Discover Essen through two areas of interest: industrial heritage and art on the one hand, and water and outdoor activities around Lake Baldeney on the other. Zollverein and Museum Folkwang offer different cultural highlights; the lake and the BaldeneySteig add active leisure options to the mix.
Zollverein: Coal Mine and Architecture
Zollverein in Essen is a historic coal mine; its 20th-century buildings are of outstanding architectural significance. The history of mining and the architecture offer two ways of looking at the same place. When choosing a cultural itinerary, Zollverein represents a focus on industrial heritage, while Museum Folkwang adds an art-historical perspective.
Art and Poster History at Museum Folkwang
The collections of Museum Folkwang include 19th-century painting and sculpture, classical modern art, art created after 1945 and photography. This range makes it possible to explore by period and medium: it spans art from the 19th century to works created after 1945, while photography forms a separate collection area. Those looking to discover Essen through art will find a variety of thematic approaches here rather than a single focus.
Museum Folkwang is also home to the German Poster Museum, which has one of the largest specialist collections in the world. It was founded as a municipal museum in 1974 and has been an independent department of Museum Folkwang since 2008. Since 2010, changing exhibitions from the German Poster Museum have been shown at Museum Folkwang. The collection and its history give poster art its own distinctive profile within the wider art offering.
Lake Baldeney: Leisure by the Water
Lake Baldeney offers a different kind of experience: a recreation area of regional importance. The lake covers 2.7 square kilometres. Rowing clubs, sailing schools and surfing schools around the lake invite visitors to enjoy active leisure. Here, the focus is less on art collections and more on activities on the water. The activities on offer may vary depending on the provider and schedule, so check the dates for the water sports activity that interests you in advance.
Plan the BaldeneySteig in Full or in Sections
The BaldeneySteig is 26.7 kilometres long, runs all the way around Lake Baldeney and offers scenic views. Four so-called side trips complement the main route: these are detours to special cultural highlights that can be reached on foot from the route. This distinction is useful when planning your walk: the side trips are additional detours, while 26.7 kilometres refers to the circular route.
Good connections along the trail via public transport, the WeiĂźe Flotte and the Hespertalbahn make it possible to walk the BaldeneySteig in sections too. This means you do not have to stick to the full circuit. Before planning a hike, check the relevant connections, as individual services may change.
Choose Your Accommodation Search Priorities
If industrial heritage and art are your priorities, Zollverein and Museum Folkwang offer two different themes. If you would like to include water sports or hiking, Lake Baldeney and the BaldeneySteig are other options to consider. When planning a hike, you can also decide whether to walk the full circuit or just one section; the connections mentioned above are relevant for the shorter routes.
Discover more destinations: Herne, Bonn, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Duisburg, Oberhausen, Dortmund, Solingen, Mönchengladbach.
Return to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
