Eltz Castle

Eltz Castle (Burg Eltz) near Wierschem in Rhineland-Palatinate is the storybook medieval castle many travelers picture when they think of Germany: a cluster of towers and half-timbered upper stories rising from a rock in a deep, wooded side valley of the Moselle. It has belonged to the same family for more than 800 years, was never taken by force and still holds furnishings from many centuries. If you want one "real" knights' castle on a Rhine or Moselle trip, this is it.

Why Eltz Castle is special

Most German castles were ruined in wars and rebuilt in the 19th century. Eltz is different. The name first appears in 1157, when a Rudolf of Eltz witnessed a document of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. In 1268 three brothers split the property and created a joint-heir community, so three branches of the family lived side by side for centuries and each built its own residential towers. Because the rock left no room to spread out, they built upward, which explains the castle's unusual vertical look.

The only serious siege came in the 1330s, when Archbishop Baldwin of Trier built a counter-castle, Trutzeltz, on the slope above; its ruins are still visible. The castle itself survived intact. Since 1815 it has been owned by the Counts of Eltz, and today the 34th generation looks after it. Germans of a certain age know it from the back of the old 500 Deutsche Mark banknote.

What you will see

• The guided tour (35 to 40 minutes) is the only way into the living quarters: an arms collection, the Knights' Hall, a bedroom with a canopy bed from 1520, an old kitchen and art including a painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
• The Treasury in the cellar vaults displays more than 500 objects from the 12th to the 19th century: gold and silver work, porcelain, clocks, glass and odd drinking vessels.
• The inner courtyard with its half-timbering and stair towers.

Photography is not allowed inside the tour rooms; it is fine outside, in the courtyard and in the Treasury (private use only). Drones are banned.

Tickets and opening hours

The castle is seasonal. In 2026 it is open daily from March 29 to November 1, with last admission at the gate at 5 p.m.; it is closed in winter. One ticket covers the tour, courtyard and Treasury (as of October 2026):

• Adults: €14
• School pupils, students and visitors with disabilities: €7
• Family ticket (2 adults plus children under 18): €34
• Children under 6: free

Tickets are sold on site only, so arrive early on summer weekends. Tours in English run on demand; otherwise ask for the free printed tour text, available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and several other languages. Plan two and a half to three hours from the parking lot, as the castle itself recommends.

How to get to Eltz Castle

Eltz lies in the hills between Koblenz and Cochem, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Cologne or Frankfurt.

• By car: navigate to "Burg Eltz, Wierschem". Parking costs €4 per day (cash only). A shuttle bus runs from lot 1 about every 10 minutes (€2 per ride, cash), or you walk down the access road.
• By train and bus: take a regional train along the Moselle line to Hatzenport, then bus 365 to the castle parking lot, twice an hour from April 1 to November 1. The Deutschlandticket covers this local transport.
• On foot: the classic approach is the 2.5 km valley trail from Moselkern (about 45 minutes), where the castle suddenly appears between the trees. Longer hikes include the 13 km "Eltzer Burgpanorama" loop.

Is Eltz Castle worth visiting?

Yes, especially as a day trip from Koblenz or combined with Cochem on the Moselle. Keep in mind:

• The castle is not wheelchair accessible; stairs are everywhere, including to the cafés.
• Dogs are not allowed inside.
• Bring cash for parking and the shuttle.
• In 2026 parts of the inner courtyard and outer bailey are under scaffolding for restoration.
• Fall foliage in October makes the setting especially photogenic, and early mornings are the quietest time.

A self-service café in the outer bailey serves snacks, drinks and cake with a view over the valley.