DEHUROENTR

Plizio Visual Lab

Eltz Castle

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Historical site
—°8
Eltz Castle (Germany)

Weather…

Eltz Castle is an architectural jewel of the German Middle Ages, hidden in a side valley of the Moselle River near Wierschem. The most remarkable aspect of this fortress is that it has never been destroyed since its construction in the 12th century and has remained in the possession of the same family for over 850 years, currently in the 33rd generation. The castle perches on a 70-meter-high rock spur and was designed as a 'Ganerbenburg', meaning multiple branches of the Eltz family lived there simultaneously in separate residential units. Its eight residential towers, reaching heights of up to 35 meters, create the characteristic fairytale silhouette that famously graced the former 500 Deutsche Mark note. Inside, magnificent halls with original wall paintings, late Gothic furniture, and a significant armory have been perfectly preserved. The surrounding Eltz Forest is a nature reserve, offering numerous hiking trails that provide visitors with spectacular views of this medieval fortress.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C01491317191914951
Rain mm605152447065677152576169

📋 Practical info

📍
Address
Burg Eltz 1, 56294 Wierschem
🕒
Hours
Daily 09:30-17:30 (Apr-Oct), closed in winter
💶
Entry
€14 adults, €7 children
🌐
Website
burg-eltz.de
🚌
Transit
Burgenbus 330 from Hatzenport (Sat, Sun and public holidays only)
🅿️
Parking
Forest parking lot (~4 €), followed by a 15-minute walk or shuttle bus.
♿
Accessibility
Limited; steep paths to the castle, interior rooms are not wheelchair accessible.
📷
Photos
Permitted in the courtyard, strictly prohibited in the historic interior rooms.
⭐
Best time
Right at opening in the morning to avoid wait times at the entrance.
🎧
Audio guide
yes (tours in DE/EN, pamphlets in other languages)

Geography

Coordinates
50.20500, 7.33600

Facts

  • The castle was first mentioned in official documents in the year 1157.
  • It has been owned by the Eltz family for more than 850 consecutive years.
  • The structure consists of eight residential towers, standing up to 35 meters tall.
  • Eltz Castle was featured on the 500 Deutsche Mark note of the third series.
  • The treasury contains over 500 exhibits dating from the 12th to the 19th century.
  • During the Palatine War of Succession, the castle remained unharmed due to clever diplomacy.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

📍Polch11 km · NExplore →
Cochem CastleCochem Castle14 km · SWExplore →
📍Mayen17 km · NWExplore →
📍Kastellaun17 km · SEExplore →
📍Boppard18 km · EExplore →
📍Mendig19 km · NExplore →
Stolzenfels CastleStolzenfels Castle21 km · NEExplore →
Laacher SeeLaacher See22 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Eltz Castle (8)

Burg Trutzeltz🏰 castle

A small medieval castle ruin built as a siege castle overlooking Eltz Castle.

Stiftsmuseum🏛 museum

A museum located in a historic building near Eltz Castle, focusing on local history and ecclesiastical art.

🕒 May-Oct: Fr,Sa,Su 15:00-17:30

Burg Bischofstein🏰 castle

A 13th-century castle overlooking the Moselle River, known for its distinctive white tower band.

Merowingisch-Fränkischer Friedhof🏺 historical

An archaeological site featuring a burial ground from the Merovingian and Frankish periods.

Müdener Bock📍 landmark

A prominent hill near the Moselle valley, offering scenic views of the surrounding vineyards and castle.

Druidenstein Aussichtsplattform🌿 nature

An observation platform providing a panoramic vantage point over the Eltz forest and nearby landmarks.

Kompuskopf🌿 nature

A scenic lookout point in the Eltz forest area, good for hikers to enjoy the natural landscape.

Erlebnisbad Münstermaifeld🎡 recreation

A local water park with various leisure pools near Eltz Castle.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

When is Eltz Castle open to visitors?
The castle is open seasonally from April to early November, daily from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It is closed in winter.
How do you get to Eltz Castle?
From the parking lot, a approx. 15-minute walk leads to the castle. Alternatively, a paid shuttle bus operates.
Is photography allowed inside the castle?
Photography and filming are strictly prohibited inside the rooms to protect the exhibits. It is allowed in the outer courtyard.
How much is entry and what is included?
Entry (approx. 14€) includes a guided tour and access to the treasury featuring gold and silver artworks.
Are there dining facilities at the castle?
Yes, there are two self-service restaurants in the castle courtyards offering regional dishes and cakes.
Eltz Castle: where is it located?
Eltz Castle is located in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Eltz Castle: what is there to see?
Highlights include Burg Trutzeltz, Stiftsmuseum, Burg Bischofstein.
Eltz Castle: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Eltz Castle: why is it worth visiting?
Eltz Castle is an architectural jewel of the German Middle Ages, hidden in a side valley of the Moselle River near Wierschem.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Germany →

Nearby cities

Mainz — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Mainz
Mainz is the state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate and boasts over 2,000 years of history dating back to the Romans.
Ludwigshafen — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Ludwigshafen
Ludwigshafen is the largest city in the Palatinate and globally recognized as the headquarters of the chemical giant BASF.
Ludwigshafen — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Ludwigshafen
Ludwigshafen am Rhein is an important industrial location in Rhineland-Palatinate, home to the BASF Group.
Koblenz — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Koblenz
Koblenz is located at the Deutsches Eck, the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine, and is a historic fortress city.
Trier — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Trier
Trier in Rhineland-Palatinate is proudly the oldest city in Germany, founded by the Romans around 16 BC.
Kaiserslautern — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Kaiserslautern
Kaiserslautern is known for the Palatinate Forest and 1.
Worms — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Worms
Worms is one of Germany's oldest cities, significant in the Nibelung legend and Reformation history.
Neuwied — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Neuwied
Neuwied is on the Rhine and is often called the Dyke City.
Neustadt an der Weinstraße — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Neustadt an der Weinstraße
Neustadt an der Weinstraße is a central hub of Palatinate viticulture, located at the eastern edge of the Palatinate Forest.
Neustadt — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Neustadt
Neustadt an der Weinstraße is a center of German viticulture.
Frankenthal — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Frankenthal
Frankenthal is a medium-sized city between Worms and Ludwigshafen.
Pirmasens — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Pirmasens
Pirmasens was long the center of the German shoe industry.
Bad Kreuznach — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach is a traditional spa town on the Nahe river.
Zweibrücken — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Zweibrücken
Zweibrücken is the city of roses and horses.
Andernach — Eltz Castle (Germany)
Andernach
Andernach is one of the oldest cities in Germany, on the Rhine.