Castles and palaces

The Eifel is an ancient cultural landscape in the heart of Europe. Powerful noble families lived here and knights fought their battles here. Today, the many castles and palaces provide a fascinating fairytale backdrop for hiking, cycling or excursions.
One of the most beautiful castles in Europe: Eltz Castle with its countless battlements, which is enthroned on a narrow mountain spur and has never been conquered. The impressive moated castle of Satzvey Castle brings history to life in the context of many events. But the other magnificent medieval buildings are also enchanting. A visit is worthwhile... as a refreshing break from hiking, as a spectacular cultural treasure, as a short journey back in time to the era of minnesong and juggling.

Visit castles and palaces

From fairytale castle to knight's castle

Would you like to get an idea of how people lived in a castle or what it looks like inside? Some castles and palaces in the Eifel were never destroyed or rebuilt. You can also visit them from the inside:

  1. Copyright: Rheinland-Pfalz Tourismus GmbH, D. Ketz

    Eltz Castle - the fairytale castle in the Eifel forest

    Wierschem
    Open today

    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. All this can be experienced on a guided tour between April and November.

  2. Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz

    Schloss Bürresheim palace

    St. Johann
    Open today

    During the Middle Ages, Schloss Bürresheim palace was actually a castle, in other words, a knight’s residence and a fortress at the same time.

  3. Copyright: S.Mahlow

    Burg Olbrück

    Niederdürenbach
    Open today

    Olbrück Castle is located in the middle of the magnificent volcanic area of the Eifel. The geological dimension of volcanism and the cultural-historical dimension of the Middle Ages collide here and become tangible at Olbrück Castle!

  4. Copyright: TI Hocheifel-Nürburgring, D. Ketz

    Nürburg Castle

    Nürburg
    Open today

    Nürburg castle is famous not only for the nearby legendary racetrack.

  5. Copyright: Dominik Ketz

    Castles of Manderscheid

    Manderscheid
    Open today

    The spa town of Manderscheid is most famous for two medieval castle ruins that stand directly opposite each other on steep mountain spurs not far from the town's alleyways. The massive complexes are separated only by the little Lieser river and a meadow, which in summer becomes a perfect place for a breather while hiking the Eifelsteig trail or for a family picnic with children. On a weekend in August, however, the castles and the meadow are ideal settings for a spectacular festival with quaint crafts, jugglers, jousting tournaments and minstrel singing. In Advent, the Manderscheid Castle Christmas lends the town a special magic. The freely accessible upper castle with its five-storey keep still looks martial today. The lower castle can be explored on guided tours - even at night - or on your own; it only remains closed in bad weather.

  6. Copyright: Manuel Thome Photography

    Castle Satzvey

    Mechernich

    Welcome to "Burg Satzvey", one of the most beautiful water castles in the Rhineland region.

  7. Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz

    Burg Nideggen

    Nideggen
    Open today

    Nideggen Castle looks back on an eventful history and is a unique cultural monument to the history of the Middle Ages in the Rhineland and the Eifel.

  8. Copyright: Ulrike Baum

    Burg Stolberg

    Stolberg
    Open today

    The castle, which dates from the 15th century, is now used as a museum & event location.

  9. Copyright: VOTH 3D-Touren

    Schloss Burgau

    Düren

    The main building of Burgau Castle has an eventful past. Having been originally built at the start of the 14th century by the Counts von Heinsberg and assigned to the fiefdom of Wilhelm von Burgau, the picturesque moated castle has since had quite a makeover.

All castles and palaces at a glance

24 results
24 results