Monschau Germany is one for the storybooks – a fairy tale that is!
You can find Monschau in the beautiful hills of the Eifel region near the Belgium border.
I stumbled upon Monschau as I was looking for places to visit in Germany near Belgium when on holiday in Brussels. And, was I ever glad I did!
Time has stood still in this gorgeous small town in Germany. It has virtually remained untouched over the past several centuries full of half-timbered buildings as if it was torn from the pages of a fairytale. If you adore old-world charm as much as I do you’re in luck as Monschau has it in spades.
The Monschau historic old town may be small, but it surprisingly offers a lot to see and do! A ruined castle, a charming Altstadt (or Old Town), museums, shops and more! Let me share what to do in Monschau so you can enjoy it to its fullest!
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Is Monschau Worth Visiting?
Yes, absolutely! Monschau is one of those places that feels like a step back in time, where the pace slows, and you can actually take in your surroundings without rushing from one landmark to the next. Located in the Eifel region of Germany, this little town has a way of making you want to linger—whether that’s wandering along its half-timbered houses, stopping for coffee by the river, or simply soaking in the quiet charm of its cobbled streets.
For history lovers, Monschau offers a well-preserved old town with buildings that have stood for centuries. Walking through the streets feels like flipping through the pages of a storybook, except this one is real. The town’s medieval castle, Burg Monschau, sits on a hill overlooking it all, offering both a bit of history and a great view.
If you enjoy nature, the surrounding Eifel National Park provides plenty of hiking trails, with routes that take you through forests, rolling hills, and peaceful river valleys. It’s an ideal destination for those who like to mix small-town exploration with time outdoors.
Food lovers will find plenty to enjoy as well. The region is known for its mustard, and there’s even a historic mustard mill where you can sample and buy different varieties. The cafés and restaurants serve hearty German fare, best enjoyed at a leisurely pace with a local beer or a slice of warm apple strudel.
And if you’re the kind of traveller who simply enjoys wandering—no itinerary, no rush—Monschau is perfect for that too. It’s the kind of place where getting lost in a side street is more of a treat than an inconvenience, where you can pause on a bridge and listen to the river without feeling like you need to be somewhere else.
If you’re curious how “Monschau” is pronounced, think “Mohn-shou.” The “Mohn” part rhymes with “own,” and “shou” is pronounced like the English word “show.” So, when saying it, it’s “Mohn-shou.”
13 Things to Do in Monschau
Monschau is ideal for a day trip, with four to five hours being enough time to explore the Old Town, Red House, the Monschau Castle and enjoy a meal. Stay overnight and explore more, including in the nearby area.
1. Tour the Beautiful Red House
One of the first historic buildings you will notice is the Red House or Rotes Haus. Dating back to 1756, it was the former home of the Scheibler family, who were prominent cloth merchants for which Monschau is known.
Today, it’s a small private museum. Take a private tour where you will learn about the story of how 4,000 to 6,000 spinners and weavers produced woollen materials which were exported to countries as far away as Turkey and Russia.
2. Gaze Upon the Pretty Rur River
The Rur River flows right through Monschau. It starts in the north from the mountains in Eifel National Park and meanders through many towns along the way.
You will even see local fishermen out getting their catch of the day where trout and salmon are found here.
There are several footbridges where you can admire the views of the Rur River. And it will be hard to tear yourself away, it’s just that pretty, especially as it catches the light. The sound of the soft rustling of the water can be heard as you stroll through town.
3. Wander Monschau Altstadt to Admire the buildings
The Old Town or Altstadt is a dreamy place for a stroll. With its winding cobblestoned streets and its half-timbered crooked buildings. You will feel as though you have stepped back in time.
The row upon row of picture-book buildings is awe-inspiring. With no two alike, take your time to admire each one. One of the prettiest is Haus Troistorff.
There are over 300 buildings that are listed as historic monuments in this town. Thankfully, most of Monschau was left intact after WWII.
Visit the quaint shops, like the all-year Christmas store, a traditional coffee roasting house, and a hat shop were among my favourites.
People watch in the main market square. The surrounding cafés and restaurants fill out the square with their tables and chairs. All of them look equally charming and offer traditional German cuisine. It’s buzzing with people come lunchtime when the entire town stops to eat. Enjoying a meal is something you’re going to want to add to your list of Monschau things to do
4. Enjoy the tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen
Kaffee und kuchen, or coffee and cake, is a tradition that is enjoyed mid-morning and mid-afternoon throughout Germany. In this pretty little town, they specialize in apfel kuchen and apfelstrudel (apple cake and apple strudel). And, it would be a sin not to try it in one of the cute cafes in Monschau.
Each one of the Monschau cafes is charming. Nothing fancy, just quintessentially styled in the traditional decor one might expect to find in Germany.
I recommend Cafe Koulard and Cafe am Roten Haus, where I enjoyed kaffee und kuchen twice! One in the morning when I arrived, and once more before I left in the late afternoon.
5. Watch a glass-blowing demo at Glashutte Monschau
Visit the glassworks shop in Monschau and watch as artisans practice the tradition of glass blowing to make colourful and pretty glass objects. In the glass shop, all of the creations can be admired and purchased.
In the same building as the glass store, is where you’ll find the large Handwerkermarkt, or craft market. Under one roof, friendly artisans are proud to show off their homemade arts and crafts. It’s a great place to shop for souvenirs. Be sure to check out the detailed sand sculptures at the end of the building.
6. Walk the Panorama Weg for the best views
The panoramic road or Panorama Weg starts straight after you cross the Rur River at the main square in the Old Town. It leads you up the hill to a terrace where you can enjoy panoramic views of the town below.
From here you can see how small this town is. How it’s nestled between the hills with the Rur River winding its way through.
7. Explore the Monschau Castle
The 12th-century Monschau Burg or castle overlooks the town. It features a heavily fortified ring wall and walled walkways.
Unfortunately, it fell to ruins and was abandoned in the early 1800s. Since then been renovated and operates as a youth hostel. Although tours of the castle are not offered, you can enjoy a stunning view of the town from its courtyard. It’s a steep walk up to the castle, but the views are well worth it.
8. Peek inside some of Monschau’s churches
Churches in Europe are always interesting places to visit. Most for their historical significance, or just because they always seem to be the most attractive sites in the town you are visiting.
In Monschau, the most charming sites are the buildings themselves. But don’t let that stop you from peeking inside Monschau’s main church – Stadtkirche.
9. Go Taste Testing at Monschau Mustard Mill
This pretty town is known for its production of Monschauer Senf, or mustard. The Mustard Mill or Senfmühle dates back to 1882 and is one of the last historic mills in Germany. And, it continues to produce the traditional mustard recipe, along with 19 other varieties.
This is one of the Monschau places to visit that I recommend. The historic mill is about a 15-minute walk up out of the town. Or you can visit the small shop in the Altstadt where you can sample and buy their 19 unique flavours of garlic, horseradish, honey, curry, tomato, and many more.
Each mustard is sold in the traditional pottery jar just as they did centuries ago, and it makes for a great souvenir to take home with you. I still have my pottery jar even though the mustard is long gone.
10. Prost! Enjoy a Beer in a Pub
Have a beer in one of the local pubs and sample whatever is on tap. Some of the best pubs to try are VAT 60, Zum Haller, Alter Markt, Lütticher Hof, and Alte Herrlichkeit to name a few.
I went to Zum Haller for lunch and was surprised to find that local beers also included Belgium beers. Like all good German towns, there is no shortage of places where you can stop and enjoy a beer.
What to Do in Monschau Beyond Just a Day Trip
If you’ve decided to stay in Monschau for more than just a day (and I wouldn’t blame you), I’ve looked into some great accommodation options. These are the places I’d consider for a stay.
- Burgblick1 – is a gorgeous 4-bedroom home in a historic home in Old Town that has been renovated and offers a modern decor
- Haus Barkhausen – is an apartment building for 1 or 2-bedrooms in the heart of Old Town
- LOFT13 – is a 2-bedroom modern styled loft space with a terrace overlooking Rur River
- Monschau-Auszeit – is a contemporary 3-bedroom house in a historic building on the edge of the Rur river
- Haus Stehlings – is a charming bed and breakfast overlooking the Old Town
By staying a night or two in Monschau, it means you’ll have time to venture beyond the town. Here’s what I would recommend.
- Go to the nearby Eifel National Park, a beautiful natural area great for hiking.
- Visit the UNESCO-designated city of Aachen. This small city is known for its historic Old Town and Cathedral along with many more wonderful things to do in Aachen.
- A little bit further is the charming Dutch city of Maastricht in the Netherlands known for its pretty Old Town, museums, and shopping.
- If you are looking to visit a Belgian city outside of Brussels, one of the closest to Monschau is Liege, known for its arts and culture with its many museums.
If it’s the Monschau Christmas Market that brings you to this historic town, it’s held on all four Advent weekends (Friday to Sunday) in December. It may not be as old as the Dresden Christmas Market or as large as the Christmas Markets in Berlin or as famous as the Frankfurt Christmas Market, but it is surely known as one of the prettiest.
Final Thoughts
Undeniably, a visit to the fairy tale town of Monschau does not disappoint. I’ve been to many when I lived in Berlin and this tops the list of one of my favourites.
It’s one of the most picturesque German towns I’ve been to. And while living in Berlin, I visited many. If you are curious to see more places I’ve been to in Germany, I invite you to visit my page for the full list of articles.
