Autumn is the most beautiful and romantic time of the year. The trees are vibrant with colour, the grey and heavy skies overhead are philosophical, and the park lanes littered with yellow leaves are perfect for a leisurely stroll. October is a time for cosy evenings, hot coffee, plaid and breathtaking scenery. A visit to Germany's 'little Paris', the mysterious and beautiful Düsseldorf, completes the list.
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Holidays in Düsseldorf in October: pros and cons
The great thing about Germany is that it can be visited all year round, without the heat or the bitter cold, as there are hardly any sudden changes in temperature. Reviews of holidays in Düsseldorf in October are full of nostalgia for the cosy city streets, impressive architecture and warm German hospitality.
Why visit Düsseldorf in October?
- Attractions and excursions. Germany is a treasure trove of unique historical monuments, unusual architectural objects and simply incredibly beautiful places. Excursions are usually the main goal of tourists who choose Düsseldorf as their holiday destination.
- No heat. If you don't like the heat, October is a good time to go.
- German beer and bratwurst. German beer is legendary all over the world and some people travel to Germany just for gastronomic tourism.
The only thing that can spoil your holiday at this time of year is the onset of a period of heavy rain. November showers are still a long way off, but the warmth of September is now gone. Rainy, overcast weather is therefore a downer for many.
Düsseldorf weather in October
Germany's perfect season fulfils every idea of what autumn should be like. The weather in Düsseldorf in October and November is mostly cloudy and rainy, the trees have not yet shed their lush crowns but have long since turned from green to yellow and purple.
The weather in early October is so far more like a sunny, mild September. There are often bright blue skies in the sunshine and no puddles on the pavements.
In mid-October, the temperatures in Düsseldorf start to drop. The streets get colder, grey, leaden clouds appear overhead and the wind rips coats and scarves out of suitcases.
The weather in Düsseldorf at the end of October is getting closer and closer to a damp, overcast November. It rains more and more often, so it's best not to go out without an umbrella.
Air and water temperature
Düsseldorf's moderate continental climate ensures that there are no sudden changes in temperature. The weather changes gently and gradually, with moderately warm summers and not too cold winters. Autumn is characterised by frequent rainfall, fog and occasional thunderstorms.
Air temperature in Düsseldorf in October
The average daytime temperature in Düsseldorf in October is +13.9°C. It gets cooler at night, with the thermometer dropping to +9.3°C.
Amount of precipitation
October is considered to be a rainy month, with humidity levels particularly high in the latter part of the month. On average, 47.4 mm of rain falls in the middle of autumn.
Sunny, cloudy, overcast days
The second month of autumn offers tourists both clear skies and grey clouds, depending on whether you visit Düsseldorf at the beginning or end of the month. In October, 35% of the days are sunny and there are usually just as many cloudy days.
Beaches in Dusseldorf
You don't come to this city to lie on the beach. However, there are beautiful lakes in the suburbs where you can enjoy the peace and quiet, breathe in the fresh air and simply admire the beauty of Germany's autumnal nature.
Erkrath Lake
There is a regular bus service from the town. The lakeshore is free to visit. You can hire a boat or just walk along the beach. There are slides and swings for children.
Unterbacher See
It is an excellent recreational area close to the city. In summer the beach is full of people. In October, weather permitting, you can take a boat trip on the lake.
Tour holidays in Düsseldorf
Long walks are best in early October, when the weather is not so damp and rainy.
Kalkum Castle
Perhaps no other country in the world has as many castles and historic ruins as Germany. If you are in Düsseldorf, be sure to visit Schloss Kalkum. This majestic structure was built in the 19th century but has retained its elegance to this day.
The baroque castle is square, with towers at the corners. Inside the castle is a picturesque English-style park.
Benrath Palace
It is Düsseldorf's calling card and a popular tourist destination. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architecture of the palace is a mixture of styles — rococo elements are gently combined with classical motifs. Benrath is a place of such grandeur and beauty that it is impossible to leave.
Photo: pixabay.com
Ruins of the Imperial Palace(Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth)
The once beautiful castle was blown up in 1702 during the War of the Spanish Succession. All that remains for tourists to see are the ruins of the legendary Kaiserswerth. Archaeological excavations were carried out here for a long time, but today the remains of the castle are closed to antiquity seekers, but the remaining castle walls are happy to tell their story to visitors.
Towards the end of October, the rain comes and goes, so you might want to take a guided tour indoors. Düsseldorf's museums are endless. There the Heinrich Heine Museum (born in Düsseldorf), the Kunstpalast Art Museum and even the fun Mustard Museum, where you can taste different types of mustard.
Photo: kaiserpfalz-kaiserswerth.de
If you are coming to Düsseldorf with children, be sure to visit the following places:
- Wildpark Dusseldorf. The wildlife sanctuary is located 10 km from the city and the animals are not confined to their cages, so holidaymakers can pet and feed them in peace.
- Aquazoo. A variety of animals and fish can be seen here. There is also a lake and a beautiful Japanese garden.
Holidays, events, festivals
Despite their reputation as a pedantic nation, Germany's festivals and events are colourful and lavish. The Düsseldorf festival in October will keep tourists busy for a long time.
German Unity Day
On 3 October, German Unity Day is celebrated throughout Germany. During the day there are rallies, charity events and various cultural activities on the streets, while in the evening the sky is lit up with flashes of fireworks.
End of the harvest
At the beginning of October, the country's religious population celebrates Thanksgiving, which marks the harvest. A pagan version of this event is Kirmes (the third Sunday in October), which is celebrated differently in each region.
Germans celebrate the holiday with fairs and public festivals. The end of the harvest is symbolised by a straw effigy with a bottle of schnapps, which is buried at the beginning of October and carried through the town on the third Sunday of the second autumn month.
In Düsseldorf, the festival has taken on a new dimension: from late summer to late autumn, it is celebrated at weekends with rides and street food.
Halloween
One of Germany's favourite holidays has recently become Halloween, which is traditionally celebrated on 31 October. The streets of the city are filled with all manner of 'evil spirits', little children go from door to door asking in eerie voices, 'Trick or treat? "Trick or treat?" and Düsseldorf's various venues offer a rich programme of entertainment.
Cost of vacation in October
Tourists come to Germany all year round, but in the autumn the influx of foreigners slows down as many do not want to spend their holidays in mackintoshes and under umbrellas. As a result, prices in Düsseldorf in October are quite reasonable and you can even have a budget holiday. Tours in Germany are not very popular at this time of year, so you can usually find independent tourists on the streets of the city.
Photo: pixabay.com
Airfares
Airfares in October are 3% lower than a month earlier. In November, airfares will rise by 14%.
Accommodation
Hotel prices in October remain at the same level as in September. The average price per room per night is €150. In November, the cost goes up.
Meals and transfers
Germany's public transport system is impeccable. Germans are famous for their punctuality, so you can check the clock on buses here. High-tech trams, buses, electric trains and underground trains crisscross the city.
You can use the same tickets for all forms of public transport. It's also easy to hail a taxi (from around €5 for a single journey, €2.2 per kilometre) or hire a car.
From the airport you can get to the city centre by taxi (from €25) or by S-Bahn train (€3.1).
For food, dinner for two in a restaurant (excluding alcohol) is around €60-80, a McDonald's snack is around €10 per person, a cappuccino is €3-4 and a bottle of local beer is around €4-5.
Photo: pixabay.com
What to wear in Düsseldorf
If you are travelling to Düsseldorf in mid autumn, leave all your summer clothes at home. Instead, take jackets, sweaters, trousers and a few pairs of shoes. The most important tourist item at this time of year is an umbrella. If you are travelling in late October, you may even want to bring rubber boots, as it often rains during this time of year.
Tips for holidays with children
Parents and children will feel right at home in Düsseldorf — the city is well equipped for families with young children, there are ramps for prams almost everywhere, there are plenty of playrooms in shopping centres, and cafés and restaurants offer highchairs for babies.
The best time to travel with babies is early October, when it's still warm and sunny. Rainy, overcast days, of which Düsseldorf has plenty towards the end of the month, are not ideal for travelling with babies.
Napoleon called the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia "little Paris", Heinrich Heine exclaimed: "The city of Düsseldorf is very beautiful!" and many tourists who have been here promise to return. Our children's tour of this fascinating city will give you an idea of the best places to visit for young travellers.
