Unlike at home in the UK where Sunday provides yet another excuse to head to town, purses ready for action, it is a very different matter over in Germany. On Sundays, you won’t find any shops or supermarkets open (with a few exceptions, those being at the main station (Hbf), airport or a petrol station) as Sundays are a day of rest; a day to go to church, spend time with your family or grill sausages in your back yard.
Düsseldorf cannot claim to be an exception; but rest does not mean that the locals stay at home! Far from it, as the indigenous Düsseldorfer likes nothing better than to get out, mix with the crowds, catch up on the gossip over a beer or two, have a laugh and where possible polish off a Bratwurst or two. They are proud of their city, they are friendly, enjoy life to the full and offer a real welcome to those who visit.
Having lived in this cosmopolitan city during my time as a student, I spent many a Sunday considering what my options were to keep myself occupied in a city where normally entertainment optionsare endless. I have now compiled a list of what there is to do, within the city, and just outside, on those days of rest.
What to Do on Sunday in Düsseldorf
Stroll through Schlosspark Benrath
Schlosspark Benrath is one of the city’s loveliest green areas. There are a selection of formal planted gardens and with plenty of wilder wooded areas to explore. Once you’ve strolled around the grounds and filled your lungs with enough fresh air to get you through the week, why not sit back and relax in the fancy but affordable cafe, adjacent to the Schloss, or if you feel a little more adventurous, make your way through the park and sit beside the mighty river Rhine watching the boats go by.
How to get there: If you aren’t in a rush, take the U74 from Hbf which takes roughly half an hour. You can also take the 701 although the journey takes slightly longer. Time it right and the S-Bahn or Regio-Bahn will take you from the Hbf to Benrath, and then it is a 10minute walk to the Schloss.
Picnic in Nordpark: Japanese Gardens & Aquazoo
Just a short, 15 minute ride by U-Bahn from the city centre, Nordpark is another great place to visit on a Sunday.Offering everything from fountains, sculptures and decorative flowerbeds, to children’s playgrounds, the Aquazoo, Japanese Gardens and a handful of cafes, there is no questioning why this park has become one of the most popular places to visit in the City.
Particularly visit-worthy in the spring and summer months, when the trees are adorned with blossom, and the flowers are in bloom, this is the perfect place to bring a book and a picnic (and a friend) for an afternoon in the sunshine.
Do not leave the park without visiting the Japanese Gardens, in the north-east corner.A twisting path through the park allows visitors to explore every corner and thecloud-like shaped trees, create a rather reflective atmosphere. Everything in this park has a deep symbolic meaning –from the ways the trees have been planted and shaped, to the positioning of the pond, stones and lanternsas well as the seating area surrounding the pond.
Finally, for visitors with children, there is also the LöbbeckeAquazoo.
How to get there: Take either the U78 in direction ESPRIT arena/ Messe Nord or U79 in direction Duisburg/ Wittlaer.
Dip Your Toes into Unterbacher See
What could be more perfect on a sunny sunday afternoon in Dusseldorf than dipping your toes into the cool waters of the Unterbacher See. For the more physically able/active among us, the lake offers a variety of activities such as beach volleyball, pedal boats, surfing andmini-golf. For those of you more like me (ie. lazy) there are also a number of places to grab something to eat, or purely laze around – although I would warn you, parts of the beach are reserved purely for FKK Nudists – so unless you fancy joining in, avoid these!
How to get there: Slightly difficult to reach without a car, although there are a few bus/ tram routes which will take you within a 15 minute walk from the lake. The best option is the 737 bus to Unterbach Friedhof – then there is approximately a 15 minute walk to the lake.
Get Cultural
With more than 26 museums and 100 galleries to offer its visitors, you simply cannot be bored in the city. If you’re into art, then there are no better places to spend a Sunday than the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen (Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia) or the Museum Kunstpalast. You could also check out the exhibitions at the Goethe Museum at the top end of the Hofgarten or visit the Heinrich Heine Institute on Bilkerstrasse.
Enjoy a Boat Trip Along the River &Explore Historic Kaiserswerth
With the river Rhine on the city’s doorstep, a sunny Sunday afternoon in Dusseldorf is the perfect time to indulge in a boat trip up to the charmingStadtteilof Kaiserswerth. Boat companyWeisse Flottemakes this trip five times on a Sunday from the Altstadt, along the Promenade, with the earliest departure at 11am and the latest at 5pm. The trip takes approximately 1 hour and costs 29 euros – rather costly but well worth it for the lovelyviewsandthe provision of free wine and beer on board.
As one ofDüsseldorf’s oldest quarters, and perched right on the banks of the river, Kaiserswerthprovides a nice place for a leisurely stroll, either along the river, or through the village’s maze of alleys. The area’s architecture is eye-catching and a sweet building with bright coloured shutters is never far away. Not far from the ‘centre’, along a peaceful tree-lined walkway are the ruins of an old castle, as well as a number of small pubs and eateries, all who offer pleasant beer gardens and delicious food. The Beer garden atGalerie Burghof, is a must in good weather.
How to get there: If you don’t fancy the boat trip, the best way to get to Kaiserswerth is to take the U79 from Hbf/ Heinrich-Heine-Allee which runs every 10 minutes. The journey time is approximately 25 minutes and you need to get off at Klemensplatz.
Visit the Animals in Grafenberger Wald (Wildpark)
For any nature or wildlife lovers, a stroll through the Grafenberger Wald (Forest) should be high up on your to-do list.Nestled in the large expanse of forest is the Wildpark (Wildlife Park) home to over 100 animal families, from deer, wild cats, foxes and even wild boar. Entrance to the Park is free.
How to get there: There is no direct route to the park by public transport but I would advise taking taking the 703 (from Heinrich Heine Allee ) as far as Staufenplatz and then continue up the hill by foot. Alternatively, if you have access to a car, the Wildpark has a sizeable car park.
Take a Day Trip to Feste Zons
The next thing on my listhas to be Feste (Fortress) Zons. The trip to this old city can be made, once again by boat (also the Weisse Flotte) or if you have access to a car, by taking a car ferry across the river viaStadtteil Urdenbach. This medieval fortress was once a toll fortress and the well-preserved nature of the city wall, gates and streets make for a nice walk.
How to get there: Without a car, the journey to Zons is rather lengthy although it is possible to get there by public transport from Neuss. Should you have a car or a bike, the crossing from Urdenbach by ferryis rather pleasant. There is a small cost involved which can be found in more detail here.
Enjoy the Serenity of Nordfriedhof
Perhaps not the most uplifting outing for a Sunday in Dusseldorf but one full of history and culture, is a visit to the Nordfriedhof (North Cemetery). As the largest cemetery in the city, Nordfriedhofspansover 70 hectares andis the resting place fora number of particularly famous Düsseldorfers.
How to get there: Bus 834 will take you directly from Hbf to Nordfriedhof every 10 minutes.
Relax with a Beer Along the Rheinufer
A popular place, regardless of the season, weather or day of the week, is the Rheinufer. The Kasemattenhosts a number of bars, cafes and restaurants, allready to serve everything and anything, from ice cream and waffles to Pizza or even just an Alt Bier. For such a prime location with wonderful views of the busy river Rhine, the prices are fair and the atmosphere is friendly, cosy and relaxed. Definitely the best place in the city to kick back and relax with a drink (or two!) and if the mood suits hanging around to catch the sunset is worthwhile!
How to get there: The Rheinufer is, at most, a 10 minute walk from the U bahn stop Heinrich Heine Allee.
Promenade Along Königsallee
A must do whilst in Düsseldorf includes blending in with the rich and famous by taking a stroll along the picturesque and idyllic setting of Köningsalle. Literally meaning ‘Kings Street’, this luxury shopping street is certainly fit for kings, with every premium brand you can think of, plus some more! After eyeing up a vintage Cartier or Rolex at the end of the street, you will pass by the likes of Gucci, Prada, Tiffany’s and many, many more. But don’t fret, its only window shopping so you can be as wanting and greedy as you like.
Should you need a pit-stop (window shopping can get tiring!) there a plenty of cafes and restaurants along the route, or should you prefer a spot in more natural surroundings the Hofgarten is close by, offering places to sit, beside the waterways and plenty of opportunity to people watch.
How to get there: The U78/ 79 will take you to Koenigsallee in under 10 minutes. Alight at Steinstrasse. You can also take the tram (704/ 709/ 719) to Graf Adolf Platz and start your walk at the top of the avenue.
Get Involved with Local Festivities
One of the things I love about Düsseldorf, is that there is always something going on even on a Sunday. From concerts, trade fairs, rallies, opera and traditional festivities there is truly something for everyone. Perhaps the most popular of these include the Japan Fest in May, the Kirmes (Fun fair) in July, Erntedankfest in October, the Oper am Rhein at the end of June as well asHoppeditz’ Erwachen (or the beginning of Karnival) on 11th November, not forgetting the Karnival itself in February.
To find the up-to-date calendar of events and find out what is going on in the city, I would highly recommend checking out the Tourism and Marketing Boards ‘Highlights’ here.
Treat Yourself to Kaffee & Kuchen
Alright, alright, you don’t need an excuse for coffee and cake but what is more lovely than enjoying a warm drink and a slice of cake, whilst watching the people go by? Be sure to check out my post on the best cafes in Dusseldorf. Personally I think this is one of the best ways to spend a Sunday in Dusseldorf!
My Travel Tips and Recommendations
Flights
My usual go-to for booking flights is Skyscanner, the flight search engine. What I love about Skycanner is that you have various options depending on your situation. If you know where you want to go it’s easy – all you need is to search for your destination and dates, and you are provided with all flight options to choose from. If you haven’t decided on your next trip yet, you can use the Everywhere tool for inspiration and to find the cheapest places to fly to.
Accommodation
Whenever I plan my travels Booking.com is my best friend. The website is super easy to use and provides a whole range of accommodation from fancy resorts to budget hotels. Jack and I also regularly use Airbnb – in particular, for staycations in the UK.
Things I can’t travel without
As a travel blogger and keen photographer I never travel without my trusty technology. Always packed are my
- Canon EOS M3
- GoPro Hero5 Black
- I’m also saving for a DJI Mavic Pro
Travel Insurance
It is so important to be prepared for all possibilities when travelling and you simply shouldn’t travel without insurance. When looking for cover I would personally recommend World Nomads or the Post Office – both are affordable and certainly won’t break the bank.
You can also find me on social media: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Other posts that may help you:
- The Ultimate Guide to Düsseldorf
- My Favourite Cafes in Düsseldorf
- What to do in Düsseldorf at Christmas Time!
- A Guide to Düsseldorf’s Breweries
- Where to find the best coffee in Düsseldorf
Did you know that I also vlog my travel adventures? I would love you to subscribe to my YouTube channel so that you never miss an episode…SUBSCRIBE HERE
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the post on what to do on a Sunday in Dusseldorf! Have you been to Dusseldorf before, or perhaps you are a local? If you have any suggestions to add to my list – then please do let me know in the comment box below!
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Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
