Augustusburg Palace

Augustusburg Palace in Brühl, between Cologne and Bonn, is one of Europe's finest Rococo palaces and, together with the nearby Falkenlust hunting lodge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Its grand staircase by Balthasar Neumann is a dazzling showpiece of stucco, marble and frescoes, and its formal gardens rank among the most beautiful in Germany. Until 1996 West Germany's presidents received state guests here, which makes it a fascinating stop for history lovers as well.

Where it is and how to get there

Brühl lies in North Rhine-Westphalia, just south of Cologne. Regional trains (RE 5, RB 48) and MittelrheinBahn services from Cologne and Bonn stop at Brühl station, only about 1,000 feet (300 meters) from the palace, so this is one of the easiest day trips from Cologne. The Deutschlandticket is valid on these trains and on tram line 18 to Brühl-Mitte. Cologne Bonn Airport is the closest airport. Drivers should navigate to the parking lot at Max-Ernst-Allee. Falkenlust has no public transit: walk about 1.5 miles (2.5 km) through the park from the station, which takes 30 to 40 minutes.

A short history

Clemens August of Bavaria, Prince-Elector and Archbishop of Cologne, began the summer residence in 1725. Johann Conrad Schlaun drew the first plans, François de Cuvilliés designed the Rococo interiors, and Balthasar Neumann created the staircase between 1740 and 1746, crowned by a ceiling fresco by Carlo Carlone. The palace was completed in 1768. From 1949 to 1996, while Bonn was the capital, the Federal President used Augustusburg for state receptions.

What to see

• The grand staircase: Considered a masterpiece of German Baroque, with colorful stucco marble and sculpture groups.
• The state rooms: Rococo apartments seen on the included guided tour.
• The gardens: A Baroque parterre by Dominique Girard, a pupil of André Le Nôtre, framed by later landscape gardens by Peter Joseph Lenné.
• Falkenlust: A small hunting lodge (1729 to 1737) with a famous mirror cabinet and a shell-decorated chapel.

Tickets and opening hours

The palaces open March through November and close in December, January and February. Last admission is at 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays; they are closed on Mondays. Augustusburg is visited on a 60-minute guided tour included in the ticket, while Falkenlust is self-guided. Tickets cost €15 for Augustusburg, €8 for Falkenlust and €21 for both; children, students and trainees up to 25 enter free. The gardens are free (as of October 2026). Contact the palace in advance about English-language tours.

Is it worth visiting?

Definitely, especially if you are based in Cologne or Bonn. Allow at least half a day for both palaces and the park. Strollers must stay at the ticket area, Falkenlust is not wheelchair accessible and Augustusburg only partly, and dogs are allowed on a short leash in the gardens only.

To make the most of your visit, start with the guided tour of Augustusburg, then stroll through the parterre and follow the long avenue to Falkenlust. Fall is a lovely time to come, when the gardens are quieter and the trees change color. Photography is allowed in small amounts inside, without flash or tripods, and only at marked spots during tours. Drones are banned across the entire World Heritage site.

Nearby

Nearby you can visit the Max Ernst Museum across from the palace and the Phantasialand theme park on the edge of Brühl.