Essen City Guide

Essen's food ranges from traditional hearty Ruhrgebiet dishes to international options like Turkish, Italian, and Asian. Vegetarian and vegan choices are growing. Late-night eats include döner and pizza around the city center.

Bars, pubs, and some clubs are mainly in Rüttenscheid and the city center. The scene is decent but not very large.

Coffee culture is developing with traditional cafés and new specialty coffee shops focusing on quality.

Tipping is customary but not required. Rounding up or 5-10% in restaurants is usual. Taxi drivers expect rounding up. Other services may appreciate tips for good service.

SIM cards are sold at Telekom, Vodafone, O2 shops, and electronics stores like MediaMarkt and Saturn. Registration with ID or passport is required. Telekom, Vodafone, and O2 offer the best coverage and speed.

The city is clean with good waste management and well-maintained public areas.

Limited 24/7 services. Some petrol stations and kiosks open late. Few late-night pharmacies or minimarts.

Supermarkets like Edeka, Rewe, Aldi, Lidl, and Netto stock international products. Shops open Monday to Saturday, usually 8 AM to 8 or 9 PM, closed Sundays except some bakeries and train station shops.

Most supermarkets, large stores, and many restaurants accept cards. Smaller shops and local eateries often prefer cash, so carry some money with you.

ATMs are common at major banks like Sparkasse, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, and Postbank. Using big bank ATMs can help reduce withdrawal fees on foreign cards.

Local public schools teach mainly in German. The International School Ruhr offers an English curriculum. Admissions vary by school.

The community is small but growing. Events are mostly informal or part of expat groups. Co-working spaces offer hubs to connect.

Essen has large parks like Grugapark and green areas by Baldeneysee and the Ruhr River for outdoor activities.

Running routes around Lake Baldeney, Grugapark, and the Ruhr River are popular and safe. Running groups exist.

Several gym chains and sports facilities offer equipment, classes, and flexible memberships.

Tennis courts are available at clubs like ETUF Essen, usually booked via memberships or online.

Padel is less common but growing, with some clubs offering courts and equipment rental.

Many yoga studios provide various styles and drop-in classes, some with English-speaking instructors.

Various martial arts like BJJ, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, and Muay Thai are available with some English-speaking instructors.

Sauerland resorts like Winterberg and Willingen offer skiing December to March with varied terrain and rental options.

Lake Baldeney offers kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing in warmer months.

No ocean access; freshwater surfing is rare and not common.

Limited freshwater diving in local lakes; no major dive spots.

Essen has high-quality public and private healthcare. University hospital and many doctors have English-speaking staff. Pharmacies have regulated hours with emergency after-hours services.

Tap water is safe to drink and of high quality.

Plenty of playgrounds, kid-friendly cafés, and baby stores. Attractions like Grugapark's play areas and the interactive Phänomania museum are great for families.

Essen is accepting with some inclusive venues and annual pride events. Legal protections are in place.

Essen is pet-friendly with many parks allowing dogs on leash and several dog parks. Pet services and supplies are easy to find.