Review: Best Dusseldorf Bus Tour (Hop-on Hop Off)

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.

Meandering down narrow alleys revealed colorful murals, unique boutiques, and heavenly aromas drifting from chocolate shops.

Exploring on foot allowed me to appreciate the human scale and rich ornamentation of the Altstadt's architecture.

The Kunsthalle Düsseldorf

Being a fan of fine art, I took time to visit the Kunsthalle art museum in the city center.

Here I marveled at an immense collection of paintings showcasing a wide range of styles from the Middle Ages to today.

Modern masters like Sigmar Polke were on display alongside classic works from Philipp Otto Runge and Max Liebermann. [1] 

Highlights for me included Monet's dreamy waterlilies, the thought-provoking contemporary pieces, and the intricate Renaissance-era religious scenes.

It was fascinating to see Düsseldorf's artistic heritage and evolution revealed through the centuries of creative expression.

The Rheinturm (Rhine Tower)

For amazing views over Düsseldorf, I headed up to the observation deck of the Rheinturm, a 240-meter telecommunications tower on the banks of the Rhine River. [2]

The panoramic vistas from 168 meters up were simply breathtaking. I loved watching the tiny cars and people below to get a feel for the expansive scale of the city.

From that height I could appreciate the orderly layout of streets and blocks, the lush green swathes of parks along the riverbanks, and the ripples of the Rhine itself glinting in the sunlight.

The Rheinturm's viewpoint provided both a breathtaking overview and an intriguing glimpse into everyday Düsseldorf life unfolding below.

The Japanese Garden

Nestled within the Nordpark, Düsseldorf's Japanese Garden provided a tranquil oasis from the bustle of the city.

Strolling under cherry trees and crossing elegant arched bridges over koi ponds allowed me to appreciate a new facet of Düsseldorf's diverse culture.

The perfect landscape design and quiet beauty fostered true serenity and contemplation.

Watching schools of colorful fish swim below the water lilies made me feel a world away from the urban streets I'd been exploring. The Japanese Garden was an unexpected treat and highlight of my time in Düsseldorf.

Reflections on Favorite Sights

Now that I have completed the full loop, here are some of my favorite highlights and takeaways:

• The striking contrast between the historic Altstadt and the modern Medienhafen district showed me how Düsseldorf skillfully preserves its past while embracing the future.
• Learning about Düsseldorf's pivotal role as a center for fashion, finance, advertising, and trade emphasized its status as a world-class business hub.
• Picturesque sites along the Rhine river, including the Rheinturm tower and Rheinterrasse park, revealed the integral connection between the city and its river.
• Diverse architectural wonders - from the 18th century Schloss Benrath to the ultramodern Hyatt Regency hotel - demonstrated the city's rich architectural heritage.
• Whimsical artworks like the twisted Uberwasserkirche sculptures reflected Düsseldorf's vibrant creative culture.
• Well-kept gardens and parks provided serene natural respites amidst the urban environment.

Final Impressions

Taking Düsseldorf's Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour turned out to be the perfect way to acquaint myself with this German city.

The freedom to hop on and off allowed me to tailor the experience to my interests.

The live commentary and upper deck views immersed me in the city from the moment I stepped on board.

I arrived feeling like a tourist but left feeling like a local with a newfound understanding of Düsseldorf's character.

Whether you have 90 minutes or 9 hours to spend here, I highly recommend this tour as an efficient, entertaining, and educational way to explore the capital of the Rhineland.

If you do not have any firm plans, the Dusseldorf bus tour is a great way to see the main sights of the city.

If you research each of the 7 stops before travelling, you can very easily fill a day exploring the experiences which interest you most, whether that be the many art & history museums that Dusseldorf has to offer, or the zoo, the old town, the extensive shopping or the buzzing market district.

With its harmonious fusion of old and new, gardens and skyscrapers, art and industry, Düsseldorf exceeded my expectations.

The Hop-On Hop-Off bus conveniently connected me to the highlights while allowing flexibility to dive deeper into areas of personal interest.

Visually stunning, culturally rich, and historically fascinating, Düsseldorf has quickly become one of my favorite German cities. I'm already looking forward to returning someday soon to further uncover its many charms.