Essen

Travel Guide
Essen
A city in the heart of the Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Essen is one of the largest cities in Germany and the 2010 European Capital of Culture.

Founded in the 9th century, Essen grew as an industrial town focused on the iron works of the Krupp family. The town swiftly developed into a city, becoming one of Germany’s most important centers for coal and steel all the way until the second half of the 20th century.

Visit Zeche Zollverein, one of the shining beacons of the city’s industrial heritage, described as the most beautiful coal mine in the world and now established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today the building, famed for its Bauhaus style, plays host to cultural and artistic institutions from museums to a design centre. Elsewhere you can explore the Villa Hügel, which was once the family chateau of the city’s Krupp family, a 269-room mansion which now serves as an art history museum and concert venue.

Elsewhere, the Folkwang Museum provides a great day out, with exhibits spanning the long history of photography and with a gallery bringing together paintings from many different periods. The Aalto Theatre and opera house is another fine venue and an architectural marvel not to be missed.

Take a trip to Essen Minster and enjoy this great piece of Gothic architecture made from light sandstone. Inside you’ll find precious exhibits such as the Golden Madonna of Essen which is over a thousand years old and the oldest known free-standing Madonna sculpture north of the Alps.

A rather more modern religious building, constructed in 1913 as the New Synagogue (now known as the Old Synagogue), was the central place of worship for the Jewish community in Essen before the war. It is still renowned as one of the finest examples of Jewish culture and architecture to be found from pre-1930s Germany.

Head to the south of the city to explore the boroughs of Kettwig and Werden which have preserved their traditional and iconic local character, with buildings dating back thousands of years, including the church of Werden Abbey, St. Ludgerus, which was designated a papal basilica minor two decades ago.

Though undoubtedly an old industrial city, Essen has been rejuvenated with thriving modern culture.

Where to stay in Essen

Essen

Stadtbezirke I

While you're in Stadtbezirke I, take in top sights like Philharmonie Essen or Colosseum Theater, 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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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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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
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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
Essen

Stadtbezirke IX

While you're in Stadtbezirke IX, take in top sights like Villa Hugel or Seaside Beach Baldeney, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Essen-Werden S-Bahn or Essen-Hügel S-Bahn.

Stadtbezirke IX
Flowers Hotel Essen
Flowers Hotel Essen
Frohnhauser Str. 55, Essen
The price is S$70 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
S$70
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Essen. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (244 reviews)
"The location was very convenient and close to city center and shopping areas Walking distance to train station and old town Spacious room and comfortable"

Reviewed on 10 Jan,2024

Flowers Hotel Essen
Select Hotel Handelshof Essen
Select Hotel Handelshof Essen
Am Hauptbahnhof 2, Essen, NW
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$94 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
S$94
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Essen. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Awesome! Great location to the train station and Christmas market. Grest rooms and great staff."

Reviewed on 4 Dec,2023

Select Hotel Handelshof Essen
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 S$88 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
S$88
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Essen. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions International ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (274 reviews)
"Amazing place to stay"

Reviewed on 25 Nov,2023

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.
limehome Essen Kettwiger Str.
limehome Essen Kettwiger Str.
Kettwiger Str. 27, Essen, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Essen. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a Smart TV. Popular attractions Grillo-Theater and Essen Cathedral are located nearby. ...
7.6/10 Good! (4 reviews)
ロケーション最高
"ロケーションは最高。エッセン中央駅からすぐ近く。もう一つ手前の地下鉄駅までは徒歩2分。レストランもショッピングモールも徒歩圏内。部屋は広くて清潔。キッチン家電も器具も食器も全て完備。もちろんワイングラスもあり。 エレベーターあり。 ひとつ残念なのは、建物入口のセキュリティコード入力後、ドアが開く反応がものすごく遅い。コード間違えたのかと思って何回も入力してしまった。夜中到着だったので、すごく焦った。 建物入館後、各階の廊下に入るために、もう一度同じコードを入力する必要あり。廊下に入るための事まで詳しく書いてなかったので、あれ?どのコード入力?と思った。 ここも反応遅い。 部屋に入るためにはアクティベーションコードを入力する必要あり。一回アクティベーションすれば、後は4桁のコードで出入りできる。 ..."

Reviewed on 25 Feb,2024

limehome Essen Kettwiger Str.
Aparthotel TU-TU
Aparthotel TU-TU
Maxstraße 15, Essen, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Essen. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site and Westfield ...
7.4/10 Good! (39 reviews)
"Well organized. Simple. Perfect in this price range"

Reviewed on 26 Feb,2023

Aparthotel TU-TU
Limehome Essen Kibbelstraße
Limehome Essen Kibbelstraße
Kibbelstraße 34, Essen
Stay at this apartment in Essen. Enjoy free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and a kitchen. Popular attractions Limbecker Platz and Philharmonie Essen are located nearby. ...
7.4/10 Good! (16 reviews)
Spacious, comfortable and central
"Good: Central location, comfy bed, well equipped kitchen (inc Nespresso, hobs, big fr/freezer and microwave), good shower. Very spacious. Bad: Lots of stairs (60+) to third floor (some apartments on 2nd floor) and no lift. Patchy/slow Wi-Fi, so Netflix wouldn't really work on TV and struggled to ..."

Reviewed on 19 Oct,2021

Limehome Essen Kibbelstraße
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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