Top Ex­cur­sions in NRW

For locals, it is a form of transport; for the rest of the world, an entirely unique vehicle: Passengers on the Wuppertal suspension railway feel like they are flying. At heights of eight to twelve metres, it travels through the Bergisch city from station to station over the Wupper river for large parts of the journey. Passengers can gain an authentic impression of its early years in the ‘Kaiserwagen’ (Emperor’s carriage): This reproduction recalls how Emperor Wilhelm II and his wife went on a test run in 1900. Coffee rides, brunch rides and illuminated night rides are available all year round.

The Siegen-Wittgenstein forests are home to the only bison herd living in the wild in Europe. With a lot of luck, visitors can observe them there, but the chances are better at Wisent-Wildnis am Rothaarsteig (Bison Wilderness on the Rothaarsteig) in Bad Berleburg, where a small group of bison roam an enclosed plot of about 20 hectares. Other examples of unspoilt nature in North Rhine-Westphalia include Europe’s most northerly Flamingo breeding colony, wild Arctic geese and wild Dülmen ponies.

Sauerland impresses with highs and lows: The “land of 1,000 mountains” not only has the highest highland peak in North Rhine-Westphalia but also some quite remarkable protrusions. Rare plant and animal species, the exciting story of its geological origins and ramparts dating from the Ice Age have made Bruchhauser Steine a national monument. And a unique lookout point with a fantastic view over Sauerland. Deep inside the earth, the underground passageways of stalactite caves such as Atta Cave, which is the largest continuous cave system in Germany, or Dechen Cave, which now has a cave museum too, will impress.

Why did the owner have the magnificent Drachenburg Castle built and then never lived in the splendid rooms and halls? Nobody knows. One thing is certain though: This magical castle, which sits enthroned above the Rhine near Bonn, half way up to Drachenfels, is really worth seeing and is steeped in history like many other palaces and castles in NRW. The carefully restored parlours and private rooms of Drachenburg Castle paint a picture of the lifestyle and attitude to life toward the end of the 19th century.

Higher still on the summit plateau of Drachenfels, in addition to the breathtaking view, there is also the ruins of a castle dating from the 12th century as well as a panorama restaurant. Anyone who doesn’t want to make their way up or down on foot can take the historical cog railway.

One very special highlight is the Christmas market with its castle lights, which takes place every year on the first three weekends of Advent at Drachenfels Castle. The castle is lit up in lots of different colours - just like a fairytale.

Mining has defined North Rhine-Westphalia – and provided special excursion destinations No other German state has such a wide and varied range of industrial monuments, including mines, gasometers and smelting works. Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord shows how much fun can be had at a former industrial site: What was once a smelting works is now one of the most important industrial monuments in Europe, with a high-wire course, climbing walls in the ore deposit bunker, the biggest indoor diving pool in Europe in the flooded gasometer and an extinguished blast furnace as a viewing tower. 

The mountains of the Ruhr Area also provide magnificent views:  Slagheaps that are up to 140 metres high, artificial hills made from the waste products of mining, provide unusual views of the surrounding area and feature walk-in artworks that can be seen from afar at the summit, which are real eye-catchers themselves.