What to do · Moselle Valley
Eltz Castle on foot from Moselkern
Information
- From
- €14 per person
- Duration
- 3 h
- Distance
- 5 km
- Season
- 21 March – early November 2027; closed from 2 November 2026 to 20 March 2027
- Who it's for
- All ages; the valley path suits children who can walk
What it is
Eltz Castle is not on the Moselle but hidden in a side valley, on a crag surrounded by the Elz stream and by forest. You do not see it until you arrive, and so arriving on foot is part of the visit. It has belonged to the same family for more than eight centuries and inside it keeps furniture, weapons and period rooms; the ticket includes the guided tour, the inner courtyard and the treasury, with pieces of goldsmith's work, porcelain and weapons.
The guided tour lasts 35 to 40 minutes. It is in German, and in English depending on demand; if there is no group in your language, at the ticket office they give you a free sheet with the text of the tour in Spanish, French, Italian and other languages. The treasury is labelled in German, with a leaflet in English.
How much it costs and when it opens
Entry costs €14 for adults and €7 for students, schoolchildren and people with disabilities. The family ticket, for two adults with at least one child under 18, costs €34, and under-6s go free. Groups of 20 or more, €13 per person.
The castle closes in winter: from 2 November 2026 to 20 March 2027. It reopens on Sunday 21 March 2027. In the 2026 season it was open daily from 9:30 to 17:00, and tours began from 9:30 in the upper courtyard; check the 2027 hours before you go.
Getting there on foot from Moselkern
It is the loveliest way. Moselkern has a station on the Koblenz–Trier line. From the village you follow the Elz valley to the Ringelsteiner Mühle, a hotel restaurant beside the stream, and from there leaves the path to the castle: 2.5 km through the forest, about 45 minutes on foot according to the castle's website. Round trip from the station, allow about 5 km along the valley and a whole morning or afternoon with the visit.
By car
The main car park, Parkplatz 1, is on the plateau above, in the municipality of Wierschem. It costs €4 a day for cars and motorcycles and €8 for motorhomes, cash only. From there a shuttle goes down to the castle every ten minutes for €2 each way, also in cash, or you can walk down a short path.
With children and with a dog
Small children go free and the valley path is flat and entertaining, beside the water. Animals are not allowed inside the castle: if you go with a dog, someone will have to wait outside with it.
Tips
- Check the calendar before booking your trip From November to March it is closed. If you travel on those dates, settle for the view from outside.
- Bring cash The car park and the shuttle can only be paid for in cash.
- Arrive through the valley From Moselkern the castle appears suddenly round a bend in the forest; from the car park above that surprise is lost.
Frequently asked questions
When does Eltz Castle open in 2027?
It reopens on Sunday 21 March 2027, after the winter closure that began on 2 November 2026.
How much does entry cost?
€14 for adults, €7 for students and €34 for the family ticket. Under-6s do not pay.
Can you go without a car?
Yes: train to Moselkern and 2.5 km on foot from the Ringelsteiner Mühle, about 45 minutes.
Are there tours in Spanish?
There is no guided tour in Spanish, but you are given a sheet with the text of the tour in Spanish.
As a familyWith teenagers
