Insider tip in Germany: This is what a holiday in the Eifel offers

The Eifel is a low mountain range in western Germany, stretching across parts of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate , between Aachen in the north, Trier in the south and Koblenz in the east.

Its foothills extend into Belgium and Luxembourg . The Eifel is a popular hiking region, including the Eifel National Park, one of the region's highlights. But besides the spectacular natural surroundings, there are other attractions in the Eifel.

A highlight of the Eifel is the Eifel National Park.

Source: imago images/Hans Blossey

Founded in 2004, the Eifel National Park is a highlight of the low mountain range and a paradise for nature and outdoor enthusiasts, with 240 kilometers of hiking trails. Covering approximately 10,700 hectares, you'll immerse yourself in ancient beech forests, open meadows, stream valleys, and lakes. While this landscape may seem pristine in some areas, it's also wonderfully developed and easily accessible.

A top tip for hikers is the 85-kilometer Wilderness Trail, divided into four stages. Following it, you'll explore many of the most beautiful parts of the national park, from forests to vast plateaus with panoramic views. Particularly beautiful and ideal for photo stops are the so-called Eifelblicke vantage points, offering a best-of view of the Eifel landscape.

For barrier-free access, we recommend the "Wilder Weg" (Wild Trail), a circular trail through the forest with wide paths lined with interactive stations. Those interested in learning more about the region's natural environment should visit the "Wilderness Dreams" exhibition at the Eifel National Park Center. It focuses on nature and biodiversity, among other things.

Even at night, the Eifel National Park has something to offer: It has been designated an official star park because of its particularly clear night sky, far away from light pollution.

Some call Eltz Castle “the most beautiful castle in Europe”.

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Did you know that one of the best-preserved castles in Germany is located in the Eifel region? It's called Eltz Castle and is located in the wooded Elzbach Valley, about 30 kilometers southwest of Koblenz. According to its official website, it's even called "Europe's most beautiful castle" and a "stone fairytale." It was built in the 12th century and supposedly never destroyed. Therefore, it is one of the rare gems of medieval architecture preserved in its original condition.

Eltz Castle has been family-owned for over 850 years, but parts of it are also open to visitors. Even from a distance, you can recognize the fairytale ensemble of residential towers, gables, and bay windows. The castle has a total of eight towers, each up to eight stories high, arranged around a picturesque courtyard. This courtyard houses various residential areas.

Monschau is also known as the “Pearl of the Eifel”.

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The small town of Monschau, located not far from the Belgian border, has fewer than 12,000 inhabitants and is often called the "Pearl of the Eifel" – and for good reason. Awaiting you is a postcard-perfect town with an old town full of narrow streets and half-timbered houses that will transport you back to centuries past. Highlights include the Red House, which houses a museum dedicated to 18th and 19th-century living culture. Since it was built by a cloth manufacturer, you'll also gain insight into the history of the cloth industry.

Another interesting attraction is the historic mustard mill: There, you can sample more than 20 varieties of mustard and learn a lot about traditional mustard production. Equally fascinating is the Monschau Glassworks, where you can experience the art of glassblowing firsthand. You can watch glassblowers at work. Once you've had your fill of the cozy town center, it's worth taking a ride on the tram up to the castle, where you'll enjoy a sweeping panorama of Monschau and the Eifel mountains.

Bad Münstereifel is one of the most popular places in the Eifel for travelers.

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Located a good 40 kilometers southwest of Bonn, Bad Münstereifel is a place that combines history with the dynamism of a lively small town. It enchants travelers with its perfectly preserved medieval old town, a listed monument. The historic center is surrounded by a 220-meter-long, walkable city wall. Stroll through the narrow streets to discover the town hall and the many lovingly restored half-timbered houses, including the Windeckhaus. You can also admire a 12th-century residential building, the Romanesque House, and take a break in small squares with cafés.

Particularly exciting: Along the "History Trail," 21 stations allow you to experience what Bad Münstereifel looked like around 1900 – a fascinating glimpse into the past, directly integrated into the cityscape. The town also has a lot to offer culturally. At the Hürten Museum, you'll learn more about the town's history, while the Nature and Landscape Museum offers a glimpse into the region's flora and fauna.

And if you like shopping: At the Bad Münstereifel City Outlet, over 50 brand-name stores await you within historic walls. After a stroll, numerous cafés, restaurants, and rustic wine bars invite you to relax. For water lovers and families, the Eifelbad offers fun and relaxation – indoors and outdoors, whatever the weather. And if you love nature, you should plan a hike up Michelsberg: From the small St. Michael's Chapel, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

The Eifelsteig is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Germany.

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The Eifelsteig is a long-distance hiking trail classified as one of the "Premium Hiking Trails" and one of the "Top Trails of Germany." The motto "Where rock and water accompany you" is apt. The name is fitting: The route begins in the imperial city of Aachen and stretches 313 kilometers to Trier, steeped in Roman history. The tour is divided into 15 daily stages ranging from 15 to 28 kilometers in length and leads through some of the region's most spectacular natural and cultural landscapes.

Hikers will cross, among other things, Europe's largest contiguous raised bog, the High Fens, and the diverse volcanic Eifel region, full of crater lakes (maars). Along the route, you'll find plenty of hiker-friendly accommodations, from hotels and guesthouses to campsites and youth hostels.

The maars are a typical part of the Eifel landscape.

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Even if you don't want to go on a long hike in the Eifel, you should visit some of the Eifel's maars. But what are maars anyway? The term maar comes from the Latin "mare," meaning sea, and describes a special volcanic phenomenon: a funnel-shaped volcanic crater formed by explosive steam eruptions. What remained were deep cavities or sinkholes – maars. Over time, these craters filled with rainwater or groundwater and thus became maar lakes.

These maars, often referred to as "blue eyes," are a special feature of the Eifel region. There are still more than 70 of these volcanic craters in the region, but only twelve of them are still filled with water. Best of all, swimming is permitted in some of the most beautiful maars in summer! These include the Meerfelder Maar, the Pulvermaar, the Schalkenmehrener Maar, and the Gemündener Maar.

The Devil's Gorge in the Eifel is a true natural wonder.

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Not far from the town of Ernzen in Rhineland-Palatinate and the border with Luxembourg lies the "Rocky Land" of the Southern Eifel. The absolute natural highlight there: the Devil's Gorge. You'll experience narrow crevices, overgrown sandstone formations, and bizarre rock formations that will take you deep into the region's geological history. Around 190 million years ago, there was a sea there, and you'll walk across its now rocky bottom.

The Devil's Gorge itself is said to have been formed around 12,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age. Due to the constant interplay of frost and thaw, enormous sandstone blocks broke away from the plateau wall. One particularly large boulder crashed down and tore a crevice in the rock that is now approximately 28 meters deep. This was the beginning of the Devil's Gorge.

You can explore this natural wonder on various circular hiking trails, such as the 17-kilometer-long "Felsenweg 6" premium hiking trail. It leads through the gorge and far beyond. Those who prefer a shorter route can discover spectacular paths through the rock labyrinths on the "Kleiner" or "Großer Rundweg Teufelsschlucht" (Little) or "Großer Rundweg Teufelsschlucht" (Great Circular Trail), or on the "Devilish Eight" (Devilish Eight). Also worth seeing is the suspension bridge over the Irrel Waterfalls (the rapids of the Prüm River), which opened in 2023.

Located right next to the gorge, the Devil's Gorge Nature Park Center offers an exciting exhibition about geology and nature. The "Devil's Kitchen" bistro provides refreshments.

In the Daun Wildlife and Adventure Park you can get very close to the animals.

Source: imago/Marc Schüler

In the heart of the hilly landscape of the Volcanic Eifel, a good six kilometers from the town of Daun, lies a top attraction for families: the Daun Wildlife and Adventure Park . Spanning approximately 220 hectares, it offers diverse nature experiences, including an eight-kilometer safari trail that you can easily explore by car. You'll encounter free-roaming animals such as deer, wild boars, yaks, llamas, and rheas. At various stations along the route, viewpoints and feeding stations invite you to observe the animals up close.

If you want to get even closer, you should definitely take a detour to the Monkey Gorge. This spacious outdoor enclosure is home to Barbary macaques, which you can observe along the 800-meter-long circular trail. Another highlight is the falconry flight shows, where majestic birds of prey showcase their skills. For little adventurers, there's a large playground with a giant slide, a petting zoo, and an 800-meter-long summer toboggan run right next to the park.

The Nürburgring is a top attraction in the Eifel for all motorsport fans.

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The Nürburgring in the northern Eifel region is a sight of a completely different kind. It's more than just a world-famous race track, notorious for its "Green Hell," as the Nordschleife is known. Whether it's the former Formula 1 circuit or the still-present vintage car Grand Prix and 24-hour races, there's something going on here year-round. But even outside of race weekends, there's plenty to experience at the Nürburgring. How about trying your hand at being a racing driver? You can do this on a guided tour or with your own vehicle during the tourist tours.

In the adjacent motorsport experience museum “ring°werk” you will also find interactive exhibitions, a motorsport roller coaster and insights into the history of the Ring.

The castle village of Kronenburg is a real insider tip in the Eifel.

Source: IMAGO/Markus Klümper

A gem lies hidden in the northwesternmost tip of the Eifel: the castle town of Kronenburg, perched high above the Kyll Valley. It was first documented in 1277. This former castle village has retained its romantic atmosphere over the centuries: You stroll through narrow streets lined with well-preserved half-timbered houses, some of which are around 400 years old. The "Burgbering" (castle ring) protectively surrounds the ruins of the former Kronenburg.

Although knights, clergy, and medieval craftsmen no longer live in the village today, travelers can still find art galleries, studios, and craft shops. Another attraction is the 15th-century parish church of St. John the Baptist with its impressive net vault.

If you're an art enthusiast, we recommend the Kronenburger Art Trail. There, you'll follow in the footsteps of the numerous painters and sculptors who discovered the village in the 19th century. The climb to the castle is also worthwhile: From there, you'll enjoy fantastic views over the Eifel landscape and the nearby Kronenburger Lake.

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