Alice in Wonderland
If I could throw on a ballgown and pose in front of any castle, I think this would be the one.
Sure Eltz Castle is one of many enchanting castles that you'll find in Germany..but there's just something uniquely magical about it.
It could be that it's one of the best preserved castles of its kind in the world or that it's hidden deep in the forest, atop a 70m high top. Or, perhaps it's the intriguing history of it, and how it was never destroyed or overtaken. Yes, the Eltz family still owns it today, as it has for over 800 years!
How to reach Burg Eltz Castle Germany
Given its mystical, fairytale appeal, it’s probably no surprise that Burg Eltz Castle isn’t in the middle of any city.
Luckily, there are a number of beautiful cities nearby that make a great base for visiting.
Koblenz is the closest (about a 40 min drive), but Trier, Cologne, Mainz and Frankfurt are all less than 2 hours away as well, meaning it’s possible to do a day trip from any of these spots.
BY FOOT: When the weather is cooperating, many people choose to hike to the castle! There’s a huge selection of trails that vary by length and difficulty. If you’d like to work for your view, here are some trails to consider.
Where To Sleep
There are lots of camping sites near the castle, mostly along the Mosel River. It's nice to sleep under the stars in front of the river with a background of a medieval church on top of the hill.
What To Do At Mosel
Like a surfer protecting his secret surf spot, we want to keep the Mosel Valley all to ourselves. But the travel blogger in us feels obligated to share one of our favourite destinations in Europe.
Cute medieval villages
The Mosel Valley has dozens of adorable villages that hug the shores of the Mosel River, the most popular being Bernkastel-Kues, Traben-Trarbach, Zell and Cochem.
Strolling through the tight cobblestone streets, it’s easy to let your mind run wild and envision what life must have been like hundreds of years ago, when there was no electricity or motor vehicles.
Many of the old timber houses and buildings were constructed over 400 years!
River boat cruises
River boat cruises are a big deal in Europe. The nearby Rhine River gets most of the attention, and for good reason, but the Mosel River is another beautiful region worth exploring by boat.
The Mosel River is a left tributary of the Rhine, joining the Rhine at Koblenz and stretching into France (where it’s called the Moselle River). Many of the river boat tours can be done in an afternoon or overnight. Popular starting and ending points are in Koblenz, Cochem and Trier.
The Mosel River snakes through the hills, creating an outdoor playground for hikers, runners and walkers. There are hundreds of trails that suit all skill levels.
You can walk along the riverbanks, up and down the endless rows of vineyards, or through the many quiet forests that rest on the top of the valley.
The vineyards can get quite steep in some sections, so hardcore hikers will find plenty of challenging trails throughout the region.
