Discover Düren: Castles, museums and cycling experiences
Accommodation in Düren
Düren and the places in the destination bring together industrial heritage, castles, museums and outdoor experiences. Options range from a circular trail featuring art in the forest to cycling tours along the Rur. When planning, it is worth first considering which experiences you want to shape your stay: historic sites, exhibitions, family activities or time on your bike.
Sculpture, park and landscape
A striking landmark is the 36-metre-high Indemann on the Goltsteinkuppe. At just under 150 metres, this is the highest elevation in the municipality of Inden. From the viewing platforms, you can see the landscape of the Inden open-cast mine; you can also walk along the sculpture’s outstretched arm. In Jülich, Brückenkopf Park offers a different mix of attractions: activities for play and sport, a zoo and cultural events for the whole family. As the events programme may change, it is advisable to check the dates before your visit.
Fortresses and industrial history
Burgau Castle in Düren has a turbulent history: it was destroyed in 1944, remained a ruin until 1975 and was restored in 1998. Today, it is once again considered one of the city’s gems. In Jülich, the citadel is an almost completely preserved and restored fortress with a ducal palace in the style of the Italian High Renaissance. It is considered the oldest complex of its kind north of the Alps. You can explore its ramparts, bastions and casemates on your own or as part of a guided tour; check the current visitor information before your visit.
The Art Nouveau Heimbach power station also combines architecture with a function it still serves today: it began generating electricity in 1905, continues to produce power and has been fully preserved. It is considered a unique Art Nouveau building in Europe. Those interested in medieval history will find Burg Nideggen, a cultural monument to the history of the Middle Ages in the Rhineland and the Eifel.
Museums and special visitor services
The permanent exhibition at the Paper Museum Düren explores the many facets of paper, the city’s history, industrial and cultural history, and traditional and modern paper production. Blind and visually impaired visitors can follow a basic self-guided route through the exhibition. There are also information resources and many hands-on exhibits. The Leopold Hoesch Museum has a different collection focus: it holds an outstanding collection of paintings from the classical modern period and also focuses on post-war modernism and contemporary art.
The National Park Gate, with its accessible tourist information centre, is located in Heimbach’s old railway station. The “Forest Secrets” exhibition is temporarily closed. For outdoor art, try the two-kilometre accessible circular walking trail “Art in the Bush”, which passes various sculptures, statues and installations. In Nideggen, the Castle Museum and its programme of events add to the range of options, with workshops and guided tours for school groups, families and adults. Check the latest programme dates if you would like to plan your visit around an event.
Cycling tours with different character
There is a clear difference between a short walk and a cycling tour. “Art in the Bush” is a two-kilometre circular walking trail; the approximately 20-kilometre Düren Lakes Tour is a cycling route along the Rur to Düren’s bathing lakes, where you can take a refreshing break. The approximate length of the lakes tour can help with planning, but does not indicate the actual riding time.
The RurUfer cycle route runs from Monschau to Einruhr, along the Rursee through the Rureifel, past Düren and Jülich, and through the Heinsberg region to Roermond. Railway stations along the route allow you to plan a route and stages to suit your needs; some individual stages can also be enjoyed as day trips. For your planning, check the current rail and bicycle carriage rules, as well as the conditions along the route.
Plan your stay around your interests
If cycling is your main focus, you can start by choosing your preferred route and possible stages. Then search for accommodation using the place name that best matches your planned activities. This lets you choose where to stay based on the experiences you actually want to include in your itinerary.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Vettweiß, Jülich, Inden, Hürtgenwald, Heimbach, Nideggen, Düren, Linnich, Langerwehe, Merzenich, Kreuzau, Aldenhoven, Niederzier, Nörvenich, Titz.
To the overview of destinations: North Rhine-Westphalia.
