While North Rhine-Westphalia doesn’t get the same castle-hunting reputation as Bavaria or the Rhine Gorge further south, there is no shortage of fantastic castles to visit in NRW. This is Germany’s most densely populated state, wedged between the Rhine, the Ruhr, and the rolling hills of the Eifel.
Tucked into all of that everyday German life are some genuinely spectacular castles and palaces that most visitors drive right past on their way to somewhere else.
From a pale-pink Rococo palace to a moated medieval fortress, NRW’s castles run the gamut. And I am here for it! Since moving to Germany in 2019, I have made it my mission to visit as many German castles as I can. Because I live in Cologne, NRW is my usual base for exploring, so nearly every castle on this list is an easy day trip from Cologne, Düsseldorf, or Bonn. I genuinely believe NRW one of the most underrated castle-hopping regions in the country. Here are the best castles worth building a day (or a weekend) around.
What You'll Find in this Article
These are the 6 Best Castles in NRW
Schloss Burg
Schloss Burg serves as the ancestral seat of the former Counts of Berg. Yes, the region that gave the whole region (Bergisches Land) its name. The medieval original fell into ruin between the 17th and 19th centuries before being lovingly rebuilt starting in 1890 by a dedicated local preservation society. Nowadays, it is the largest reconstructed castle in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The most fun part might be the journey up to the castle. You can take a scenic cable car (dating back to 1952!) which ferries people up to the castle from the small village. Dangle your feet over the forest and river along the way! Once you’re up top, wander the ramparts, the Knights’ Hall, and the armory, all now home to the Bergisches Museum.
- Location: Unterberg (8km outside of Solingen)
- Website: http://www.schlossburg.de/
Drachenburg Castle
Towering over a slight bend in the Rhine River, Drachenburg Castle in Königswinter is an ideal day trip from Cologne. You can hike uphill to the castle, or you can opt for the funicular, which makes two stops. At the top of the funicular, you will find a large viewing platform offering sweeping views of the region along with a perfectly placed beer garden and cafe.
The castle was built privately by a wealthy family in the 19th century, but it has changed ownership many times since then. It fell into disrepair during the post-war period, and was only restored within the last few decades. If you want to see the gardens and interior of the castle, you’ll need to purchase a ticket at the entrance. Unlike other castles on this list, photos are allowed throughout the premises, perfect for mini photo shoots.
- Location: Konigswinter (40km from Cologne)
- Website: https://www.schloss-drachenburg.de/index.php/en/home-en
Burg Satzvey
Considered one of the best-preserved water castles in the entire Rhineland, Burg Satzvey has foundations dating back to the 12th century.The whole complex sits on two islands ringed by a moat fed by a small stream. The castle has been in the hands of the same family for over 300 years, and they still live in part of the castle.
Rather than freezing the place in amber, the family leans hard into living history. Twice a year the grounds transform for the Ritterfestspiele, a full medieval knights’ festival complete with jousting tournaments and mead by the tankard. They also host a medieval themed Christmas Market every weekend in December. The double-towered gatehouse and main building make for one of the most atmospheric castle photos you’ll get in the region.
- Location: Mechernich-Satzvey (55km from Bonn)
- Website: https://www.burgsatzvey.de/
Augustusburg Palace
If you are a lover of Rococo architecture, then you must visit the jaw-dropping Augustusburg in Brühl. It truly is one of the best castles in NRW. And it’s recognized by UNESCO! It used to be the residence for Cologne’s Archbishop. Dating back to the 18th century, this massive palace has been painstakingly restored with marble pillars, gold décor, and hand-painted murals. It is really a marvel! I have a whole write-up about this palace, since I visit often as part of my job as a tour guide in Cologne.
The French gardens at the palace are a highlight with tree-lined boulevards, well-manicured flower beds and of course, a variety of fountains and busts to discover along the walking paths. The gardens are open and free to the public year round, but the only way to see the interior of the palace is on a guided tour.
- Location: Brühl (18km from Cologne)
- Website: https://www.schlossbruehl.de/en/augustusburg-palace/
Schloss Moyland
This neo-Gothic moated castle near the Dutch border was first mentioned in records back in 1307, but what stands today is largely a 19th-century reimagining. It experienced heavy damage during WWII, and was rebuilt based on how it looked in its Gothic Revival heyday. It’s a bit out of the way if you’re not already exploring the Lower Rhine region, but it pairs nicely with a day trip toward Kleve or Xanten.
The moat at Moyland is straight out of a storybook illustration. What makes Moyland genuinely unusual, though, is what’s inside: a modern art museum. The museum has the world’s largest collection of Joseph Beuys’ artworks, along with other modern art and temporary collections. So you get this striking contrast of a fairy-tale exterior wrapped around a serious contemporary art museum. Plus the castle is surrounded by a sculpture garden.
- Location: Bedburg-Hau (85 km north of Essen)
- Website: http://www.moyland.de/
Benrath Palace
Another marvel of Rococo design, Benrath Palace features a pale pink exterior and mirrored grand hallway inside. Every room on the interior is gorgeous, ranging from colorful wallpapered bedrooms to an impressive marble-clad entryway. Unlike some of the other palaces and castles on this list, you are fully able to photograph inside the palace. As you can imagine, it is popular place for wedding photos!
This palace is much, much smaller than other palaces in Germany, but it is perfectly restored and largely unknown so you can expect minimal crowds. The largely untamed gardens behind the palace are a nice place to go for a long walk. There are lovely wooded paths leading all the way to the Rhine River. You’ll see lots of locals going for a run or walking their dogs in this relatively unknown, yet lovely park.
- Location: Düsseldorf (10 km south of the city center)
- Website: http://www.schloss-benrath.de/
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