Family holidays in Essen

WATER SPORTS IN ESSEN – TOTAL RELAXATION AT BALDENEYSEE
Baldeneysee , which is located in the southern part of the city, is the perfect spot for a canoe trip. Simply hire one or two boats – the hire station in Essen-Kupferdreh opens at 10 am. You can either hire Canadian canoes or kayaks and life vests are also on offer at the hire station.

Whether you are on the water or in the water, you will be surrounded by a varied and beautiful natural and industrial cultural landscape at Baldeneysee, which makes it an ideal spot for a family day out.

If you don’t really want to paddle for yourself, we’d recommend you take a tour with Weiße Flotte Baldeney or, outside the water, a trip on the historic Hespertalbahn . The railway starts in Essen-Kupferdreh or Haus Scheppen. We’d also really recommend visiting Seaside Beach Baldeney . On the paradise beach, which is 250 m long and features palm trees and a bathing area, the kids will have plenty to do and, as a parent, you can simply sit back, relax and enjoy life whilst sipping a cocktail.

GRUGAPARK ESSEN – LOTS OF SPACE TO DISCOVER, PLAY AND LET OFF STEAM
Grugapark , which is in the city district of Rüttenscheid, is one of the most spacious and beautiful city parks in Europe, comprising around 60 hectares, and draws in over 1 million visitors a year. Thanks to its large grass areas, botanical gardens, palm house and numerous playgrounds, Grugapark is a true all-rounder and a popular leisure destination for both locals and tourists. As well as the playgrounds or the labyrinth, another major highlight for children is the farm experience. In addition to historic livestock breeds, such as Bentheim black pieds, Coburg fox sheep or pied German ‘Edelziege’ goats, around 500 animals live in the entire park. This also includes exotic animals, such as flamingos, eagle owls and fallow deer.

The best way of exploring the park for the first time is with the Grugabahn. The small train does one lap of the park and you can get off at any time, for example to get a snack at a kiosk or in the restaurant. If you still aren’t done with trains after this trip, you’ll enjoy the OKtoRail, which features 460 m² of model railway.

CYCLING IN ESSEN – EXPERIENCE THE GREEN SIDE OF THE CITY
Ride around 260 km through Essen... with the perfect cycle path network, most of which is away from traffic, cycling around the city is no problem as a family with children. The ideal way to discover industrial culture, parks, forests and fields, as well as vibrant city life, is on a bike. The majority of the cycle paths have been constructed on disused railway lines, which were being used to transport coal and steel until a couple of decades ago. You can also explore the Ruhr area around Essen in the same way as the cycle paths don’t stop at the city boundaries!

Our tip for a day trip: The nature route – a 16-kilometre route that connects the New Emscher Valley with the Ruhr Valley and shows you the greenest spots in the city.

You can find more cycle routes here

You can hire bikes here

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE ZOLLVEREIN – FOR YOUNG AND GROWN-UP EXPLORERS
In Essen, visiting the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex , now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an absolute must. In the past, this area was a mine, which was loud and hot, and it was a place in which no housewives wanted to hang out white washing in their garden in the area around the mines. It is totally different now. A tour of the World Heritage Site, the cokery and a visit to the Ruhr Museum will give you a really fascinating insight into times gone by, though! This is a highlight because the former pitmen are not dry tour guides by any means and they place emphasis on fun.

Do you prefer something more sporty? Then why not take a look at the soccer golf (a mixture of football and golf) site, which comprises around 100 hectares and is free for the whole family.

There are also cafés and restaurants at the site, where families with children are always welcome.

PHÄNOMANIA ERFAHRUNGSFELD – DISCOVER THE WORLD OF SCIENCE THROUGH PLAY
As you may have already noticed, the Zollverein is so huge that it is difficult to explore the whole UNESCO World Heritage Site in one day. Therefore, it is worth taking a second day to visit Phänomania Erfahrungsfeld , which is an interactive, interesting museum for children and adults. You can embark on an exciting journey of discovery, both inside and outside, through the fascinating world of physical phenomena and the human senses there.

In a space comprising 4,700 m², there are 120 experiment stations to explore and discover. The motto is “We really want you to try out and touch the exhibits”. After five days in the Ruhr area, you need something great to round the trip off. You need something to really get your teeth into! In the Ruhr area, the true home of the Currywurst, you need to try exactly that: Currywurst with chips! You can, of course, decide for yourself whether you want to try it with or without mayo or even ‘Schranke’ (red and white). Luckily, there’s somewhere good to eat Currywurst on every corner in Essen! Enjoy!

ISENBURG RUINS & RUINS OF BURG ALTENDORF – THE MIDDLE AGES IN ESSEN
Almost every child has dreamt of living in a castle at some point as a knight or lord/lady of the castle. You can take two journeys into the past in Essen at any one time.

High above Baldeneysee , in the Stadtwald district, you can see the ruins of Isenburg , which date from the Middle Ages, jutting out of the landscape on a rocky protrusion. 750 years ago, this was the largest and most important fortification in the region. A historic experience trail provides information about the history and the life of the castle and its residents.

In the south-eastern part of the city, in the district of Burgaltendorf, you can find the romantic ruins of Burg Altendorf , which was built in the second half of the 12th century. In the summer months, you can visit the outer bailey and inner bailey and their walls, which are well-preserved, on Saturdays and Sundays from 3 pm to 5 pm. Tours are also possible. If you fancy something else to do afterwards, you could stop off in Kettwig at Schloss Hugenpoet (hotel with the Michelin-starred Restaurant Laurushaus), Schloss Oefte (golf course) and Schloss Landsberg (Thyssen Krupp meeting and seminar location).

OSTRICH FARM, SWING GOLF & SOCCER GOLF – RUTHERHOF NATURE AND SPORT EXPERIENCE
Yes, you read that right... we have ostriches in Essen and they live at Rutherhof in the idyllic Ruhr Valley in Essen-Schuir. As well as taking a look at these two-legged creatures from Africa, you can also enjoy some wonderful walks through meadows and fields there. If you wish, you can also try ostrich meat in the restaurant, which is a true delicacy!

In terms of sport, the location offers the fun sport of swing golf, for example, which is a simple version of traditional golf, except with just one club and a bit less faffing around. You’re bound to have loads of fun at soccer golf and pool golf too!

Overnight accommodation in a double room with breakfast from EUR 69.00

There are numerous highlights in the area around Essen which you can get to quickly on public transport or by car. We’ve made a list of a couple of them for you here:

alpincenter Bottrop

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Oberhausen

SEA LIFE in Oberhausen

ZOOM Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen (only in German)

Railway Museum Bochum

Data Protection Policy of EMG - Essen Marketing GmbH