Montabaur: Discover the Baroque Palace and Old Town

Explore the palace and Old Town on guided tours

Montabaur Palace was rebuilt in the Baroque style between 1686 and 1709 on the site of the former castle complex. The grounds are open to visitors; it is best to check the conditions for visiting on site. Guided city tours take you through the historic Old Town and include sights such as the Großer Markt, the neo-Gothic town hall, and St. Peter in Ketten Church. Half-timbered houses and fountains are also among the stops. Depending on the tour, the palace grounds may also be included, offering views over the city. If you are planning to take a guided tour, check the current tour details in advance; a visit to the palace is not part of every tour.

Plan your travel and accommodations together

Montabaur has direct access to the A3 and is close to the Dernbacher Dreieck interchange on the A48. Public transport is served by an ICE and regional train station as well as a central bus station for local and long-distance services. So the best way to get there also depends on whether you plan to travel by car or by train and bus. Check timetables and connections for your travel dates, as transport services may change.

Westerwald: hiking trails, geological history, and culture

The Westerwald offers a variety of hiking options. The 235-kilometer WesterwaldSteig is divided into 16 stages, certified as a “Quality Trail Wanderable Germany,” and included among the “Top Trails of Germany.” The Druidensteig runs for 94 kilometers over seven day stages through seven river valleys; more than 30 geo-information points line the route. The two trails therefore differ in length and number of stages, as well as in their listed stops and themes. Check the current route planner before setting out; certification and award status may also change.

At Stöffel Park, a former basalt quarry covering around 140 hectares brings together industrial heritage, geological history, and nature. The TERTIÄRUM there features fossils, including the famous “Stöffel mouse,” which document around 25 million years of Earth’s history. Those interested in landforms will also find the Holzbach Gorge in the Westerwald: this roughly one-kilometer-long gorge has basalt walls up to 30 meters high. At 657 meters, Fuchskaute is the highest elevation in the Westerwald.

Other regional highlights range from craftsmanship to nature experiences. The Westerwald Ceramics Museum explores the history of working with clay; most of the objects on display originated in a Westerwald clay pit. Visitors can get creative themselves in the museum workshop under expert guidance. Check the current workshop program and booking conditions before your trip. In Hachenburg, restored half-timbered houses around the Alter Markt shape the historic town center; the Löwenbrunnen fountain is also part of its character. The Hachenburg Brewery Experience offers beer experience tours and brewing courses. Individual appointments can be arranged by phone; check current options directly with the brewery.

The landscape also has many different sides: the Westerwald Lake District is a natural area with seven ponds. The “Weltende” nature trail in the Kroppacher Schweiz leads along narrow tracks, natural paths, and sections secured in places with wire ropes, and offers views over the Nister Valley. Trail conditions and access may vary seasonally. These regional contrasts complement exploring Montabaur with themes such as geology, craftsmanship, historic townscapes, and hiking.

Discover more destinations

Hübingen, Daubach, Dehlingen, Alpenrod, Wallmerod, Girod, Caan, Oberahr

Back to the main travel overview: Westerwald.