Why you should visit Externsteine

Externsteine is highly recommended for a day trip, offering a blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Plan your visit outside peak season to avoid crowds and check for accessibility to the stones. Be prepared for parking and possible entrance fees.

  1. Visit Externsteine to experience unique rock formations, enjoy stunning panoramic views, immerse yourself in nature, and explore a historically significant site. The surrounding forest offers excellent hiking opportunities for all skill levels.

Things you should know before visiting

Check the accessibility of the stones before visiting, as they may be closed for construction or during the off-season. Bring cash for parking, entrance fees, and restaurants. Wear comfortable shoes for climbing and hiking. Guided tours available on Sundays before 11 am.

Pros & Cons

  • Beautiful natural rock formations
  • Great for hiking and walking
  • Panoramic views from the top
  • Peaceful and relaxing atmosphere
  • Historically significant site
  • Parking fee of 4€
  • Toilet usage fee of 0.50€
  • Can be crowded during peak season
  • Limited or no access to the stones during the off-season or construction
  • No student discount available for climbing

Highlighted Reviews

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Fascinating natural architecture consisting of tall columns of rocks surrounded by lake and grasslands.

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What an interesting place to visit. Amazing energy at certain places. Very old sacred site.

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Die Steine sehen toll aus, aber sind nichts besonderes. Außerdem sind sie aktuell noch zu und es scheint als wäre dort auch eine Baustelle.

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Wer in der Nähe ist, sollte und muss sich das anschauen. Ein absoluter Pflichtbesuch.

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Visiting Externsteine was a captivating experience... We highly recommend a visit to anyone looking for a unique and enriching adventure.

What do visitors really think?

Visitor Reviews

Frequently mentioned in reviews:

visit (16) rocks (10) nature (8) parking (8) park (8) experience (8) Externsteine (7) climb (7) time (7) sind (7)

Top-rated.online cuts through the clutter, highlighting only the reviews that are most helpful, earn the most likes, or come from the most active contributors.

4/5
Dom
2 years ago on Google • 293 reviews

Lovely place in nature to spend a day with your family. The Externsteine are cool and the neighboring parks are great for hiking. There are some eating possibilities around and much space for a picnic. The parking (paid) situation is good.

5/5
Günter W.
1 year ago on Google • 260 reviews

Hey warren im Mai 2024 an den Externsteinen sehr schön

5/5
Dr. Naveen R.
6 months ago on Google • 192 reviews

I find this place calm and close to nature. You can do picnic stuff or enjoy the nature. The day I visited this place is a rainy day. The best part is plenty of parking space and a flat parking fee of 4 euros. You can hike, sit and breath in nature here. You can climb the stairs with a fee of 4 euro ticket and the view is amazing from the top. The ticket counter have timming, it close at 5 pm. So better check online before you visit but still you can enter in park and spend some quality time.

5/5
Dr. RM, A T.
2 years ago on Google • 166 reviews

Fascinating natural architecture consisting of tall columns of rocks surrounded by lake and grasslands. Great place to visit for nature lovers. One can climb up using the staircase to the top to enjoy the panoramic view. I find it a worth visit. Please keep in mind that the direct bus available one in an hour. Great place for relax and one day outing.

5/5
Marion B.
1 year ago on Google • 140 reviews

Wir war vor Saison Start dort und trotzdem kann ich es nur jedem empfehlen,es einmal zu besuchen. Werden auf jeden Fall noch einmal wieder kommen.

3/5
Isabel N.
1 year ago on Google • 106 reviews

Die Steine sehen toll aus, aber sind nichts besonderes. Außerdem sind sie aktuell noch zu und es scheint als wäre dort auch eine Baustelle. Außerdem kostet der Parkplatz 4€ und die Toilettennutzung 50ct, was ich echt happig finde. Schade, dass solche Naturschauspiele so kommerzialisiert werden.

5/5
Stefankai S.
2 years ago on Google • 105 reviews

The place is a wonderful park with the 40m high boulders dominating the small lake. Kilometers of easy hiking paths surround the rocks. You can freely visit the park (parking fee is 4 € - if there is a ling queue at the vending machine, you find another one just at the exit of the parking lot, this can save you tons of time when leaving) without climbing the stairs to the rocks themselves (entry 3€ for adults). Lovely trails through the woods and alongside the small lake and a large meadow to relax and picknick. 10km to the Herrmannsdenkmal, another well-known landmark. Bring your own food or visit the fine restaurant Felsenwirt near the entrance/exit. Dogs are welcome, too.

5/5
Adithya H.
2 years ago on Google • 103 reviews

Around 2 to 3km walk from horn bad meinster hbf. Amazing place to have a picnic and also many hiking routes around this place starting from 4 km to around 12 km. Entry ticket is 4euro per person if you want to climb on the rocks

5/5
Caroline H.
1 year ago on Google • 102 reviews

Beautiful, impressive views nice walk around

5/5
Benjamin P.
1 year ago on Google • 87 reviews

This was really a sight to see. Whilst walking through the woods, you know the rockformation is close, but you don't see it. That, until you reach a viewpoint and you get to experience this full-on. It's really a sight to see, must visit when in the area!

4/5
Benjamin M.
1 year ago on Google • 84 reviews

Schöner Ausflugsort. Erwachsene zahlen 4€ pro Person. Kinder bis 6 Jahren sind frei. Die Toiletten sind jedoch echt weit weg.

5/5
Alla L.
1 year ago on Google • 82 reviews

Nice place with several hiking routes. Dogs are not allowed up to the stones.

5/5
Ahasan Ullah S.
1 year ago on Google • 80 reviews

A must visit ancient place with nature. Huge are to hike and lake side to explore.

5/5
Peter Van Der M.
2 years ago on Google • 63 reviews

What an interesting place to visit. Amazing energy at certain places. Very old sacred site. Lovely forest behind the little lake. Also good to start a proper hiking route. The parking is 4 euros and brings you very close by. Or park at the other side of the forest. The restaurant is nice to eat before the place closes around 1730.

4/5
Harpert C.
1 year ago on Google • 61 reviews

Mooi wandel en fiets gebied, de stenen zijn zeker de tocht waard

5/5
S. P.
1 year ago on Google • 59 reviews

Was soll man sagen? Wer ist der Nähe ist, sollte und muss sich das anschauen. Ein absoluter Pflichtbesuch

5/5
Lucy S.
9 months ago on Google • 58 reviews

Amazing place to visit. Parking easy. Cost of parking €4. Entry to walk up to the top of the monument is €4. Fab restaurant. If you eat/drink there it's free to use the toilet. Lots of lovely walks surrounding the area.

5/5
Smoky S.
1 year ago on Google • 57 reviews

Grandiosee Blick. Aber der Aufstieg geht in die Beine, da due Steinstufen ungleich hoch sind.

5/5
Wiz
9 months ago on Google • 56 reviews

Very nice place to do a hike with friends or family. Nice spots for any photography enthusiasts as well.

4/5
Dargoball von S.
1 year ago on Google • 54 reviews

Fantastic trippy experience. Be there early on Sunday before 11 am if you want to take a guided tour to and be allowed to go into the the carved out chambers. (I missed that part.). It's awe inspiring. The southeast facing side was full of positive energy. The northwest side was dull and draining. The small inscribed stone on the platform on the north most scalable pillar had extremely good chi, 21000 bovis according to my measurements at noon. (I used the traditional bovis scale and that goes from zero up to max 24000). Bring cash, since they don't take credit cards. The only reason I don't give five stars is because it's only one guided tour a week.

4/5
Oliltim
6 months ago on Google • 53 reviews

A wonderful, beautiful place. It's better to go for the whole day and take a snack with you. There is a large park with paths around. There are enough benches to sit, relax and admire the views. You can also pay by card at the cash desk. A machine behind the park takes cash.

4/5
Olha R.
6 months ago on Google • 48 reviews

A wonderful, beautiful place. It's better to go for the whole day and take a snack with you. There is a large park with paths around. There are enough benches to sit, relax and admire the views. You can also pay by card at the cash desk. A machine behind the park takes cash.

4/5
Tejas N.
1 year ago on Google • 43 reviews

Visiting Externsteine was a captivating experience for my friends and me. Nestled in the heart of the Teutoburg Forest, this natural rock formation is not only a stunning sight but also steeped in history and mystery. We decided to spend a summer weekend exploring this remarkable place and found it to be well worth the visit. Upon arriving, the first thing that struck us was the sheer majesty of the rock formations. Towering above the surrounding forest, the Externsteine are a sight to behold. The entry ticket for climbing the rocks is reasonably priced at 4 euros per adult. However, it's important to note that there are no student discounts available, which might be a slight downside for some. The climb itself was exhilarating. There are two main peaks to conquer, each offering its own unique challenges and rewards. The ascent is relatively easy, making it accessible to most visitors. As we reached the top, we were greeted by breathtaking panoramic views of the lush green forest and the serene landscape beyond. The vantage point from the top of the rocks provides an unparalleled perspective that is perfect for photography enthusiasts. The pictures we took from the top turned out to be absolutely stunning, capturing the beauty of the landscape in all its glory. Aside from climbing the rocks, there is plenty to do around Externsteine. We took our time walking around the area, soaking in the tranquil atmosphere and marveling at the intricate carvings and historic significance of the site. The surroundings are perfect for a leisurely stroll, offering numerous spots to sit, relax, and take in the natural beauty. Our visit lasted about 2 to 3 hours, which felt just right to fully appreciate everything Externsteine has to offer without feeling rushed. The experience left us with a deep sense of awe and appreciation for this unique landmark. Whether you are a nature lover, a history buff, or simply looking for a picturesque spot to explore, Externsteine has something for everyone. In conclusion, our trip to Externsteine was an unforgettable experience. The combination of natural beauty, historical intrigue, and serene ambiance made it a highlight of our summer. We highly recommend a visit to anyone looking for a unique and enriching adventure.

5/5
manijeh k.
4 months ago on Google • 40 reviews

It is amazing and I recommend it but very slippery in winter.

5/5
J B.
1 year ago on Google • 39 reviews

Eine schöne magische Ausflugsziel.

3/5
Per G.
9 months ago on Google • 35 reviews

The stones themselves are nice but the experience leaves much to be desired. Too many people are allowed to go up at once which leads to difficult and sometimes dangerous situations on the steep stairs. In my opinion they should limit the group sized going up, maybe working with a timeslot system, to avoid overcrowding and make the experience more enjoyable. Also the Pinnacle of the big stone, the one you reach by the small bridge is full of graffiti and could benefit from a cleaning.

4/5
Dhananjoy P.
2 years ago on Google • 33 reviews

A bunch of odd sand stone rocks standing at the side of the forest. A nice place to visit for some time Or at the time of hiking. No shops for food nearby and parking is little far from these rocks. A beautiful place inside the lap of mother nature is amazing. Hiking inside the forest around this place gives an amazing experience. January 2024: you need a 4 euros ticket (adult) if you want to climb or hike to the top of the rocks.

5/5
Swanand T.
6 months ago on Google • 21 reviews

Top Experience. I recommend going in Fall season. Nature is just lovely here.

5/5
Inese B.
11 months ago on Google • 21 reviews

This is a magical place where to see something beautiful. Not so much everything, but to spend time there is perfect event for the day.

5/5
Vicci J.
10 months ago on Google • 16 reviews

Great historical monument. Fantastic to get to climb to the top. The grounds are extensive for walking as well.

5/5
Thurai
1 year ago on Google • 14 reviews

Schöner geht's fast gar nicht in Deutschland. Perfekt für Anfänger und Experten.

4/5
Ankit A.
1 year ago on Google • 13 reviews

Went there on a Public Holiday, it was full up of people.The place is Calm, no chaos.Though if you are looking for no crowd at all , i would suggest to go there in the weekdays.The Tickets counter Accept Cards,CashApple Pay as well ,so nothing to worry about.But the bad thing was that after getting there we were thirsty, and there was no kiosk Open at that moment of time.So carry your own drinks would be a nice idea(Be Independent 😝). Its a must visit place if you never been there, its clean and you need to have comfortable clothes and shoes to climb the rock. The way to the rock Structures have a good offbeat trek, so me i walked almost 1.9km to reach there. But there is a alternative way as well by which the trek is smaller.

3/5
Silvia W.
1 year ago on Google • 7 reviews

Im Moment noch Baustelle vor den Externsteinen! Und die Steine sind nicht begehbar wg. Vorsaison.

5/5
Julian C.
1 year ago on Google • 6 reviews

Mega toller Platz/ Ort. Muss man einmal gesehen haben bzw. besucht haben. Tolle Gegend. Wunderschöne Natur.

5/5
Kinga M.
8 months ago on Google • 5 reviews

Definitely worth a visit if nearby - you can visit for half an hour or make a day out of it.

5/5
P G.
1 year ago on Google • 3 reviews

It was absolutely amazing!!

3/5
c'est m.
1 year ago on Google • 1 review

Wir waren außerhalb der Saison dort, außerdem wird gerade der Vorplatz direkt vor den Steinen erneuert, daher kein Zugang auf die Steine. War für uns kein Problem, wir wollten auf der Durchfahrt die Füße vertreten. Auch wenn Parken etc. heute sehr organisiert und auch kommerzialisiert sind, war es den Ausflug wert. Wer gern spazieren geht und die Ruhe genießen mag, ist hier gut aufgehoben.

5/5
Michell M.
1 year ago on Google • 2 reviews

Aufjedenfall Eine Erfahrung wert, das Lokal ganz in der Nähe ist auch einen Besuch wert

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