What to do in Essen

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Essen

Types of activities

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Essen travel guide

Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site

Essen Tourist Attractions & Activities

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Recommended things to do in Essen

Number of things to do	19
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	Wuppertal: Visiodrom Immersive da Vinci Exhibition Entry: AU$26
Top 5 things to do	Private city rally around the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Es... Private audio book city rally around the old town of Essen Kettwig Essen-Mülheim: Airbus A320 Flight Simulator Essen: Segway Tour Along the Baldeneysee Essen Private Guided Walking Tour
Half-day tours	Private city rally around the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Es... Private audio book city rally around the old town of Essen Kettwig Essen-Mülheim: Airbus A320 Flight Simulator Essen: Segway Tour Along the Baldeneysee Essen Private Guided Walking Tour
With kids	LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Oberhausen Tickets Wuppertal: Visiodrom Immersive da Vinci Exhibition Entry Private city tour VW Bulli meets mining museum in Bochum

What to do in Essen

Discover the most popular places to visit in Essen

Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site

Explore a complex described as the most beautiful coal mine in the world to find captivating museums and learn about Essen’s fascinating industrial heritage.

Folkwang Museum

Photography, modern art and German posters are among the themes in this museum, which combines three major collections into one wide-ranging survey.

Red Dot Design Museum

First-rate contemporary design is the theme that unites the exhibits on display at this museum, which is housed within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ruhr Museum

Discover the rich cultural and natural history of the Ruhr region when you peruse the exhibits in this repurposed building in the former Zollverein coal mine.

Grugapark Botanical Garden

Go on a botanical tour of the world and indulge your senses in the beautifully maintained displays of this garden in Essen’s large municipal park.

Aalto-Musiktheater

Enjoy a night of opera or ballet in this landmark theater that incorporates contemporary architecture and state-of-the-art acoustics into its design.

Ruhr

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Ruhr during your travels in Essen.

Schloss Borbeck

After visiting Schloss Borbeck, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Essen. Take in the theatre scene while you're in the area.

Messe Essen

5/5(2 reviews)

Learn about the events happening in Messe Essen during your trip to Essen. Take in the theatre scene while you're in the area.

Explore areas of Essen

Stadtkern

4/5(2 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and bars, there's plenty to explore in Stadtkern. Top attractions like Philharmonie Essen and International Christmas Market Essen 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.

Stadtbezirke I

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

Ruettenscheid

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.

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.

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.

Stadtbezirke IX

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

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