Essen, Germany, is a vibrant city in the heart of the Ruhr area, known for its rich industrial heritage and cultural transformation. Once a major center of coal and steel production, Essen has evolved into a hub of modern industry and cultural innovation. The city is home to the impressive Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which now serves as a cultural and creative center. Essen also boasts a thriving arts scene, with institutions like the Museum Folkwang showcasing a diverse range of art and photography. Its green spaces, including the expansive Grugapark, offer relaxation amidst the urban landscape. With its blend of historical significance, cultural vitality, and modern development, Essen presents a unique and engaging experience.
If you're a local seeking a weekend escape, read on. With a wide selection of nearby destinations, both domestic and international, there's something for everyone. Here are some weekend getaway ideas for residents in the Essen, Germany area, all accessible within a direct 4-hour flight. Best of all, these trips can be enjoyed without the need to take annual leave (perfect for those working Monday to Friday, 9 to 5). It all comes down to what you wish to do at your chosen destination.
Berlin, Germany (BER) - 1 Hour 10 Minute Flight
Why go?
Explore Berlin's dramatic history, cutting-edge architecture, and dynamic cultural scene.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Berlin
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
Ryanair from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €60+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Barcelona, Spain (BCN) - 2 Hour 10 Minute Flight
Why go?
Explore Barcelona’s unique blend of Catalan culture, innovative architecture, and vibrant street life.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Barcelona
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
Vueling from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €30+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Lisbon, Portugal (LIS) - 3 Hour Flight
Why go?
Discover Lisbon's enchanting blend of traditional heritage and contemporary culture, set against a backdrop of seven sun-drenched hills.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Lisbon
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
Tap Air Portugal from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €40+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Vienna, Austria (VIE) - 1 Hour 35 Minute Flight
Why go?
Indulge in Vienna’s world-renowned music scene, imperial history, and enchanting coffee house culture.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Vienna
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
Austrian from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Venice, Italy (VCE) - 1 Hour 35 Minute Flight
Why go?
Venice enchants with its intricate canal system, historic architecture, and striking art scene.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Venice
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
Ryanair from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €60+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) - 1 Hour 45 Minute Flight
Why go?
Experience Edinburgh's rich history, from its famous castle to its annual international festivals.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Edinburgh
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
Loganair from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Rome, Italy (FCO, CIA) - 2 Hour Flight
Why go?
Rome presents a spectacular display of ancient history, baroque art, and vibrant street life.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Rome
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €60+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Florence, Italy (FLR) - 1 Hour 45 Minute Flight
Why go?
Florence is a haven for art lovers, with an unparalleled collection of Renaissance art and architecture.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Florence
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Valletta, Malta (MLA) - 2 Hour 45 Minute Flight
Why go?
Valletta offers a compact historic city, steeped in history and surrounded by the Mediterranean’s blue waters.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Malta
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
KM Malta Airlines from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €30+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Budapest, Hungary (BUD) - 1 Hour 50 Minute Flight
Why go?
Budapest is known for its dramatic cityscape, thermal baths, and a nightlife pulsing with energy.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Budapest
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
Ryanair from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €60+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Dubrovnik, Croatia (DBV) - 2 Hour Flight
Why go?
Visit Dubrovnik for its stunning Old Town encircled by massive stone walls and the sparkling Adriatic Sea.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Dubrovnik
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €40+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Stockholm, Sweden (ARN) - 2 Hour Flight
Why go?
Stockholm spreads across islands connected by bridges with a historic old town and vibrant modern culture.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Stockholm
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
Scandavian Airlines from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €70+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Porto, Portugal (OPO) - 2 Hour 55 Minute Flight
Why go?
Porto charms with its stately bridges, historic port wine cellars, and a beautiful riverside area.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Porto
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €40+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Marrakesh, Morocco (RAK) - 3 Hour 50 Minute Flight
Why go?
Marrakesh enthralls with its vibrant souks, stunning palaces, and bustling Djemaa el-Fna square.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Marrakesh
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €70+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Mykonos, Greece (JTR) - 3 Hour 10 Minute Flight
Why go?
Revel in Mykonos' vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and whitewashed architecture.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Mykonos
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €40+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) - 1 Hour 10 Minute Flight
Why go?
Zurich combines cultural vibrancy and rich history with a backdrop of picturesque lakes and mountains.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Zurich
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
SWISS from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF) - 3 Hour 45 Minute Flight
Why go?
Explore the gateway to Iceland's otherworldly landscapes, from geysers to glaciers, all within reach from the vibrant, cultural hub of Reykjavik.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Iceland
When to go?
Year-round. The cold is just as nice as the warm.
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €100+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Nice, France (NCE) - 1 Hour 45 Minute Flight
Why go?
Nice boasts a stunning seaside promenade, vibrant markets, and a sunny, temperate climate.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Nice
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €70+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Oslo, Norway (OSL) - 1 Hour 50 Minute Flight
Why go?
Oslo offers a unique mix of cultural attractions and stunning natural scenery, all within the city’s limits.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Oslo
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Norwegian from DUS - See flight deals
Scandavian Airlines from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €60+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Krakow, Poland (KRK) - 1 Hour 45 Minute Flight
Why go?
Krakow captivates with its medieval core, Jewish heritage, and vibrant cultural life.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Krakow
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Helsinki, Finland (HEL) - 2 Hour 25 Minute Flight
Why go?
Experience Helsinki’s design-forward aesthetic, waterfront beauty, and innovative cuisine.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Helsinki
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Finnair from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €100+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Valencia, Spain (VLC) - 2 Hour 30 Minute Flight
Why go?
Valencia blends history, culture, and modernity, with stunning architecture and a famous paella scene.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Valencia
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €70+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Thessaloniki, Greece (SKG) - 2 Hour 35 Minute Flight
Why go?
Enjoy Thessaloniki’s vibrant food scene, historical depth, and beautiful waterfront.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Thessaloniki
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Eurowings from DUS - See flight deals
Aegean from DUS - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
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