Discover Limburg-Weilburg

Limburg-Weilburg combines distinctive townscapes and cultural history with a wide range of opportunities to explore the outdoors. The following examples are tied to specific places and offer different focuses for planning your trip.

Townscapes, art and history

The historic half-timbered old town of Limburg is one of the few intact medieval town centres in Germany and has been exemplary restored. The Cathedral of St. George in Limburg towers over the Lahn from a steep rock. Its seven towers and its significance as a cultural monument of European stature define the townscape. In Runkel, the medieval castle tells a long story: first mentioned in 1159, it still defines the town today. The historic Lahn bridge is also noteworthy. Dating from 1448, it is one of the oldest bridges on the Lahn to have been preserved in its original state.

In Weilburg, the history of the princely residence meets technical monuments. Weilburg Castle was built on a mountain spur high above the Lahn and is one of Hesse’s most significant cultural monuments. The navigable ship tunnel was built between 1844 and 1847. It is Germany’s oldest and longest navigable shipping tunnel; together with the cupola lock at its lower entrance, it forms a unique technical monument. On a canoe trip in Weilburg, you can pass through the tunnel, which is still navigable. The Mining and Town Museum offers insights into historic underground iron ore mining in the original, preserved Tiefen Stollen (Deep Tunnel). At the Rosenhang Museum, established in the former August Helbig brewery, you can see contemporary art in changing exhibitions across around 2,000 square metres; studios are also available to artists.

Other cultural destinations offer different highlights. The Hadamar Memorial on Mönchberg commemorates the victims of Nazi euthanasia crimes. The ruins of a former Premonstratensian convent basilica stand on the Beselicher Kopf. The association dedicated to preserving the monastery ruins has extensively renovated them; they are also the starting point for scenic hiking trails. The Beselich pilgrimage chapel was built in 1763 by Franciscan hermit Leonhard Niederstraßen, dedicated to Mary Help of Christians in 1767, and consecrated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers. It remains a destination for pilgrimages from the region. On guided tours of the Selters Water Museum, visitors can taste the original Selters mineral water in the Art Nouveau spring temple dating from 1907, the house-drink room and the reception rooms by the Selters spring, known since 1536. Tours are available by advance booking.

Nature and outdoor activities

The “Tiergarten Weilburg” wildlife park has a 400-year tradition. Visitors can observe native animal species in a natural setting, including bears, wolves, moose, European bison and aurochs, red deer, wild boar, ibex and mouflon. Underground, the Kubach Crystal Cave awaits: it is Germany’s only crystal cave, surrounded by 350-million-year-old limestone and adorned with numerous crystals and pearl-like stalactites. The “Mensfelder Kopf” nature reserve is a European Special Area of Conservation, protecting habitats that are home to many animal and plant species, some of them rare.

For hiking, Runkel has the Lahnwanderweg trail, as well as the permanent routes “In den Steilhängen der Lahn” and “Durch das Kerkerbachtal”. The Lahn Cycle Route and the Kerkerbachtal Cycle Route also invite you to explore the area by bike. Hadamarer Land has 17 circular hiking trails with four different starting points. If you want to compare cycling routes, Route Plan 1 features a 48-kilometre, moderately difficult ride: it runs from Limburg through the Kerkerbach valley and the Hessian Westerwald, via Hadamar and back to Limburg. Route conditions may change; check them before setting out. A longer cycling route is the four-star-certified, 245-kilometre Lahn Cycle Route, which has very good public transport connections via the Lahn Valley Railway.

Canoe trips also offer a different perspective on the region. The Runkel canoe station offers trips for individuals and groups, lasting one or several days, in Canadian canoes and kayaks. The offer includes equipment, an introduction and passenger transfers; special deals are also available for groups and families. Check the current packages before travelling.

Choose accommodation to suit your plans

If culture is your priority, focus your search on the places whose buildings, museums or memorial sites you want to visit. For active days, hiking trails, cycling routes or canoe trips may be the deciding factor. Runkel offers several hiking and cycling options as well as the canoe station; Weilburg combines its castle, tunnel and museums. Your choice can therefore reflect the experiences that matter most to you.

Discover more places in the destination

Hadamar, Mengerskirchen, Villmar, Weilburg, Runkel, Löhnberg, Limburg an der Lahn, Bad Camberg, Elbtal, Weilmünster, Selters, Hintermeilingen, Hünfelden, Elz, Dornburg, Weinbach, Brechen, Fussingen.

Back to the main travel overview: Hesse.