Drachenburg Castle front view with sunset
Tourismus NRW e.V., Drachenburg Castle offers pure Rhine romance in the Siebengebirge Nature Park

Drachenburg Castle

Königswinter

The owner Stephan von Sarter (1833-1902) came to wealth and honor as a stock market analyst. After being made a baron in 1881, he laid the foundation stone for his dream castle. This was completed after less than three years of construction.

Above Königswinter, in the middle of the Siebengebirge Nature Park, the picturesque building is visible from afar, halfway up the Drachenfels. On the ascent on foot or on a leisurely ride on the historic cog railroad, the castle presents itself behind old trees and magnificent rhododendrons.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the combination of nature and culture, romantic landscapes and rich history has attracted tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. They all experience an unforgettable excursion, gather unexpected impressions of unique castle architecture, wander through the historically significant landscape park and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Rhine and the Siebengebirge region.

Visitors are transported back to the end of the 19th century. Carefully restored and refurnished, the sumptuous drawing rooms and private apartments of Drachenburg Castle now bring back to life the atmosphere and lifestyle of the period in which they were built. It seems as if the former lord of the castle, Stephan von Sarter, is returning at any moment.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the local world of history and legends and marvel at the large-format canvas paintings by artists of the Munich School such as Frank Kirchbach and Ferdinand Wagner the Younger. Elaborate stencil paintings, artistic woodwork and stained glass still bear witness to the impressive craftsmanship of days gone by.

Make yourself a culture pack!

The gateway to Rhine romance

The journey up to the most famous peak in the Siebengebirge, the Drachenfels, is an experience in itself. Germany's oldest cog railway, dating back to 1883, rattles loudly and takes you safely and comfortably to the top.

  • The town of Königswinter lies at the foot of the Siebengebirge on the eastern side of the Rhine.
  • The journey up to the most famous peak of the Siebengebirge, the Drachenfels, is an experience in itself. The loud rattling of Germany's oldest cog railway, dating back to 1883, takes you safely and comfortably to the top.
  • Drachenburg Castle sits enthroned at the middle station of the railway line.
  • Greeted by two golden stags, you enter the neo-Gothic castle complex, which looks back on an eventful history. In the permanent exhibition, you will learn why Schloss Drachenburg is actually neither a castle nor a palace, but "a villa that grew far too large". In the outer bailey, the birthplace of nature conservation so to speak, you will make exciting discoveries in the German Museum for the History of Nature Conservation.
  • Visitors to the castle have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments in the castle restaurant. Alternatively, after visiting the sights, you can stop off at Café Steinhöfel or the Kontor & Kaffeehaus in the centre of Königswinter.
  • Excursion tip: Take the cog railway to the Drachenfels plateau, from where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views over the Rhineland and the Siebengebirge mountains. If you prefer to walk, you can hike from Drachenburg Castle to the nearby Petersberg. The walk to the "Milchhäuschen" excursion restaurant is a little shorter. You can relax on the terrace of the historic building surrounded by ancient trees.
  • Excursion tip: Travellers can find another cultural highlight in Rhöndorf. Just a few minutes' drive from Drachenburg Castle is the Adenauer House, a former home of Konrad Adenauer, where guests can get up close and personal with the famous politician. An exhibition on his life and work is located right next door in an exhibition building.
  • Overnight tip: Hotel Weinhaus Hoff in Bad Honnef or Maritim Hotel in Königswinter.

Important information about accessibility: certificates

  • "Reisen für Alle" (“Travel for All”) is a nationwide, uniform labeling system for barrier-free travel. It offers reliable information on the accessibility of tourist offerings, such as hotels, attractions and means of transport. Providers who allow themselves to be labeled are checked for accessibility by specially trained surveyors. The results are published in detailed test reports so that travelers with disabilities know exactly which offers are suitable for their needs.
    Verified information

  • All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility certified - accessible for people with walking disabilities".

    Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

    • There is no parking lot available.
    • Schloss Drachenburg can only be reached on foot or with the Darchenfels rack railway (www.drachenfelsbahn.de).
    • The path from the rack railway middle station to the entrance area is not to walk and drive on and has a maximum longitudinal gradient of 12 % over a distance of 30 m .
    • The building is steplessly accessible.
    • All evaluated rooms and facilities available to the guests are steplessly accessible or via elevators.
    • The elevator cabin measures 110 cm x 152 cm (in the castle). The elevator cabin (in the outer castle) measures 110 cm x 210 cm.
    • All evaluated passageways/doors available to the guests are at least 90 cm wide. Exception: WC door in the outer castle with 79 cm.
    • The cash desk is at its lowest point 88 cm high. There is another, equivalent communication possibility while in a sitting position.
    • External paths are at least 200 cm wide, easy to walk on and drive on and have a maximum longitudinal gradient of up to 14 %.
    • There is seating available.
    • The exhibits are predominately visible when seated.
    • There are wheelchair accessible tables available in the bistro (maximum height 80 cm, wheelchair accessible at a height of 67 cm and a depth of 30 cm).
    • There are no guided tours available for people with walking impairments and wheelchair users.
    • Offered aids: (wheeled) walker

    Public toilet for people with disabilities (in the castle)

    • The manoeuvring spaces are:
      in front of/behind the door, in front of the toilet and the washbasin at least 148cm x 150 cm;
      left and right of the toilet at least 85 cm x 70 cm.
    • There are grab rails available on the right and left of the toilet. The grab rails can be flipped-up.
    • The sink is wheelchair compatible.
    • The mirror can be seen while standing or sitting.
    • An alarm trigger is not available.

    Public toilet for people with disabilities (in the outer castle)

    • The manoeuvring spaces are:
      in front of/behind the door, in front of the toilet and the washbasin at least 106 cm x 150 cm;
      left of the toilet 36 cm x 75 cm and right of the toilet 130 cm x 75 cm.
    • There are grab rails available on the right and left of the toilet. The grab rail on the right of the toilet can be flipped-up.
    • The sink is wheelchair compatible.
    • The mirror can be seen while standing or sitting.
    • An alarm trigger is not available.
    Detailed information for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users

  • Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

    • There is no clearly visible alarm.
    • There is no audio induction loop system.
    • An outgoing emergency call in the elevator is confirmed audibly.
    • The information on the exhibits is provided in writing.
    • There is audible information on the exhibits.
    • In the bistro there are tables with bright and glare-free lighting, on which there are no lamps standing or hanging that interfere with the field of vision or eye contact.
    • There are no guided tours available for people with hearing impairment and deaf people.
    Detailed information for people with hearing impairments and hearing loss

  • Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

    • Assistance dogs are allowed in relevant areas/rooms.
    • External paths usually have visually contrasting and tactilely detectable sidewalk boundaries.
    • The entrance is visually rich in contrast.
    • All evaluated and usable areas for the guest are well illuminated, i.e. bright and glare-free.
    • The signage is designed in clearly legible and contrasting font.
    • An outgoing emergency call in the elevators is confirmed audibly. The elevators may only be used when accompanied by personnel.
    • Alternatively stairs are available.
    • Steps are not visually rich in contrast.
    • Stairs have partly no handrail.
    • The exhibits are usually well illuminated.
    • The information on the exhibits is provided in writing and is visually rich in contrast.
    • There is audible information on the exhibits.
    • There are no guided tours available for people with visual impairments and blind people.
    • Information is not available in Braille or prismatic font.
    Detailed information for people with visual impairments and the blind

  • Some information on accessibility are listed below. For detailed information please see the evaluation report.

    • The name or logo of the castle is clearly recognizable from the outside.
    • The objectives of the paths are always within sight or signs in visible distance are available.
    • The information on the exhibits is predominately provided in writing, but not in easy language.
    • There are no guided tours available for people with cognitive impairments.
    • Information is not displayed with pictograms or images.
    Detailed information for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users

Important information at a glance

  • Open all day
    Saturday12:00 - 17:00
    Sunday12:00 - 17:00

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