Table of Contents:
How to get to Eltz Castle from Frankfurt
How to get to Eltz Castle from Cologne
How to get to Eltz Castle from Dusseldorf
Where to stay near Eltz Castle
What to see & do in Eltz Castle
When to travel to Eltz Castle
Eltz Castle (Burg Eltz) is a unique architectural monument, one of the famous romantic castles in Germany, located in the Moselle River valley and surrounded with the forests of Koblenz. The castle is located on a hill and combines several architectural styles at once – from Romanesque to Baroque. Eltz is open for tourists from April to October, the rest of the time you can only admire the castle from the outside. The place is extremely popular among travelers due to its extraordinary architecture, grandiose size and picturesque nature around. Eltz Castle is the attraction point for everyone who travels along the Moselle Valley.
The best time to visit the Eltz Castle is the period from April to October, when interiors of the building are open to visitors. Beauty of surroundings is also the most marvelous during the spring, summer and autumn seasons, when nature is colorful and navigation on the Moselle River operates. In case you choose to travel around Moselle Valley in winter time, enjoy Christmas vibes – fairs, illumination and mulled wine. In winter you can see the Eltz Castle only outside. I travelled around Germany a lot and I can definitely say that Southern regions are worth seeing at any time of the year because of their mild climate and fantastic countryside.
How to get to Eltz Castle
Where do you fly into to get to Eltz Castle? Eltz Castle is located in the Rhineland-Palatinate region (the westernmost state of Germany). The nearest major cities to the castle are Frankfurt, Cologne and Dusseldorf. All three cities have international airports. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. Then you can get to the Eltz Castle via Koblenz both by public transport or by rented car.
How to get to Eltz Castle from Frankfurt
Bases on my research, the distance between Frankfurt and Eltz Castle is approximately 150 km. They are connected with #A3 highway.
By train: The closest train station near the Eltz Castle is situated in Moselkern town, which is 4.5 km away from the castle. You can get to Moselkern from Frankfurt via Koblenz by train. There are no direct trains between Frankfurt and Moselkern. Trains with a change in Koblenz run once in 2 hours; duration of the trip is about 2 hours and 5 minutes. Trains depart from the Main Train Station of Frankfurt. You can check the current timetable and purchase tickets on the Raileurope service. Then from Moselkern you can go to the castle on foot (an equipped path uphill), or take a taxi. Special Burgenbus buses also run from Moselkern on weekends. I found out that the buses depart from the Moselstr. 29.
By renting a car: It is also convenient to travel to the castle by car, as there is a parking lot at the top of the hill, exactly in front of the castle. Parking fee is 4 euros per one car for the entire day (cash only is accepted). By the way, tourists traveling around the Moselle Valley often choose to rent a car, since it is difficult to get to many castles in the valley without a car.
⇒To rent a car, you need a passport, an international driver’s license and a bank card. You can book a car in advance via the international online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and other similar ones. I read the reviews of the services and most of them are positive so I can recommend them. Frankfurt us connected to Eltz Castle with #A3 highway. The distance is 150 km (see on the map). I have travelled a lot along the highways from Frankfurt and I can confirm they are pretty much comfortable and it is often the fastest way to get to the desired destination.
How to get to Eltz Castle from Cologne
After some map research, I discovered that the distance between Cologne and Eltz Castle is 110 km. They are connected with #A61 highway.
By train: The closest train station near the Eltz Castle is situated in Moselkern town, which is 4.5 km away from the castle. You can get to Moselkern from Cologne via Koblenz by train. There are no direct trains between Cologne and Moselkern. Trains with a change in Koblenz run every hour; duration of the trip varies from 1,5 hours to 2 hours, depending on the train type (high-speed or regional). Trains depart from the Main Train Station of Cologne. You can check the current timetable and purchase tickets on the Raileurope service. Then from Moselkern you can go to the castle on foot (an equipped path uphill), or take a taxi. I researched some information and found out that special Burgenbus buses also run from Moselkern on weekends. The bus departs from the Moselstr. 29.
By renting a car: it is also convenient to travel to the castle by car, as there is a parking lot at the top of the hill, exactly in front of the castle. Parking fee is 4 euros per one car for the entire day (cash only is accepted). To rent a car, you need to have a passport, an international driver’s license and a bank card. You can book a car in advance via the international online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and the others. The distance from Cologne is 110 km. You need to take #A61 road to reach the Eltz Castle (see on the map).
How to get to Eltz Castle from Dusseldorf
I examined the maps and discovered that the distance between Dusseldorf and the Eltz Castle is 150 km. They are connected with #A61 highway.
By train: The closest train station near the Eltz Castle is situated in Moselkern town, which is 4.5 km away from the castle. You can get to Moselkern from Dusseldorf via Koblenz by train. There are no direct trains between Dusseldorf and Moselkern. Trains with a change in Koblenz run every hour; duration of the trip is approximately 3 hours. Trains depart from the Main Train Station of Dusseldorf. You can check the current timetable and purchase tickets on the Raileurope service. Then, from Moselkern, you can go to the castle on foot (an equipped path uphill), or take a taxi. Special Burgenbus buses also run from Moselkern on weekends. The bus departs from the Moselstr. 29.
By renting a car: it is also convenient to travel to the castle by car, as there is a parking lot at the top of the hill, exactly in front of the castle. Parking fee is 4 euros per one car for the entire day (cash only is accepted). To rent a car in Dusseldorf, you need to have a passport, an international driver’s license and a bank card. You can book a car in advance via different international online services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and the others. The distance between Dusseldorf and the Eltz Castle is 150 km. You need to take #A61 road via Koblenz to reach your desired destination (see on the map).
Where to stay near Eltz Castle
I analyzed different booking services and I can say that tourists can find different types of accommodation to stay here. You can stay near Eltz Castle either in the closest large town of Koblenz, or in one of the small towns located along the banks of the Moselle. In Koblenz, you can find hotels of various star categories, apartments, B&B`s. In the small towns of the Moselle Valley, you can mainly stay in guest houses or small but cozy hotels.
Top Hotel Kramer 3* – the hotel has a convenient location relatively close to the railway station and public transport stops in Koblenz. The main attractions of the city can be reached on foot in 20 minutes or by transport in 5-7 minutes. The hotel has a bar. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is paid separately. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Public parking is available nearby for an additional fee. The front desk provides luggage storage services;
Hotel Brenner 3* – the hotel is located in the old town of Koblenz and has a bar on its area. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Depending on the type of the room, breakfast may be included in the price or paid separately. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Public parking is available nearby at an additional cost and upon reservation. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and provides luggage storage services;
Hotel Sewenig 3* – the hotel is located in the village of Müden, a few kilometers from the Eltz Castle, right on the bank of the Moselle River with excellent natural views. Muden has a train station in case you travel by public transport. It offers a bar, a terrace, a sauna, a solarium and an infrared cabin. Guests can stay in single or double rooms. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Free public parking is available on site. There are places for luggage storage at the front desk;
Hotel Garni Reis – this hotel is located in the town of Treis Karden, close to Eltz Castle. Also, there is a railway station in the town for those who travel by public transport. You can stay in rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Free private parking is available on site. There are places for luggage storage at the front desk;
Hotel Ostermann – this hotel is also located in the town of Treis Karden. It is convenient to stay here for those who travel to Eltz Castle and Cochem Castle. The hotel is located on the bank of the Moselle River and has a panoramic terrace. A small indoor pool is also available. Guests can stay in double rooms. Breakfast is included. Wi-Fi is available in public areas and is free of charge. Free private parking is possible on site. The sauna is also available for the guests of the hotel.
What to see & do in Eltz Castle
Eltz Castle is a historical treasure of the Mosel Valley region. I discovered that it was built back in the 12th century, which means that the building is over 800 years old. What is even more surprising, over the years, the castle has never been attacked, looted or bombed, so even today tourists can see the castle in its authentic form. At the same time, in the period from the 12th to the 16th centuries, the castle was significantly rebuilt, which is the reason for the wide variety of styles mixed in the exteriors of the building.
The castle was built of stone, decorated with traditional half-timbered patterns and has about 10 towers. From the inner side, the facade of the building is decorated with balconies and columns made of precious marble. Eltz Castle can be divided into three parts – Rodendorf Houses, Kempenich buildings and Plattelz house. All of them were built in the different periods, so their exteriors are quite noticeably different. The interiors of the castle have also kept its authenticity. So, you can admire the frescoes, pieces of furniture, paintings, wall decor in the original. In addition to the opportunity to see the interiors of the palace, you can also discover the Armory with an impressive collection of weapons and armor from different times.
The main place within the walls of Eltz Castle is the so-called Treasury, which houses more than 500 unique masterpieces of fine art and commemorative relics made from the 12th to the 19th centuries. In addition, the Knights’ Hall and the Rodendorf kitchen with authentic kitchen utensils are also open for viewing in Eltz; you also can see Rubenakh lower and upper halls; office and dressing room; hunting room and Wambolt room; nursery and living room etc.
By the way, I explored some information and found out that the best shots of Eltz Castle can be obtained on the way to its entrance. A paved path downhill leads from the parking lot to the castle. Only from the distance you can take a “full-length” photo of the Burg Eltz. You also can find a Stone bridge the last few meters before entering the castle. It is another favorite place for all photographers and bloggers. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting and here it is:
- The castle is open to visitors from April to October from 09.30 to 17.30 daily
- There are organized guided tours inside the castle with an audio guide in your language; The duration of the tour is 40 minutes
- You can get into the Treasury without a guide with an entrance ticket
- The entrance ticket costs 14 euros per person
- On the area of the castle there is a dressing room, a toilet, a restaurant and a shop
Eltz Castle is not the only castle in the Moselle Valley region, so tourists often combine their visit to Eltz with other attractions in the area. For example, you can find a Cochem Castle nearby, also considered to be one of the “pearls” of the Moselle Valley. The distance between the castles is only 25 km. You need to take a road # B49 along the Moselle River to reach the Cochem Castle (see on the map).
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out a travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerged medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase an insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: salomon10
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more…