I recently had the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Düsseldorf, Germany by taking the Hop-On Hop-Off Dusseldorf bus tour.
This 90-minute loop around the city allowed me to see many of Düsseldorf's top sights and attractions.
With headphone commentary available in 10 languages, it was easy to learn about each stop along the way. The flexibility to hop on and off was perfect for exploring places of interest at my own pace.
Overall, this was a great way to get acquainted with the highlights of this charming city on the Rhine river.
The Bus Itself
The first thing I noticed when I boarded the bus was its bright red open-top double decker design. This offered great views of the city as we drove by.
The buses ran frequently enough that I never had to wait long at a stop for the next one to arrive. Inside, the bus was clean, comfortable, and roomy.
At each stop, the friendly driver announced what attractions could be seen there.
During the ride, recorded commentary provided details about Düsseldorf's history, architecture, and culture. I really appreciated that headphones were available with the narrative in 10 different languages.
Scenic View from the Upper Deck
I chose to sit on the open upper deck to maximize my panoramic views of Düsseldorf. Gliding through the city streets, I was able to appreciate the unique blend of medieval, modern, and postmodern architecture.
From up high, I could take in the sheer size of the buildings and landmarks. The upper deck allowed me to feel like I was truly exploring the city rather than just driving through it.
The breeze up there kept me energized and engaged during the entirety of the 90-minute loop.
Some of the architectural highlights I saw from the upper deck included:
- The sprawling 18th century Benrath Palace and Gardens with its opulent rococo design
- The towering glass pyramid entrance of the K21 Kunstsammlung art museum
- The repetitive curved arches of the Rheinuferpromenade framing the river
- The modern cubic facade of the K20 Kunstsammlung with its bold angles
- The eclectic mix of historic townhouses lining the cobbled alleys of the Altstadt
Having an eagle's eye perspective of Düsseldorf's spectacular architecture enrich my understanding of the city's complex character.
Hopping On and Off
The real joy of the Hop-On Hop-Off bus is the ability to hop off at any stop, explore the nearby attractions, and then hop on the next bus when ready to move on.
I took full advantage of this flexibility to create a custom sightseeing experience. Here are some of the spots where I chose to hop off and explore further:
The Altstadt (Old Town)
With its cobbled streets and medieval charm, I instantly felt transported back in time when I stepped off the bus in the Altstadt.
During my unguided walk around, I discovered quaint shops, churches, courtyards, and restaurants that exuded traditional German culture.
The epicenter was the Marktplatz where locals relaxed at outdoor cafes and children laughed and played in the shadow of the Rathaus city hall.
