Kettwig

Stroll through half-timbered lanes, sit by the water, and order another slice of cake at the next café after all: welcome to Kettwig! In southern Essen, the old town, the Ruhr and green hills are so close together that a short wander can quickly turn into a full-day outing.

The formerly independent town has been part of Essen since 1975. It has retained its own character—and its old town, largely spared during the Second World War, offers a setting that invites you to slow down. Small shops, cosy restaurants and views of the water make up the mix. Just looking around today? Let’s see what’s waiting behind the next half-timbered façade.

Kettwig at a glance

To get started: Begin at Mühlengrabenbrücke and stroll to Kirchtreppe.
For half a day: The old town, a coffee break and a walk by the reservoir make a great combination.
For more greenery: Plan an outing to Schloss Hugenpoet, nearby Schloss Landsberg or a section of the PanoramaSteig.
By train: The S6 takes just under 20 minutes from Essen Central Station to Kettwig or Kettwig Stausee according to the schedule. From there, continue on foot.

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Symbol eines stilisierten, weißen Tischtennisspielers mit Ball und Tisch auf blauem Hintergrund. — Lizenz: CC-BY-SA

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Kettwig Old Town

Here, the journey can be the destination: cross the Mühlengraben, head into the lanes and climb Kirchtreppe. Half-timbered houses, the church on the market square and the little night watchman at number 5 give you plenty of reasons to stop. Look a little closer and you’ll also spot traces of the town’s former cloth-making industry. kettwig.eu

Fancy a little discovery tour? Look for the night watchman, a bronze spindle and your favourite view of the water. For more background, follow the City of Essen’s historical walking tour.

Coffee first: cafés and breakfast in Kettwig

Cinnamon roll, breakfast or a slice of cake? These spots are ideal between a wander through the old town and a stroll along the Ruhr.

Pebbles & Seashells: Coffee, cinnamon rolls and Scandinavian-inspired home accessories. You can combine your coffee break with a search for gifts. Hauptstraße 40. Hauptstraße 40, 45219 Essen
Café Madita: Breakfast, smoothie bowls and sweet waffle creations—a relaxed way to start the day or take a break along the way. Hauptstraße 94. NeoTaste
Agi’s Café at Ruhrfrosch: A café in a historic half-timbered house; the breakfast buffet is a Sunday favourite. You don’t need to be staying at the hotel. Ruhrstraße 32. ruhrfrosch.de
Lavendel im Brückencafé: Breakfast, light meals and treats right by the Mühlengraben. Am Mühlengraben 4. Current notice: Closed for annual leave from 19 October to 2 November 2026. Reserve now
Pino’s im Alten Bahnhof: Enjoy an Italian-style brunch in the former railway station—the brunch menu is available on Sundays and public holidays. Ruhrtalstraße 345.

Kettwig Reservoir

Just a few steps from the old town’s lanes, the view opens out onto the Ruhr. The bridge crosses directly over the weir; beyond it, Kettwiger See stretches out. You can simply spend your outing looking at the water—or swap your walk for a ride in a pedal boat. The Ruhrverband’s smallest reservoir
– Get out on the water: Bootsverleih Kettwig offers pedal boats, rowing boats and canoes, among other options. Check opening times and availability in advance. Promenadenweg 13. bootsverleih-kettwig.de
– Prefer to stay on shore? Pair the lake views with a break aboard the restaurant ship Thetis or a walk across the bridge.

Google Maps

Dining in Kettwig: from tapas to sushi

Kettwig offers more than coffee and half-timbered houses. Between the old town, the Ruhr and the residential neighbourhoods, you’ll find Italian food, tapas, curries and quick favourites. The options are grouped by appetite; some are outside the heart of the old town.

Italian: pasta, pizza and an old customs house

Gallo Nero: Italian cuisine in the historic Altes Zollhaus—a lovely spot for a long evening. August-Thyssen-Straße 1. Ristorante & Enoteca Gallo Nero
Teatro: Pasta, fish and meat dishes for anyone looking to end their outing on an Italian note. August-Thyssen-Straße 52. Restaurant Teatro
Pizzeria Funghi: An easygoing pizza break between two stops on your wander around Kettwig. Kirchfeldstraße 14. kettwig

Spanish: small plates, big appetites

Tapas con Vino: Hot and cold tapas in an old wine cellar. Order a few small dishes to share and try together. Hauptstraße 101–105. Restaurant, bodega and lunch menu
Der Bonner Hof: Mallorcan and Canarian influences meet modern German cuisine, behind Kettwig Town Hall. Kringsgat 14. kettwig

Asian, Indian and Persian

Sakura Sushi & Grill: Sushi, tempura and dishes from the teppan grill; for the all-you-can-eat option, order in rounds using a tablet. Mendener Straße 117. Japanese All you can eat
DOS: Indian and Persian dishes, including curries, butter chicken and naan. Kirchfeldstraße 12. Restaurant and bar
Mangold: Persian grilled skewers and saffron rice bring more flavours to the table. Landsberger Straße 83. mangoldkettwig.de

Burgers, döner and currywurst

Larbi’s: Döner, smash burgers and falafel—a spot for different cravings in the Höhencenter. Rheinstraße 2. Essen-Kettwig
Kettwiger Marktgrill: Gyros, currywurst and chips for a hearty break right in the middle of your old-town wander. Hauptstraße 44. facebook.com

Local fare, by the water or something special

Sengelmannshof: Local and seasonal cuisine, plus a garden terrace and a cosy fireplace atmosphere. Sengelmannsweg 35. Terrace & local cuisine
Alte Fähre: Schnitzel, tarte flambée and even vegan lentil curry—a great place to eat by the Ruhr. Zur Alten Fähre 45. ALTE FÄHRE
Gastschiff Thetis: Fish dishes, seasonal cuisine and cake aboard a permanently moored restaurant ship. Dine on the water; there are no boat trips. Promenadenweg 18. Kettwig Reservoir
bistro in der remise: Seasonal bistro cuisine prepared in the open kitchen and served in the former carriage house at Schloss Hugenpoet. August-Thyssen-Straße 51.

A touch of castle life: Hugenpoet

A coffee break at a moated castle feels like a special occasion. At Hugenpoet, historic architecture, a hotel and a castle park come together. For a culinary treat, choose between bistro in der remise and BARonie. You don’t need to stay overnight to enjoy a lovely evening here.

Hugenpoet website

Browse, explore and find something to take home

Kettwig is a neighbourhood made for discovering things as you go: a shop window, a little side street, one more store. The area around Hauptstraße and Ruhrstraße is easy to explore, with café and restaurant stops along the way.

Gifts and homeware: At Pebbles & Seashells, coffee and a concept store come together. Hauptstraße 40. Hauptstraße 40, 45219 Essen
Fashion and lovely everyday finds: miniManu is one of the small shops on Ruhrstraße. Ruhrstraße 47. Picturesque Ruhrstraße in Kettwig
Discover even more: Find more local shops in the Kettwig shopping directory.

Market day in the old town

Pick up something fresh, then enjoy a coffee: Kettwig’s weekly market takes place on the market square on Hauptstraße, Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 am to 1 pm. It’s a good reason to start your wander a little earlier. Check for changes on public holidays before you visit. kettwig

Kettwig with kids: little adventures, a big break

Look at a few half-timbered houses—and then finally get to play? These stops add variety to a family outing. Check the locations for the playground, mini golf and swimming pool; they aren’t all right next to the old town.

Berschener Weg playground: A sand play area and toddler swing for the youngest children, plus climbing equipment and a low ropes course for older kids. The playground opened in November 2025. → View on Maps essen.de
Mini golf at Kattenturm: 18 artificial-turf holes, followed by a break on the terrace by the Ruhr. Am Kattenturm 12. restaurantkattenturm.de
MALA by Laura: Choose a piece of pottery and paint it yourself—a creative idea for rainy days, too. Book a session in advance. Kirchfeldstraße 5. Pottery painting in Essen
Schwimmzentrum Kettwig: An indoor pool and seasonal outdoor pool with areas for children. Check opening times and whether the outdoor pool is open before visiting. Im Teelbruch 10–12. essen.de
Ice cream break: Eiscafé Al Ponte is at Am Mühlengraben 3. Mika’s Eisbox serves homemade ice cream at Heiligenhauser Straße 32—a handy stop on an outing along the Panoramaradweg. kettwig

A little family mission: Find the night watchman at Kirchtreppe, count the half-timbered houses and choose your favourite view of the Ruhr. There’s no need to pick a winner. An ice cream break is still a must.

Schloss Landsberg mit Natursteinfassade, Freitreppe und Bäumen im Sonnenlicht

Woodland walk with a castle view: Landsberg

Just outside Kettwig, in the city of Ratingen, Schloss Landsberg awaits. August Thyssen had the old castle converted into his residence. Today, the exterior, the park and the surrounding woodland paths make for a lovely day out. The interior is not open to regular visitors; special guided tours must be announced separately.

Google Maps

Town, countryside, Ruhr: the Kettwiger PanoramaSteig

You can also get to know Kettwig in your hiking boots. The Kettwiger PanoramaSteig connects Kettwig, Schuir and Werden: 34.4 kilometres and 761 metres of elevation gain take you through forests, fields and the green hills of southern Essen. The full route requires good fitness. For a more relaxed outing, choose a suitable section instead. Kettwiger PanoramaSteig

Out with children? Only some sections are suitable for families. For a short walk or a stroll with a pushchair, consider planning your own route along the river instead.

All the details

Browse, explore and find something to take home

Your Half-Day in Kettwig

Arrive and start exploring: Mühlengrabenbrücke, half-timbered lanes and the church steps.
Find something lovely: Browse the small shops, then stop for coffee or breakfast.
Bring in the Ruhr: Take in the view from the bridge, stroll by the lake or rent a boat if available.
Stay longer if you feel like it: Enjoy a restaurant, pub or cultural evening. Allow extra time if you want to visit a castle or go hiking.

Good to Know for Your Visit

Getting here: Take the S6 to Kettwig or Kettwig Stausee. The better station depends on your first destination. Check the latest connection at VRR. vrr.de
Getting around on foot: Cobblestones and steps are part of the old town. If you’re using a wheelchair or pushchair, choose your route accordingly in advance; the church steps are not step-free.
Reservations: It’s a good idea to enquire in advance for brunch, larger groups and special restaurant evenings.
Check for updates: Opening hours, menus, boat hire and event programmes may change. The linked businesses can help you plan.

Three Quick Questions About Kettwig

What should you see in Kettwig?
The historic old town, including Mühlengraben and the church steps, as well as Kettwiger Stausee. For a longer outing, add Hugenpoet, nearby Landsberg and the PanoramaSteig.

Is Kettwig worth visiting with children?
Yes: the playground, mini golf, pottery painting and swimming pool offer plenty of variety. In November and December, the Märchenstraße is another option.

How long is the Kettwiger PanoramaSteig?
34.4 kilometres with 761 metres of elevation gain. For a shorter visit, it’s best to plan a single stage.