Things to do in Essen

Activities, attractions and tours

A modern glass building with a landscaped garden in front.
A modern building with a glass facade, a pedestrian bridge, and a large tree.
A modern building with glass windows, surrounded by well-maintained greenery and outdoor seating areas.
A pedestrian bridge with a metal railing and a concrete walkway.
A modern building with a unique facade, surrounded by lush green trees and a clear blue sky.

Things to do

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Oberhausen Tickets

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Oberhausen Tickets

RM95
per adult
LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Oberhausen Tickets
Private audio book city rally around Duisburg’s inner harbour

Private audio book city rally around Duisburg’s inner harbour

RM185
per traveller
Private audio book city rally around Duisburg’s inner harbour
Hut tour Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park

Hut tour Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park

RM93
per adult
Hut tour Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park
Dusseldorf Airport Same Day Luggage Services

Dusseldorf Airport Same Day Luggage Services (1 Traveler 1 Bag)

RM558
per traveller
Dusseldorf Airport Same Day Luggage Services (1 Traveler 1 Bag)
Digital scavenger hunt around the Zeche Zollverein in Essen

Private city rally around the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen

RM185
per traveller
Private city rally around the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen
Duisburg: Guided Walking Tour through the inner harbour

Duisburg: Guided Walking Tour through the inner harbour

RM65
per adult
Duisburg: Guided Walking Tour through the inner harbour
Adventure Darkness - Guided tour in the dark

Adventure Darkness - Guided tour in the dark

RM86
per adult
Adventure Darkness - Guided tour in the dark
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What to do in Essen

Stay near popular Essen attractions

An industrial area with a canal reflecting structures and greenery.

Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site

9.0/10 (217 reviews)
This UNESCO-listed complex showcases stunning Bauhaus industrial architecture from Germany's coal mining heyday. Explore the transformed cultural hub through guided tours and visit the Ruhr Museum for regional insights.
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Where to stay in Essen

Find the best Essen areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A colorful building with a golden dome, surrounded by lush greenery and a winding path.

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.

A Grillo-Theater with illuminated spherical decorations and a tree in front.
Photo by Annette Loske
Open Photo by Annette Loske

Stadtkern

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

A cobblestone street lined with traditional half-timbered buildings and a clear blue sky.

Werden

Check out the monuments during your time in Werden. Hop around the Essen area on the metro at Essen-Werden S-Bahn to see top sights like Essen Luciuskirche and Basilica St. Ludgerus.

A modern building with a glass tower and a flat-roofed structure in a green park.

Stadtbezirke I

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

A modern building with a curved facade, large windows, and a covered entrance area.

Suedviertel

Get to know Suedviertel and its many features like its bars and museums. You might want to explore sights like Folkwang Museum and Aalto-Musiktheater, and you can jump on the metro at Philharmonie U-Bahn or Bismarckplatz U-Bahn to get around the city.

A large yellow building with green shutters and a clock tower.

Ratingen

CITY POINT building with CITY POINT and H&M signs, a Starbucks Coffee shop, and various other storefronts.

Bochum

A historic building with a fountain in a garden.

Gelsenkirchen

A riverside promenade with historic buildings, a bridge, and a calm water body reflecting the architecture.

Muelheim an der Ruhr

Frequently asked questions

Is Essen worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Essen is visit LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Oberhausen. Tick this major attraction off your to-do list, then discover more of the area's views and family-friendly attractions.
How do I spend a day in Essen?
When you've checked off major attractions like LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Oberhausen and Seaside Beach Baldeney, spend the rest of your day discovering the food and retail options in Essen.
What is the top tourist attraction in Essen?
The top tourist attraction in Essen is LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Oberhausen, so be sure to add it to your agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Essen?
You can easily enjoy top sights like Seaside Beach Baldeney, AQUApark Oberhausen and Metronom Theatre with a three-day stay in Essen. On average, most travellers book two days here. There's plenty to explore nearby too, so linger longer and head to Düsseldorf.
Is Essen a walkable city?
It depends on what you plan to see and do in Essen. Several key attractions, such as Colosseum Theatre and Essen Cathedral, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll through some of Essen's best neighbourhoods, Stadtbezirke I is 0.32 kilometres away from downtown, while Stadtkern is 0.16 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Essen with kids?
If you're looking for activities and attractions for all the family, take a look at these fabulous ideas for what to do in Essen with kids.

What to do in Essen for adults?
Grugahalle and Red Dot Design Museum are just a couple of the things to do in Essen. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Essen?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Essen is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other highlights you can visit without taking your wallet out. Baldeneysee is one sight that doesn't charge an admission fee.