Tourist Places to Visit in Essen, Germany, Europe
Essen is a city belonging to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany lying between latitude 51°27′3″ in the north and longitude 7°0′47″ in the east. It is the 9th largest city in Germany in population and is located around 35 km northeast of the state capital, Düsseldorf and 530 km southwest of the national capital, Berlin.
Geography of Essen:
Situated on the banks of the River Ruhr at an altitude of 116 meters, Essen spans over an area of 210.32 sq. km. Essen features a temperate-oceanic climate with cool summers and mild winters.
History of Essen:
The history of Essen dates back to 845 when it was originally founded according to the historical sources. Until the 1970s, Essen was one of the major coal and steel centers in Germany.
How to reach Essen?
Essen has a good connectivity with all around the country by both train and bus services, but there is no airport in Essen and the nearest airport Düsseldorf International Airport is not far from Essen, say around 30 km. It can be reachable by train or bus or any of the private vehicles.
There are buses regular between Essen and Dusseldorf, Dortmund and also many travel agencies operate bus services between these cities during peak season.
For local travel, to reach tourist destinations and airport, tourists can use taxi or rental vehicles for comfort travel.
Culture, Food and Shopping in Essen:
International Christmas Market in Essen features 200 arts and crafts stalls and it takes place from late November to early December. Other events are Essen Light Weeks, Enjoy Essen and Lake Baldeney.
The major shopping mall of Essen is placed in city’s western part and the food corners in Essen are as follows:
- Gummersbach
- Ange d’Or Junior
- Landhaus Schnitzler
- Jagdhaus Schellenberg
What to do in Essen?
- Spa and Massage
- Regional festivals
- Walking
What to see in Essen?
Zeche Zollverein:
Zeche Zollverein is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as world’s most attractive coal mine. It is widely renowned for its cultural centers including famous museums.
Villa Hügel:
Constructed by industrial sachem Alfred Krupp in 1873, Villa Hügel is a 269-room mansion and now it is home to art history museum, concert venue and many other specialties.
Botanical Garden Grugapark:
Botanical Garden Grugapark in Essen features waterfall, park railroad, restaurants, playgrounds and a wide range of animals. It is allowed for tourists from 9.00 am until nightfall. The entrance fee is 3€.
List of other places of interest in Essen include:
- Folkwang Museum
- Aalto Opera-House
- Essener Münster Cathedral
- Ludgerus Basilica
- Kettwig Pictures
- Kettwig Historical District
- The old town of Werden
- Synagogue and Jewish Museum
- Zeche Carl
- Museum Folkwang
- Ruhr Museum Essen
- Dom-Schatzkammer
- Red Dot Design Museum
- Kettwiger Altstadt
- Hoher Dom
- Colosseum Theater
Ideal time to visit Essen:
Generally the ending months of the year will be best to trip Essen for Christmas celebration.
Where to stay in Essen?
Essen hosts plenty of well facilitated accommodation centers categorized as hotels, BB and Inns, lodges and holiday rentals. Most of the international hotels are located in the city centre and budget options are in the outskirts of the city. Here are the reputed hotels in Essen:
- ATLANTIC Congress Hotel Essen
- Hotel Landhaus Knappmann
- Mintrops Land Hotel Burgaltendorf
- Mercure Hotel Plaza Essen
- Holiday Inn Express Essen
- Motel One Essen
- TOP CCL Hotel Essener Hof
- Moevenpick Hotel Essen
- Schlosshotel Hugenpoet
- Sheraton Essen Hotel
- Rheinischer Hof
- Hotel Gastgeb
- Ibis Essen Hauptbahnhof
- Hotel Residence
- Ibis Budget Hotel Essen Nord