Since we arrived in July, Eltz Castle, or Burg Eltz, has been on my never-ending list of must-see sights in Germany. With the leaves changing and beginning to fall, I made a solo overnight trip from Stuttgart to Burg Eltz. The drive from Stuttgart takes just under four hours.

I arrived later in the afternoon but in time to participate in the last guided tour before the castle closed at 17:30. Now, if you are not a history buff, this might not be fascinating- I found the history of this castle quite intriguing. The castle's origins go back to 1157 when the first mention of the name Eltz was found in historical documents. It was built to secure trade routes between Mosel and Eifel.

Eltz Castle was built on a giant rock surrounded by the river Eltz (a tributary river of the Moselle). The forest surrounding the castle ensured the family had ample food and natural resources to survive. Eltz Castle has been the family home of the Lords and Counts of Eltz for over thirty generations and the family still resides at the castle part time.

*Sunrise view from the lookout point at Burg Eltz*

Three brothers and their families lived under one roof in the original house, which eventually led to the building of three separate branches of the castle: Rübenach, completed in 1472; Rodendorf, both houses completed in 1540; and Kempenich, completed in 1615. The castle's large window seats and forty fireplaces showed their wealth at the time. Additionally, the house had twenty toilets, unheard of in medieval castles at this point in history, flushed naturally by rain drains.

Eltz Castle is the only castle in Germany and one of few in Europe that has remained untouched by war. I initially thought it was because of its location, but it was due to the family's wide-reaching political and social networks. Even in times of war, they could utilize this influence to protect themselves and their ancestorial home, now 850 years old.

Each room on the tour is meticulously preserved, many with the original furnishings and artifacts. The Countesses' Room, one of the last rooms on the tour, contains the oldest painted Renaissance bed in all of Germany, crafted in 1525. After the tour, which lasted approximately forty minutes, I walked through the Treasure Chamber, which contains over 500 pieces of jewelry, carvings, gold and silversmiths' work, ivory carvings, weapons, and more.

Visiting Burg Eltz

If you are planning a visit, the castle is only open from April 1 to November 1 from 9:30 to 17:30, with the last guided tour starting at 17:30. Tours are offered in German and English, but those with larger groups can pre-arrange tours in French, Italian, or Dutch. Photos or videos are not allowed to be taken inside during the tour.

Admission

Adults: €14 includes a guided tour and visit to the Treasure Chamber

Children (6+)/Students/Disabled: €7

Family Ticket: €34 (includes two adults with more children under 18)

Parking: €4

Shuttle to Castle: €2

The walk down to the castle is quite lovely and easy. Coming back up, it's mostly uphill, so it could be a bit challenging for some. It will certainly get your heart rate up! The shuttle point to the castle is located at the Antonius chapel.

Photography at Eltz Castle

Like many of the castles in Germany, the Burg Eltz is a dream to photograph. If you want to avoid the crowds of people during the day, arrive at the castle at sunrise. There will be a few hearty souls dedicated to getting the perfect shot for the gram, but overall, you have the place to yourself. I found the best views of the castle were from the first lookout point you reach on your walk-in, then around the bend as you descend into the valley on approach to the castle, using the trees to frame it. The morning I went, the sky was overcast, with a bit of fog hanging around, something I have come to love when visiting castles. It adds so much mood to the ancient castle.

No drones allowed; do I need to say it? Don't be that person. Because of where the castle sits, there are plenty of fabulous angles up high to get the perfect image.

Where to Stay

If you want to get up early and arrive at the castle by sunrise, stay near Burg Eltz. I opted for the Landhaus Vor Burg Eltz since it was a two-minute drive to the castle grounds. I paid €99 for the stay and €13 to add breakfast. The room was clean and comfortable, perfect for a quick overnight getaway.

Burg Eltz is one of my top castles to visit in Germany. Its location, nestled in the hills above the Moselle, fascinating history, and very well-preserved grounds led me to that rating. Is Burg Eltz on your Germany travel itinerary? It should be!

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