cathedral
Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp
Belgium's tallest Gothic building housing masterpieces by Rubens, with a UNESCO-listed 123-metre tower visible across Flanders.
28 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeBelgiumFlanders
Essen
Flanders, Belgium · Europe
About Essen
Essen works well as a base: 15 minutes from Roosendaal, 39km from Biesbosch National Park.
Essen is a town located in Flanders, Belgium. With a population of 10,000, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Essen sits in Belgium, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Brussels time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Essen to your route.
About Essen
Essen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɛsə(n)] ) is a town and municipality in the Belgian province of Antwerp, notable for being bordered by the Netherlands on three sides. As of September 2022, it has a population of 19,029 residents. The town belongs to both the electoral canton of Brecht and the judicial canton of KapellenRead more
and is situated in the region of Noorderkempen.
Where to Stay in Essen
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Essen?
Essen offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
How do I plan a road trip to Essen?
Plan your road trip to Essen with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Essen as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Where is Essen located?
Essen is located in Flanders, Belgium, Europe. The coordinates are 51.4679 latitude, 4.4690 longitude.
What is the population of Essen?
Essen has a population of approximately 10,000 people, making it a town in Belgium.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 10,000
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Belgium
- Region
- Flanders
- Timezone
- Europe/Brussels
- Coordinates
- 51.4679, 4.4690
Tags
Worth the detour from Essen
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Antwerp Zoo
Historic Belgian zoo next to the central train station, one of the oldest in the world, founded in 1843.
28 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Antwerpen-Centraal
A cathedral-like railway station of marble, gilt and glass, repeatedly voted one of the most beautiful in the world.
28 km · about 30 min drive
museum
Plantin-Moretus Museum
The world's oldest surviving printing house, run by the Plantin family in Antwerp from 1576 to 1867 and the only museum on the UNESCO World Heritage list: complete with the two oldest printing presses in existence and a Gutenberg Bible.
28 km · about 35 min drive
national park
Biesbosch National Park
Freshwater tidal wetland of creeks and willow forest between Dordrecht and Werkendam, with visitor centres and car parks.
39 km · about 45 min drive
bridge
Zeeland Bridge
Elegant 5 km bridge over the Oosterschelde estuary, the longest in the Netherlands when opened in 1965. Its endless procession of arches makes one of the country's most photogenic drives.
43 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Efteling
Enchanting Dutch fairy-tale theme park with immersive storytelling, dark rides, and world-class roller coasters.
45 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Kinderdijk Windmills
UNESCO World Heritage site featuring 19 iconic 18th-century windmills in a quintessential Dutch polder landscape.
48 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Essen
- 43 kmZeeland BridgeElegant 5 km bridge over the Oosterschelde estuary, the longest in the Netherlands when opened in 1965. Its endless procession of arches makes one of the country's most photogenic drives.
- 48 kmWestern Scheldt TunnelAt 6.6 km the longest road tunnel in the Netherlands, diving under the busy Western Scheldt shipping lane to link Zeeland with Zeelandic Flanders since 2003.
- 48 kmWesterscheldetunnelTolled 6.6-kilometre road tunnel under the Western Scheldt linking Zeelandic Flanders to Zuid-Beveland, replacing two ferries.
- 49 kmErasmusbrugRotterdam's swan-necked cable-stayed bridge soars over the Maas, a striking modern icon glowing over the river at night.
- 53 kmBrouwersdamDelta Works dam carrying the N57 between two Zeeland islands, with the North Sea on one side, the Grevelingen lagoon on the other, and kitesurfers filling the sky.
- 57 kmOosterscheldekeringThe colossal storm-surge barrier crossing the Oosterschelde, the showpiece of Holland's Delta Works flood defences.
Driving in Belgium
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.74/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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