Find hotels in Essen from £48

Top reasons to visit Essen

• Cultural Experiences: Immerse yourself in Essen's rich cultural scene, including local theatre and the renowned Philharmonie Essen for unforgettable musical performances.
• Scenic Outdoor Activities: Explore the beautiful hiking trails and urban parks that offer a perfect blend of nature and recreation.
• Vibrant Shopping: Enjoy retail therapy at various shopping centres that cater to all tastes and preferences.
• Family-Friendly Attractions: Discover a range of activities suitable for families, ensuring fun for all ages.
• Nearby Cities: Take day trips to vibrant neighbouring cities like Düsseldorf and Bochum, enriching your visit with diverse experiences.

Find great hotels in and around Essen

Essen offers a diverse selection of accommodations, from charming bed and breakfasts to well-appointed hotels, catering to various needs. Whether you're seeking a pet-friendly environment, a family-friendly stay, or a business-focused experience, you'll find the perfect option among the best hotels in Essen. With convenient locations and a range of services, your visit to this vibrant city promises to be both comfortable and enjoyable.

• Garner Hotel Essen - Handelshof by IHG: A splendid 4-star retreat, Garner Hotel Essen - Handelshof by IHG offers a welcoming atmosphere for all guests, particularly those seeking an LGBTQIA-friendly environment. This hotel is well-equipped for pet owners, allowing dogs and providing amenities tailored to ensure a comfortable stay. With a commitment to inclusivity, the hotel aligns with LGBTQI travel guides. Guests can enjoy a range of facilities, including chic accommodation and attentive service, making it a perfect choice for a memorable vacation in Essen.
• Garner Hotel Essen - Messe by IHG: This 3-star hotel is another excellent option for visitors looking for a pet-friendly and LGBTQIA-welcoming stay. Garner Hotel Essen - Messe by IHG prioritises the comfort of its guests, allowing pets on-site and ensuring a delightful experience for both travellers and their furry companions. The hotel boasts modern amenities and a friendly atmosphere, making it an ideal base for exploring Essen. With its proximity to local attractions, guests can enjoy a relaxing yet dynamic holiday.
• IntercityHotel Duisburg: Located approximately 6.8km from Essen, the IntercityHotel Duisburg is a 4-star accommodation tailored for business travellers. Offering comprehensive business facilities, including multiple meeting rooms and a 24-hour business centre, this hotel ensures that you can work efficiently while enjoying your stay. The property is also pet-friendly, welcoming pets with specific guidelines. With its strategic position and professional amenities, this hotel is perfect for those combining business with leisure during their visit to the area.

Where to stay in and around Essen

Essen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, offers a unique blend of business and cultural experiences perfect for family holidays. Explore the vibrant atmosphere of nearby cities like Düsseldorf and Bochum, where history and friendly locals enrich your visit. From business-themed trips to cultural adventures, Essen provides a diverse range of holiday destinations that cater to every traveller's needs. Don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in the rich heritage and lively spirit of this remarkable region during your trip to Germany.

• Gelsenkirchen: Located approximately 3.1km from Essen, Gelsenkirchen is a vibrant district known for its sports culture and family-friendly activities. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor experiences, with highlights including the impressive stadiums and a thrilling theme park. The area is home to theatres and shopping centres, ensuring plenty of entertainment options. Gelsenkirchen's visitor numbers peak in April, July, and September, making it a lively destination during these months.
• Oberhausen: Situated around 4.3km from Essen, Oberhausen is an intriguing district that attracts tourists year-round, particularly from October to December. It offers a blend of family and business-themed experiences, making it versatile for various travellers. The district boasts extensive shopping centres and theatres, providing ample opportunities for leisure and commerce. Notable attractions include stadiums and a theme park, adding to the city's appeal as a vibrant urban hub.
• Ruettenscheid: As a charming neighbourhood located in the vicinity of Essen, Ruettenscheid is particularly favoured for business, entertainment, and cultural experiences. The area sees a spike in visitors from January to February and September, indicating its popularity during these months. Highlights include an arena entertainment facility, theatres, and shopping centres, making it an ideal spot for those seeking both leisure and cultural enrichment. Key landmarks, such as a convention centre, add to the neighbourhood's allure.

Things to do in and around Essen

Essen is an excellent destination for business trips, family holidays, and cultural experiences. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including exploring the local theatre scene, indulging in retail therapy at shopping centres, and embarking on unforgettable adventures. Additionally, the city boasts scenic hiking trails, fun tours, and exciting day trips, ensuring a memorable stay for all types of travellers.

Shopping

Essen offers a vibrant shopping experience. Limbecker Platz boasts a variety of shops with a lively atmosphere. Bermuda3Eck is a charming area nearby with family-friendly vibes. If you're up for a drive, Westfield Centro, located 3.7km away, provides a mix of entertainment and retail options.

Recreation

Veltins-Arena, located 4.3km from Essen, offers an exhilarating atmosphere perfect for sports enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Rudolf Weber-Arena, 3.7km away, provides a vibrant sports vibe for events. For a more leisurely experience, Golf Club Schloss Horst, also 3.7km from Essen, invites you to enjoy outdoor golfing amidst beautiful surroundings.

Adventure

Experience the thrills at Aqualand Leisure Pool, a vibrant waterpark 18.6km from Essen, perfect for family fun and adventure. For skiing indoors, head to Alpincenter Bottrop, located 3.1km away, offering exciting slopes. Finally, challenge yourself at Kletterhalle Bergwerk, 11.2km away, with its outdoor climbing adventures.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Essen is vibrant, with venues like Philharmonie Essen offering cultural performances and romantic settings. For a thrilling experience, visit Sommerrodelbahn, just 3.1km away, or enjoy a show at the Colosseum Theater, both perfect for family outings and entertainment.

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Essen

Essen offers numerous ways to save money during your visit. Enjoy free entry to various attractions, such as the Cranger Kirmes, while utilising affordable public transport options like trams and buses. For accommodation, consider booking a month in advance, with the cheapest stays generally found in July, August, and December. Fridays are the least expensive days to stay, so plan accordingly. Utilize Expedia's tools to compare prices, filter for eco-friendly hotels, and explore package deals that combine flights and activities for further savings.

• The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay in Essen are July to August and December, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to March and October to November, where prices are slightly higher.
• The best time to book a hotel: Book your hotel in Essen about 1 month out to secure some of the cheapest prices. If you're the spontaneous type, Expedia's last minute deals and discounts are indicated via the green label below the price.
• The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay in Essen is Friday. The most expensive day to stay in Essen is Tuesday.
• Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Expedia's search tool enables you to choose your budget, preferred destination, and additional preferences. You can arrange your results to display prices from lowest to highest, ensuring that the most affordable hotels appear at the top. Furthermore, you can refine your options by hotel type; for instance, selecting the Eco-certified filter will showcase sustainable and environmentally-friendly hotels that are available for booking.
• Consider bundling your trip: You can potentially reduce your expenses by combining your hotel booking in Essen with your flights and activities through an Expedia package.

Find the best attractions in Essen

Essen offers a delightful mix of experiences for business travellers, families, and culture enthusiasts alike. With a variety of attractions such as event venues, museums, and urban parks, visitors can immerse themselves in the rich cultural scene and enjoy outdoor activities. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Philharmonie Essen for a memorable musical experience during your stay.

• Messe Essen: Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Messe Essen, a premier event venue that hosts a variety of trade fairs and conferences. With state-of-the-art facilities, it's a hub for business networking and innovation, offering a unique glimpse into the dynamic world of industry and commerce in Germany.
• Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site: Step back in time at the Zollverein Coal Mine, an iconic symbol of industrial heritage. This UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases stunning Bauhaus architecture and offers cultural exhibitions, guided tours, and art installations that celebrate its rich history and significance in the Ruhr area.
• Seaside Beach Baldeney: Enjoy a relaxing day at Seaside Beach Baldeney, a picturesque lakeside beach perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or picnicking. With sandy shores and scenic views, it's an ideal spot to unwind and soak up the sun amidst nature's beauty.

Best time to go to Essen

The best time to visit Essen is dependant on what kind of holiday you are seeking. July and August are its hottest month on average. At the time of August, visitor numbers are average and weather is mostly sunny. January is its coolest month on average. At this time, visitor numbers are slightly low and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain.

Calendar Month	Temperature	Precipitation	Cloudiness	Occupancy	Pricing
January	36.9°F (2.7°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Slightly Low	Slightly Low
February	38.3°F (3.5°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Slightly Low	Average
March	43.5°F (6.4°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Average	Average
April	50.4°F (10.2°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Mostly Sunny	Slightly Low	Average
May	56.7°F (13.7°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Average
June	63.7°F (17.6°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Slightly High	Slightly High
July	66.7°F (19.3°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Average
August	66.7°F (19.3°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Slightly Low
September	60.8°F (16.0°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Sunny	Average	Average
October	53.1°F (11.7°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Slightly High	Slightly High
November	45.1°F (7.3°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Slightly High	Slightly High
December	39.6°F (4.2°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Average	Slightly Low

The nearest major airports for your trip to Essen

When visiting Essen, you can conveniently fly into several nearby airports. Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) is approximately 9.9km away, with excellent hotel options such as the 5-star Hotel Kö59, Living Hotel De Medici, and Steigenberger Icon Parkhotel, all located around 2.5km from the airport, offering various shuttle services. Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is another option, situated 24.9km from Essen, with luxurious hotels like Dorint Hotel am Heumarkt and Hyatt Regency Cologne available nearby. For those considering Münster Osnabrück International Airport (FMO), located 34.2km away, you can find quality accommodation at Landhotel Beverland and Ringhotel Teutoburger Wald, both within a short distance from the airport.