Discover Saarland: Industrial Heritage, Nature and Roman History

Saarland offers a wide variety of destinations to explore: the UNESCO World Heritage Site Völklingen Ironworks, Roman mosaics, the Saarschleife and Lake Bostalsee.

Nature and Views in Saarland

The Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve is located in the southeast of Saarland, on the border with France and Rhineland-Palatinate. It is home to around 80 percent of the Saarland population of the endangered little owl. This makes Bliesgau particularly interesting for travellers who also want to explore the local natural environment at their destination.

The Saarschleife offers a different perspective on the landscape. It is a landmark of Saarland and can be viewed from the Cloef lookout point. Since 2006, the Saarschleife and Cloef have been designated National Geoheritage Sites. Cloef is also the starting point for many hikes, including the Cloef Trail, which descends through the Steinbachtal to the Saar. This allows you to consider the viewpoint and a specific hiking route as different aspects of your trip planning.

The 120-hectare Lake Bostalsee is nestled in the low mountain landscape of Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park. Two large sandy beaches and sunbathing lawns offer space for swimming, beach volleyball and building sandcastles. Stand-up paddleboarding is also possible on the lake, with two-hour courses offered for beginners. As these courses are a current offering, check availability before your trip. The beaches and sunbathing lawns may change seasonally.

If you prefer travelling on foot, there is also an accommodation option to consider when planning a hike along the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig: five Nature Campgrounds between Perl and Wadern offer nature-loving hikers overnight stays while walking the trail. Saarland also has cross-border cycling routes along the border with France. Before a bike ride, check the route you plan to take.

Industrial Heritage and Roman Traces

In December 1994, Völklingen Ironworks was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are 7,000 metres of well-signposted paths across the site. The World Heritage Site is a five-minute walk from Völklingen station. Saarbrücken Central Station, with IC, ICE and TGV connections, is ten minutes by train from Völklingen. If you are planning to travel by train, check the timetable in advance.

In Nennig, the mosaic floor of the Roman Villa is one of Saarland’s most important archaeological monuments. It measures 160 square metres and is considered the largest mosaic found to date north of the Alps. Visitors can explore the site of the former Roman Villa, including the mosaic and the nearby large burial mound, which is within walking distance. The focus here is on the individual archaeological work and the walk around the site.

The Roman Villa Borg offers a different focus: year-round events and celebrations for all ages, including baking experiences, Roman Days and “Cooking Like the Romans”. Guided tours are available in German, French, English, Dutch and Luxembourgish. If you are planning a tour, check the booking details in advance.

Activities with Different Areas of Focus

At the Saarschleife treetop walk, views combine with learning and adventure stations along the trail. The path is 1,250 metres long; the observation tower is 42 metres high and fully accessible without steps. The construction of the trail is designed to be accessible. This distinction is useful when planning: step-free access refers to the tower, while the accessible-design description applies to the trail’s construction.

Saarland’s destinations offer a variety of starting points for a trip: UNESCO industrial heritage, archaeological sites, hikes, cross-border cycling routes and activities on the water. If you are looking for a hotel, the order of your planned activities can help you choose a suitable base for your stay, without any one destination having to replace all the others.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Merzig-Wadern, Sankt Wendel, Neunkirchen, Saarlouis, Saarpfalz District, Saarbrücken City Association, Saarbrücken Regional Association, Hamburg.

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