Ultimate 3-Day Essen Itinerary: Best Things to Do & See

Start your Essen journey at the iconic Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its fascinating museums, climb the panoramic viewing platform, and immerse yourself in the Ruhr's industrial history.

Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex

Continue to the impressive Red Dot Design Museum located on the Zollverein grounds, where you can marvel at over 2,000 pieces of award-winning contemporary design in a striking industrial setting.

Red Dot Design Museum

Wrap up your first day with dinner at Casino Zollverein, an atmospheric restaurant set in a converted industrial building, offering modern German cuisine and a unique ambiance right at the heart of Zollverein.

Casino Zollverein

Begin at Museum Folkwang, one of Germany’s most renowned art museums, with an outstanding collection of 19th and 20th-century masterpieces and contemporary exhibitions.

Museum Folkwang

Stroll to the Essen Cathedral and its Treasury, home to the stunning Golden Madonna, Europe’s oldest sculpture of the Virgin Mary, and relics from the city’s medieval past.

Essen Cathedral

For a stylish dinner, head to MittendrINN, a cozy bistro serving creative dishes with regional ingredients, located in the lively city center.

MittendrINN

Begin with a stroll through the serene Grugapark, Essen’s vast botanical garden and city oasis, perfect for a relaxed morning among blooms, sculptures, and leafy pathways.

Grugapark

Next, explore the extraordinary Villa Hügel, the opulent Krupp family mansion surrounded by parkland, with grand interiors and exhibitions on Essen’s industrial legacy.

Villa Hügel

End your Essen adventure in the laid-back district of Rüttenscheid with dinner at Pfefferkorn, a local favorite for hearty regional dishes and a warm atmosphere along the lively Rüttenscheider Straße.

Pfefferkorn