusiasm for the cartwheel did not end there. Since 17 October 1937, the city has hosted the annual World Cartwheel Competition. The competition takes place in June and attracts up to 500 boys and girls.
Fact 2: Düsseldorf is religious and diverse
The cosmopolitan city is home to Catholics and Protestants, Jews and Muslims, Buddhists and Orthodox Christians. Düsseldorf is home to Europe's largest Japanese community (around 8,000 Japanese live in the city), has Japanese schools and a Japanese consulate, and hosts an annual celebration of Japanese culture.
More than 500 representative offices of various Japanese companies are located in Düsseldorf. The city has 154 Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and other churches. The city is home to the Basilica of St Lambert, a 13th-century Catholic church, a fantastic structure shrouded in mystery.
Fact 3: A city with its own style
The first Fashion fair was held in Düsseldorf in 1949. Since then, the city has been considered the fashion capital of Germany and Europe. Young, talented designers have fallen in love with the city, which is why fashion weeks, fashion shows, and fashion shoots are often held here. Tourists can find a hundred fashion boutiques, 800 showrooms, and 3,000 brand outlets on the city's main streets.
Fact 4: Düsseldorf is not a city for the poor
Düsseldorf is one of Germany's top 5 economic and cultural centers. "Little Paris," as Napoleon once called Düsseldorf, is considered one of the most expensive cities in Germany. Property prices have risen by 62% between 2009 and 2019.
Fact 5: A small architectural masterpiece
Situated on the banks of the Rhine, Benrath Palace, with its park, ponds, and orangery, is a great place to spend time outdoors. The palace grounds are often the venue for the world's most famous and prestigious exhibitions, spectacular concerts, glittering festivals and Hollywood film shoots. Schloss Benrath is also the site of fascinating guided tours and even weddings, so on wedding days (Wednesday and Thursday mornings), the museum is closed to the general public.
Fact 6: The longest bar in the world — Längste Theke der Welt
The Düsseldorfer Altstadt is known as "the longest bar in the world" (längste Theke der Welt). There are over 200 bars, pubs and cafes in the area. Each one flows seamlessly into the next, with only one type of beer, but it's excellent! The pubs vary in exterior, interior and atmosphere. Beer lovers will feel like they're in heaven!
Fact 7: The city's most fun street — the exotic street of painted houses on Kiefernstrasse or Pine Street
On this street, you can see how graffiti transforms grey buildings into cheerful and optimistic structures with their original design and history. There is a crossword puzzle house, a construction house, a portrait house, and even a protest house. As many places have a children's theme, a stroll along Kiefernstrasse will also interest the little ones. Tourists lucky enough to visit this magical street speak of an unforgettable experience. For a while, they are transported into a fairytale atmosphere.
Fact 8: The Goethe Museum is a special place where the writer's spirit lives on
Opened in 1956, the museum, with its unique exhibits (mainly from the private collection of the Kippenbergs), has quickly become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The museum's highlight is a collection of minerals collected by the poet himself. The collection is spread over 11 rooms in the museum.
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Fact 9. An unusual bunker church
There are many cathedrals and churches in the city, but the Sankt Sacrament Church, or Bunker, stands out for its appearance and purpose. It is considered a place of artistic creativity, as art exhibitions are often held here.
Fact 10: Medienhafen is the city's most creative district
Welcome to Medienhafen for fun and original photos! This unusual business district of the city is famous for its authentic, ultra-modern and creative buildings. The irregular shapes of the buildings don't prevent them from fulfilling their functions. There are "dancing" and "drunken" houses, cannery houses and shipwrecks. You'll see little men attacking the building on one of the houses. The highlight of the futuristic district is the curved steel house.
Fact 11: A city for gourmets!
Düsseldorf is a city where you can eat and drink in cafes and restaurants without fear. The food is delicious (especially sausages and beef), and the service is first-class. Several restaurants have one or even two Michelin stars. For example, the 2-star Im Schiffchen is worth a memorable trip to Düsseldorf! It is considered to be one of the best restaurants in Germany. Come to Im Schiffchen for delicious food and high-quality service!
Fact 12: The Rhine television tower and its revolving restaurant
It is the tower that all tourists try to visit during their trip to Düsseldorf. The building is 234 metres high. The tower stands on an elevated site, and its panoramic windows give a good view of the promenade, the media harbour and the government building. The highlight of the tower is a revolving restaurant and a high-speed lift that takes you up to 180 metres in just a few minutes!
Fact 13: Unusual manhole covers
Like almost all German cities, Düsseldorf has its manholes. Unlike many other cities, the shape of the manholes here is square. These covers are fused with the image of a sculpture, which is the identifying symbol of the city.
It's impossible to tell you everything about Düsseldorf in one article. In time, you'll deeply sympathise with the city and its people. The town is charming, even if, at first glance, it seems gloomy, grey and unpleasant.
