Attractions Nearby Dusseldorf, Day Trips and Excursions

(Dusseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)

The actual location of Dusseldorf within western Germany makes it the perfect place for enjoy the surrounding area. Close to Dusseldorf lies a true cornucopia of attractions, both old and new.

Nearby, the Rhine Valley and its glorious countryside is a particularly romantic spot and makes for great excursions, while the endless supply of cultural attractions within the city of Cologne are hard to beat and range from a magnificent cathedral to one of the most historic universities in the whole of Europe. Top attractions nearby Dusseldorf are listed below.

Cologne

Just 37 km / 23 miles south of Dusseldorf, the endless world-class attractions of Cologne await and are not to be overlooked. A popular day trip from Dusseldorf, visitors to Cologne can expect to be blown away by the city's breathtaking architecture, both old and new. Particular attractions that stand out include more than 30 different museums, the city's hugely successful trade fairs, the local Kölsch beer, and also the simply awesome 13th-century Cologne Cathedral, which took around 600 years to finally complete and also goes by the name of the 'Kölner Dom'.

Duisburg

A large and vibrant city around 37 km / 23 miles north of Dusseldorf, Duisburg is home to Europe's largest inland port. Located within the administrative region of Dusseldorf and featuring one of the biggest universities in the whole of Germany, Duisburg also boasts a prominent opera house (Deutsche Oper am Rhein), where many major events take place each year. Other attractions include the Duisburger Akzente festival, the Wilhelm Lehmbruck Museum, the city's municipal theatre and the 'fountain mile' shopping district.

Essen

One of the biggest cities within the Ruhrgebiet region, Essen is home to a population of just less than 600,000. Sited a mere 38 km / 24 miles to the north-east of nearby Dusseldorf, Essen dates back to the 9th century, when it was just a small settlement centred around a local monastery. Today, Essen is a true modern metropolis and manages to successfully combine this image with its many medieval buildings. The main attractions within Essen include the huge selection of shops along the Kettwiger Strasse, the extensive collect of art works at the Museum Folkwang, the selection of pubs and restaurants around the Rüttenscheid district, and the city's vibrant cultural scene in general.

Krefeld

A medium-sized city just a short distance to the west of the adjacent River Rhine, Krefeld dates back to Roman times and began to grow dramatically during both the 17th century and the early part of the 20th century. The attractions of Krefeld are around 27 km / 17 miles north-west) of Dusseldorf and include the centrally located Krefeld Zoo along the Uerdingerstrasse, which boasts more than 1,000 animals and the city's equally impressive Botanical Gardens.