King's Alley (Konigsallee)

The basics

Originally called Kastanienallee (Chestnut Avenue), Konigsallee was renamed in honor of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV in 1848 to say sorry for bombarding his carriage with horse manure. Today, the famous shopping street has many shops, restaurants, and cafés. Almost all sightseeing tours of Dusseldorf will take you down the Ko, whether you're strolling beneath the chestnut trees on a walking tour, exploring by bike or Segway, or taking a shopping detour from your hop-on hop-off city tour.

Things to know before you go

• Luxury travelers will be in their element along Konigsallee—where you'll find Dusseldorf's most glamorous shops, restaurants, and 5-star hotels.

• If you can't afford the shops, come for a coffee break instead—there's a choice of cafés on both sides of the canal, many of which afford stunning views.

• The wide boulevard of Konigsallee makes access easy for wheelchairs and strollers.

How to get there

Konigsallee is located in the Stadtmitte district of central Dusseldorf, just east of the Old Town. The closest subway station is D-Graf-Adolf-Platz U at the south end of the street, from where the boulevard stretches north to Hofgarten Park. The street is open to traffic, but the best way to explore is on foot.

When to get there

Shops along Konigsallee are typically open Monday to Saturday from morning until early evening. Most shops close on Sundays. The biggest crowds form on summer weekends (July and August), but an even more magical time to visit is over the festive season when glittering illuminations and Christmas markets line the famous street.

Where to shop along the Kö

Beautiful views and shady picnic spots await along the Kö, but this shopping boulevard is best known for its luxury boutiques, flagship designer outlets, and jewelry stores. Along with the Kö Galerie and Kö-Center malls, and the Galeria Kaufhof department store, Konigsallee is brimming with designer names such as Burberry, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Chanel, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. There are a few high-street names in the mix too, including Kookai, Zara, and Abercrombie & Fitch.