When you see Monschau for the first time, everything looks like something out of an old fairy tale film. The narrow streets. The River Rur. The dark slate roofs. And everywhere, the perfect half-timbered houses that make Monschau’s old town so unique. Everything is narrow. Everything is winding. Everything is steeped in history…
… Monschau was voted the most beautiful small town in Germany by readers of the online travel magazine ‘Travelbook’. The old town of Monschau in particular draws you in immediately. It has that special feeling of walking through a living museum. But nothing seems staged. Everything is real. The water rushes quietly. You can smell the fresh air from the Monschau Eifel. The castle towers above the town – a stark contrast to the delicate half-timbered houses down in the valley.
Of all the towns we visited, Monschau’s old town really stands out as something very special. It has hardly changed over the centuries. No war has destroyed it. Walking through the streets, you see houses from several centuries standing side by side – and yet everything looks harmonious.
Monschau’s location also makes it particularly romantic. The houses wind picturesquely along the wild river in the valley. There is no room for cars. However, if you approach on the B258, there are a number of car parks and multi-storey car parks above. These include, for example, the Seidenfabrik car park, the Burgau car park and Monschau Parken.
Tip: When you go to the old town, first enjoy the view from above. Then your gaze will fall on the slate-covered roofs of the old town houses, which are characteristic of the Eifel region. You can enjoy Monschau’s old town in a relaxed manner as you wander through the romantic alleys.
A special highlight is the Monschau mustard mill. Old. Authentic. Artisanal. Not only can you taste the mustard there, you can also learn how traditional mustard has been made for centuries. In combination with Monschau’s old town, the Monschau mustard mill is like a window into another era.
The beautiful Red House is sure to catch your eye. It is photogenically located on the Rur. You can also visit it from the inside and gain an insight into life in bygone eras.
The old town of Monschau offers many fantastic motifs. You can get special views from the Evangelische Brücke (Protestant Bridge). Here you can photograph the romantic half-timbered houses along the wild Rur river. It is the most famous motif of Monschau’s old town. A walk along the Rur river is particularly recommended, wherever possible. This allows you to enjoy the wild flair of the old town to the fullest.
The Monschau town church is also very photogenic. Built of anthracite-coloured natural stone with a slate roof, it was erected in 1787 by the town’s wealthy cloth makers.
Two buildings in Monschau bear witness to times gone by: Monschau Castle and the Haller Ruins.
Monschau Castle was first mentioned in 1217. In the course of its eventful history, it has been expanded, rebuilt, conquered, destroyed and renovated several times. Today, the west wing houses a youth hostel. From Monschau, you can walk to the castle. You’ll get a little out of breath on the way, as the cobblestone path climbs steeply uphill. But it’s worth it. The view of Monschau is beautiful. Monschau Castle offers everything you would expect from a medieval castle: towers, courtyards, dark corridors.
The Hallerruine ruins sit enthroned on the Rahmenberg and are clearly visible from almost everywhere in Monschau’s old town. They are located opposite Monschau Castle and also date back to the 13th century. The ruins themselves are unspectacular, but they offer one of the best views of Monschau. If you have the time, it is worth making your way to the top. It takes about 10 minutes on foot from the market square. At the top, you will have a great photo opportunity of the old town.
Monschau’s origins date back to around 1195 at Monschau Castle, which was expanded into an almost impregnable fortress in the 14th century. Emperor Charles V nevertheless conquered it in 1543. It was then destroyed and rebuilt. This period also saw Monschau’s rise as a centre of the cloth industry.
The history of Monschau reads like a small European economic miracle. In the 18th century, the town became famous for its cloth makers. The combination of clean water, cool climate and location in the Monschau Eifel created perfect conditions. Merchants from all the major trading cities suddenly knew about this inconspicuous place in the west.
Even today, you can still visit magnificent and proud town houses. One of the most famous and beautiful is the ‘Red House’. It still shows you how rich Monschau was back then. When you open the heavy wooden doors, you find yourself standing in the middle of the past. The magnificent interior is almost more luxurious than many castles. You can see how important quality, innovation and craftsmanship were back then.
The best time to visit? Spring, summer, autumn and winter. It’s best to come often. Monschau offers special experiences in every season.
In spring, the Monschau Eifel begins to bloom. The forests glow with fresh green. The hiking trails are not yet so crowded. In addition, the Rur still carries a lot of water. Everything seems alive.
In summer, the forests are lush. Monschau lies in the valley, the slopes are green. Perfect transitions. Enjoy the view from one of the vantage points. When you walk through the old town, large trees provide shade. Find a place to linger and enjoy the moment.
Autumn is our personal favourite. The hills around Monschau explode in red, gold and orange. You can hike for hours through the surrounding area or take photos in the old town, which glows in incredible colours in the warm light.
It becomes truly magical in winter. At this time of year, the houses are lit up. The alleys sparkle. And the Monschau Christmas market transforms the small town into a fairy tale. The smell of roasted almonds, mulled wine, regional cheese and fresh potato pancakes is everywhere in the air. The Christmas market spreads out across the winding streets, making every corner even cosier. When the castle is illuminated, you’ll get goosebumps. This is one of the reasons why the Monschau Christmas market is one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in the region.
Special tip: From Kappelchen, you have a brilliant view of the old town. From the market square, walk south, climb the steep stairs and leave the cemetery on your left. The walk itself is a pleasure. The chapel is idyllically situated on the hillside. If the old town of Monschau is too busy for you, you will find a cosy spot here with a view of the Kaiser.
The town has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine. In addition to the mustard mill, there are rustic restaurants serving regional cuisine. Be sure to try ‘Döppekooche’ or the hearty Eifel stews. And if you like cheese, the Monschau cheese dairy is a must. You can choose from around 30 restaurants, cafés, patisseries and bistros.
Monschau has only around 12,000 inhabitants – but welcomes over 170,000 overnight guests and more than 1.1 million visitors every year. The old town is correspondingly crowded on weekends, public holidays and during the holidays. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, it is better to come during the week. It is particularly relaxed in early spring or late autumn.
The surrounding area is ideal for campers. The ‘Perlenau’ campsite is idyllically situated in the countryside. You can hear the river. You are close to the old town. And you can set off on foot or by bike.
Around Monschau, you will find one of the most beautiful landscapes in the entire Monschau Eifel. The hills are gentle. The streams are clear. And the paths are perfect for hiking.
If you enjoy hiking, we recommend the Eifelsteig trail. One stage leads directly past Monschau. The trail offers views that perfectly capture the combination of nature and half-timbered houses.
Just around the corner is the Hohe Venn. A mystical high moor landscape reminiscent of Iceland – only without the flight. Wooden walkways lead you across black moors, over wide open spaces and through completely silent nature. In foggy weather, it looks like another planet.
The B258 will take you to Blankenheim, another picturesque half-timbered village in the Eifel, in 45 minutes. The Blankenheim Sugar Mountain (Zuckerberg) is particularly idyllic. Blankenheim Castle towers above the village centre. If you have the time, you should definitely take a trip to Blankenheim.
If you fancy some water, Lake Rursee is not far away. Huge. Peaceful. Perfect for walking, boating or simply sitting and looking at the water.
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