Essen

Essen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. With almost 582,000 inhabitants (2020), Essen is a service and administrative city, with several large companies headquartered here. A highlight of Essen is Zeche Zollverein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) with several museums. It is also famous for its Bauhaus architecture. This former industrial city was the European Capital of Culture in 2010 and the European Green Capital for 2017.

Understand

Essen is a regional centre of the Ruhr area. Although its history goes back a long way, it was not until the middle of the 19th century that it grew from a small town to a large industrial city, with over 750,000 inhabitants at its heyday.

Essen was famous as a classic heavy industry centre; this has changed since the 1970s. Only a few symbols remain from the former mining industry. Steel production is no longer as important as it used to be. Like the rest of the Ruhr area, Essen is affected by emigration. From 1990 to 2008 alone, the population fell by almost 50,000. However, unlike most of the Ruhr area, Essen's economy is one of the strongest in Germany; it houses numerous energy companies (thus giving it the title of "energy capital of Germany") and logistics firms.

The meaning of the city name is unclear; it probably means "(place in) the east".

Tourist information

Get in

By plane

Nearby airports are:

By car

Essen is located on Autobahn 40.

By train

Essen can be reached quite easily by train. There are many express connections from Cologne, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and other major German cities. Flixtrain serves the city.

You can get here from many neighbouring cities in the Ruhr metropolitan area by regional trains. There are also multiple international connections per day from Bruxelles and Paris via the Eurostar trains.

  • 🌍 Essen Central Station (Essen Hauptbahnhof), Am Hauptbahnhof 5, 45127 Essen. (updated Nov 2019)
  • 🌍 Essen-Altenessen station. Local station for regional trains RE3, RB32, RB35. When the main train line Duisburg - Essen - Dortmund has issues, many trains will be rerouted trough here. Transfer to light rail, trams, busses. (updated Feb 2024)

By bus

Essen is part of the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr bus and train system. See also Ruhrbahn.

  • 🌍 Long distance bus station (Fernbusbahnhof). Most long distance buses arrive near the railway central station. (updated Nov 2019)

By boat

The Rhine river transportation system can be reached via the Herne Kanal. Weiße Flotte Baldeney operate ships on the Ruhr river.

Get around

Essen has an extensive Stadtbahn (light rail), tram, bus and night bus system.

The Light Rail (Stadtbahn, not to be confused with mainline S-Bahn trains) has 3 routes: U11 from the Messe/Grugapark, U17 from Margarethenhöhe, U18 from Mülheim, that merge together south of the central station and cross the city centre underground together, with U18 terminating at Berliner Platz, U11 and U17 passing the University and stopping in Altenessen where U17 terminates and U11 continues into Gelsenkirchen-Horst.

The local tram network extends into Gelsenkirchen and Mülheim, it also runs underground in the city centre and shares some of its stations and routes with the Stadtbahn. The vast majority of trams and stops are accessible.

Buses have a vast network that covers most of the city, including express buses and night service during weekend nights. All buses are disabled-accessible. During off-peak times some underused routes get replaced by a Taxibus (TB) service that requires prior booking.

S-Bahn trains connect the entire Ruhrgebiet and also cross Essen. There are 23 stations within the city.

Taxis are available plenty and always wait in front of both exits of the central train station, but can be a tad expensive.

You can find more information about fares and a journey planner at the Rhein-Ruhr Transit Association 'VRR and Ruhrbahn, who serves Essen and Mülheim.

See
  • 🌍 Zeche Zollverein, Gelsenkirchener Str. 181 (tram 107; bus 170, 183.), ☏ +49 201 246810, . Grounds 06:00-16:00; Visitor Centre/Museum 10:00-18:00. Called the most beautiful coal mine in the world (in fact, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Zollverein nowadays hosts diverse cultural highlights including an outstanding design centre and several museums. It is also famous for its Bauhaus architecture. Museum+special exhibits €10. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Red Dot Design Museum, Gelsenkirchener Straße 181 (just beside Zeche Zollverein), ☏ +49 201 30104-60, . Tu-Su 11:00-18:00 (closed M). Collection of 2000 exemplary pieces of product design. Adults €9, students €4, child (under 12) free. Payment by donation on Fridays. 
  • 🌍 Museum Folkwang, Goethestraße 41 (Metro U11 Tram 107, 108 stop "Philharmonie"), ☏ +49 201-8845000, . Tu W Sa Su 10:00-18:00, Th F 10:00-20:00 (closed Mondays). Known for the exhibits covering the history of photography and for paintings from all eras. Free for permanent collection. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 🌍 Villa Hügel, Hügel 15, ☏ +49 201-616290, fax: +49 201-6162911, . opening hours changing, visit website for details.. Krupp family historical chateau, art history museum and concert venue. After visiting the chateau, have a nice stroll or a boat tour across the Baldeney lake. €5 for the park. (updated Sep 2022)
  • Kettwig Historical District featuring 17th and 18th century streets and buildings.
  • Synagogue and Jewish Museum
  • 🌍 Historic city of Werden. Nice historic city centre with small shops and restaurants. From the historic city centre, it's just a couple of metres to the Werden Abbey, which was founded end of the 8th century. (updated Sep 2015)
  • 🌍 Grugapark, Virchowstraße 167 (Metro U11 stop "Messe Ost/Gruga Bus 142 stop "Alfredbrücke"), ☏ +49 201 8883106, . Open all year round from 09:00 until nightfall. Botanical garden (including playgrounds, waterfall, park railway, look-out tower, various animals, restaurants). €4 (some of the parks attractions may have shorter opening hours and additional fees). (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Aalto Opera House (Aalto Theater), Opernplatz 10 (short walk from Hauptbahnhof or Tram 101,105,106 Bus 145,154,155,NE6 stop "Aalto-Theater"), ☏ +49 201 81 22-200. Interesting piece of architecture by Alvar Aalto (Finland). (updated Nov 2019)
  • 🌍 St. Ludgerus Basilica. (updated Nov 2019)
  • 🌍 Essen Minster Cathedral (Essener Münster), An St. Quintin 3. 14th-century cathedral and treasure museum. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Hespertalbahn. Historic train between Kupferdreh and Haus Scheppen. (updated Nov 2019)

Do
  • International Christmas Market from late November to early December the streets and historic alleys of the city centre are filled with over 200 arts and crafts stalls.
  • Essen Light Weeks. 
  • Enjoy Essen ("Essen genießen", this is a word play since "Essen" translates to "food" as well). Gourmet highlights in autumn. 
  • 🌍 Lake Baldeney (Baldeneysee) (Essen-Hügel and Essen-Kupferdreh stations). Boat rentals, sailing, canoeing, gastronomy. (updated Sep 2015)
  • 🌍 Spiel (Essen Game Fair). An annual four-day boardgame trade fair which is also open to the public held in October at the Messe Essen exhibition centre. (updated Sep 2021)

Theatre and concerts

Art

Small, but vivid: the art scene in Essen. Galleries allocate on the whole city region, with a concentration around the Museum Folkwang:

Cinema
  • Behind the shopping centre Limbecker Platz there is a Cinemaxx-Kino, with 5,370 seats, it is the biggest multiplex cinema in Germany.
  • Essener Filmkunsttheater. Group of various smaller cinemas: filmstudio, Eulenspiegel, Astra-Theater, Galerie Cinema, with ambitious programs. 
  • 🌍 Lichtburg, Kettwiger Str. 36, 45127, ☏ +49 201 23 10 23. With 1,250 seats, it is the biggest and oldest cinema hall in Germany. (updated Nov 2019)

Spa and massage

Learn

The 🌍 University Essen-Duisburg is part of a consortium of three universities in the Ruhr-area (University of Duisburg-Essen, Bochum, and Dortmund) and Germany's largest academic hub.

Work

If you are working for a place that is easy going for digital nomads, have a look at

  • 🌍 KaBü anna Rü, Annastr. 51 (at one of the liveliest places in Rüttenscheid, Annastraße at Klarastraße). during roughly on working days during daytime. This is a cafe combined with a coworking space, in the nice district of Rüttenscheid. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 🌍 Unperfekthaus. It has a permanent coworking place and offers day tickets within its house. (updated Jun 2017)

Buy

Many shops are found in the city centre pedestrian zone. A big shopping-mall "Limbecker Platz" in the western part of the city centre opened in summer 2008. Also pay attention to the "Rüttenscheid"-district with lot of small boutiques.

  • 🌍 City centre pedestrian zone. Stretches from the train station north on and adjacent to Kettwiger Strasse. (updated Feb 2024)
  • 🌍 Rüttenscheid district. Probably Essen's trendiest district, with lots of smaller specialised shops, cafes, and restaurants mainly along the main shopping and strolling promenade, Rüttenscheider Straße. (updated Sep 2015)
  • 🌍 Limbecker Platz ("Berliner Platz" station). M-Sa 10:00-20:00. Large modern shopping centre, large underground car park, underground station that connects directly to the building. (updated Feb 2024)
  • Stores at Essen Central Station (Essen Hauptbahnhof), including the discount grocery store and the drugstore, will be open on Sundays too from 09:00-20:00 as they are exempt from Federal and State sunday closure laws. Expect crowds.

Eat

Budget

All these are in the city centre:

  • 🌍 Wohnraum im Unperfekthaus, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 20, ☏ +49 201-847350, fax: +49 201-8536605, . 10:00-22:30. Mediterranean/nouveau cuisine/vegetarian (no credit cards). (updated Apr 2022)
  • 🌍 Gaststätte Im Briefkasten, Hachestraße 21. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Trattoria La Famiglia, Hindenburgstraße 9. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Tandori Haus, Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 84. Pakistani (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Zagreb Grill, Rottstraße 2. Croatian (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Rks Pizza, Altenessener Str. 11. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 LUA - vietnamesische Küche, Lindenallee 81. (updated Sep 2022)

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Hülsmannshof, Lehnsgrund 14 a (U 17: Laubenweg), ☏ +49 201-871250. 11:30–14:30 and 17:30-22:00. Home cooking. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Kockshusen, Pilgrimsteig 51, ☏ +49 201-3601166. W-M 11:30-22:00. Regional. Accepts ECcard. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Landhaus-Knappmann - Frankenheim-Brauhaus, Ringstr. 198, ☏ +49 2054-7809. M-F 16:00-00:00; Sa Su 11:00-00:00. Regional. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Der Löwe, Kopstadtplatz, 13. Kopstadtplatz. Bavarian-style restaurant. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Casino Zollverein, Gelsenkirchener Str. 181 (Tram 107: Zollverein), ☏ +49 201-830240. Tu-F 11:30–14:30, 17:30-22:30; Sa Su 11:30–14:30, 17:30-00:00. Nouveau cuisine. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Capobianco, Rottstr. 7, ☏ +49 201-226603. M-Sa 12:00-15:00 and 17:30-00:00, Su 12:00-00:00. Classic/Italian. Vegetarian options. Reservations recommended. (updated Sep 2022)
  • 🌍 Cavallino Rosso, Velberter Str. 126, ☏ +49 201-404977. Daily 12:00-14:30, 17:30-23:00. Mediterranean. (updated Sep 2022)
  • Mintrops Landhotel - Mumm, Schwarzensteinweg 81 (SB 15: Burgaltendorf Burgruine), ☏ +49 201-571710. 12:00-14:00, 18:00-23:00. Nouveau/international cuisine. Vegetarian options. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Parkhaus Hügel, Freiherr-vom-Stein-Str. 209 (S6: Essen-Hügel), ☏ +49 201-471091. 11:30–22:30. Nouveau/International cuisine. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Mintrops Stadthotel Margarethenhöhe - Restaurant M, Steile Str. 46 (U-17: Laubenweg), ☏ +49 201-43860, fax: +49 201-4386100. 12:00-14:30 and 18:00-22:30. Asian. 
  • Gummersbach, Fürstenbergstr. 2 (Tram 105: Heißener Str), ☏ +49 201-676464. W-M 17:00-22:30. French; reservations recommended (ECcard accepted). (updated Jan 2016)
  • Lukas, Prinz-Friedrich-Str. 1,, ☏ +49 201-848353. Daily 18:00-23:00. Indian (accepts ECcard). (updated Jan 2016)
  • Ange d'Or Junior, Ruhrtalstr. 326 (S6: Kettwig), ☏ +49 2054-2307. W-Su 18:30-22:30. Italian. Vegetarian options. (updated Jan 2016)
  • La Cena, Haumannplatz 32 (Tram 106: Landgericht), ☏ +49 201-2790269. M-Sa 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:00. Italian. (updated Jan 2016)
  • L'Opera, Theaterpassage/Hirschlandplatz (U11/17/18: Hirschlandplatz), ☏ +49 201-239124. Daily 12:00-23:00. Italian. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Oase Due, Rüttenscheider Str. 189 (U11, Tram 101/107: Martinstr), ☏ +49 201-790640. M-Sa 12:00-14:30, 17:30-23:30. Italian. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Gummersbach, Fürstenbergstr. 2 (Tram 105: Heißener Str.), ☏ +49 201-676464. W-M 17:00-22:30. Reservation recommended. Mediterranean. accepts ECcard.. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Hannappel, Dahlhauser Str. 173 (S1: Essen-Eiberg or RE 14 / S 3 / S 9 / Tram 103 / 109: Essen-Steele, then Bus 164: Breloher Steig), ☏ +49 201-534506. W-M 17:30-22:00. Mediterranean. accepts ECcard,. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Jagdhaus Schellenberg, Heisinger Str. 170a, ☏ +49 201-437870. Mediterranean. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Landhaus Schnitzler, Nöckersberg 65, ☏ +49 201-848140. W-F 12:00-3:00, 18:00-22:30; Sa 18:00-22:30; Su 12:00-00:00 Seasonal. 
  • Tablo, Huyssenallee 5, ☏ +49 201-8119585. Turkish. 

Splurge
  • 🌍 La Grappa, Rellinghauser Str. 4 (Tram 105/106: Aalto Theater), ☏ +49 201-231766. M-F 11:30–14:30, 17:30-23:30; Sa 17:30-23:30. Italian/nouveau cuisine. (updated Sep 2022)
  • Schloss Hugenpoet, Nesselrode, August-Thyssen-Str. 51, ☏ +49 2054-12040. Th-M 18:30-22:00. International food. Dogs not welcome. (updated Jan 2016)

Drink
  • Rüttenscheider Hausbrauerei, Girardetstr. 2 (U11, Tram 101/107: Martinstr. or Tram 105: Rellinghausen Rathaus or SB15: Annental or S6: Kettwig, then Bus 142: Girardet Haus), ☏ +49 201-790060. Reservation recommended. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Isenbergplatz, Isenbergstraße 12. 09:00-02:00. Five bars around a big playground. Meeting place for students, families, punks and managers. Urban culture centre of Essen. (updated Jan 2016)
  • 🌍 Daktari, Juliusstraße 2 (located 5 minutes away from main station), ☏ +49 201-2698595. 19:00-04:00. A small bar with large and delicious cocktails & long drinks. (updated Nov 2019)

Sleep

Budget

Out of the city
  • Das Park Hotel, Emscherinsel, Bottrop-Ebel (S9 stop Bottrop). Completely automated (i.e. only bookable online) concrete drain tubes with beds inside, you book and you're given a code for the door. Honour based system; contribute as many euros as you wish to the project. The project may have been discontinued as their booking webpage is gone. Honour system, contribute as many euros as you wish to the project. (updated Sep 2017)
  • Zimmervermietung Ruth Schläger, Am Wildbach 7, Kettwig, ☏ +49 2054-971648, fax: +49 2054-971649, . (updated Sep 2020)

Mid-range
  • Europa, Hindenburgstr. 35, ☏ +49 201-232041, fax: +49 201-232656. From €70/night. 
  • Jägerhof, Hauptstr. 23 (S6: Kettwig or SB 19: Werdener Markt or Tram 110: Mülheim Wilhelmstr. or Tram 102/104/112/901: Mülheim Stadtmitte or RE1/2/6/11, S1/3, U18: Mülheim Ruhr Hbf or U11: Messe West/Süd / Gruga or Tram 101/107: Martinstr. or Tram 105: Rellinghausen Rathaus or SB15: Annental, then Bus 142/151/190: Kettwiger Markt), ☏ +49 2054-84011, fax: +49 2054-80984. (updated Jan 2016)
  • 🌍 Mintrops Landhotel Burgaltendorf (Schwarzensteinweg 81, SB15: Burgaltendorf Burgruine.), ☏ +49 201-571710, fax: +49 201-5717147, . Nice and calm place, but in the bushes. Free transport card for the whole VRR area. (updated Jan 2022)
  • 🌍 Mintrops Stadthotel Margarethenhöhe, Steile Str. 46 (U17: Laubenweg), ☏ +49 201-43860, fax: +49 201-4386100. Hotel in former villa of the Krupp family. Nice & calm & good breakfast. Free transport card for the whole VRR area. (updated Jan 2022)
  • Résidence, Auf der Forst 1, ☏ +49 2054-95590, fax: +49 2054-82501, . (S6: Kettwig or SB 19: Werdener Markt or Tram 110: Mülheim Wilhelmstr. or Tram 102/104/112/901: Mülheim Stadtmitte or RE1/2/6/11, S1/3, U18: Mülheim Ruhr Hbf or U11: Messe West/Süd / Gruga or Tram 101/107: Martinstr. or Tram 105: Rellinghausen Rathaus or SB15: Annental, then Bus 142/151/190: Ringstr.) No dogs. 
  • Ruhr-Hotel, Krawehlstr. 42 (Tram 106: Zweigertstr), ☏ +49 201-778053, fax: +49 201-780283. 
  • Scandic Hotel, Theodor-Althoff-Str. 5 (U11: Messe West/Süd / Gruga or U 17: Margarethenhöhe or Tram 101/107: Bredeney or Tram 101/107: Martinstr. or S6: Essen-Werden or SB19: Werdener Markt or Tram 105: Rellinghausen Rathaus or SB15: Annental or SB66: Velbert Willy-Brandt-Platz, then Bus 142/169: Sommerburgstr), ☏ +49 201-7690, fax: +49 201-7691143. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Top Hotel Essener Hof, Teichstr. 2 (stop: Essen Hbf), ☏ +49 201-24250, fax: +49 201-2425751, . No dogs. 
  • Top Rema-Hotel Essen, Viehofer Platz 5 (Tram 101/103/105/109: Rheinischer Platz), ☏ +49 201-105610, fax: +49 201-236685. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Villa Vogelsang, Antonienallee 1, ☏ +49 201-8536600, fax: +49 201-8536605, . (S1: Essen-Eiberg or RE 14, S3/9, Tram 103/109: Essen-Steele, then Bus 164/184: Carl-Wolf-Str.). 
  • 🌍 GHotel. Central, just beside the Essen Central station. You can watch the train passing by from your window, yet calm due to good isolation (updated Nov 2019)

City Centre

Messe/Gruga area (around trade fair centre) and Rüttenscheid

Splurge
  • Holiday Inn Essen City Centre, Frohnhauser Str. 6., ☏ +49 201-24070, fax: +49 201-2407240. 
  • 🌍 Mercure Plaza, Bismarckstr. 48-50 (U11, Tram 101/107: Philharmonie/Saalbau), ☏ +49 201-878580, fax: +49 201-87858700. Hotel beside the Folkwang museum. Business style with good breakfast 
  • Schloss Hugenpoet (August-Thyssen-Str. 51, RE1 / RE2 / RE6 / RE11 / S1 / S3 / U18: Mülheim Ruhr Hbf, then Bus 132: Am Biestenkamp, then Taxi which should be reserved in advance.), ☏ +49 2054-12040, fax: +49 2054-120450. 
  • 🌍 Sheraton, Huyssenallee 55 (U11, Tram 101/107: Philharmonie/Saalbau), ☏ +49 201-10070, fax: +49 201-1007777. 
  • Welcome Hotel Ruhr Residenz, Schützenbahn 58 (Tram 106/107: Viehofer Platz), ☏ +49 201-17790, fax: +49 201-1779199, . 
  • 🌍 Atlantic Hotel, Norbertstraße 2a (just beside Essen congress and fairs center), ☏ +49 201 946280. Place for proms (and wannabes), but best breakfast in town. (updated Sep 2015)

Stay safe

Despite having a fairly strong economy compared to other cities in the Ruhr area, Essen has a very high crime rate by German standards. The poor northern suburbs of Essen (especially Altendorf, Altenessen and Karnap) suffer from occasional, potentially armed, robberies at night. Be aware of pickpockets on the Christmas Market and watch your bags in crowded bars and near the train station. Aggravated assaults have also been reported.

Cope

Religious services

Holy mass in Catholic churches at the centre:

  • Hohe Domkirche, Münster, An St. Quintin 3 (5-10 min north from central station). Sa 18:30; Su 07:30*, 10:00, 16:00*, 19:00; (*in the Anbetungskirche: M-F 07:00, 10:00, 17:30 (except Sa)).
  • St. Engelbert, Fischerstraße 12 (10 min south from central station). Sa 18:15; Su 09:45, 14:00 (English); M 7:30PM; Tu 09:00; W 09:15; F 18:00.
  • St. Ignatius, An Sankt Ignatius 8 (10 min southwest from central station). Sa 09:00, 17:00; Su 11:15, 18:00; Tu Th F 19:00.

Index of Catholic churches in the Diocesis of Essen:

Diplomatic services
  • Consulate Republic of Türkiye (Turkey) Am Zehnthof 55. M-F 08:30-15:00

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