eifel germany tourism

• The Top 7 Things To...

The Top 7 Things to See and Do in Eifel National Park, Germany

The landscape of Eifel National Park is dramatic, to say the least. This untamed stretch of wilderness has been shaped by volcanic activity over the centuries. The park promises dense forests, crystal-clear lakes, rolling hills, endless hiking trails and picturesque historic towns. In short, it has everything a wanderer’s dreams are made of.

The amazingly diverse landscape of Eifel National Park spells paradise for hikers. Many hiking trails of varying difficulty and length meander through this park, each promising unique views. En route, you can expect imposing hills, valleys and gorges, waterfalls and bubbling streams, crystal lakes and moors, vast meadows and extinct volcanoes, picture-postcard towns, fairy-tale castles and historic squares.

Driving the Volcano Route

Germany’s Volcano Route , stretching from the River Rhine to the Eifel Mountains, between the cities of Bonn and Trier, is an immensely popular themed route. This 174 miles (280 kilometers) long road connects as many as 39 stations of geological, natural and cultural significance. A drive or hike along this route opens your eyes to natural wonders at every turn – crater lakes, extinct volcanoes, quarries, domes, rubble hills, waterfalls, geysers and more.

Cruising on Lake Rur

From the river, you can experience a completely different perspective of the magnificent Eifel National Park. Rur Lake Shipping Company operate noiseless electric boats that take visitors on leisurely short cruises, from April to October. You can choose to cruise the Obersee Reservoir, from Einruhr to Rurberg and further on to the Urftsee dam; or, you can enjoy the pristine landscape between the landing stage in Heimbach-Schwammenauel and Rurberg.

Exploring Monschau

Monschau has remained pretty much unchanged for the last 300 years. It draws tourists with its unbelievably charming historic old town, cobbled alleys, ancient fortifications, adorable half-timbered houses and general air of chill. The museum Rotes Haus and the 13th century Monschau Castle are the most famous sights in Monschau. And don’t leave town before sampling Monschaus’s famous mustard!

Relaxing in Bad Münstereifel

Bad Münstereifel is a historic spa town almost entirely contained within beautifully maintained 13th century fortifications. A perfect weekend in this town consists of walking along the city walls, exploring its many beautiful buildings and shopping at the historic City Outlet. Technology buffs must not miss the Radioteleskop Effelsberg, the second largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world.

Cross-country skiing

Come winter, and the Eifel National Park is usually covered in a blanket of snow, beckoning winter sports enthusiasts to flock to the area. The region offers excellent opportunities for cross-county skiing and tobogganing.

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Visiting Burg Eltz

The surreal sight of Burg Eltz , perched on a 70 meters (230 feet) high rock in the midst of dense forests, never fails to drop jaws. The castle offers guided tours, in the course of which, you can explore its grand interiors, original furniture, weaponry and more. There are great restaurants and souvenir shops in the castle compound.

Burg Eltz, Burg-Eltz-Strasse 1, Wierschem, Germany , +49 267 295 0500

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• Day trip destinations
• The top 10 Eifel day trip destinations

Top 10 Eifel day trip destinations

The Eifel offers many excursion destinations in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate: different peoples and cultures have left their traces in this low mountain range in Germany over the millennia. A large treasure trove of impressive castles, palaces, monasteries and churches is a reminder of the rulers of the past centuries. Exciting museums offer insights into the history and special features of the Eifel. Special features such as the maars of the Volcanic Eifel and the Eifel National Park are pure nature experiences.

We have put together a selection of particularly popular day trip destinations for you:

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The Eifel maars

The water-filled maars are the symbol of the volcanic Eifel. But what is actually a maar?.

Genovevaburg

The Genovevaburg castle is one of the landmarks of the town of Mayen and can be seen from far and wide on a crest of rock above the market square. The late Gothic castle has been besieged, destroyed and rebuilt several times during its eventful history…

Nürburgring

The Nürburgring Green Hell - racing, business, adventure, holiday

Vogelsang IP

In September 2016, the new visitor’s and exhibition centre, the Forum Vogelsang IP, was opened. The two main exhibitions are the documentation of the National Socialist period, “Destiny: Master Race. National Socialist Ordensburgen - Both Fascination and Crime” and the adventure exhibition “Wilderness Dreams” organised by the Eifel National Park Centre…

Half-timbered village Monreal

The narrow streets of Monreal, its quaint Holy Trinity Church, the massive Nepomuk Bridge over the clear flowing Elzbach and the ruins of Löwenburg and Philippsburg castles high above the town are a perfect destination for an excursion in the eastern Eifel…

Eifel National Park centre - “Wildnis(t)räume” exhibition

In the Eifel National Park centre at the Vogelsang IP “International Place”, visitors can experience nature with all their senses - indoors and outdoors. Surrounded by dense mixed deciduous forests, the modern visitors’ centre above the Urftsee lake has hosted the “Wildnis(t)räume” (“Wilderness Dreams”) exhibition - a barrier-free, interactive nature experience for people of all ages…

Historic centre of Monschau

The historical old town of Monschau at the Rur.

City-Outlet and historic Bad Münstereifel

Bad Münstereifel

Bad Münstereifel is a small romantic town that has grown historically over the years, with picturesque timber-framed houses and the City Outlet, with attractive shops that are worth paying a visit. You can take a break in the many cosy cafés and restaurants…

Eltz Castle - the fairytale castle in the Eifel forest

High towers, picturesque oriels, protective walls and a deep castle moat amaze visitors when the well-preserved medieval castle appears out of nowhere on one of the hiking trails - e. g. the award-winning dream trail "Eltzer Burgpanorama". The interior holds some well-preserved treasures: the imposing knights' hall, the armoury and treasure chamber or the bedrooms, living rooms and writing rooms…

Laacher See

Maria Laach

With around 3. 3 km² and a depth of 53 m, Laacher See is the largest lake in Rhineland-Palatinate. The area around the lake has been a nature reserve for almost 80 years. The last eruption of the former “Laacher volcano” occurred around 10,930 BC. B…

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Are you currently spending a vacation in the Eifel or have you spent a vacation in the Eifel in the last 6 months? We would be delighted if you take part in our guest survey. As a thank you, you can win an Apple iPad.

• Highlights of Rhineland-Palatinate
• Culinary pleasures
• Festivals & Traditions
• Accessible Travel
• Spa resorts
• Romantic Cities

Geierlay suspension bridge

It is considered the most beautiful suspension rope bridge in Germany - and rightly so. The Geierlay Bridge offers breathtaking views over the tree tops and is a real challenge for people with a fear of heights. A visit is definitely worthwhile and will make your visit an unforgettable experience.

• Lahn valley
• Moselle valley
• Rhine-Hesse
• Romantic Rhine

Famous Lorelei Rock

 The most famous of all Rhine legends has its origin at the only 130-metre wide narrow part of the Rhine near St. Goarshausen. Steep cliffs leave no room for the current here and many ship accidents nourished the fairy tale of the fair blonde who, high up on the rock, confused the boatmen's senses. Many myths entwine themselves around this place. In the 19th century Clemens Brentano transferred the name of the rock, which pushes far into the river bed, to the enchanting blonde woman. Pure Rhine romanticism.

Visit the Lorelei Rock

• Rhine in Flames
• Wine festivals
• Christmas markets
• Events calendar

A very special highlight along the Romantic Rhine from May to September is the annual, Rhine in Flames‘ fireworks spectacle held in five different locations with aerial fireworks, riverside promenades illuminated with flares and festively illuminated ship fleets.

• Festivals & Traditions
• Accommodations

Holidays in the Eifel

From pure nature to the nürburgring race track.

The last volcanic eruption in the Eifel region was a mere 10,000 years ago and traces of the Eifel's fiery history can be discovered today: The landscape is dotted with the cones of extinct volcanoes and blue crater lakes or maars. The natural beauty of the countryside between the Moselle and Ahr valleys is best explored either on foot or by bike. Make a hiking tour along the long-distance trail Eifelsteig: A string of small historical places line your route through the valleys and hills, some gently rolling, others more precipitous, as you pass hedges of yellow gorse set against the wide, blue sky. The Nürburgring, famous motor-racing circuit and scene of legendary car races past and present, is a beast of a quite different nature.

Stories from the Eifel

Get inspired.

Hiking on the Eifelsteig trail

Graded long-distance hiking trail in the eifel.

There are 313 richly varied kilometres to explore on the Eifelsteig. Where the landscape changes all the time and sensational views follow one after another. "Just you, the water and the rocks" is the slogan for the trail and perfectly captures the Eifelsteig experience. The further you venture, the more you see. It begins with flat countryside in the north near Aachen, heads across the Hohe Venn moorlands and into secluded Rurtal valley passing vast reservoirs on its way. Then comes the volcanic region and the southern Eifel before the sandstone cliffs above the Moselle mark the Eifelsteig's end at Trier, Germany's oldest city.

The Genoveva Cave in the Kylltal on the Eifelsteig, Eifel

More travel highlights and activities in the Eifel:

More information about holidays in the Eifel

Video: Secrets of the maars – Volcanic origins in the Nature Park and Geopark

The Pulvermaar in the volcanic Eifel region is a real natural treasure that was formed by explosive natural forces. Take a walk with a knowledgeable guide and discover the secrets of the maars.

Dream paths "Traumpfade" Rhein-Mosel-Eifel

Covering a distance of between three and seven kilometres, the dream paths are perfect for gentle walks. For example the Traumpfade "Booser Doppelmaartour" or the "Vulkanpfad".

Cycle paths in the Eifel region

Discover the Eifel by bicycle, with gentle rides along the Kyll, Prüm or Sauer, a family ride along disused railway lines or a more ambitious, sporty ride to the heights of the Eifel.

Walks around the Eifel maars

Let us tell you about the wonderful walks around the ‘eyes of the Eifel’, the volcanic upland maars with their glistening blue waters.

Accommodation in the Eifel

Whether you are looking for a hotel or holiday home, a campsite or youth hostel, here is a list of accommodation options in the Eifel.

Eifel National Park

Discover nature, vast beech woods and wilderness in the Eifel National Park.

Eltz Castle - the fairytale castle in the Eifel forest

Wierschem High towers, picturesque oriels, protective walls and a deep castle moat amaze visitors when the well-preserved medieval castle appears out of nowhere…

Eifelmuseum - EifelTotal

Mayen Genovevaburg castle is a symbol of the town of Mayen. It can be seen from far and wide, towering over the town centre. Inside, it is home to the…

Leisure and Animal Park "Eifelpark"

Gondorf WILD ANIMALS AND LEISURE – THE PERFECT DAY OUTCovering an area the equivalent of around 100 football pitches, Eifelpark Gondorf is a unique…

Beer and basalt in the volcanic Eifel

This time, Martin Seidler heads off to the stony eastern Eifel, shaped thousands of years ago by the ancient power of volcanoes that shook up huge quantities of stone and lava and completely redesigned the landscape. Today, you can go for a walk in the Mendig nearly 32 metres below ground and explore a petrified lava flow made of hexagonal basalt columns. These cool lava vaults are the perfect habitat for bats and, according to the local brewers, also provide ideal conditions for storing beer.