Things to do in Essen

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Essen Attractions

You'll soon learn why travelers flock to Essen. Whatever your interests or age, there are countless activities and attractions to throw yourself into. Book your flights, get your bags packed and prepare to discover this enthralling city.

Discover the sights of Essen with some unique tours & day trips, or check out our list of {71 fun activities in Essen fun activities in Essen}. We have no booking fees as well as free cancellation, so you can rest easy and concentrate on planning your dream vacation.

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Essen must see attractions

1. Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site

The Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site (known as Zeche Zollverein in German) is an architecturally superb industrial complex dating back to the 1840s. With enormous structures and breathtaking Bauhaus elements, the complex has become a landmark site for European industrial heritage and today contains several exciting sites, museums and monuments. Explore the complex’s fascinating sites to learn about the natural and cultural heritage of the Ruhr region.

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2. Red Dot Design Museum

Peruse beautifully presented galleries of contemporary design objects when you explore the Red Dot Design Museum. As one of three Red Dot Design institutions in the world, Essen joins Singapore and Taipei in the forefront of the field in showcasing interesting objects from the everyday to the unusual. About 2,000 exhibits feature objects and products from 45 different countries, highlighting new innovations in design. Just as impressive as the galleries, the museum’s location within the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex highlights the intriguing industrial design of Essen’s former coal mine.

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3. Folkwang Museum

Discover the extensive holdings of three different collections in the Folkwang Museum, an institution in Essen dedicated to art from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum had its beginnings in 1922 after the merger of the Essener Kunstmuseum (Essen Municipal Art Museum) and the private collection of Karl Ernst Osthaus. Within the museum, find the matchless Deutsches Plakat Museum (German Poster Museum).

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4. Grugapark Botanical Garden

The Grugapark Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten Grugapark) draws together the plants of the world in an expertly curated estate. Wander through exotic plantings or find out what a traditional Westphalian farmer’s cottage garden looks like when you explore Grugapark Botanical Garden’s intriguing displays. Admire the fascinating plants and trees in the tropical rainforest, an American wildflower meadow and the Mediterranean coast.

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5. Ruhr Museum

The Ruhr Museum presents a unique showcase of the Ruhr region’s heritage and highlights the geology, archaeology and history of the area by reviving an old coal-mining building. Explore the fascinating industrial structure, formerly used as a coal-washing plant, and learn about the Ruhr region’s rich heritage through expertly curated exhibits.

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Recommended things to do in Essen

Number of things to do	71
Things to do from	$9
Cheapest thing to do	Essen: Highlights of City Center Self-Guided Walking Tour
Top 5 things to do	Private audio book city rally around the old town of Essen Kettwig Essen Private Guided Walking Tour Essen Self Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game Essen-Mülheim: Airbus A320 Flight Simulator Essen: Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour
Under $25	Essen Self Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game Essen: Highlights of City Center Self-Guided Walking Tour Essen: Kettwig Old Town Self-guided walk Essen: Kupferdreh - Self-guided Walk Railway, Lake, History Adventure Darkness - Guided tour in the dark
With kids	Adventure Darkness - Guided tour in the dark Private city tour VW Bulli meets mining museum in Bochum Gelsenkirchen Rheinelbe Audio Rally by P.I. Sir Peter Morgan Oberhausen: SEA LIFE Ticket and Behind the Scenes Tour Oberhausen: SEA LIFE Oberhausen Entry Ticket

What to do in Essen

Free Things to Do in Essen

Vacationing on a lean budget in Essen? Spend time, not money, on fabulous experiences.

Tetrahedon Bottrop - When you want to get cultured, stop by and observe the artistic creativity on show.

University of Duisburg-Essen - Architecture aficionado or not, get set to be awed by this landmark's modernistic design.

Old Synagogue - Get educated on some of the unique history of the area through this attraction.

Baldeneysee - There's something calming about being around water, so stay a while here.

Collegiate Church - Do some soul searching or just take in the tranquil ambiance at this religious site.

Stadtgarten - Whether you can distinguish your lilies from lilacs, you're sure to find beauty in this gorgeous display.

Things to Do in Essen with Kids

There are plenty of incredible experiences in Essen that the whole gang will enjoy. Here are some of the best family friendly experiences in the area.

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Essen? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Essen on a sunny day?

You won’t want to be stuck in the hotel when you could be out having fun on a KölnCard - City Pass.

What to do in Essen on a rainy day?

Try some of these fun indoor activities and you’ll quickly forget about the damp weather:

Are there cheap things to do in Essen?

If you’re vacationing on a strict budget, add the following cheap and cheerful tours and activities to your schedule:

What can you do in Essen for free?

Your trip to Essen needn’t blow the budget with free attractions like these on offer:

CentrO
Ruhr University Bochum
University of Duisburg-Essen
Tiger and Turtle - Magic Mountain

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Schloss Borbeck

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

Ruhr

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

Old Synagogue

Find out about the history of Essen when you take a trip to Old Synagogue. Experience the area's theater scene and live music.

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Essen

Stadtbezirke I

If you're spending time in Stadtbezirke I, check out sights like Philharmonie Essen or Aalto-Musiktheater and hop on the metro to see more the city at Hirschlandplatz U-Bahn or Berliner Platz U-Bahn.

Stadtkern

4.5/5(8 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.

Ruettenscheid

4/5(2 area reviews)

The bars and museums are just a few things visitors like about Ruettenscheid. Grugahalle and Grugapark Botanical Garden are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Messe Ost-Gruga-Halle U-Bahn or Martinstrasse U-Bahn to get around the larger area.

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 the city at Essen Stadtwald S-Bahn or Martinstrasse U-Bahn.

Kettwig

5/5(5 area reviews)

Historic 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

If you're spending time in Stadtbezirke IX, check out sights like Seaside Beach Baldeney or Baldeneysee and hop on the metro to see more the city at Essen-Werden S-Bahn or Essen-Hügel S-Bahn.

See our Where To Stay guide