Top 2 Itineraries in Essen

No matter how long you plan to stay, there’s a perfect trip to Essen.

A 3 to 5-day stay in Essen offers just enough time to soak in the highlights

For a balanced mix of sightseeing and relaxation, city breaks in Essen are ideal. With a few extra days, you can dive deeper into Essen’s most iconic landmarks, stroll through charming neighborhoods, and savor local cuisine at a leisurely pace.

For those who crave freedom and discovery, road trips through Essen offer the perfect opportunity to explore beyond the city. With the open road ahead, you’ll uncover Germany's most scenic landscapes, visit charming towns, and discover hidden gems along the way.

Explore all the best trips for every travel style below and make your next trip to Essen truly unforgettable!

If you’re as convinced as we are that Essen belongs on your bucket list, you're in luck. The best trips to Essen are just a quick search away.

Enter your dates below to discover the best travel packages in Essen and start planning your next trip!

Discover the perfect Essen itinerary with our handpicked list. Whether you're in Essen for a short stay or a longer visit, there's an itinerary for you.

With detailed routes, top attractions, and insider tips, these 2 itineraries will help you experience the best of Essen without missing a thing. Dive into our list and learn how to plan the ultimate trip to Essen!

A scenic 11-day road trip through Chemnitz, Dresden, Hamburg, Köln, and Berlin is one of the best ways to experience Germany. With the freedom to travel at your own pace, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make spontaneous stops between the planned activities on your itinerary.

A 11-day itinerary means that Essen can easily be combined with other top destinations in Germany without stress. While it’s possible to travel between Chemnitz, Dresden, Hamburg, Köln, and Berlin by public transport, renting a car in Germany opens up a whole new level of freedom!

So, with 11 days to spend, all you need is a rental car, some hotel reservations, and this iconic road trip itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Dresden

• Arrival city: Dresden
• Accommodation: 5-star hotel in Dresden, e.g., Suitess Hotel
• Sightseeing: The Grand Garden of Dresden

Begin your road trip adventure by picking up your rental car at the airport upon arrival in Dresden. Drive to your centrally located hotel, which offers convenient access to local attractions. Spend the day exploring nearby sights, and in the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling regional flavors and soaking up the atmosphere.

Day 2: Explore Dresden

• Destinations: Dresden
• Driving distance: 198.38 km, approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Berlin, e.g., Schulz Hotel
• Sightseeing: Zwinger, Semperoper Dresden, Brühl's Terrace, Golden Rider, and Frauenkirche Dresden
• Recommended tour: Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour

Set out on a day of discovery and visit Zwinger, Semperoper Dresden, Brühl's Terrace, Golden Rider, and Frauenkirche Dresden. Take time to enjoy the scenery and local highlights of Dresden, with the freedom to stop at whatever sight catches your interest. By the end of the day, check-in at a new hotel, located in central Berlin.

Day 3: Discover Berlin

• Destinations: Berlin
• Driving distance: 20.34 km, approx. 57 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Berlin, e.g., Schulz Hotel
• Sightseeing: Alexanderplatz, Pergamonmuseum, East Side Gallery, Berlin Cathedral, and Treptower Park
• Recommended tour: Individual City Tour -

  Rickshaw Sightseeing in Berlin

Spend the day exploring Alexanderplatz, Pergamonmuseum, East Side Gallery, Berlin Cathedral, and Treptower Park. Take scenic drives or walking tours to experience the area’s charm at your own pace.

Day 4: Experience Berlin

• Destinations: Berlin
• Driving distance: 14.61 km, approx. 43 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Berlin, e.g., Schulz Hotel
• Sightseeing: Mauerpark, Potsdamer Platz, Topography of Terror, Berlin Wall Memorial, and Checkpoint Charlie
• Recommended tour: Walking Tour of Berlin’s Top Attractions

Continue your journey through Berlin, where you can explore Mauerpark, Potsdamer Platz, Topography of Terror, Berlin Wall Memorial, and Checkpoint Charlie. Make time for a break at a cozy café or scenic picnic spot.

Day 5: Enjoy Sightseeing in Berlin

• Destinations: Berlin
• Driving distance: 290.77 km, approx. 3 hours and 25 minutes
• Accommodation: hotel in Hamburg, e.g., Cab 20
• Sightseeing: Tiergarten, Berlin Zoological Garden, Brandenburg Gate, Victory Column, and Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
• Recommended tour: Reeperbahn Tour with a Local Guide in Hamburg

Drive through Berlin, stopping to visit Tiergarten, Berlin Zoological Garden, Brandenburg Gate, Victory Column, and Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Don't forget to embrace the opportunity to explore smaller towns and hidden gems along the way. Conclude your day by settling into a centrally located hotel in Hamburg.

Day 6: Embrace the Spirit of Hamburg

• Destinations: Hamburg
• Driving distance: 365.55 km, approx. 4 hours and 19 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Essen, e.g., Hotel Essener Hof, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western
• Sightseeing: Miniatur Wunderland, St. Pauli Piers, Alter Elbtunnel, and Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

Spend time discovering Miniatur Wunderland, St. Pauli Piers, Alter Elbtunnel, and Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, with plenty of opportunities to engage in outdoor activities or enjoy local culture. After a day of exploring, check into a hotel in Essen.

Day 7: Spend Time in Köln and Essen

• Destinations: Köln and Essen
• Driving distance: 441.67 km, approx. 4 hours and 58 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Stuttgart, e.g., Motel One Stuttgart-Hauptbahnhof
• Sightseeing: Old Market, Cologne Cathedral, and Cologne Zoological Garden

Explore Old Market, Cologne Cathedral, and Cologne Zoological Garden at a relaxed pace. Make spontaneous stops for sightseeing, photography, or lunch at a family-run restaurant. Finish the day by checking into another comfortable hotel in the center of Stuttgart.

Day 8: Explore Stuttgart

• Destinations: Stuttgart
• Driving distance: 250.18 km, approx. 3 hours and 22 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Munich, e.g., Hilton Munich Airport
• Sightseeing: Porsche Museum, Schlossplatz, Mercedes-Benz Museum, and Wilhelma
• Recommended tour: Half-Day Tour of Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site in Germany from Munich

Continue your road trip through Stuttgart, enjoying the flexibility to explore Porsche Museum, Schlossplatz, Mercedes-Benz Museum, and Wilhelma and nearby points of interest. As the day winds down, arrive at a new hotel in central Munich.

Day 9: Wander Through München

• Destinations: München
• Driving distance: 19.93 km, approx. 1 hour and 2 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Munich, e.g., Hilton Munich Airport
• Sightseeing: Stachus, Odeonsplatz, BMW Welt, BMW Museum, and Olympiapark München
• Recommended tour: Munich Walking Tour Through the History of Hitler and the Third Reich

Visit Stachus, Odeonsplatz, BMW Welt, BMW Museum, and Olympiapark München as you navigate scenic routes. Take time to enjoy local markets, trails, or viewpoints that catch your eye.

Day 10: Uncover Chemnitz and München

• Destinations: Chemnitz and München
• Driving distance: 469.77 km, approx. 5 hours and 8 minutes
• Accommodation: 5-star hotel in Dresden, e.g., Suitess Hotel
• Sightseeing: English Garden, Viktualienmarkt, Marienplatz, and Botanischer Garten Chemnitz
• Recommended tour: Historic Dresden Small-Group Walking Tour in English

Continue your exploration of English Garden, Viktualienmarkt, Marienplatz, and Botanischer Garten Chemnitz, taking your time to enjoy scenic drives or leisurely strolls that add to the adventure. End the day by checking into a lovely hotel in Dresden.

Day 11: Bid Farewell to Dresden

• Departure city: Dresden
• Driving distance: 4.93 km, approx. 16 minutes
• Sightseeing: Augustus Bridge

Savor an hour or two for souvenir shopping or revisiting a favorite spot before it’s time to say goodbye to Dresden. Drop off your rental car at the airport a couple of hours before departure for a seamless end to your trip.

The estimated cost for a rental car and accommodations for each night along this route is around 1136 EUR, providing a value-for-money way to experience what's beyond Essen.

Looking for something different? Explore more road trips with a stop in Essen for alternative itineraries, routes, and durations.

Enjoy a 6-day city break in Essen with the perfect itinerary, designed to showcase the city’s top sights, local flavors, and hidden corners.

No need to stress over the details – we’ve curated the perfect 6-day itinerary to give you a seamless outline for your trip. Use this itinerary to capture the best of Essen without the hassle of planning.

Day 1: Begin Your Journey in Essen

Arrive in Essen and start your trip with a relaxing walk through town, discovering highlights like Stadtgarten.

Take in the local charm as you wander the streets, and as evening approaches, indulge in a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Mr. Nam 68 is a top-rated recommendation. Say 'cheers' and set the tone for an amazing vacation ahead!

Day 2: Discover Essen's Most Iconic Attractions

Enjoy your first full day in Essen by heading out for some must-see sightseeing. Explore around town and visit popular attractions like the iconic Red Dot Design Museum, UNESCO-Welterbe Zollverein, and Shaft XII.

Choose a walking tour to embrace a relaxed exploration. Alternatively, go for a tour by bus or bike to cover a larger part of Essen in the same amount of time.

In the evening, head out for another lovely dinner and raise a glass to a fantastic day of exploring!

Day 6: Savor Your Final Moments in Essen

Spend your last few hours in Essen soaking up the charm of the city at your own pace. Stroll through favorite spots or revisit local markets before bidding farewell to the city.

For more inspiration, explore the complete selection of city breaks in Essen, all including pre-planned itineraries you can customize to suit your style. Start with a ready-to-go Essen travel plan and make it your own by selecting tours, accommodations, and more.

As you explore Essen, you’ll find countless layers of history, art, and local charm waiting to be uncovered.

Finding the right place to stay is essential for a comfortable trip. This is why we've also gathered our top recommendations for the best places to stay in Essen for you.

Wherever your journey takes you, we’re here to make every step memorable. From expert tips to local insights, count on us to help you experience Essen in a way that feels truly unforgettable!