What to do in Essen

Activities, attractions and tours

Essen
Essen
Essen
Essen
Essen

Essen Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Essen has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Essen, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Essen with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Essen

Essen is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Essen, and make it a breeze to explore Essen and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Essen to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Essen, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Essen.

Essen attractions

Essen has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Essen to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Essen.

Looking for things to do in Essen can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Essen or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Essen attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!


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What to do in Essen


Popular places to visit

Explore areas of Essen

Ruettenscheid as well as a large group of people

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
Theater with artistic lights

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 Limbecker Platz 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
Essen-Kettwig - Ruhrpromenade

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
This is a handheld long exposure of the waterfall in the Grugapark.

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
Aalto Theater in Essen

Stadtbezirke I

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

Stadtbezirke I
Suedviertel showing modern architecture

Suedviertel

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

Suedviertel

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 


 

Day trip destinations from Essen

Frequently asked questions

Is Essen worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Essen is visit LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Oberhausen. Tick this major attraction off your to-do list, then discover more of the area's views and family-friendly attractions.
How do I spend a day in Essen?
When you've checked off major attractions like LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Oberhausen and Seaside Beach Baldeney, spend the rest of your day discovering the food and retail options in Essen.
What is the top tourist attraction in Essen?
The top tourist attraction in Essen is LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Oberhausen, so be sure to add it to your agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Essen?
You can easily enjoy top sights like Seaside Beach Baldeney, AQUApark Oberhausen and Metronom Theatre with a three-day stay in Essen. On average, most travellers book two days here. There's plenty to explore nearby too, so linger longer and head to Düsseldorf.
Is Essen a walkable city?
It depends on what you plan to see and do in Essen. Several key attractions, such as Colosseum Theatre and Essen Cathedral, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll through some of Essen's best neighbourhoods, Stadtbezirke I is 0.32 kms (0.20 miles) away from downtown, while Stadtkern is 0.16 kms (0.10 miles) away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Essen with kids?
What to do in Essen for adults?
Grugahalle and Red Dot Design Museum are just a couple of the things to do in Essen. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Essen?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Essen is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other highlights you can visit without taking your wallet out. Baldeneysee is one sight that doesn't charge an admission fee.

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