Bad Hönningen: Arenfels Castle, Kristall Rheinpark-Therme and Geology

Bad Hönningen brings together three different discoveries: Arenfels Castle, its most prominent landmark; the Kristall Rheinpark-Therme, with thermal brine; and a geological information trail in the Rhine gardens. The result is a combination of architectural and local history, facilities focused on water and saunas, and rock samples from widely separated geological eras. If you want to combine several interests in one trip, you can first decide which of these highlights should shape your stay.

Arenfels Castle and local history

Arenfels Castle is considered Bad Hönningen’s most prominent landmark. Gerlach of Isenburg had it built as a castle on a rock in 1259. Its historical origins give this striking landmark a tangible connection to local history and make the castle a distinct focus alongside the thermal brine and geology offerings. Public tours of Arenfels Castle take place on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. If you plan to take a tour, check the organizer’s current information before your visit. The regular time makes it easy to fit a castle visit into your day’s plans.

Thermal brine on the banks of the Rhine

The Kristall Rheinpark-Therme is located in Bad Hönningen, right on the banks of the Rhine. It has indoor and outdoor pools, as well as whirlpools filled with thermal brine healing water from its own spring. The water is 31 to 35 °C and has a brine concentration of 1.5 percent. The sauna area comprises four indoor saunas, two steam baths and an Ottoman hamam. This gives the thermal spa a different focus from the historical tour or the geological information trail: here, the pools, brine water and sauna areas take center stage. If you plan to make the thermal spa a set part of your itinerary, check the latest operating information and current offerings in advance.

Rocks in the Rhine gardens

The Geological Rhine Trail is a geological information trail in the Rhine gardens featuring 17 rock samples. The oldest sample is 460 million years old; two samples from the more recent geological history of the East Eifel are 350,000 years old. These figures show the striking contrast between very old rocks and the comparatively young samples from the East Eifel. The trail focuses attention on the history of the Earth and offers a factual counterpoint to the castle and thermal spa. The local highlights differ considerably when it comes to planning: a public castle tour at a set time on Sundays, thermal spa and sauna facilities, and an information trail with 17 samples.

More things to explore in the wider destination of Neuwied

The wider destination of Neuwied offers additional cultural, nature and outdoor activities. Zoo Neuwied is currently home to around 1,800 animals from more than 185 species. SWeNis Kinderland at the zoo includes a large playground and a petting zoo. The Roentgen Museum Neuwied has a one-of-a-kind collection of Roentgen furniture and Kinzing clocks. Routes also offer a range of different highlights: the Deichstadtweg is a cycling route in Neuwied more than 17 kilometers long, with 24 stops along the banks of the Rhine. The Fürstenweg is a certified Rheinsteig circular route and a premium hiking trail in the city of Neuwied. This makes it easy to explore the destination further, depending on your interest in museum objects, animals, cycling or hiking.

Discover more destinations: Anhausen, Neustadt, Oberraden, Kleinmaischeid, Großmaischeid, Reuschenbach, Bruchhausen, Neuwied.

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