Kokova Magazine

Düsseldorf can often be overlooked as a tourist destination due to its reputation for business, finance, and as a fashion hub. However, it has a total of nine large parks, with countless gardens and smaller green spaces. In the Old Town you will find over 250 places to eat and drink. With a plethora of art galleries and museums within easy walking distance, and extensive accommodation options, Düsseldorf makes an ideal destination for a city-break.

Last month Sarah and I were invited* to explore the city and, as first-time visitors, arrived without preconceived expectations and left with a newfound appreciation for a city whose origins began as a small settlement. If you want time to immerse yourself in Düsseldorf and enjoy every corner, we recommend booking for a week or more.

Our 6am flights on a wet Monday morning ensured an early arrival, which landed us into blue skies and warmer weather. We planned to make the most of every minute and had three full days before our Thursday flight home. Since no one wants to read an hour-by-hour account of a city they have yet to visit, we're adding a round-up of our personal highlights. Having visited art galleries and shopping centres, taken riverside walks and historical town tours, and admired the evolving architecture, we walked till our feet said, 'no more' before taking advantage of the local transport system.

This review leaves so much unsaid yet includes some of the many interesting places visited during our stay. We fell in love - and can't wait to return for a longer stay.

At the HENRI Hotel we were based in the heart of Pempelfort, just a short walk away from the old town and main railway station. Our twin room had comfortable beds, a hot shower, and plenty of space - with funky 1970s decor. An average room cost of between 99 - 130 €. Clean, welcoming, and affordable with an abundant breakfast selection.

Food and Drink

1. Zum Schlüssel- an authentic piece of Düsseldorf with quick service and a concise menu. Interesting history, alongside the Altbier they serve. A great option for a hot lunch and beer.
2. Izakaya Bar is a tapas-style izakaya Small plates coupled with Sake in Little Tokyo. Everything is plant-based. The bar only opens on Monday (17:00-24:00) so I made the booking in advance. The Sake alone was worth the 'stand up dining' at the end of a busy day.
3. Kushi-Tei of Tokyoauthentic izakaya restaurant serving traditional Yakitori skewers, grilled over real charcoal and expertly crafted sushi prepared by a sushi master using fresh fish and premium seafood. The prices reflect the quality and the queues out the door are a telling feature.
4. Heimwerk is in Düsseldorf Old Town, offering classic veal and pork schnitzel, chicken schnitzel, schnitzel burgers, vegetarian, and vegan options. They also have Altbier on tap. We opted for the chicken schnitzel and an exceptionally good gluten-free beer. The atmosphere was relaxed and lunch unhurried.
5. Wilma Wunder. Just a few minutes' walk from the Old Town and the Rhine promenade, the restaurant and café are the perfect place for breakfast, lunch, coffee, and cake. We had lunch on our last day and enjoyed the gluten-free fitness noodles, coupled with Yuzu lemonade. The setting is light and bright, and the menu is fresh.
6. Isabella Patisserie. For fully gluten-free food to go, Isabella's offer breads, sandwiches, cakes, and bakes. It is in the heart of the Königsallee, where you will find all the high-end boutiques and stores. So good we went back twice for take-away.
7. Little Tokyo is crammed with restaurants and fast-food options. If you like Japanese food, then you will be sure to find plenty of choice here.

Not to be Missed

1. The Hofgarten, the inner-city green lung of the Rhine metropolis was established back in 1769. This was unexpected. So much green space in the heart of the city brimming with waterfowl, terrapins, birds, and flowers. Give yourself plenty of time to wander and relax, taking in the wonder that is nestled so close to the Rhine.
2. Rhine Tower. At 168 metres high, with a lift ascending at 4 m per second the Rhine Tower is a must-see. The views across the city are breathtaking, and the cocktails worth the speedy ride to the bar. We recommend visiting as the sun sets to appreciate the views below.
3. The Nordpark (North Park) is an extensive park slightly north of the city. It is easy to reach by train, or the Hop On bus. Besides the magnificent gardens, especially the Japanese section, it is home to the Aquazoo Löbbecke Museumwhich incorporates a natural history museum and aquarium in one. Plan to stay for the day if you want to get the most from your visit. There is so much to see and do in the Aquazoo and if the sun is shining you can wander the park, and picnic outside.
4. The Kö-Bogen II building is Europe's largest green facade with more than 30,000 hornbeams. Although it is brown in March, you can appreciate the effect for when the leaves turn green.

*This trip was hosted by VisitDüsseldorf, but all opinions are my own. We secured our own flights, and extra meals.

Altbier is usually a dark, copper colour. It is fermented at a moderate temperature using a top-fermenting yeast which gives its flavour some fruitiness. Because Altbier is then matured at a cooler temperature, its flavour is more akin to lager beer styles.

An izakaya is a casual Japanese drinking establishment that serves as a social hub for sharing small plates, often referred to as "Japanese pubs.”