Essen Travel Guide
Essen Travel Guide
I visited Essen last year for the Christmas Markets. It’s a smaller city and the market had more of a local feel than the more touristy and crowded, Düsseldorf, which is only about 30 minutes away. Truthfully, I’m not sure I would visit Essen outside of Christmas Market season, there wasn’t a ton going on there. But I’ve compiled all my travel advice here!
- Where to Stay in Essen
- Best Restaurants Essen
- Essen Christmas Markets
- Getting to Essen
- Safety for Solo Female Travel in Essen
- Essen– Top Blog Posts
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
Where to Stay in Essen
Essen is a small city and there are a few hotel options right near the main train station that also are right near where the Christmas Markets are located. I’d recommend staying in one of these hotels
Hotel Essener Hof; Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western
Convenient location, on-site bar, clean rooms – simple but exactly what you need!
Residence Inn by Marriott Essen City
RIght in downtown Essen near the train & city, on site restaurant, breakfast buffet, parking & more! A bit more expensive than the Essener Hof, but a nicer stay!
Best Restaurants in Essen
Essen had a wide range of good restaurants spanning different cuisines. I had beent traveling around Germany and Austria for a few weeks at this point and was excited by the variety offered in Essen, and how good all the places I tried were!
Traditional German Restaurants:
- Restaurant Kiepenkerl
Steakhouse:
- BLOCK HOUSE
- the ASH Essen
Italian:
- L’Osteria
- Il Mulino
Other
- Genki Bar & Restaurant – noodles & dumplings
- Tacos Essen GmbH – Mexican
- LUA – vietnamesische Küche – Vietnamese
Essen Christmas Markets
Essen is one of Germany’s many Christmas Markets, and is often ranked among it’s best, which is no small feat given the options! Essen is a smaller market, and tends to be a bit less crowded than some of the larger markets. It’s an international Christmas Market, which means it features many German foods and goods, in addition to a wide variety of international options.
The highlight of the market is certainly the epic Christmas Lights that are strung across the entire Kennedyplatz above all the stalls. Nighttime in Essen is magical! See my full travel guide for the Essen Christmas Markets here!
Getting to Essen
By Train:
Essen’s main train station is connected to the rest of Germany and is easy to reach. It’s also directly across the street from the Christmas Markets, meaning it’s easy to hop off the train and explore Essen’s markets right away.
By Car:
You can also drive to Essen if you’ve rented a car. There are parking areas around the city if you want to travel via car to the Essen Christmas makets.
Safety for Solo Female Travel in Essen
4.5 out of 5
I felt totally safe in Essen, as with any city it’s always best to be careful at night, especially around public transport like train stations.I was visiting during the Christmas Markets, so it was very busy and safe at night!
