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Düsseldorf event weekends: what to do between sessions

Fashion, the Altstadt "longest bar in the world" and Altbier, on the Rhine next to Messe Düsseldorf.

Events we cover in Düsseldorf

16 Nov 2026*MEDICA
Düsseldorf, GermanyTrade show 16 Jan 2027*boot Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf, GermanyTrade show 14 Mar 2027*ProWein
Düsseldorf, GermanyTrade show

Arriving

Düsseldorf airport (DUS) is 12 minutes by S-Bahn; the Messe is a short tram ride from the airport.

Where to stay

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Hauptbahnhof	Chain hotels.
Mid-range	Altstadt and Carlstadt	Old town.
Splurge	Königsallee	Luxury hotels on the shopping boulevard.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Motel One Düsseldorf-Hauptbahnhof
Mid-range: Hotel Indigo Düsseldorf
Splurge: Breidenbacher Hof

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Evening · Food · Nightlife

Altstadt Altbier tour

Brewery taverns.

See times and prices

Half day · Low walking

Rhine cruise

Old town and Media Harbour.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Cologne day trip

25 minutes by train.

See times and prices

Where to eat

Zum Uerige Altbier brewery
Japanese quarter on Immermannstrasse Ramen and sushi

With kids

Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum.

Rainy-day backups

K20 and K21 art museums.

Free things to do

Rhine promenade.
MedienHafen architecture.

Getting around

U-Bahn U78 runs to the Messe.
Deutsche Bahn ICE trains link the big cities; the Deutschlandticket covers all local and regional transport for a monthly fee.
Trade fair and event tickets often include free local transport: check yours.