Essen Day Trip Itinerary | Following the Cultural and Industrial Heritage of Germany's Ruhr Region

#Travel itinerary 08:30 - 09:00 Arrive at Essen Central Station Arrive at Essen Hauptbahnhof (Essen Central Station) by train or car. There are many cafes around the station, so it's a good place to take a break. 09:00 - 11:00 Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Heritage Site (Zeche Zollverein) This UNESCO World Heritage Site was once the largest coal mine in Europe, and is now an industrial museum and art space. Recommended visits: • Ruhr Museum • Red brick factory buildings and giant gearwheels - a great photo spot • Book a guided tour to gain a deeper understanding of German industrial history Tip: We recommend booking a tour in English or German in advance on the official website! 11:30 - 12:30 Lunch: Butterbrotbar (near Zollverein) A clean restaurant where you can taste trendy German sandwiches and soups. Casual atmosphere and reasonable prices! 13:00 - 14:30 Museum Folkwang Free museum of modern and classical art! Main collection: • Works by Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, etc. German modern art exhibitions • Various permanent and special exhibitions Movement: Approximately 20 minutes by tram or bus from Zollverein 15:00 - 16:00 Essen Cathedral & Golden Madonna (Essener Dom & Goldene Madonna) A cathedral with a thousand years of history located in the center of Essen. The ‘Golden Madonna’ here is one of the oldest statues of the Virgin Mary in Europe. • Free admission • Healing in a quiet and pious atmosphere 16:00 - 17:00 City walk & café time Walk along Kettwiger Straße (shopping street) or spend some leisurely time with hand-drip coffee and cake at Coffee Pirates café. 17:30 - 18:30 Dinner recommendation: Restaurant Pfefferkorn A traditional German restaurant in the Ruhr region, where we recommend the following menus: • Ruhr-style stew (Ruhrgebiet Eintopf) • German sausage platter • Local beer or apple wine 19:00 End of the tour / Return to the station A day filled with traces of industry and the scent of art, a day trip to Essen is complete!