Top hotels in Essen

Essen is a city in western Germany, an hour’s drive from Cologne. It has historically been one of the country’s most important industrial centres, whilst today it is a major German business hub. Its award as European Green Capital in 2017 is testament to its forward-thinking development, especially within the energy sector. Visitors to Essen will find a range of excellent hotels, activities including boat tours on Baldeney Lake, and fascinating historical sites.

What are the main attractions in Essen?

In the Stadtkern, or the ‘City Core’ of Essen, you’ll find many of the town's principal shops and historical sites. Limbecker Platz is the city’s main shopping centre, whilst Essen Cathedral’s distinctive green roof is one of the town’s most recognisable symbols. In the central Rüttenscheid district you’ll find charming colourful buildings housing many of Essen’s best restaurants, including the upmarket Schote. Baldeney Lake in the south of Essen is actually a large opening of the River Ruhr. It’s a beautifully preserved area that offers striking views and is best appreciated by boat.

What are the city's main business activities?

Messe Essen is adjacent to the city’s exhibition house. It's a modern congress centre that hosts a varied mix of cultural and business events and forums. These include the enormous Essen Motor Show, renowned for welcoming hundreds of exhibitors every year. You’ll find it just next to Rüttenscheid at the foot of the Grugapark Botanical Gardens. Essen’s reputation as an innovative technology and energy hub in Europe is well deserved. It’s here that you’ll find the RWE headquarters, one of Germany’s largest electricity companies. The industrial multinational ThyssenKrupp and energy provider E.ON also have their head offices in Essen.

Where should I go during my time off, when I book my hotel in Essen?

Coincidentally, Essen is also the German word for food, and the city is indeed an excellent place to savour the region’s cuisine. Sauerbraten is a sour meat dish loved worldwide, and pumpernickel bread also originates from the area. Jagdhaus Schellenberg serves traditional local fare with a beautiful view of the lake as the backdrop. Autumn and winter are great times to visit the city as you can attend the Enjoy Essen Food Fair and the International Christmas Market. In warmer weather, however, you can take advantage of the numerous green spaces and lakeside walking trails.