Thanks to its central location in the heart of Germany, Willingen is an ideal starting point for activities in the surrounding area. Whether museums, traditional buildings, sights, UNESCO World Heritage sites or a trip to the surrounding towns:

The Sauerland as the "land of a thousand mountains" offers you numerous opportunities to actively and culturally develop yourself. See for yourself and experience the Sauerland up close - during your stay in Willingen!

UNESCO is committed to promoting education, science and culture as well as communication and information. UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites can also be found in the area around Willingen - in Kassel and near Bad Wildungen.

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Bergpark Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe

The Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe in the documenta city of Kassel has been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site since 2013. The baroque complex with the enormous castle, the Hercules statue and the 350m long cascade was built at the beginning of the 18th century. The historic water features with the Hercules figure towering above everything are an architectural and extraordinary masterpiece and offer a unique cultural landscape.

Distance: approx. 50 km, 40 minutes drive

Opening times: open all year round, water features in season: May 1st to October 3rd
Prices: free entry
More information at: www.museum-kassel.de

UNESCO World Heritage Kellerwald-Edersee National Park

As part of the World Heritage “Primeval beech forests of the Carpathians and ancient beech forests of Germany”, the national park is a unique, globally outstanding natural area with genuine primeval forest relics, magnificent beech forests and rare flora and fauna.

Distance: approx. 18 km, 25 minutes drive

More information at: www.nationalpark-kellerwald-edersee.de

Skywalk Willingen

At a height of 100m, the Skywalk, with a length of over 655m, floats over the landscapes of the Upland and Sauerland. As one of the longest suspension bridges in the world and even the longest cantilevered suspension bridge in the world, the SKYWALK offers visitors spectacular views. Every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. you can face the thrill and dare to walk across the bridge.

Die Schiefergrube Christine

In 1971, operations in the "Christine" slate mine ceased. Since then, the mine has been open to visitors and is part of the "Grenz-Welten" GeoPark. The slate mine offers an insight into a cantilevered chamber mine from the 20th century. Diving in the flooded tunnels is offered to trained divers.

In addition to the "Christine" mine in Willingen, there are other mines and tunnels in the area that are worth visiting, e.g. "Grube Christiane" in Adorf, "Goldbergwerk Eisenberg" near Korbach or "Kilianstollen" in Marsberg.

Mühlenkopfschanze

The Mühlenkopfschanze is not only worth a trip for the World Cup ski jumping. All year round, visitors can use the funicular for up and down trips and take the glass elevator up to the ski jump tower, where the top stars of the ski jumping scene get ready to jump year after year. You can also enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Aufwind café-restaurant at the end of the Mühlenkopfschanze.

Brewery tour

Here, experts explain how Willingen beer is brewed according to the German Purity Law of 1516. Not only will you learn the difference between top-fermented and bottom-fermented brewing, but you will also take a closer look at the four basic ingredients of beer and have our master brewer explain to you why only unfiltered beer is good beer.

Willinger Glass factory

Learn about the centuries-old tradition of glassblowing at the Willingen Glass Factory. Look over the shoulders of the professional glassblowers as they work and experience how a glowing, 1300 °C hot glass mass takes shape and color before your eyes.

Pilgerims church

12 stations lead you through the church space of the Schwalefeld Pilgrims' Church. Each station corresponds to an element of the service. A wailing wall has also been built, where every visitor can make a request or express their thanks. Marvel for yourself at the Schwalefeld Pilgrims' Church, right on the new Upland Contemplation Trail.

Bruchhauser Steine

In the European gold village of Bruchhausen, right on the Rothaarsteig, there are many things worth seeing: The Bruchhauser Steine ​​visitor destination with the information center at the entrance offers an interesting and natural insight into culture, landscape and history. The four porphyry rocks are of national importance.

Schloss Waldeck

approx. 47 km from Willingen

200 m above the 27 km long Edersee sits the region's landmark, the imposing Waldeck Castle, once the ancestral home of the Counts of Waldeck, who resided here until the 17th century.
From the viewing terrace you have a fantastic view of the Edersee and the wooded mountains of the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park. Visiting the castle complex is free, but there is a fee for the castle museum.