Burg Eltz, located in Germany’s Moselle area, is a medieval castle labeled as one of the most beautiful castles in Germany. It is still owned by the same family that lived here in the 12th century.
Sprinkled with fairytale flair, beautiful sight and one of the best hiking trails in the entire area, Eltz Castle is definitely worth a visit. Since it’s a perfect day trip from Cologne or Düsseldorf, you could easily combine a city trip with a visit to this magnificent castle.
Burg Eltz – A Day Trip from Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf or Cochem
The medieval Eltz Castle is located in the German Moselle area which makes it a perfect day trip from Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt or the nearby Cochem.
The castle is not only one of the most famous castles in Germany, but just like the Bürresheim Castle and the Lissingen Castle, it is one of those fortifications in the Eifel that never could’ve been conquered by force.
Why visit Burg Eltz
- Visiting an over 850 years old sight
- Admiring the stunning architecture with eight towers of over 35 meters in height & so many pointy roofs and bay windows
- Exploring the surrounding area full of wonderful nature
- Hiking the Eltzer Dream Path
How to get to Burg Eltz
The Eltz Castle is less easy to reach by train, so it is best to travel in your own car. Hereby, you can just search for the castle on Google Maps or Apple Maps which will give you the exact route to get there.
If you’re already traveling by car, you could also enjoy other nearby villages, such as Cochem and Cochem Castle one of the most beautiful castles in the Moselle valley.
After your arrival at Burg Eltz, you can use the parking area for €2 per day. Also, there’s a shuttle bus that drives you down to the castle itself. You can also walk down and since it’s only a very short walk that takes a little less than ten minutes, I’d highly recommend you to go on foot. By doing so, you will have the chance to admire the Eltz Castle from the viewpoint along the road.
Besides that, you could also take the walking route through the forest which allows you to explore more of the surrounding Eltz Valley.
What to expect
Let’s be honest: Burg Eltz is the perfect day trip for families, couples, and also solo travelers. It’s basically perfect for anywhere who is interested in castles, history, and culture. But it’s also perfect for those of you who are interested in taking photos or plan to go hiking.
Basically, you have two options:
- Walk the 12.6km panorama hiking trail
- Explore the castle itself
Starting your trip at the parking lot, you will soon arrive at the bridge in front of Burg Eltz. Here, and at the viewpoint, you can already see how impressive the Eltz Castle actually is.
From here on, you can decide if going inside and exploring the castle is what you want to do or if you’d like to explore the surrounding area of Burg Eltz and opt for the hiking trail.
Ticket Prices
For an adult, the ticket to Burg Eltz cost €10. Students need to pay €3.50. The hiking trail is absolutely free!
Also, the ticket includes a guided tour and the museum.
Panorama Trail
The 12.6 km hiking trail in the vicinity of the castle is something I’d particularly recommend on warmer summer days as the trees provide a cooling share and you’re able to enjoy a quiet day in nature.
Guided Tour
If you want to see the inside of the castle, you need a guide. There are plenty of tours per day and each has a duration of 40 minutes. You will learn about the history and how people used to live here back in the days. It’s a very informative tour with many opportunities to ask questions.
Facts about Burg Eltz
- The construction of Burg Eltz took place from the 8th until the 13th century.
- Burg Eltz was used as a home for different branches of the Eltz family since 1263. Every branch lived in a separate area in the castle.
- The Eltz family used to be the most influential family in Germany.
- The castle is in such a great shape due to the restoration project of Duke Karl zu Eltz in the 19th century.
Related: Hiking the Eltzer Dream Path.
Planning on more activities in this area of Germany? I got you covered!
- Mainz Day Trip
- Düsseldorf Photo Locations
- How to spend a day in Cologne
- A guide to rope suspension bridge Geierlay
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Such a dreamy place. 🙂
Thank you, Amelie 🙂
I love Burg Eltz and am even more in love with your pictures! Especially those looking a bit more golden. Wow!! <3
Awww, thanks!! I liked the golden hour there very much, it was simply perfect.