Rheinturm Tower Düsseldorf |  Night Whispers above the Rhine

On my last visit, I barely paid attention to the area around the MedienHafen. This time, I realized that this is where Düsseldorf truly reveals its essence. Rising high above the city, the Rheinturm — the tenth‑tallest structure in Germany — stands as a defining landmark of North Rhine‑Westphalia’s capital. They say that on a clear day, from the observation deck at 168 meters, you can even glimpse the spires of Cologne Cathedral in the distance.

Originally conceived as a telecommunications tower, the Rheinturm was built to serve broadcasting and transmission functions. Yet its façade carries an unexpected touch of artistry: the Lichtzeitpegel, the world’s largest decimal time display, created by German artist Horst H. Baumann (1934–2019). When night falls, the tower becomes a living artwork — a vertical cascade of glowing dots counting out the passing hours, minutes, and seconds in light. The upper rows mark the hours, the next series the minutes, and the final set, in bright white, the seconds — time itself, written in luminescence along the spine of the tower.

At 172.5 meters, the QOMO Restaurant turns slowly above the Rhine — a revolving restaurant of 144 seats, completing a full rotation every 72 minutes. Its menu feels cosmopolitan yet refined, focusing on Asian‑inspired fusion with a Japanese sensibility: miso soup, sushi and sashimi, tempura, black cod, lamb chops, steaks, delicate mousses, and of course, cocktails and German beer. For those seeking something simpler, the viewing platform at 168 meters offers casual snacks with an equally stunning view.

Admission: adults €12.50; children under 6 free; ages 6–13 €8; ages 14–17 and seniors (65 +) €9.