Location: Essen
Top Things to do in Essen
10 Things to do in Essen That You Shouldn't Miss
Essen began in the mid-9th century as home to a women's abbey, then during the Renaissance became an important coal mining town and later a major steel production center. The famed metal-working Krupp family opened their first foundry here in 1810. One of Essen's most interesting places is the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, once the largest colliery in the world. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts 800,000 visitors a year, often hosting art exhibitions and performances.
Restaurants in Essen
1. Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,414 reviews
Reviewed By KarinvanB
They are still re-opening/re-arranging areas of the old mines for the people. You can get on the terrain without paying a fee and just walk around. There is also a cycling path. I would suggest to visit the museum. The very long escalator is a highlight itself. There is plenty to see. You can have a drink afterwards at the cafe. Plenty of parkingspaces. The area is also good accessable by train. Everywhere in Essen you see pictures of the Zollverein. Happy I finally got to meet it, in real life????.
2. Villa Hugel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 590 reviews
Reviewed By SERGUEY1969 - St. Petersburg, Russia
Very Nice Krupp Family House located in the Park nearby the river. Historical Place with more than 100 years History. I was pleased to be there.
3. Museum Folkwang
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 489 reviews
Reviewed By samuel8248 - Nuremberg, Germany
So far the best art museum I've visited in Germany. Amazing permanent collection. Way better than expected. Beautiful artworks
4. Ruhr Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By 355stefang - Brussels, Belgium
The Ruhr Museum is easily one of the best and most interesting museums I have ever visited anywhere in the world. Naturally, the fact the museum is in a HUGE, old industrial building is in itself extremely interesting. It's almost like one day the machines were just switched off, and then the next day a museum bloomed inside. Spread out over several floors, you will have to spend a day or even two to really see and read everything in the museum (most description cards were only in German, if I remember correctly, but there was also English for much of the museum). You can also go to the rooftop for wonderful views of the Zollverein complex. Obligatory giftshop and toilets available inside, as well. In the museum you'll gain an understanding of the impact the Ruhr Gebiet (Ruhr Valley/Area) had on the local population - how it was essentially their livelihood - and a good understanding of the impact industrialization has had on the environment, and what's being done about it today. There are numerous mining objects, countless gems, rocks, animals, etc., so many you'd think you actually went to a natural history museum. I can't express how fantastic this museum was. There is so much to see and the building itself and old mining machinery just make this an awesome experience. Highly recommended!
5. Red Dot Design Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By Johnny19039
The Red Dot Design Museum is the largest of its kind in the world. There are some smaller museums in Singapore and in China. The museum is very well designed, which is in part due to the fact that modern, well-designed utility items and other objects are presented in an old industrial building on the site of the former coal mine site ″Zollverein″. A large part of the exhibited objects won the Red Dot Award just this year. The museum is larger than you might first imagine and you should bring plenty of time to take a close look at everything. The staff in the cash desk area are very friendly. Nearby there are enough free parking spaces.
6. GOP Variete-Theater Essen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 705 reviews
Entziehen Sie sich mitten in der City einer Großstadt für einige Stunden dem alltäglichen Stress und gönnen Sie sich einen ganzen Abend voller Freude und Genuss mit Live-Unterhaltung in einem der schönsten Varieté-Theater Nordrhein-Westfalens: im GOP Varieté-Theater Essen. Unser Anspruch ist ebenso einfach wie maßlos: Ihnen einen unvergesslichen Abend zu bieten!
Reviewed By wuschof - Essen, Germany
Every visit with another programm was really fantastic. The theatre is cozy and nicely decorated. The service i very good an as well as food and beverages. I would visit the GOP Variete Theater always again.
7. Botanischer Garten Grugapark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 629 reviews
Reviewed By KarinvanB
I took the metro to the park. There are 2 stations. From Gruga/Messe West it is only a few steps to the park. I enjoyed my early morning run here. I could just go through the gate without paying a fee. The park is beautiful! You can walk, run, place. Enjoy the water, statues and nature. For the kids there are trampolines and playgrounds. You can enjoy a coffee or snack at one of the bistros. It is nice to walk by the Ronald McDonald Haus designed by the architect Hundertwasser. There is also a path especially created for wheelchairs/strollers.
8. Old Town Kettwig
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 198 reviews
Reviewed By hestervanaalst - Elst, The Netherlands
Really nice old part of the city to walk through. Nice promenade along the river, nice half wooden houses and nice little cafes for a good cup of coffee. We walked there for an hour of two.
9. Kruppsiedlung Margarethenhohe
10. Old Town Werden
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