Historic old towns and half-timbered idylls
Between cobblestones, well-preserved town walls, lovingly restored half-timbered houses and historic squares, you are invited to experience the special atmosphere of these places. Towns such as Monschau, Bad Münstereifel, Monreal or Kronenburg - each town has its own character, but what they all have in common is a tangible connection to history and regional identity.
In small stores with regional crafts, in cafés with a view of historic market squares or on a guided tour that takes you through alleyways and stories. Much can be explored on foot - relaxed, approachable, authentic.
Architecture, nature and lifestyle form a harmonious whole in the small towns of the Eifel. You can arrive here, slow down and discover with open eyes what has been preserved over generations. And by the way, these places are particularly atmospheric photo motifs.
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.
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. The red and white half-timbered houses nestle closely together in the former cloth-making town. Not only visually is Monreal an excursion destination that relaxes the soul. Café Plüsch with its cosy interior or the former signal box at the gates of the town are perfect addresses for foodies. The highlight for lovers of handicrafts is the pottery in the old school. Hikers get their money's worth on the Monrealer Ritterschlag hiking trail and are rewarded for the sometimes steep passages with wonderful views.
Castle flair and half-timbered idyll of yesteryear - the Ahrquelle is one of the town's most important landmarks. The sublime castle towers over the town and is now a youth hostel. Discover Blankenheim on a stroll through the charming old town streets with half-timbered houses.
Historical marketplace of AdenauIn addition to examples of old timbered houses, this is also where you will find Adenau’s oldest house dating from the year 1630.
The historical old town of Monschau at the Rur.
The picturesque old town in the Enz Valley offers a special atmosphere with its winding alleys, the castle, and numerous other nature and cultural attractions.
The historic old town centre of the copper town of Stolberg.
Kornelimünster with its churches worth seeing and old town houses, the former monastery and today's museum offers an excellent ambience for strolling. Important art treasures, the "Historical Fair" in June, the Korneli Octave in September and the Christmas market are reasons to visit the pilgrimage site. The pubs in the romantic alleyways attract walkers and stopovers. Kornelimünster is the starting point of the Eifelsteig long-distance hiking trail, which runs 313 km in 15 stages through the Eifel to Trier.
The small town of Münstermaifeld with its imposing collegiate church towers high above the gently undulating hills of the Maifeld. A stroll through the narrow streets with their impressive courtyards and town houses leads back to an eventful history. A new signposted is a historic city tour that starts at the tourist information on Münsterplatz. There you also get a folding plan for the city tour. City tours take place every Sunday and public holiday at 2 p.m., from April to November 1. The meeting point is the tourist information.
On the northern edge of the Eifel - high above the red sandstone cliffs visible from afar - lies the former ducal town of Nideggen.