Essen is a city in Germany located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in the Ruhr region.
The city is home to many industrial organizations and offers several interesting options of museums and attractions.
Essen Germany
How to spend 1 day in Essen Germany
In this 1-day itinerary in Essen, discover the main attractions of the city.
Day 1 in Essen
Start the day by visiting Essen Cathedral, located in the old city center. The Alte Synagoge located near the cathedral is one of the best-preserved Jewish sites that survived World War II.
Also visit the Kreuzeskirche, a church built between 1894 – 1896 located near the Alte Synagogue. Head to Villa Hügel, a mansion built in 1873 for the Krupp family, one of the richest industrialist dynasties in the region. The mansion houses an excellent art collection.
Take a stroll along Lake Baldeneysee or take a boat ride to the historic Kettig district.
Things to see
- Essen Cathedral
- Alte Synagoge
- Kreuzeskirche
- Baldeneysee
- Villa Hügel
- Kettwig
Itinerary Map
Sights in Essen
1. Baldeneysee Lake
Lake Baldeneysee is the largest lake in Essen. It is an artificial lake formed after the construction of a barrier in 1993.
The lake is 8 km long and it is one of the busiest tourist spots in the region.
Baldeneysee Lake
2. Villa Hügel
The Villa Hügel is a mansion built in 1873 for the Krupp family. Set in a park, the mansion houses an excellent art collection.
Hügel 15, 45133
3. Alte Synagogue
The Alte Synagogue was built in 1913. It is one of the most well-preserved Jewish cultural sites that survived World War II.
Schützenbahn 1, 45127
4. Grugapark
The Grugapark is a public park established in 1929, and enlarged in 1952 and 1965. It is located a short walk from the center of Essen.
It has an observation tower, old fountains, and restaurants.
Virchowstraße 167a, 45147
5. Essen Cathedral
The Essen Cathedral originally built to be a monastery in the 9th century is one of the oldest cathedrals in Germany.
It was founded in 1958.
Kettwiger Str. 42, 45127
6. Essen-Kettwig
Kettwig is a district located in the southern part of Essen next to the river Ruhr 14 km from the center.
The Schloss Huegenpoet located in Kettwig has been renovated and transformed into a hotel.
Kettwig
7. Altstadt
The center of Essen is a nice place to spend time and to be explored. The area is full of shops and restaurants.
8. Kreuzeskirche
The Kreuzeskirche is located in the city center. It is a church built between 1894 and 1896.
I. Weberstraße 12, 45127
9. Zollverein Complex
The Zollverein Complex is one of the main attractions of the city. It occupies a part of an abandoned industrial area and it was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2001.
The Ruhr Museum is the regional museum of the Ruhr Area. In its permanent exhibition, the Ruhr Museum presents, with over 6,000 exhibits, the fascinating history of one of the largest industrial regions of the world.
Gelsenkirchener Str. 181, 45309
Where to stay in Essen
1. Mercure Plaza Essen
The Mercure Plaza Essen is located 1 km from the Central Station.
Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, minibar, and work desk.
The hotel has a swimming pool and a sauna.
Bismarckstraße 48-50, 45128
2. Holiday Inn Express Essen
The Holiday Inn Express Essen is located close to the Berliner Platz Station and 500 meters from the ThyssenKrupp Business Park.
Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, coffee maker, and work desk.
Thea-Leymann-Straße 11, 45127
3. Sheraton Essen
The Sheraton Essen is located close to the Phillarmonie/Saalbau Station.
Rooms are modern and equipped with a flat-screen TV, and work desk.
Huyssenallee 55, 45128
4. Hotel Essener Hof
Located near the city’s central station, the Hotel Essener Hof offers comfortable and cozy accommodation.
The rooms have a flat-screen TV and a work desk.
The hotel has a gym.
Am Handelshof 5, 45127 Essen, Germany
5. the niu Cobbles
the niu Cobbles is a modern hotel located within walking distance of the Essen Philharmonic.
The rooms are cozy and have a flat-screen TV.
Friedrichstraße 43, 45128 Essen, Germany
Malls and Department Stores in Essen
1. Galeria Kaufhof Essen
Galeria Kaufhof is a German department store chain with many stores in Germany.
The company features brands like Esprit, S. Oliver, Tom Taylor, Gerry Weber, Tommy Hilfiger, Bugatti, Olymp.
1A, Kettwiger Str., 45127
2. Limbecker Platz Essen
The Limbecker Platz is one of the largest malls in Germany. It has more than 200 stores in an area of 70,000 square meters.
Brands: Bench, Betty Barclay, Bonita, Cecil, Diesel, New Yorker.
Limbecker Platz 1a
Plan your Trip
Essen has easy train access from various cities in Germany. Famous cities nearby: Düsseldorf, Münster, Dortmund, Cologne, Bonn.
Distances
Düsseldorf – 34.6 km (21.5 miles)
Dortmund – 37 km (23 miles)
Cologne – 72.9 km (45.3 miles)
Bonn – 108 km (67.2 miles)
Frankfurt – 248 km (154 miles)
Koblenz – 181 km (112 miles)
Essen Germany Map
Book Your Trip
Book Your Accommodation
Book your hotel with Booking.com as they consistently provide the cheapest and lowest rates.
Book Your Flight
Find cheap flights to Germany by using Momondo. Momondo is a flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many budget carriers.
Book a Train Ticket
Check the train routes and schedules with Omio. Omio is an authorized Deutsche Bahn ticket seller, which compares and combines transport options for complete flexibility.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, and cancellations. It’s a protection in case anything goes wrong. You can book your travel insurance with Travelexinsurance.com.
See also
10 Suggested Itineraries for Germany + Top Destinations
Outlets & Department Stores in Germany: Shopping Guide
