A hilly region in western Germany, Eifel is a tourist destination well known for its natural wealth as well as its historic cities, including some of the best preserved castles in the country.
Close to cities most visited by travelers, such as Frankfurt and Cologne, it is a tour that can be included in your travel itinerary, especially if the objective is to discover places outside the traditional options.
How to get to the Eifel region in Germany
The Eifel lies between the cities of Aachen to the north, Trier to the south and Koblenz to the east, in the southwest of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the northwest of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate.
It is 209 km from Frankfurt and can be reached by car (approx. 2h20min). Taking other cities as a reference, Eifel is 95 km from Cologne, 583 km from Munich and 664 km from Berlin. Worth a visit if you are already in the eastern region of the country or have a longer travel itinerary through Germany.
Where to stay in the Eifel region in Germany – Hotel, hostel and inns
The region offers several accommodation options in cities close to its main tourist destinations. If you want to stay in a larger city, the two best are Frankfurt and Cologne. Regarding Cologne specifically, we have a very detailed analysis of the best region and the best hotels to stay in Cologne, Germany .
Another city worth visiting and even staying in the region is Monschau .
Options for staying in the region can be found on the Booking.com website .
What to do in Eifel in Germany
The main attraction of the region is the Eifel National Park , with options of forests, rivers and trails for hiking and for those looking for a trip away from big cities. The region is an ancient area of volcanism, which has led to an eye-poppingly rich nature.
Search the official website for the opening calendar and also the possibility of accompanying authorized guides , a safe and free option offered by the park.
If you are looking for a castle to visit, the must-recommendation is Eltz Castle (Burg Eltz). It is wonderful, both in its architecture, which is very reminiscent of castles in films and drawings from our fantasies, and in its location.
We have a specific post about it, be sure to read it: Burg Eltz, one of the most beautiful castles in Germany.
Other tourist attractions in the Eifel region worth seeing:
City of Monschau
Its historic center survived the attacks of the Second World War, so its wooden houses and narrow streets have remained unchanged for over 300 years. It is a very popular tourist destination these days, including among Germans.
Eifel Aqueduct
The Eifel Aqueduct was one of the longest aqueducts in the Roman Empire. Built in the 80s AD, it transported water for around 95 kilometers from the region to where the city of Cologne is today.
The interesting thing is that its engineering depended practically solely on gravity, which gave the necessary impulse for the water to even cross bridges over the valleys.
If you are interested in this type of history, it is worth visiting.
Lissingen Castle
Lissingen Castle is in the town of Gerolstein. Its construction dates back to 1280 and it is very well preserved, still used today for cultural events in the local community. A curious fact is that despite appearing to be just a castle, in 1559 it was divided into two parts (low castle and high castle), including being owned by two different owners.
It is open to visitors who can see the old courtyard of the lower castle, the main house with cellar, kitchen and living areas, the tithe barn and other outbuildings. Including countless relics of the past. There are permanent exhibits on sleighs, carriages, church weather vanes and historic building materials.
Curiosity
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the region hosted a stage of the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship, which returned to this circuit after seven years.
The 2020 Eifel Grand Prix was the eleventh stage and was held on October 11, 2020 at the Nürburgring, Nürburg. As the rights to the “German GP” belong to the promoters of the Hockenheimring track, the solution found was to name the grand prix after the Eifel mountain region where the circuit is located. Lewis Hamilton was the winner, equaling the number of victories of German driver Michael Schumacher.
Excursions and tours near Eifel Germany
Find the best options for guided tours and ticket offers for tourist attractions in the Eifel region in Germany:
Best Touristic Attractions and Guided Tours in Germany
Suggestions of guided tour deals and touristic attractions in Germany. For planning a trip to Germany, we have some publications that can help a lot:
- Berlin, Germany – Top 20 sights and things to do and visit
- The Best Christmas Markets in Germany
- Best travel tips for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
We also write about 8 of the best attractions on the Romantic Road in Germany with up-to-date tips, be sure to check it out .
Search for the best place to stay at Berlin, including hotel and hostel at different prices.
Are you traveling to Germany?
Specifically about international travel by plane to Frankfurt Airport, we have the best post:
Where to stay near Frankfurt Airport Germany – FRA, Frankfurt/Main
Search for the best place to stay near Frankfurt Airport, including hotel and hostel at different prices.
