Holiday Inn Essen City Centre

Unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. The “most beautiful coal mine in the world”, landmark of the Ruhr Metropolis and symbol for an unbelievably exciting structural transformation: Zollverein. Many people were astonished when a colliery first became a World Heritage Site. It happened on 14 December 2001: The colliery and coking plant “Zollverein” was officially added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites as the “Zollverein Industrial Complex”. Since then, around 1.5 million visitors a year have come to what was once the largest coal mine in Europe. Come and explore the gigantic overground plants, which have remained in their original condition.

Metropolis shopping in the centre of Essen. It’s not for nothing that the roof of the Handelshof bears the inscription: “Essen—the city of shopping”. And the one hundred stores in the pedestrian zone are not the only place you can shop; the Limbecker Platz shopping centre, opened in 2009, is a true shopping highlight located right in the middle of the city. The exterior view alone will get your attention, for the facade calls to mind a swaying dress. When the sun begins to set, hundreds of lights flicker here like sequins. And you can use your credit card in over 200 shops on 70,000 m2, in one of the largest urban shopping centres in Germany. Obviously, there is no shortage of national and international restaurants in the Gourmet Lounge, and children will enjoy having fun in the large playground. And you should be on the lookout for events and sales, which take place regularly in the centre. Our tip: Try “Midnight Shopping” on the first Friday of every month. For you can stroll and shop to your heart’s content from 10 in the morning until midnight.

The most successful musical in the world—only in Bochum, in their own specially built Starlight Express Theater. 28 years at the same location speaks for itself: Since its premiere in 1988, Starlight Express has broken all records. And not only for the number of visitors! Did you know that the show has already been entered in the Guinness Book of World Records more than three times? The unusual theatre, which houses a semi-arena with around 1,700 seats, was built exclusively for a single show. This was the first entry. The second was for the highest production costs, and in 2010 Guinness World Records, London, chose STARLIGHT EXPRESS as the theatre with the highest number of visitors worldwide in one location. Daredevil acrobatics, thrilling songs, magical dance scenes, a gripping story, shimmering costumes and a sophisticated lighting concept make the musical an event for the whole family. And goose bumps are guaranteed when Rusty meets the legendary “Starlight Express” at the musical’shighpoint. If you’ve never seen the Starlight Express live, you owe it to yourself not to pass up this opportunity.

A fantastic ambience, fascinating variety shows, and excellent cuisine. You may have encountered the successful GOP Varieté Theater in another German city, for it is now showing in seven theatres. In the middle of Essen’s city centre you will find the Essener Dependence, with space for up to 400 guests. The show changes every two months and features an international who’s who of artists: acrobats, jugglers, magicians, comedians and much more! So don’t be surprised if you see these performers again in a show in Las Vegas, New York or Monaco. On your request, the GOP will spoil you before or after the show with culinary highlights from their own in-house kitchen. And speaking of being spoiled: What we notice each time we visit is the perfectly seasoned, attentive and friendly GOP team. And this despite the demands placed on the service staff by a show in progress and the many stairs in the theatre hall.