Discover Königswinter

Königswinter combines historic attractions with nature and hiking. At Petersberg, the exhibition at the Schauplatz Petersberg Visitor Centre meets the Rheinsteig trail, which passes right by. Drachenburg Castle, Heisterbach Abbey and the Brückenhof Museum add different ways to explore history: from furnished living quarters to a monastery complex and regional collections. You can use these highlights as a starting point when choosing a hotel. The wider Rhein-Sieg district has four regions relevant to tourism: the Siebengebirge, the Siegtal, the Bergisches Land and the Rhein-Voreifel region.

Exhibition and Rheinsteig at Petersberg

The Schauplatz Petersberg Visitor Centre presents the history of the site in an exhibition consisting of five sections; one section is devoted to the nature of Petersberg. Another exhibition section covers the building’s former role as a guardhouse and its security features. The Rheinsteig passes right by the site. Public guided tours of Petersberg are offered on selected dates. The exhibition and access to the site are accessible. If you have specific access requirements, check the information before your trip.

Castle, railway and monastery

Drachenburg Castle was built between 1882 and 1884. In its furnished rooms, visitors can experience the domestic culture of the late 19th century. The Drachenfels Railway, Germany’s oldest cog railway, connects Königswinter’s Old Town with the ruins on the Drachenfels. On the fully preserved grounds of Heisterbach Abbey, enclosed by a historic monastery wall, stand the choir of the former abbey church and several 18th-century buildings. The Heisterbach Abbey Foundation provides information on guided tours, events and literature, as well as materials on the world of the Cistercians.

Everyday history at the Brückenhof Museum

At the Brückenhof Museum in Königswinter-Oberdollendorf, local history and everyday objects come together. The permanent exhibition includes an early 20th-century kitchen, a fully equipped shoemaker’s workshop and the “Weilberg” model of the Heisterbach Valley Railway. The narrow-gauge railway ran through the Heisterbach Valley from 1889 to 1950. In special exhibitions, the museum presents topics related to local clubs and history, as well as works by local artists.

Nature and historical layers

Parts of Petersberg, including the slopes facing the Rhine and older beech forests, are part of a natural heritage site. The area is part of the “Siebengebirge” Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the nature reserve of the same name. The cultural attractions also span different periods: Heisterbach has 18th-century buildings, Drachenburg Castle was built between 1882 and 1884, and the Heisterbach Valley Railway ran from 1889 to 1950. The kitchen at the Brückenhof Museum dates from the early 20th century. Together, these sites span a period from monastic architecture to the history of technology and everyday life.

Choosing a hotel in Königswinter

Then compare the location stated in each offer with your plans.

Discover more destinations: Oberpleis, Eudenbach, Alfter, Windeck, Rheinbach, Lohmar, Eitorf, Wachtberg.

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