Burg Eltz
Wierschem, Germany
A castle owned by the same family for more than 850 years, hidden in a forest valley near the Moselle.
The castle stands in a wooded side valley of the Moselle, on a rock that the Elzbach stream flows around on three sides. It is first mentioned in records in 1157, and three branches of the family added to it over some five centuries. It was never captured or destroyed and still belongs to the Eltz family today. It is also familiar as the image on the old 500-Deutschmark note.
Inside, you see the rooms on a guided tour included in the admission, plus the treasury with more than 500 objects spanning eight centuries. Allow two to three hours in total. The castle is open only in season, roughly from late March to early November. From the pay car park it is about a 15-minute walk, or you can take the shuttle bus. Without a car, you can reach the castle from Moselkern station on a walking trail of about 5 km through the Elz valley. If you want a longer hike, try the 12.6 km Traumpfad Eltzer Burgpanorama.
- Nearest town
- Wierschem, Germany
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 50.2055, 7.3366
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- KNAUS Campingpark Mosel/BurgenCampsite3 km from Burg EltzTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Freizeitinsel Mosel IslandsCampsite5 km from Burg EltzTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Family CampingCampsite15 km from Burg EltzTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Holländischer HofCampsite16 km from Burg EltzTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Ferieninsel Winningen an der MoselCampsite17 km from Burg EltzTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersWaste disposalDogs allowed
- BurgstadtCampsite18 km from Burg Eltz · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Burg Eltz?
Burg Eltz is in Wierschem, Germany, at GPS 50.2055, 7.3366. It is about 13 km from Beilstein.
Can you camp near Burg Eltz?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Festplatz Müden (Mosel), about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 82 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Burg Eltz?
Burg Eltz is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Castles of the Rhine and Moselle and Moselle and Saar.
What is there to see near Burg Eltz?
Places worth a stop nearby: Reichsburg Cochem (14 km), Maria Laach Abbey (24 km), Geysir Andernach (25 km) and Loreley (29 km).
When is the best time to visit Burg Eltz?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)