From time travel to breathtaking views

Your day begins in Essen city centre, where you initially leave the many shopping opportunities for another time. At the Tourist Information Centre, you’ll receive the technology that sends you on a journey through time to the year 1887. Together with the virtual actors Henning Baum and Tatjana Clasing, you’ll experience the city’s world-first guided tour. Using the latest technology, the here and now merges with virtual reality. Before your very eyes, you’ll journey back to 1887, to the day of the funeral of the industrialist Alfred Krupp. The mixed-reality glasses ensure you never lose sight of your surroundings. Along the approximately 1.6 km route, you’ll encounter performances, historic building façades and scenes in a variety of locations. An experience currently available nowhere else in the world but Essen!

After your journey through time, it’s time to take things a little more slowly. After a spot of shopping in the city centre or along the trendy “RÜ”, Rüttenscheider Straße, take a bus, tram or S-Bahn to Baldeneysee. From there, a section of the popular BaldeneySteig hiking trail leads high above the lake. After probably gathering plenty of Insta content on your time-travel adventure, here you’ll find a hidden gem for the perfect keepsake photo. A short, narrow path just off the hiking trail leads to a rocky outcrop with breathtaking views across much of the route. Pinch yourselves: you’re still right in the heart of the Ruhr metropolis, home to almost 600,000 people.

Once you’ve got your keepsake photos, you can either make your way to the ruins of Isenburg Castle, dating back to the 12th century, or stop for a drink at Heimlichen Liebe or Jagdhaus Schellenberg, where you can enjoy panoramic views over Baldeneysee.

Bring your story of the perfect trip to Essen to a stylish close in the district of Werden. Surrounded by half-timbered houses, the abbey and Folkwang University of the Arts, treat yourselves to a meal at Kettner’s Kamota (awarded 1 Michelin star) or Chef’s & Butchers. Both restaurants are among Essen’s innovative culinary destinations and are sure to make your day perfect. #Foodporn