6 days: 2 days in Essen + 1 day in Düsseldorf + 1 day in Cologne + 2 days in Bonn

Route:
Essen – Düsseldorf (approx. 40 min by car/50 min by train)

Düsseldorf – Cologne (approx. 50 min by car/30 min by train)

Cologne – Bonn (approx. 40 min by car/ 20 min by train)

Please check the current travel regulations in your state / country. By the way, our flexible rebooking options mean you still have plenty of possibilities even if your plans change at short notice!

Stop 1 - Essen

RIGHT AT THE HEART OF THE ACTION

From the hotel lobby, you can practically step right into Essen’s city centre. On

The Essen culture trail (marked by blue cobblestones) takes you through the city centre and the Südviertel district: the four-kilometre trail leads you past various cultural sites and buildings, such as the Old Synagogue, the Friedenskirche church and Grillo-Theater. Start at the

FROM THE INDUSTRIAL NORTH...

The mining boom, the expansion of the railway and the rise of the Kruppschen steel factory into a global corporation were three essential factors that shaped the city of Essen in the 19th century. You can still see the effects and traces of this industrialisation in and around Essen to this day:

Zollverein Coal Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: A visit to the world’s largest and most efficient coal mine is an absolute must. Click here for guided tours and more information (approx. 15 min by car/20 min by public transport).

Schacht 3/7/10: Fancy a picnic with a phenomenal view? How about on this 35 metre former mine shaft tower? Click here to

Red Dot Design Museum: As a Motel One guest, you clearly appreciate good design... So why not stop by the world’s largest exhibition of contemporary design? What began in 1955 as ‘Ständige Schau formschöner Industrieerzeugnisse’ (‘Permanent Show of Elegant Industrial Products’) in Villa Hügel is now the

... TO THE GREEN SOUTH

Margarethenhöhe: This southern district is now an upscale neighbourhood with unique character. In the past, the houses here were used as residential buildings for city officials and employees of the Krupp works. At its centre is the

Villa Hügel: This villa, where the Krupp family lived from 1873 to 1945, complete with ornate rooms and an extensive park, has become a symbol of the age of industrialisation in Germany. It is now

Grugapark: Pay a visit to one of Essen’s top green areas, its Botanical Garden, complete with a petting zoo, aviaries, an observation tower and

Lake Baldeney: This lake, originally designed as a water reservoir, is now a popular recreational area, which visitors can explore via a 14 km circular walk or on one of the boats of the

Werden Old Town: Unfortunately, there’s no longer any Old Town to speak of in Essen – but the Old Town in Werden makes up for it! Here, you can enjoy a lovely stroll through historic buildings (approx. 20 min by car/30 min by public transport).

Heidhausen: Hiking in Essen? Of course! There’s a wide range of hiking trails to choose from – in the district of Heidhausen, for example, you can discover the

The Ruhr Valley Cycle Path combines (industry) culture and nature on a fun 240 km trail. You can get on to the cycle path in Essen – for example, at Steele, Bergerhausen or Lake Baldeney – and follow it at your own pace. Here’s an

Stop 2 - Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf or Cologne – Cologne or Düsseldorf? We are well aware of the rivalry between these two cities! But why does it have to be a choice? Why not simply discover the best parts of both cities while you’re in the area? You don’t have to tell anyone which one you prefer!

THIRSTY FOR KNOWLEDGE?
Düsseldorf has its own leaning tower, the St. Lambertus

JUST FANCY A DRINK?
With 260 bars and pubs, Düsseldorf’s Old Town – some parts of which date back to 1288, when the city was first founded – is not known as ‘the longest bar in the world’ for nothing. Cheers!

RELAX IN THE CITY
Either on one of Düsseldorf’s three

OVERVIEW
Get yourself over to the northern part of the city

Stop 3 - Cologne

Everyone knows you can’t go to Cologne without seeing the cathedral! But here are a few other ideas too:

TAKE A STROLL
French flair is everywhere on Rathenauplatz. Here, surrounded by small, iconic cafés, pubs and handsome old buildings, you can play boules and enjoy a bit of ‘savoir-vivre’ in a beer garden. If you’re looking for young and trendy, head to Aachener Straße. Starting at Rudolfplatz, you can stroll along and stop at

ENJOY SOME GREAT VIEWS...
From the

WATERWAYS
Water-lovers can also admire Cologne from the Rhine. There are various themed

INTO THE GREEN
The ‘

ON THE ROAD TO BONN...
It’s worth stopping at

Stop 4 - Bonn

POLITICAL

The road to democracy: Many historic sites recall Bonn’s past as Germany’s capital and seat of government, such as the Federal Council and Parliament buildings (the Bundesrat and Bundestag) or the Kanzlerbungalow, which you can visit on a signposted

In the

ARTISTIC

Bonn has an incredible number of

The

The

CLASSICAL

In his birthplace Bonn, Ludwig van Beethoven is

By the way, the Beethoven Fest, which was planned for this year to celebrate Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday, has been postponed for the most part to 20 August-10 September 2021. Classical music fans should be sure to check out the

Bonn also played a key role in the life of another German composer: Robert Schumann spent the last years of his life here. He is commemorated in the museum in the

REST AND RECREATION – IN THE HEART OF THE CITY

If you need a short break from exploring the city centre, behind the Kurfürstlichen Schloss, you will find the

Just outside it is the recreation and leisure park

In Bonn, you can also set sail and cruise up and down the Rhine at your leisure. There are even Beethoven tours, murder mystery dinner trips and brunch tours (schedules available

FLYING HIGH

In Bonn’s villa district Bad Godesberg, stroll around, admire the incredible houses and enjoy the view – as just above it towers the Godesburg, one of the first elevated fortresses by the Rhine (approx. 20 min by car/30 min by public transport).

The 321 metre Drachenfels (approx. 40 min by car/1.5 hours by public transport) is the most famous hill of the Seven Mountains range and provides a sensational view of Bonn and the Rhine valley. At the top are the ruins of Burg Drachenfels, which dates back to 1167 and is the subject of many mysterious myths and legends. You can reach it by foot, by car or on the historic

Change of plan? With our flexible rebooking system, you have plenty of options!