It may be smaller than Berlin and Munich, but there is plenty in Düsseldorf for the luxury traveler. Local tour guide Katja Stuben explains, “The origins of the city lie in 7th century settlements where the minor River Düssel flows into the major River Rhine. In 1288 the ruling Count Adolf VIII of Berg granted a town charter to Düsseldorf. Today there are around 700,000 people living in Düsseldorf but it still resembles a village. It is a friendly local community with all the benefits of a city.”
The viewing gallery on the top floor of the 708 feet high Rhine Tower is the best place to see a 360 degree panorama of the city. Buildings by many leading international architects including David Chipperfield, Frank Gehry, and Daniel Libeskind can be spotted along the riverside.
The large Old Town is known as Altstadt. Stuben says, “The cobblestoned square of Burgplatz connects the banks of the Rhine to Altstadt. Standing on Burgplatz is Schlossturm, the remaining medieval tower of the ducal palace. Altstadt has over 230 bars and restaurants.”
One of the best places to sample schnitzel – a local dish of thin meat breaded and fried – is the traditional brasserie HeimWerk.
Königsallee is the city’s answer to Fifth Avenue. This boulevard is lined with luxury shops and hotels. Chanel, Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton all have stores along Königsallee. The five star Steigenberger Park Hotel overlooking Hofgarten (one of the city’s many public parks) is a popular destination close to Düsseldorf’s main attractions.
On the far side of Hofgarten, the stylish Schillings restaurant is on the ground floor of Schauspielhaus, a theatre. A large terrace provides alfresco seating in spring and summer.
The Paradise Now is a glamorous restaurant, bar, and nightclub. Co-owner Garciano Manzambi states, “I wanted to bring the holiday vibe of Mykonos to my hometown. We can accommodate 800 people to come early and stay late. We stay open till 3am at the weekends.”
Another venue to enjoy dining, drinking, and dancing is aboard KD (Köln-Düsseldorfer). This cruise boat is an enjoyable way to watch the sun set.
As well as the big luxury brands, there are many independent ateliers in Düsseldorf. Five years ago, goldsmith and jewelry designer Lisa Scherebnenko took over as Director of Orfèvre. The gallery and workshop are on the prestigious Bastionstrasse. Lisa relates, “I use classy materials for jewelry: silver, gold, platinum, as well as tantalum which is a very special one.”
Also on Bastionstrasse is Constanze Muhle’s eponymous ladies’ fashionwear atelier. Local journalist and trend consultant Ilona Marx explains, “This shop is a hidden gem with collections from the likes of Nasco, Neni, and Bruno Marnetti inside.”
Hiroyuki Murase, CEO and Creative Director of the internationally successful fashion and interiors label Suzusan, has a studio in a former historic bakery building in Ronsdorferstrasse. He relates, “My family have been doing this dying technique called Shibori for 100 years. The traditional craft is usually for making kimonos, but I use it in a contemporary way for a range of clothes as well as cushions and other items for the home.” Murase’s wife Kaoli Mashio is a highly acclaimed artist and has exhibited across Europe and Japan.
Art is everywhere in this city and not just in the main museums and galleries like K20 and Kunstpalast. Klaus Rosskothen established Pretty Portal in 2007. His influential gallery represents emerging and established urban artists.
Studio Baukunst was founded by Philipp Bilke, Micky Damm, and Karl-Heinz Petzinka in 2018. This vibrant architecture practice’s forte is sustainably adapting and extending existing buildings. A glasshouse on top of the practice’s offices is used as a meeting room.
Düsseldorf Airport is located a mere five miles from the city center, allowing more time for enjoying the culture and creativity that the city has to offer.
