Tree houses at Sorpesee in the Sauerland region, © Klaus-Peter Kappest

the per­fect win­ter­'s day for...


Short tips for the cold sea­son

Some people love the cold, clear air and the red nose it gives them - and also enjoy being outdoors on winter days: a leisurely walk with a breath of fresh air and a winter picnic, for example, or sporty skiing and sledging when the snow has fallen. Others can think of nothing better than being cosy in the warmth, relaxing in thermal water, drinking hot chocolate in an old town café or tasting sweets and chocolate elsewhere when the temperatures are icy or it's raining cats and dogs. We have put together some suggestions for a perfect winter's day for outdoor and indoor fans - including tips on where to stay for an extra night.

Eifel Chalets Vogelsang IP, © Tourismus NRW e.V., Ilonka Zantop

For frost­bites...


Tip 1

Whoever doesn’t enjoy icy temperatures will love Aachen: the hottest thermal springs in Central Europe bubble up here, having been used for healing purposes since Roman times. Today, you can experience the soothing effects of the 75-degree Celsius water in the Carolus Thermen, which continue a long-standing tradition. Even the ancient Romans recognized the healing properties and positive effects of the water on body, mind, and soul, constructing magnificent, artfully designed bathhouses.

Luckily, there are plenty of cozy places to warm up in the streets and alleys of Aachen’s historic old town—not just during the Christmas market season. Many quaint cafés and bakeries offer hot drinks and, beyond Advent, the city’s famous original Aachener Printen.

Accommodation tip: After nightfall, it gets particularly cozy outside the city gates. In the Eifel region, the Internationaler Platz Vogelsang IP offers unique accommodations: small houses for two to four people, complete with panoramic windows, a Finnish sauna, and a fireplace, providing a secluded winter idyll in the heart of the Eifel National Park. These accommodations also serve as an ideal starting point for hikers on the Eifelsteig, who can visit the former Nazi Ordensburg and its exhibition.
www.neugrad-eifel.de/en

Haus Rüschhaus Münsterland, © Lennart Pagel

For the hard-boiled


Tip 2

Picnicking in summer is a popular pastime, but in the Münsterland region, the social meal without a table is also recommended in winter: Get inspired by tips for a no-waste picnic, indoor and outdoor versions, and delicious treats like Münsterländer Winterpunsch. And if temperatures remain below freezing for an extended period, the region offers a unique winter highlight: when the moats surrounding the many castles and palaces freeze over, they transform into ice-skating rinks set against a stylish backdrop.

Accommodation tip: The Münsterland region also offers special flair for overnight stays. The Factory Hotel, located in the heart of Münster, is housed in a listed building that was once a brewery. This design hotel, complete with a bar and two restaurants, attracts both hotel guests and locals from Münster. Out in the countryside between Münster and Osnabrück, Hotel Beverland offers over 60 unique themed rooms and suites to suit every taste: options include staying in a beer barrel, a Mini Cooper, a sailboat, or even an igloo. For those who prefer something more classic, there are rooms like the farmer’s room with hand-painted furniture or the baroque King Ludwig room.
www.muensterland.com | www.factoryhotel-muenster.de/en

Die Schokoladentafel wird liebevoll verziert., © Ralph Sondermann, Tourismus NRW e.V.

...for sug­ar sweet


Tip 3

In winter, the body needs more energy – and when it's handmade and sweet, it can even bring feelings of happiness. Cologne is a paradise for fans of all things sweet: the Chocolate Museum by the Rhine is a must-visit destination for all chocoholics. Alongside fascinating insights into the history and production of what was once a luxury product, visitors can also see a cacao tree in the museum's own tropical house. The real highlights, however, are the delightfully fragrant chocolate fountain with tasting opportunities and the glass-walled chocolate factory. 

Accommodation tip: Guests will find just as much attention to detail at the Die Wohngemeinschaft Hostel, where each of the 16 rooms is individually designed to reflect a true shared living experience. The selection ranges from a spaceship room to a stylish cube room, a ballet-inspired women’s dormitory, and a Bollywood-themed four-bed room.

Chair lift with ski lift carousel Winterberg, © Wintersport-Arena Sauerland/ Siegerland-Wittgenstein e. V.

...for the sporty


Tip 4

Whether with or without snow, Sauerland brings movement into play—on foot, with snowshoes, or on skis. With warm boots and a thick jacket, winter hiking here is a great joy, offering trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. A list of around 70 winter hiking trails provides plenty of suggestions for the region. As soon as the landscape is covered by a thick blanket of snow, snowshoes or skis are the go-to choice for getting around. The Winter Sports Arena, which includes ski areas in Hochsauerland, Olpe, Siegen-Wittgenstein, and Willingen, is known as the "most significant winter sports region north of the Alps." It offers slopes, cross-country trails, and sledding hills.

For an icy adrenaline rush, take a ride on the guest bobsleigh in Winterberg: reaching speeds of up to 130 km/h, a team of one experienced bobsleigh pilot and three guests races through the 1,600-meter-long ice canal in a four-person bobsleigh.

Accommodation tip: After so much sport and action, relaxation is in order—for example, in the treehouses by Lake Sorpesee. They are located right by the water and offer stunning views of the lake.

www.touren.sauerland.com | www.wintersport-arena.de | www.olympic-bob-race.de | www.sorpesee.de

  • Christmas market Aachen, © aachen tourist service e.v.
    Rheinpark in winter, Cologne, © Axel Schulten, Köln Tourismus GmbH
    Willingen ski area in the background the Ettelsberg tower, © Wintersport Arena Sauerland, Siegerland Wittgenstein e.V.
  • Eifel Chalets Vogelsang IP, © Tourismus NRW e.V., Ilonka Zantop
    Münsterplatz in Aachen, © aachen tourist service e.v.
    Senden Castle in winter, © Münsterland Tourismus