Essen Car Hire

Guide to Essen

Geography

Located in the Ruhr, Germany's biggest metropolitan region, Essen is the Ruhr's centre and second-largest city, behind Dortmund. With a total of 582,415 residents, it is the tenth most populous city in Germany and the fourth biggest in North Rhine-Westphalia. Essen is a component of the Rhineland cultural region and is located in the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Region. Essen is sometimes referred to as the "secret capital" of the Ruhr because of its strategic position. The Emscher and The Ruhr rivers pass through the city.

Climate in Essen

Essen has a typical oceanic climate, with mild winter temperatures and pleasant summers. When there are no significant mountains and no interior waterways, Essen has an oceanic-dominated weather pattern. This area experiences an average annual temperature of 10°C. and an average yearly rainfall of 934 mm. During January, the average temperature drops to 2.4°C, while July and August are the hottest months with an average temperature of 18°C. As the weather isn't particularly extreme, visitors may enjoy Essen at any time of year.

Culture

German-speaking nations typically have a hard time determining the origin of the city of Essen's name since it shares a name with the German noun for food (which is always capitalised as Essen, adding to the confusion) and the German infinitive of the verb for "eat" (written as lowercase essen).

Things to do in Essen

Visit the fascinating Zeche Zollverein

The Zollverein Coal Mine and Industrial Complex, the Ruhr region's first coal mine, was constructed in 1847 and remained in operation until 1993. The 100-hectare coal mine and coking coal facility contributed significantly to Germany's economic recovery after WWII. This beautiful structure, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features Bauhaus architecture in its unique Shaft 12, which was built in 1932. Today, the Red Dot Design Museum and the Ruhr Museum are the main attractions of this huge complex. You may arrange interesting English-language guided tours to learn about the mine's history, production facilities, and the extraction and transformation of coal to coke.

Take a relaxing stroll through Grugapark

The beautiful Grugapark, which spans 175 acres and was opened in 1929, is a must-see during your stay in Essen. It will take the greater part of your day to see all of the things that this location has to offer. The botanical garden includes a colourful pyramid-shaped tropical house known as Hundertwasser House, an alpine garden with a waterfall, a Westphalian farmer's garden, and a rose garden. There's also an observation tower, a sports facility called Grugahalle, and a slew of eateries. Look out for the sculpture garden, which includes works by famous artists such as Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin, Adolf Wamper, and Fritz Klimsch. There are also many aviaries where you may see owls, flamingos, and herons. The miniature railway, Grugabahn, and petting zoo are popular with children. Other attractions include a 1000-seat concert pavilion and a day spa.

Explore the grand Essen Minster

The Roman Catholic Essen Minster, one of Germany's oldest cathedrals, was built in the 9th century as an abbey. You'll love exploring the interiors, which include a seven-branched candelabrum from 1000 BC, the Column of Ida, a 13th-century monument dedicated to Essen's founder Altfrid, and the magnificent sandstone Entombment of Christ. The Golden Madonna, carved and plated in gold leaf, is a must-see attraction and is considered to be Europe's earliest sculpted depiction of the Virgin Mary. After that, pay a visit to the Essen Cathedral Treasury, which is located in the neighbouring Bishop's Palace and is widely recognized for the antiquity and worth of its holy items. The Ottonian jewels, which include a golden crown, four processional crosses, a ceremonial sword, and 16 Burgundian fibulae (ceremonial brooches), will astound you.

Eating out in Essen

Essen boasts a wide range of restaurants that cater to every budget and taste, ranging from traditional German food to other foreign cuisines. Tablo is a renowned Turkish eatery among young travellers. Do try their roasted lamb and seafood dishes. Der Bonner Hof serves Mediterranean meals in addition to traditional German fare. Their gin selection and portion sizes merit special mention. Pfefferkorn is a well-known steakhouse that serves a wide range of steaks from Argentina, Ireland, and the United States. Enjoy delicious hangar steaks, schnitzels, and tenderloin here.

Transport in Essen

Airports

Essen is served by Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS), which is located 26.1 kilometres away.

Getting Around Essen

Essen's public transportation system consists of the Stadtbahn (metro), a convenient and large light rail system run by Ruhrbahn. It is 13.6 miles long and has 22 subterranean stations as well as extra surface level stops. There are also trams, buses, and night buses. The bus station is about a 12-minute walk from the city centre. Many Stadtbhan stations are also served by tram lines.