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Popular excursion destinations
Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz

Top 15 excursion destinations

Discover nature, history and culture

The Eifel is a place for real experiences. When you are out and about here, you will encounter a landscape that tells stories: of volcanoes and monasteries, of artisan architecture and quiet retreats, of nature that touches and culture that remains.

Our top 15 selection shows you excursion destinations that allow you to experience the Eifel in different ways. Many of them can be easily combined with a hike or bike tour, others are ideal starting points for a day trip. They invite you to take a closer look. From the mysterious Laacher See lake to the imposing Eltz Castle, from the spiritual power of Maria Laach Abbey to romantic half-timbered towns such as Monschau and Bad Münstereifel and the wild beauty of the national park - each place is special in its own way.

Take your time, get involved - and get to know local stories and special features.

Top 15 excursion tips

15 results

A cheerful family is riding a water boat in an amusement park. In the background, a castle wall and trees are visible. — Copyright: Eifelpark Gondorf

WILD ANIMALS AND LEISURE – THE PERFECT DAY OUTCovering an area the equivalent of around 100 football pitches, Eifelpark Gondorf is a unique combination of amusement park and wildlife park. More than 60 attractions and over 200 wild animals make Eifelpark the perfect destination for families with children, hiking days for school and nursery school classes, senior citizens’ trips and exciting group excursions. Free Parking All attractions included in admission fee Dogs allowed on a leash

A group of people is listening to a presentation in a modern exhibition room. In the center is a round table with an interactive presentation. — Copyright: Nationalpark Eifel, D. Ketz

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. The Eifel National Park centre is open all year round.

A narrow path leads through tall rocks, surrounded by lush greenery. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a tranquil atmosphere. — Copyright: Rheinland-Pfalz Tourismus GmbH

A natural monument of extraordinary fascination: a narrow gorge with metre-high rock faces, cool and dark. Cracks and crevices, weathered and overgrown with mosses and lichens. Anyone walking through this eye of a needle in the sandstone is walking through a 200-million-year-old seabed that harbours many secrets.

Vennbahn-2012-199-Baraque Michel Hohes Venn — Copyright: vennbahn.eu

One of the last Highland moors in Europe. One particulary special nature experience are the hiking trails over wooden walkways.

A picturesque landscape with charming houses in the foreground and an old castle on a hill in the background. The scene is illuminated by the warm light of a clear sky. — Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, D. Ketz

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.

A picturesque half-timbered house by the bank of a calm river. Surrounded by green trees and an idyllic landscape. — Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dominik Ketz

The historical old town of Monschau at the Rur.

A couple sits on a bench and looks at the sunset over the hills. The landscape is surrounded by gentle meadows and a clear sky. — Copyright: Foto: Laura Rinneburger, Quelle: Touristik-Büro Vordereifel

The juniper heathlands of the Vordereifel region are a real insider tip. They were created as a result of a particular form of land management.

An impressive dam surrounded by green forests and clear water. The landscape is peaceful and inviting. — Copyright: Eifel Tourismus GmbH, Dennis Stratmann-finanziert durch REACT-EU

The Urft Dam is the oldest valley dam in the Eifel and is located in the middle of the Eifel National Park. At the time, the dam was planned as the largest structure in Europe. Construction of the 266 m long wall made of quarry stones began in 1899 - in May 1905 the dam was filled with water for the first time. In addition to flood protection and energy generation, the aim of the hydraulic engineering measure was to supply the region with drinking water. With a length of 12 km, a width of up to 1 km and a maximum depth of 52 m, Lake Urft has a capacity of 45.5 million cubic metres. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)