Rhine River Promenade Walk (Self Guided), Dusseldorf

Castle Square is located on the Rhine River, near the location of the original town. This open space was named after Dusseldorf Castle, which was originally built during the 14th century. The castle was built to collect tolls, hence its location right on the river. Dusseldorf Castle was mostly torn down in 1892, and the remaining castle tower houses a museum.

Dusseldorf Castle and Castle Square were the city's center for centuries. When the castle deteriorated and was removed, Castle Square became a bigger, more open area. The area changed again when a busy highway was built here after World War II.

Finally, the area was redesigned in 1995 when the Rhine Embankment Promenade was built. Visitors can take a flight of steps to reach the Rhine's banks from Castle Square. The square often hosts different festivals and events and the open space offers visitors and residents a convenient meeting place.

The northern part of Castle Square faces the Rhine and the castle tower. The square is paved with cobblestones, which adds to its charm. The Radschlager fountain was added in 1954 and features a depiction of two cartwheeling boys.

Castle Square features the popular Wheel of Vision Ferris Wheel. This is a popular attraction day and night and offers a relaxing way to get the best views of historic Dusseldorf.

Art in the Tunnel (KIT) is an underground exhibition space for contemporary art in Dusseldorf, which is also, and deservedly so, considered to be one of its best local landmarks for its unique construction. The gallery is housed in the so-called residual tunnel space, two meters beneath the Rhine Promenade, which was created during the construction of the Rhine bank tunnel. The exhibition room is located in the immediate vicinity of the state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Rheinkniebrucke, and was opened on February 10, 2007.

The 130 square meters glazed entrance pavilion was built to a design by the Dusseldorf architectural firm, Fritschi Architekten, who also developed the Rhine Promenade itself, back in 1995. The underground exhibition area of total 888 square meters is squeezed between two tunnel tubes for car traffic. The slightly curved tunnel space is 140 meters long and – tapering to a point – between eight and one meter wide. Towards the surface, two light wells, fitted with armored glass, have been created.

KIT is used for exhibiting contemporary art and is intended to complement the Dusseldorf exhibition landscape in a targeted manner. Shown here primarily are the works by young artists, graduates of the Dusseldorf Art Academy, as well as winners of the Dusseldorf Art Prize, with four planned exhibitions held each year.

The Rheinkniebrücke, known in English as the Rhine Knee Bridge, is a six-langed, cable-stayed bridge over the Rhine. One of seven Rhine bridges in the city, the Rhine Knee Bridge is the only one that crosses at the knee of the Rhine, giving it its distinctive moniker. The bridge was constructed in 1969.

Plans for a bridge at this location began as early as 1912. Architect Bruno Schmitz and engineer Otto Blum were awarded the design. When the time actually came to construct the bridge, it was designed by architect Friedrich Tamms who was head of the Duesseldorf City Planning Office.

The entirety of the bridge is 1,519 meters long, which is just under one mile in length. However, the span over the Rhine is only about one-third of that length. The bridge has a singular pylon with two free-standing vertical stems. The steel bridge deck has cantilevered sidewalks and bike paths.

The bridge is known as part of the original Duesseldorf bridge family along with the Theodor Heuss Bridge and the Oberkassel Bridge.

The Rheinturm, or Rhine Tower, is a 789-foot tall telecommunications tower. It carries broadcasts for radio and television but is best known for being the tallest building in the city. Along with its functional properties, the Rhine Tower is home to an observation deck and a revolving restaurant.

Construction on the tower began in 1979 and was completed in 1981. Largely made of reinforced concrete, the Rhine Tower weighs an impressive 22,500 tons. It was designed by architect Harald Deilmann, who is best known for his work on university buildings, theatres, hospitals and office buildings.

A sculptural clock on the Rhine Tower's shaft called Lichtzeitpegel, or Light Time Level, was designed by Horst H. Baumann. The number of dots represents the hour, minutes and seconds. It is the largest digital clock in the world.

The observation deck is open to the public daily from 10 am to midnight. The restaurant within the Rhine Tower, QOMO, is open from 6 pm to midnight.

Neuer Zollhof, or The New Zollhof, is a Duesseldorf landmark that is part of the city's redeveloped port area. The building complex consists of three separate buildings with curved architecture to mimic leaning towers. Construction on the landmark was completed in 1998.

The New Zollhof was designed by architect Frank O. Gehry. He used a variety of materials to create a modern and unique visage. The central building, made from stainless steel, reflects the white plaster and red brick buildings on each side. Each tower has a different height with the west tower being that tallest at 14 stories.

This area on the waterfront was previously occupied by warehouses before it was redeveloped. The new focus of the New Zollhof is to provide public spaces for the residents of the city while also offering space for culture and art.

The buildings of New Zollhof have become popular with tourists who visit Duesseldorf.

MedienHafen, or the Media Harbour in English, sits on the banks of the Rhine River. The renovation of the old harbor, which was previously occupied by warehouses and abandoned buildings, led to a lively, exciting and modern area. Media Harbour is frequented by locals as well as tourists who want to see the best of Duesseldorf's art and culture.

The harbor's renovation began in the 1990s. Arguably the most spectacular view in the harbor is that of New Zollhof. Also known as the Gehry Buildings, New Zollhof stands out on the shoreline. Likewise, the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower) is located in Media Harbour. This tallest building in the city has an excellent restaurant and an observation deck.

Another prominent landmark in the Media Harbour is the Energie-Pyramide. The public artwork was crafted by sculptors Thomas Schonauer and Berend F. van Laar in 1988. It is made of stainless, igneous rock and basalt lava.

Most of the buildings in the Media Harbour are contemporary offices and media firms. There are also a number of shopping areas with fashion brands as well as restaurants, bars and a theatre. Many of these buildings are designed by internationally lauded architects, which creates an interesting mix of the old world with modern sights.

A walk along Media Harbour might include a stop at the scenic vista of Brucke am Medianhafen, or Media Harbour Bridge. Tourists may use this bridge to reach the Paradiesstrand Düsseldorf Hafen, a wildlife refuge that has a beach and a swimming area. Those who would rather focus on art and culture could try the Kunstgiesserei Kayser art center or the Arthena Foundation art gallery.

The Colorium Building in Dusseldorf’s Media Harbour is an iconic modern structure that has redefined the area’s architectural landscape since its completion in 2001. Designed by British architect Will Alsop, the Colorium stands 17 stories tall along the Rhine, immediately catching the eye with its 2,200 color-printed glass panels that span the spectrum of blues, oranges, reds, greens, and more. These panels, composed of insulating glass with internal sun protection, echo the building’s vibrant exterior on its interiors, creating a cohesive color experience that enhances its striking modernist design.

Originally envisioned as a multi-functional space incorporating both offices and residential units, the Colorium transitioned into a full-fledged hotel in 2013, offering 134 rooms with views of the vibrant Media Harbour. A restaurant in the building further amplifies its role as a lively center for visitors and locals alike.

The Colorium’s architecture merges innovative technology with aesthetic appeal. Prefabricated aluminum frames hold 17 distinct types of panels, each stamped with a unique color design, breaking the rigid geometry of the building’s exterior and adding a dynamic, pixelated quality that interacts provocatively with the surrounding landscape. This approach draws inspiration from early 20th-century camouflage techniques, blurring the building’s edges and creating a visual interplay between light and color, especially under Dusseldorf’s night sky.

Topped by a glowing red box that serves both as a design feature and a practical element to conceal structural components, the Colorium transforms into a “giant lamp” at night, visible from various vantage points across the city. Its vivid colors and unconventional design make it a symbol of contemporary architecture, embodying Alsop’s vision that a city should inspire imagination and emotions in its residents and visitors. The Colorium’s presence in Media Harbour stands as a testament to the evolving spirit of Dusseldorf, blending functionality with artistic expression in a bold, unmistakable way.