Wuppertal offers a fine assortment of sightseeing destinations. However, how you get around town is actually more important here. The city’s Schwebebahn, or monorail, is the main attraction of Wuppertal.
Schwebebahn
This Wuppertal sight was the world’s oldest suspension line monorail.
Service began for the Eugen Langen Monorail Suspension Railway, more often known as Schwebebahn or just “the monorail,” in 1901 after just a year of construction. You can travel the entire distance — 13.3 km (8.3 miles) — in just about a half an hour.
If you happen to be visiting Wuppertal on a special occasion, you may get to see the Kaiserwagen. This is the train car once used to carry around the Emperor Wilhelm II while the monorail was still being tested.
Apart from its interesting history, the Schwebebahn, which is suspended 8 m (26 ft) above the ground, is the perfect way to begin your sightseeing trip around the city. So join the 25 million other people who ride the Schwebebahn each year! :-)
Lüntenbeck Castle
This Wuppertal site can be reached via the Schwebebahn. Located near a beautiful green meadow, the Lüntenbeck Castle is now home to offices and shops. It is also a center for culture and the arts in Wuppertal.
Manuelskotten Watermill
This rustic Wuppertal site is among the last of its kind. The Wassermühle Manuelskotten is found by a knife-grinding workshop. The watermill is one of the oldest architectural sites not only in town, but also in the entire Berg region.
Elberfeld Old Town
For some of the prettiest photo ops, come to this Wuppertal sight — the Elberfeld Old Town district. Here you can find old world charm amid the boutiques, restaurants, cafes and pubs.
If you’re visiting in the spring months, this is the site of the Luisenfest flea market as well.
Jacob’s Ladder
If there’s one thing Wuppertal is known for, apart from the famous monorail, it is its many sets of stairs. There are close to five hundred of them, with a total of 12,383 steps.
Of this number, almost two dozen of them are considered of historical importance. One of the most famous and longest of these is Jakobstreppe, or Jacob’s ladder. So remember your walking (or stepping) shoes before you set out for a day of sightseeing! ;-)
