Are you planning a visit to Düsseldorf? Alongside top tourist-spots such as the Königsallee and Schadowstraße, there are plenty of hidden gems to discover. Not only can you discover Little Tokyo on Immermanstraße, home to Germany’s largest Japanese community, but there are also many museums to visit across the city.
From art collections to film & theatre museums, in Düsseldorf you’ll find a diverse range of museums. What most people didn’t know, however, is that you can visit most of these museums on selected dates for free. Keep reading to find out which museums you should visit during your next trip!
All photos, digital media & text on this website are copyright of jameshaskinsbusiness. Photos and digital media are not to be re-used or reposted in any format without usage rights or permission obtained from James Haskins.
This article contains affiliate link(s). If book an experience using these links, I will receive a (small) commission, which helps me to keep my site running. Thank you very much for your support in advance!
Living Hotel De Medici- hotel, monastery & museum
Aside from the Rathaus, the Düsseldorfer Innenstadt invites for a walk along the Rheinpromenade or a drink in one of its many pubs and bars. But did you know, that you can also stay in the heart of the city?
Living Hotel De Medici is located directly opposite the Kunstsammlung K20 and only 5 minutes walk from the Rhein. The Rheinuferpromenade itself is a great spot to go for a drink or walk along the river during sunset hours. If you’re familiar with Düsseldorf- you’ll also be aware of the Rheinkirmes- which takes place on the river bank on the opposite side to the Altstadt.
The hotel itself is located inside a former monastery, with architecture dating back to the 17th century. It’s home to various art displays, including bronze and marble sculptures from the 18th century. When you enter the hotel, look up to the ceiling and admire gold-leaf plating in Renaissance style. Even the reception itself is decorated with Egyptian motives.
Secret panoramic elevator in De Medici
The main highlight of Living Hotel De Medici is a secret panoramic elevator, with glass walls and surrounded by a red-carpet staircase. You don’t have to be staying at the hotel to discover the elevator. Why not grab a drink or a coffee in the hotel bar and explore the art collections as well as the panorama views from the lift? A bronze sculpture, depicting a roman Godess, crowns the top of the panorama-elevator and spiral staircase.
Serviced apartments with courtyard views
If you are looking for somewhere to stay during your trip to Düsseldorf, De Medici is one of two hotels on offer from Living Hotels in the city. De Medici has the more central location of the two, located only a 5 minute walk from Heinrich Heine Allee and connections to all U-Bahn lines.
As well as classic hotel rooms, De Medici offers serviced apartments, which are equipped with a living and kitchen space as well as bedroom and bathroom areas. This is perfect for lazy mornings and relaxed evenings in entirely your own space.
The hotel also offers a buffet breakfast with service every morning until 10:00am (on weekdays). Enjoy an offering of fresh fruit, bread, cereal and coffee.
If you want to discover more about Hotel De Medici, including room availability and the panoramic elevator, click HERE.
Museums in the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia (Updated July 2026)
Theater Museum
Discover the history of the foundation of theatre in Düsseldorf or enjoy a drink from the museums balcony or in the Hofgarten.
Entry: Wed-Sun : 5 EUR, student 2,50 EUR. Mondays & Tuesdays Ruhetag/closed
Arrival to the Theatermuseum in Düsseldorf: take the U78/79 to Nordstraße + 7 mins walk
Schifffahrtsmuseum
Learn about the history of maritime-trade along the Rhein in Düsseldorf inside of a multi-story tower. Discover a secret cafe with sunset views from the top floor of the museum. This is the perfect spot for a relaxed Sunday afternoon with a drink and views onto the TV-tower and Medienhafen.
Entry: Wed-Sun: 5 EUR, student 2,50 EUR. Mondays & Tuesdays Ruhetag/closed.
Arrival to the Schifffahrtsmuseum: take all lines to Heinrich Heine Allee + walk to Rheinuferpromenade / U76/77 to Tonhalle/Ehrenhof + walk to the museum.
Tip : during the winter you can discover a Christmas market directly next to the museum, as well as a giant ferris wheel, which towers over the city.
Film Museum
Did you know that Germany has a detailled film history? In this interactive musuem you can learn about different eras of German film. Here it’s all about your own time to shine- with green screens and interactive sets, props and displays allowing you to feel like a movie star.
Entry: on sundays, free. Tues-Sat: 5 EUR, student 2,50 EUR. Mondays Ruhetag/closed.
Arrival to the Filmmuseum: take the U72 to Carlsplatz & walk around 5 minutes to the Filmmuseum. Just around the corner from the Film Museum you’ll also find the Heinrich Heine Institut, a museum containing a library and historical exhibits – entry to the Henrich Heine Insitut is also free of charge on Sundays.
Goethe-Museum
The Goethe Museum is a historical and cultural museum, dedicted to the famous German poet Goethe – who lived through the 17th to 18th century. Take yourself on a magical journey through time and travel through Italy. There are also interactive exhibits such as a photo-booth and a virtual-reality exhibit.
You will find the Goethe Museum inside Schloss Jägerhof.
Entry: Wed-Sun: 5 EUR, student 2,50 EUR. Mondays & Tuesdays Ruhetag/closed.
Arrival to the Schifffahrtsmuseum: take the tram 707 to Schloss Jägerhof – the museum is located inside the walls of the pink palace.
Art collections in Düsseldorf- Kunstsammlung & Kunstpalast
Kunstsammlung in Düsseldorf
The Kunstsammlung is divided into two seperate exhibitions- the K20 (located directly in the Altstadt opposite Living Hotel De Medici) and the K21 (at Graf-Adolph Platz).
Whilst K20 showcases contemporary art displays, K21 features interactive displays – including film and video. K21 was once famous for the “Space Walk” exhibition- in which you could walk on a net suspended 25m high in the air in a spacesuit. However, this exhibition has unfortunately since been dismantled.
Entry: FREE to both K20 and K21 on the first Wednesday (evening) of the month.
Normal entry prices:
K20- 9 EUR, student 7 EUR
K21- 14 EUR, student 12 EUR
Furthermore, there is a possibility for a combi-ticket, which gives you entry to both of the exhibtiions. The combi ticket costs 20EUR and can be purchased online.
Arrival to K20: Walk 5 mins from Heinrich Heine Allee (connection to all lines & to Schadowstraße)
Arrival to K21: U72 to Graf-Adolph Platz / Tram 708/709.
Der neue Kunstpalast
In 2023 Kunstpalast reopened its doors with a brand new main collection and became one of the most iconic art spots in Düsseldorf. On your way around the exhibition, you can discover a collection of contemporary and interactive displays.
One of the rooms you cannot miss is an interactive display with television screens on the ceiling. Lie down on the seating-area, look up and lose yourself in a digital world.
Entry: FREE to the neue Kunstpalast (main collection) on the first Thursday (18:00-21:00) of the month.
Normal entry prices: on sundays, free. Tues-Sat: 16 EUR, student 12 EUR. Mondays Ruhetag/closed.
Arrival to the Kunstpalast: take the U76/77 to Tonhalle/Ehrenhof. The new Kunstpalast & NRW forum are located directly next to the new Kunstpalast. Well, what are you waiting for?
More travel tips around Germany
Looking for further travel tips and inspiration around Germany and outside of Düsseldorf? On my blog and social media sites you can discover a whole collection of fairy-tale town, hidden museums and secret castles. Why not start your journey by discovering the secret fairytale town of Hattingen HERE, just a short journey away from Düsseldorf?
Interested for more? Don’t forget that you can join me on my other social media channels to discover more travel tips, inspiration and advice: