Discover Alfter: history, art and landscape

Alfter reveals many different sides: historic town centers give way to diverse vegetable fields and the extensive woodlands of Kottenforst. Along the Alfter Cultural Trail, modern and historic buildings, old wayside crosses, monuments and contemporary sculptures created by Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences stand close together. In Alfter, local history, art and landscape come together—offering different themes to shape your trip.

Local history in Gielsdorf and Alfter

The Alfter district of Gielsdorf was a thriving wine-growing village until the late 19th century. Its attractions include Gielsdorf Water Tower, Auf der Heide and St. James’ Parish Church. The old town center, with its half-timbered houses, is also part of its appeal; examples can be found in Blechgasse, Kirchgasse and Prinzgasse. Gielsdorf’s historic wine-growing character offers a glimpse into the town’s past.

The House of Alfter History offers a different perspective on the region’s past. The museum displays exhibits and everyday objects from more than 2,000 years of regional history. Clay mining in Witterschlick and Volmershoven dates back to 1880—a further historical focus, distinct from Gielsdorf’s wine-growing history.

Fields, Kottenforst and regional specialties

Alfter’s landscape is defined by contrasts: historic town centers give way to diverse vegetable fields and the extensive woodlands of Kottenforst. Nearby, the Kottenforst nature reserve lies west of Impekoven. These townscapes and landscapes offer different themes for planning your trip, without reducing Alfter to a single attraction.

Regional specialties are also part of the town’s character. Specialties in Alfter include asparagus and Rebellenblut, a blackberry wine.

The cultural trail and other ways to explore

The Alfter Cultural Trail runs right through the town of Alfter. Modern and historic buildings, old wayside crosses, monuments and contemporary sculptures created by Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences stand close together along the route. The changing subjects make the trail a distinctive way to explore Alfter: architecture, reminders of the past in the townscape and contemporary art meet along the same route.

If local history is a particular interest on your trip, Gielsdorf and the House of Alfter History offer different perspectives: one focuses on the story of a former wine-growing village and its historic features; the other presents exhibits and everyday objects from many centuries of regional history. The cultural trail offers a different emphasis, bringing together historic and modern buildings with sculptures.

Witterschlick: station, signal box museum and goods shed

Witterschlick station is an S-Bahn stop on the Bonn–Euskirchen railway line. The station also houses a privately operated signal box museum. Its signal box equipment is fully operational and connected to a model railway. Guided tours for visitors take place at Witterschlick station on Open Monument Day; groups can book tours on request. If you plan to join a tour, take these conditions into account when scheduling your visit.

The former goods shed at the station is now used for cultural events and private celebrations. Together with the signal box museum, it shows how Witterschlick station is connected not only with its role as an S-Bahn stop, but also with culture and events. These different uses offer a further point of interest for anyone curious about the station’s past and present, as well as the townscapes.

Alfter in the wider context of the Rhein-Sieg district

In the wider destination of the Rhein-Sieg district, the 124-kilometer Apfelroute runs through Alfter, Bornheim, Swisttal, Rheinbach, Meckenheim and Wachtberg; it can also be explored via six loop routes. This places Alfter within a longer route connecting several towns. The route thus complements local discoveries with a perspective beyond Alfter.

Discover more destinations

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Back to the wider travel overview: Rhein-Sieg district.