Heino, the German folk singer, calls Bad Münstereifel his home, so there must be some attraction to it.
At first glance, you may just think that this historical spa town of about 19,000 is sleepy and not worth a visit, but this could be the most exciting small town in all of Germany. It is known for its spa, but now it is known more for its old town, which is rare in this part of Germany.
Every year this city gets overrun by tourists to see the culture and history of this town. Those who don’t care about the history and just want to catch a glimpse of Heino might want to get a cup of coffee in his cafe that he named after himself.
In the year 1299 Bad Münstereifel was first called a protected city. There are four doors and a thick wall that protect this town from outside invaders. You can still see these gates in the Old Town.
If you aren’t traveling to other places in Germany that have better Old Towns, you definitely want to come here. The Old Town is really well preserved, considering the amount of damage (or total ruin) that other cities received during the wars.
There are more museums in this small town than you would probably imagine. For example, the Hürten Home Museum shows you what the past was like for residents in this area. If you want a glimpse of how pottery was made in the time of the Romans, the Römische Kalkbrennerei Iversheim has six different ovens that date back to the second to fourth centuries.
Besides that, there is a Nature Museum, a Doll and Toy Museum, a Wooden Toy Museum, a Pharmacy Museum, and more to visit if you have the time.
Because Bad Münstereifel is a place for people to relax and to get better, it is important to have a green city. In and around the city there are over 200 kilometers of paths for walkers and hikers. Those who prefer the faster pace of a bicycle have the 110 kilometer Erft Bicycle Path that goes from the beginning of the Erft River all the way to the Rhine River.