Rhine Promenade

The traffic-clogged main road that once separated Dusseldorf’s city centre from its down-at-heel waterfront was given an inspired makeover during the 1990s by German architect Niklaus Fritschi. The result has not only transformed the waterfront, but has provided city residents with a vibrant new playground.

The Rhine Promenade connects the old town with the revamped harbour at its south end. It’s lined with lively bars and friendly cafés, where you can grab a beer and a bite to eat while watching the colourful human carnival of cyclists, roller-skaters, flamboyant fashionistas and curious sightseers. The views across the river to Oberkassel are pleasant, especially at sunset, and the comings and goings of ships and barges make for a constantly changing panorama.

During the summer the promenade is the setting for many parades and cultural events. Japan Day is a big date in the Dusseldorf calendar, as the city is home to the largest Japanese community in Germany. Sample delicious Japanese cuisine, watch martial arts demonstrations and catch some live music, then watch as a giant firework display cracks and fizzes through the night sky. The promenade is also the setting for a midsummer celebration and a popular beach volleyball tournament full details of these and other events can be found on the Dusseldorf tourism website.

Walk the length of the promenade to the old harbour, now reinvigorated as Medienhafen and known for its cutting-edge architecture, award-winning restaurants and pulsating club scene. Frank Gehry’s stunning Der Neue Zollhof buildings featuring the architect’s trademark curves and quirks have quickly become iconic landmarks on the city skyline.

For a different view of the waterfront, take a boat trip from Burgplatz and enjoy a running commentary on the history of the old town and its major sights. Also worth a look is the Schifffahrt-Museum, housed in an unusual tower, which traces the importance of the river to the city’s prosperity through the centuries.

The Rhine Promenade is within easy walking distance of the old town (Altstadt) and most parts of the city centre. There are convenient metro and tram stops nearby.