In June of 2021 a terrible flood hit this region, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The rebuilding is progressing as of 2025, looking forward to welcoming guests again, but with the catastrophe and the politics surrounding it, remaining a sensitive topic.
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]The town is accessible by two local stopping services, Regionalbahn lines RB 30 and RB39 operated by Deutsche Bahn, which run along the Ahr Valley, connecting it with Bonn and Remagen. There are three stations, depending on which bit you want to visit: 1 Bahnhof Bad Neuenahr in Bad Neuenahr, and Ahrweiler & Ahrweiler-Markt in Ahrweiler.
Regular VRM fares, and even the NRW-wide day passes are accepted. As of spring 2025 the line remains destroyed between Walporzheim and Ahrbrück, reconstruction is underway.
By road
[edit]Exits 30 and 31 of the A61.
Get around
[edit]
The towns are small enough to see on foot, and it's a pleasant 40-minute walk along the river from the centre of one to the other. Alternatively, a bike path runs along the river or there are buses.
See
[edit]
- Beethoven House (Beethovenhaus), Mittelstraße 4. where Beethoven used to stay for summer holidays.
- 1 Apollinaris spring (Apollinarisbrunnen).
Bad Neuenahr:
City gates in Ahrweiler:
- 4 Obertor
- 5 Adenbachtor
- 6 Niedertor
- 7 Ahrtor
- 8 Government Bunker, Am Silberberg 0. The "Emergency Seat of the Federal Constitutional Organs for the State of Crisis or State of Defence to Maintain their Ability to Function" was a Cold War underground bunker complex, 25 km (16 mi) from the seat of the West German government in Bonn, designed to allow the continuity of the government in the event of a nuclear war. Being used in NATO exercises, it became redundant after the end of the cold war, with most of it being gutted. Adults € 15.00.
Do
[edit]- Walk in the hills among the vineyards; try a section of the Red Wine Walking Route (Rotweinwanderweg).
- Relax in the heated pools of the thermal baths
- Explore Ahrweiler's medieval streets
- Visit the excavated Roman villa near Ahrweiler
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- Zwiebelkuchen ("onion cake") is a speciality of wine-growing areas and is the perfect accompaniment to Federweißer (see below)
- 1 Weingut Försterhof, Im Teufenbach 65, ☏ +49 2641 2079315. Novel architecture.
- 2 Brogsitter's Sanct Peter, Walporzheimer Str. 134, ☏ +49 2641 97750.
Drink
[edit]The whole Ahr valley is famous for its shale vineyards, typically producing Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder, red) and Riesling (white) wines. Local varieties are available anywhere where drinks are served.
- Federweißer is a very sweet white wine made from the first grapes of the harvest. Federroter is the red equivalent.
Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]- campsite, Kalvarienbergstraße 1 (near the old town of Ahrweiler on the opposite side of the Ahr river from the town's southern gate), ☏ +49 2641-26539.
Mid-range
[edit]- 1 Hotel Villa Aurora, Georg-Kreuzberg-Straße 8, ☏ +49 2641 9430.
- 2 Dorint Parkhotel Bad Neuenahr, Am Dahliengarten 1, 53474 Bad Neuenahr, ☏ +49 2641 8950, [email protected]. from €118 per room/night.
Go next
[edit]- Dernau red wine village
- Bad Münstereifel
- Bonn