Discover Unkel: Culture, hiking trails and Rhine views

Unkel offers a range of attractions for a stay: the history of Willy Brandt, literary sites, historic buildings and hiking trails with views of the Rhine and the Rhine Valley. When planning your trip, consider whether cultural history or a walking tour should be the focus. Each of the local sights and trails has its own character.

Culture and history in Unkel

The Willy Brandt Forum is located on Willy-Brandt-Platz in the heart of Unkel’s old town. The museum commemorates the life and work of German Chancellor, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Unkel resident Willy Brandt (1913–1992). Its permanent exhibition documents key stages in his political career and offers insights into his lesser-known life as a citizen of the town. The Forum is open to everyone, and admission is free. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.

The town hall also tells a story of another era: Built in 1855, the building was fitted with an equipped air-raid shelter in its basement in 1936 by order of the authorities. Since 2005, it has again been furnished with original items that were required at the time, such as fire beaters, gas masks and air-raid helmets. The exhibits offer a glimpse into life in the basement during wartime. The prison tower was built around 1550 as part of the town’s fortifications. St. Pantaleon is notable for its Gothic and Baroque interior and a Chapel of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Literary history awaits at the Freiligrath House at the end of Pützgasse, right on the Rhine promenade. The poet Ferdinand Freiligrath lived there in 1839 and 1840. Since 2023, the town of Unkel and the Unkel Development Agency, together with partners, have hosted the UNKEL LIEST reading festival. By its third edition, it had already become a tradition. Works written in Unkel or with a special connection to the town are presented at various venues in the town centre. Dates and the programme vary with each edition; check the specific event details if you plan to attend the festival.

Hiking trails and views

The Unkel Steles Trail can be explored on a short 6.5-kilometre route or a longer 8-kilometre route. The trails were created in 2022 and 2023. Another option is the “Around Unkel – Vineyards and Views” circular hiking trail, which is about 4 kilometres long and follows forest and hiking paths. This gives you a choice of routes of different lengths, though no walking time or difficulty level can be inferred from this alone.

The ascent to the Rhine Trail begins at the waterfall in the Hähnerbachtal valley. From the viewing platform on Stuxhöhe, you can see across Unkel, the Rhine and the Rhine Valley. A Rhine Trail portal was inaugurated on Stuxberg on 22 October 2025. It serves as a photo spot featuring the Rhine Trail logo. The viewpoint and the portal are separate points of interest for anyone who wants to include landscapes and distinctive photo opportunities in their travel plans.

Plan a stay around your interests

Wine is also part of the town’s identity: well-known wines from Unkel include “Unkeler Funkeler” and “Pantaleon.” No tasting is implied; instead, the names add a local connection to the town’s cultural and scenic attractions.

If you are looking for a hotel in Unkel, the town’s different attractions can help guide your choice of destination: the Willy Brandt Forum and the historic sites offer cultural history, while the circular hiking trail, the Steles Trail and the viewpoints appeal to other interests. First decide what you want your stay to focus on, then compare specific hotel offers for your travel dates.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Neuwied.