Bürresheim Castle

Bürresheim Castle (Schloss Bürresheim) near Mayen in the Eifel region looks like a storybook illustration, with pointed turrets, half-timbered upper floors and a formal baroque garden. Built on a rocky spur above the Nette valley, it was never captured or destroyed and was lived in until 1938, so its rooms still hold original furnishings from several centuries. It is a rewarding alternative or add-on to nearby Eltz Castle.

Where it is and how to get there

The castle sits a few kilometers northwest of the town of Mayen, about 30 km (19 miles) west of Koblenz. From Cologne it is roughly an hour and a quarter by car, and from Frankfurt about two hours. There is a parking lot right at the entrance. By public transport, take the train to Andernach, change to the regional line to Mayen Ost, then ride bus 340 or 814 to the stop "Schloss Bürresheim". Local trains and buses are covered by the Deutschlandticket.

Why it matters

First recorded in 1157, Bürresheim stood on the border between the Electorates of Cologne and Trier, and for centuries two separate castles shared the site. From 1659, the Breidbach-Bürresheim family owned it outright and turned the Trier section into a baroque residence. Their heirs sold it in 1938 with all its contents, which is why the interiors survived intact. Today it is run by the state heritage agency of Rhineland-Palatinate. According to the operator, scenes from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were filmed here.

Things to see

• Furnished living rooms spanning late Gothic to baroque styles
• The Romanesque keep and the round tower with its half-timbered top
• The ruins of the former Cologne castle
• The baroque garden on the south side, the classic photo spot

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, the castle is open Thursday to Sunday and on holidays, 10 am to 6 pm, from March 15 to October 31. In November and from February 1 to March 14, it opens only on weekends and holidays from 10 am to 5 pm. It is closed in December and January. Interiors can be seen only on guided tours, which run continuously and are included in the ticket. Adults pay €6, reduced €5, and ages 6 to 17 pay €3. Tours are in German, but a free printed guide is available in English at the ticket desk.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you love authentic castle interiors and fewer crowds than at Eltz. Allow one to two hours. Note that there is no café on site, the castle is not wheelchair accessible, and dogs are not allowed.