Monreal, Germany - A Guide to the Half-Timbered Eifel Village

Monreal is hands down the most “fairytale” village we passed through on our two week road trip in Germany! Straight out of the pages of Beauty and the Beast, Monreal is one of the best places to visit in Eifel, Germany. With a little historical flair, this hidden gem is one you have to add to your itinerary.

The village of Monreal is quite small, with half-timbered houses lining the banks of the river which runs down from the small mountain and castle behind. Unknown to most who pass through the region, even in peak season this sleepy town doesn’t get more than a few visitors.

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Girl in a white shirt and black trousers standing in the middle of the road in Monreal, Germany. The sides of the street are lined with red, blue and white half-timbered houses and there is löwenburg castle ruin in the background

the half timbered houses of Monreal, Germany by the side of the river and a bridge that covers it

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How long to spend in Monreal, Germany

Monreal is quite a small village so a few hours is more than enough time. Take a walk along the Elzbach river, go up to Löwenburg Castle, and take a lunch break at Cafe Plüsch. It is the perfect, slow day trip from your trip to a bigger city.

Where is Monreal?

Monreal is located in the Eifel region of Germany, in the area of the Elzbach Valley. It is less than 50km from Koblenz on the Rhine River, Cochem is the Mosel Valley, Burg Eltz and the Ahr Valley.

How to get to Monreal

Monreal is easy to reach by both train and car. Driving, you can take the A48 from Koblenz, or the L98 from Cochem. Both trips take around 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the train, the best connection being in Andernach.

Where to park in Monreal

We parked in the small car park behind the graveyard behind Kapelle St. Georg, Monreal. This doesn’t appear on Google Maps but was relatively easy to find and quiet when we visited in the peak of summer. Alternatively, you can park on the other side of the village by the station. The car park here is called Parkplats and is quite big.

Things to do in Monreal, Germany

A small town, there are several things you have to do on your day trip to Monreal, Germany!

Löwenburg Castle

Löwenburg Castle is a castle ruin that sits on the hill behind the village of Monreal.

History of Löwenburg Castle, Monreal

Löwenburg Castle is often known as Monreal Castle, of Burg Monreal in Germany. Today only a ruin, Löwenburg has a very rich history. Built in 1229 by Count Hermann II of Virneburg, the castle first resided on his brothers land and was subject to a big land dispute. It was attacked multiple times by armies from different regions of Germany, as well as Sweden. In 1689 the castle was destroyed by the French in the War of the Palatine Succession.

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How to get to Löwenburg Castle

There are two ways up to the castle ruin – one is on the path that leads up between 17 and 19 Untertorstraße, and the other up the Philippsburg path opposite Pfarrkirche Heiligste Dreifaltigkeit (the very picturesque church at the end of the river). The first route up is much easier than the other.

Philippsburg Castle

From Löwenburg Castle you will likely see the ruins of the neighbouring Philippsburg Castle. This was in fact the castle of the brother of Count Herman II, who owned the land that both castles were built on.

How to get to Philippsburg Castle

Philippsburg Castle is located just behind Löwenburg Castle. You can get to it by walking down the Philippsburg path either from the village or the top of Löwenburg. The ruins here are quite impressive as the northwest tower and south wall still stand today!

Walk along the Elzbach River

The best way to see the village is to walk along the river. Starting at the end of Undertorstraße, you can walk down into the village. Here you have a beautiful view of Löwenburg castle through the houses.

If you take a left at number 20, you can walk to a river crossing, Untere Brücke. This is the best viewpoint in Monreal, looking down the river at the church. From here walk down Marktpl. Towards Brücke zum alten Pfrarrhaus Monreal. From here you can head up to the two castles.

Cafe Plüsch Monreal

Cafe Plüsch Monreal is a very picturesque little cafe in the heart of Monreal. They serve traditional German food and some really good cakes! It’s a lovely experience to sit in the outside seating, watching life in the village go by.

Traumpfad Monrealer Ritterschlag

If you fancy a little hike then the Traumpfad Monrealer Ritterschlag is a great thing to do! The walk is 13.7km in total and takes around 5 hours to walk. Along the hike, you get some amazing views of the Elz and Thürelz valleys as well as exploring the nature around Monreal.

A good place to start the hike is at Pfarrkirche Heiligste Dreifaltigkeit. The trail is quite easy to follow with signs regularly along the route.

Rounding up Monreal, Germany

If this post hasn’t already convinced you that Monreal is one of the best, hidden gems in Germany, then I hope that your visit will! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments, or head to some of the below pages to find more trips in the area, or plan your two-week road trip through Germany!