4 Days of Fun and Culture in Essen

Experience the perfect fusion of modernity and history in Essen, Germany.

22 April 2023

Essen has an industrial landscape that serves as a symbol of the city's past. However, tourists visiting the city can also explore the impressive museums, parks, churches, and shops in the area. A trip to Essen will give tourists a taste of German culture and history.

Travel plan

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Day 1

Art and Architecture

  • Check in to the boutique Hotel Atelier Garni, filled with art and located in the trendy Rüttenscheid district.
  • Visit the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning modernist buildings and exhibitions.
  • Stroll around the Museum Folkwang, a collection of art from the 19th century onwards including works by Monet, Munch, and Warhol.
  • Take in the futuristic design of the Grillo-Theater, a venue for plays and operas with a glass façade and a striking red and white color scheme.
  • Have dinner at the cozy Zur Hölle brewery restaurant, trying their hearty pork knuckle and locally brewed beer.
Day 2

Green Spaces and Local Delights

  • Start with a morning walk in the Grugapark, a vast green oasis featuring themed gardens, lakes, and animals.
  • Visit the Villa Hügel, a former residence of the Krupp family with opulent interiors, a park-like garden, and views over the city and the Ruhr region.
  • Have lunch at the Rüttenscheider Hausbrauerei, a beer garden-style restaurant serving classic German fare like schnitzel and sausages, as well as craft beer.
  • Learn about local history at the Ruhr Museum, housed in a former coal-washing plant and showcasing multimedia exhibits on industrialization, war, and culture.
  • End the day with a drink at the Alte Liebe, a cozy pub with vintage décor and a wide selection of beers, wines, and spirits.
Day 3

Shopping and Sightseeing

  • Explore the pedestrianized shopping zone around Limbecker Platz, with over 200 stores, restaurants, and cafes.
  • Admire the Gothic architecture of the Essen Cathedral, with its soaring spire, intricately carved portals, and stained-glass windows.
  • Visit the Red Dot Design Museum, located in the Zollverein coal washery and displaying award-winning products from various fields of design.
  • Take a boat tour of the Baldeneysee, a picturesque lake surrounded by forests and hills, and stop at the Villa Rü on its shore for a coffee and cake break.
  • Have dinner at the Brauhaus am Kreuzberg, a rustic brewery restaurant with outdoor seating and German specialties like potato pancakes and beer cheese soup.
Day 4

Culture and Cuisine

  • Start with a visit to the Philharmonie, a concert hall with outstanding acoustics and a program of classical and contemporary music.
  • Explore the Contemporary Art Collection of the Museum Folkwang, showcasing works by modern and contemporary artists such as Kippenberger, Richter, and Hirst.
  • Take a guided tour of the Zeche Zollern, a former coal mine turned museum with preserved machinery, a mine railway, and a workers' settlement.
  • Enjoy a late lunch at the Rüttenscheider Marktküche, a market-style restaurant with seasonal dishes made from fresh ingredients and locally sourced produce.
  • Finish the trip with a sweet treat at the Stadtkonditorei J.G. Niederegger, serving marzipan delicacies and other pastries since 1806.

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Essen by plane is to fly into Düsseldorf International Airport and take the regional express train (RE1) to Essen Hauptbahnhof, which takes about 30 minutes.

Car

Driving to Essen is relatively easy, with the city being well-connected to Germany's motorway network. The A40 and A52 both pass through Essen, making it easily accessible from cities such as Dortmund and Düsseldorf.

Train

Essen is well-connected by rail, with Essen Hauptbahnhof being the main train station. It is possible to take a train from almost anywhere in Germany to Essen. The fastest route is via high-speed ICE train from Frankfurt, which takes around 2.5 hours.

Boat

As Essen is situated inland, there are no direct boat routes to the city. However, it is possible to take a boat trip along the nearby Rhine River, which passes through Düsseldorf and Duisburg, both of which are easily accessible from Essen via train or car.

Bus

There are many bus companies that operate routes to and from Essen. Flixbus and Eurolines are two popular options, with both offering services to nearby cities such as Amsterdam and Brussels.

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