Essen Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Essen
Essen
Essen
Essen
Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site

Essen is a major city at the heart of the Ruhr industrial area in North Rhine-Westphalia and was made European City of Culture in 2010. 

The city of Essen was founded in the 9th century and grew into an industrial town predominantly due to the Krupp Family Steelworks. Until the second half of the 20th century, Essen was one of the most important centres for coal production and steelwork in Germany.

The Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, one of the shining monuments to Essen's industrial history, is considered the most beautiful coalmine in the world and is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pit, constructed according to the principles of the Bauhaus School, is used today by various cultural and artistic institutions. For example, the Design-Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen and the Ruhr Museum are both found here. In addition, you can visit the 269 rooms of the Villa Hügel, which once served as home to the Krupp family, and has now been transformed into a museum of art history and concert venue.

On your city trip to Essen you should also not miss out on the Folkwang Museum which covers the long history of photography and houses a collection of pictures from many different eras. The Aalto Theatre is the city's opera house and worthy of a visit not just for its performances, but also because of its impressive architecture.

Take a trip to the Essener Münster, a Gothic cathedral built from lime sandstone. Here you will find magnificent exhibits such as the Golden Madonna of Essen which is over a thousand years old and the oldest free-standing Madonna figure north of the Alps.

A more modern religious building is the New Synagogue (known today as the Old Synagogue), constructed in 1913 and used as a place of prayer by the Jewish community in Essen before the war. Today it still counts as one of the most impressive examples of Jewish culture and architecture from pre-war Germany.

If you have planned a full week trip, you should also take a detour to the Kettwig and Werden districts found to the south of the city. Here the traditional and iconic local character survives to the present day. Here you will find buildings like the Werden Abbey, already over a thousand years old, and the Kirche St. Ludgerus, a church raised to the rank of papal basilica two decades ago.

Even though Essen is without a doubt an old industrial city, in the past few years it has been notably rejuvenated thanks to its blooming modern culture.

Where to stay in Essen

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Ruettenscheid

4/5(6 area reviews)

Ruettenscheid is well liked for its bars and museums. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Grugahalle and Grugapark Botanical Garden are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Messe Ost-Gruga-Halle U-Bahn or Martinstrasse U-Bahn to get around.

Ruettenscheid
Essen

Stadtkern

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and bars, there's plenty to explore in Stadtkern. Top attractions like Philharmonie Essen and Essen Cathedral are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Hirschlandplatz U-Bahn or Berliner Platz U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Stadtkern
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Kettwig

Historical sites and restaurants are just a few features Kettwig is known for, and you can get around the area by hopping on the metro at Kettwig S-Bahn or Kettwig Stausee S-Bahn.

Kettwig
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Stadtbezirke II

If you're spending time in Stadtbezirke II, check out sights like Grugahalle or Grugapark Botanical Garden and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Essen Stadtwald S-Bahn or Martinstrasse U-Bahn.

Stadtbezirke II
Essen

Stadtbezirke I

While you're in Stadtbezirke I, take in top sights like Philharmonie Essen or Folkwang Museum, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Hirschlandplatz U-Bahn or Berliner Platz U-Bahn.

Stadtbezirke I
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Suedviertel

Get to know Suedviertel and its many features like its bars and museums. You might want to explore sights like Folkwang Museum and Aalto-Musiktheater, and you can jump on the metro at Philharmonie U-Bahn or Bismarckplatz U-Bahn to get around the city.

Suedviertel
McDreams Hotel Essen-City

McDreams Hotel Essen-City

Altendorfer Str. 220, Essen
The price is £35 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£35
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Essen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a pillow menu. Popular attractions Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site and Westfield ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (538 reviews)
"Super nice hotel. Easy check in and out. Everything you need. In a nice area with transportation at the doorstep. The showerhead and soapdispenser needs fixing. But these are just small things. Great place to stay."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

McDreams Hotel Essen-City
Mintrops Stadt Hotel Margarethenhöhe

Mintrops Stadt Hotel Margarethenhöhe

4 out of 5
Steile Str. 46, Essen, NW
The price is £88 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
£88
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Essen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Zollverein Coal Mine World ...
9/10 Wonderful! (157 reviews)
"Excellent!"

Reviewed on 10 Dec 2024

Mintrops Stadt Hotel Margarethenhöhe
Essener Hof Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western

Essener Hof Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western

4 out of 5
AM HANDELSHOF,5, Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia
The price is £54 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£54
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Essen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (426 reviews)
"Hotel was fine. Very conveniemt just across from main Essen station. Bit dated and the area surrounding it isn't great but staff very friendly and helpful. Main shopping area is just a few yards away"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Essener Hof Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Suite Bizarre SM-Fetish Apartment Apartment

Suite Bizarre SM-Fetish Apartment Apartment

Stadtbezirke IV, North Rhine-Westphalia
Stay at this apartment in Essen. Enjoy cable/satellite TV service, in-room jetted baths and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Westfield Centro and ...
Suite Bizarre SM-Fetish Apartment Apartment
Petul Apart Hotel Residenz

Petul Apart Hotel Residenz

Essener Straße 69, Essen, NW
Stay at this aparthotel in Essen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (48 reviews)
not your traditional hotel
"I stayed a week and at first was a little shocked when I arrived since it was not your traditional hotel. Except for the cleaning staff, there is no physical person on sight. Except for a grocery store, there was no access to restaurants or food. There was a microwave and fridge which I used or eating ..."

Reviewed on 28 Jan 2018

Petul Apart Hotel Residenz
limehome Essen Kettwiger Str.

limehome Essen Kettwiger Str.

Kettwiger Str. 27, Essen, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Essen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (19 reviews)
"Great position for the Christmas market and station."

Reviewed on 12 Dec 2024

limehome Essen Kettwiger Str.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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