What to do in Essen

Activities, attractions and tours
Essen

Essen Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Essen has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Essen, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Essen with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Essen

Essen is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Essen, and make it a breeze to explore Essen and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Essen to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Essen, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Essen.

Essen attractions

Essen has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Essen to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Essen.

Looking for things to do in Essen can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Essen or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Essen attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!


Explore thousands of activities with free cancellation and no added fees.

Design your experience with airport transfers, excursions, day tours & more.

Get an insider's look in what to book before you travel.



Popular places to visit

Explore areas of Essen

Essen

Stadtbezirke I

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

Stadtbezirke I
Essen

Stadtkern

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

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.

Stadtkern
Default Image

Ruettenscheid

4/5(6 area reviews)

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.

Ruettenscheid
Default Image

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

Stadtbezirke II
Default Image

Kettwig

Historical 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.

Kettwig
Essen

Stadtbezirke IX

While you're in Stadtbezirke IX, take in top sights like Seaside Beach Baldeney or Baldeneysee, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Essen-Werden S-Bahn or Essen-Hügel S-Bahn.

Stadtbezirke IX

Day trip destinations from Essen