One day in Essen

We admit we have been longer in Essen, but, in case that you only have one day we would have some tipps what to do. We knew Essen before only in connection with art and culture like the Folkwang Institution. But what else?

A shopping tour? The pedestrian zone is very long and there are wide streets to stroll around and huge places to relax accompanied by cafes and restaurants. If that is not enough there are some shopping centres.

Or you go to a ‚Kiez‘. A ‚Kiez‘ is a urban quarter. We have been to Rüttenscheid. There is a wide boulevard with big trees and nice restaurants and pubs. But there are also tiny shops and those typical kiosks. Here you can fiddle away quite some time.

You want more than shopping and strolling around?

Well. There is Zeche Zollverein. A world heritage and a really really huge area. To discover it all you would need more than one day. On the ground there is a bike rent. So we rented two bikes there. Of course you could bike through the former industrial area and visit all these interesting places, but we have been to a coffee place for some refreshments and then went along a former train line.

Also with high temperatures no problem. The line leads through nearly untouched nature. And because of the many bridges you do not need to stop at crossings. And you have a nice view from above. We drove by the discovery field Phänomenia. Here you can also spend some time.

We drove past the ‚Himmelsleiter‘ a stairway to heaven and went on along the track under shadowy trees and besides old rails.

On the track there is a well known meeting point for bikers and walkers: the ‚Erzbahnbude‘. A kiosk that offers cold drinks – and! – repair material for bicycles. Yes! Apart from that there are many seatings and three tracks cross here. So it is your choice!

After our bicycle tour we wanted to relax and went to the lake „Baldeneysee“. A rather long lake with all kind of watersports and water vehicles up to passenger shipping. At the banks there is the ‚SeaSidebeach‘ with barbecue stations, beach volley ball fields, huge sunbathing areas, playgrounds and a huge sandy beach. Artificially made, but never mind! Here you can stroll through the sand, relax in one of the many free deck chairs and enjoy a cool drink. If you want to move, you can go to the dance floor and  shake a leg. Or you watch the lake and see what is floating by and enjoy the colorful spectacle of the sunset.

No really on the grounds of the town of Essen but nearby is the Tetraeder in Bottrop. A huge sculpture on a former mining waste tip that can be seen from far e.g. the highway. After climbing up you will be smashed by the hight of the piece. Absolutely fascinating.

You can also climb up the stair construction. But it is wobbling and the floor with big holes in it to see through to the ground is not convenient for everybody. There is no infrastructure like toilets or gastronomy. At the foot of the hill there is a snack bar where you are supposed to get the best currywurst in town.

Here are some more Photo impressions (© WaltzingMeurers) from Essen and Bottrop