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Sightseeing Overview
Düsseldorf has no iconic attractions and the Rheinturm is its only major landmark. Its K20 Kunstsammlung NRW art collection is undoubtedly world class but the real attraction of the city is the Altstadt and its huge range of places to eat and drink, which has earned it the nickname of ‘the longest bar in the world.’ On a summer’s evening, when the whole Altstadt parties alfresco, the atmosphere is more akin to a Mediterranean resort than a north European banking metropolis.

An attractive promenade now runs the whole way from the Altstadt to the recently developed uber-trendy Media Hafen, featuring world-class architecture by Frank Gehry and co. When the sun shines the Altstadt riverfront is the place to be, boarding a river cruise, feasting on locally caught fish, drinking Düsseldorf Altbier or maybe chilling out with your feet in a mini paddling pool in the Havana Bar, listening to salsa while watching the Rhine barges passing to and fro.

Tourist Information
Düsseldorf Tourismus
Website: www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de

There are three tourist offices in the new city: at Immermannstr 65B, opposite the railway station (tel: (0211) 1720 2844); at Berliner Allee 33/corner with Steinstrasse (tel: (0211) 172 02841); and in the Altstadt at Burgplatz 2 (tel: (0211) 172 02840). 

Passes
The Düsseldorf Welcome Card gives free or discounted admission to most visitor attractions as well as unlimited travel within the city. Choose between 24-, 48- and 72-hour cards, all available for individuals or families.

Key Attractions:

Altstadt
In addition to the myriad eating and drinking opportunities don’t miss the charming 16th-century Rathausplatz (Town Hall Square), the churches of St Andreas and St Lambertus, the grotesque Battle of Worringen (1288) monument on the Burgplatz next to the tiny River Düssel and the quiet leafy southern part of the Old Town adjacent to Karlstadt.

Free admission.

Rheinturm (Rhine Tower)
An icon for the city, the 360-degree views from its large glass windows at 164m (538ft) take in the whole city and river; the extraordinary building immediately below is the new Landtag (regional parliament).

Stromstrasse 20
Tel: (0211) 863 2000.
Admission charge.

Media Hafen (Media Harbour)
This recently revitalized harbor is so named for its new tenants, who have colonized its striking waterside buildings, including designs by Frank Gehry; visit on a sightseeing cruise then come back for the nightlife.

Docks area
Free admission.

K20 Kunstsammlung NRW (Nordrhein-Westfalen Art Collection)
The superb permanent collection here features 20th-century masterpieces by Kandinsky, Matisse, Picasso, Mondrian, Klee and Kirchner, and American art after 1945 with works by Warhol, Rauschberg and Pollok; plus world-class temporary exhibitions.

Grabbeplatz 5
Tel: (0211) 838 1130.
Website: www.kunstsammlung.de
(Note: the gallery may be closed for renovation from early 2008 onwards, see website for details.)
Admission charge.

Museum Kunst Palast
The eclectic and extensive collections here comprise works from the Middle Ages, the Baroque period and the Düsseldorf School of Painting, right up to some startling contemporary artworks and cutting-edge temporary exhibitions.

Ehrenhof 4-5
Tel: (0211) 899 6241.
Website: www.museum-kunst-palast.de
Admission charge.

Further Distractions:

Hetjens Museum/Deutsches Keramikmuseum (German Ceramics Museum)
A fine collection of pottery and ceramics from through the ages and around the world. There is an especially strong Islamic section.

Schulstrasse 4
Tel: (0211) 899 4210.
Website: www.duesseldorf.de/hetjens

Schiffarhtmuseum (Shipping Museum)
Housed in the last remaining part of the old castle that stood on the riverside, this landmark tower holds a small collection on Rhineland transport plus an audio-visual (in English) on the city’s history; there are good views from the café at the top.

Burgplatz 30
Tel: (0211) 899 419.

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