Mines and caves in Germany - 7 exciting tips

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Did you know that there are many exciting mines and caves in Germany to visit? We have visited the bat cave in Bad Segeberg ourselves, and can also recommend a salt mine with a long history, a cave with objects from the Stone Age and several caves with large stalactites and stalagmites.

Mines and caves in Germany

Our visit to the bat cave in Bad Segeberg a few years ago was a pleasant surprise. We had also planned to visit the open-air theatre "Karl May Spiele", which is right next door, but it didn't work out as planned because we came to the "Karl May Spiele". wrong day of the week. Fortunately, the cave alone proved to be worth the detour. And yes, there are many more mines and caves in Germany, we discovered.

In this report, we present, in collaboration with the German Tourist Office, seven exciting German caves.

1. Bavaria: Berchtesgaden salt mine

Berchtesgaden in Bavaria has a history of salt extraction dating back to the 12th century. The salt mine that exists here today (Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden) was opened in 1517 and has been in continuous operation ever since. The mine is located up to 300 metres below the surface.

A special experience you can take part in is having dinner in the salt mine. You can put on a miner's suit, be served a glass of sekt (German sparkling wine), take a miniature train 650 metres into the mine, have a guided tour and then be served a buffet dinner with drinks. Nearby attractions include the Berchtesgaden National Park with its dramatic mountain views and beautiful lakes.

• Address: Bergwerkstrasse 83, Berchtesgaden,
• Read more: Website of the cave
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Camping Simonhof (Alte Reichenhallerstrasse 110, Ramsau) or Camping Allweglehen (Allweggasse 4, Berchtesgaden).
• Pitches in the neighbourhood: Parking Kehlstein (Obersalzbergstrasse, Berchtesgaden) or Reisemobilstellplatz Allweglehen (Allweggasse 4, Berchtesgaden).
• More to see in the area: Berchtesgaden National Park, Lake Königssee and Munich.

2nd Baden-Württemberg: Hohle Fels in Schelklingen

Hohle Fels, meaning 'hollow rock', is one of the largest indoor caves in the Swabian Alb mountain range. Archaeological finds from the Neolithic and Neanderthal periods have been found here, including weapons, jewellery and artefacts. The cave can usually be visited from 1 May to 31 October. It is closed in winter to protect the animals that hibernate here.

If you like caves, there are even more in the area around Blaubeuren, right next to the Hohle Fels. The area is protected by UNESCO and many exciting discoveries have been made in the various caves. The museum in Blaubeuren includes a bone flute, which is the oldest musical instrument in the world to date. Less than an hour away by car is the magically beautiful Lichtenstein Castle.

• Address: Hohler-Felsen-Weg, Schelklingen
• Read more: Website of the cave
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Camping in Hopfenburg (Hopfenburg 12, Münsingen) or Camping Christophrus (Werte 6, Kirchberg).
• Parking space in the neighbourhood: Hohle Fels car park (Auf dem Hauchen, Schelklingen).
• More to see in the area: Museum in Blaubeuren, Lichtenstein Castle and the city of Ulm.

3. Saxony-Anhalt: Rübeländer dripstone caves in the Harz Mountains

There are two caves in the cave town of Rübeland: the Baumannshöhle cave and the Hermannshöhle cave. According to legend, Baumansshöhle was discovered around 1536 by the miner Friedrich Baumann, which is how the cave got its name. The cave consists of many interconnected cavities, the main one being the so-called Goethe Hall, where concerts are held today.

Hermannshöhle is located right next to Baumannshöhle. This cave is famous for its stalagtites and the bones of the cave bear. Nearby you can visit the Harz National Park, with the Brocken mountain rising to a peak of 1141 metres. Travellers can take the Brockenbahn steam train to the Brocken terminus, which is the highest railway station in Germany.

• Address: Blankenburger Str. 36, Oberharz am Brocken (Baumanshöhle) and Hasselfelder Strasse 2 (Hermansshöhle).
• Read more: Website of the cave
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Camping at the Brocken (Schützenring 6, Elbingerode) or Camping Panoramablick (Hinterdorf 79, Dankerode).
• More to see in the area: The Harz National Park, the Brocken mountain, the Harzer Schmalspurbahn (narrow gauge railway with steam locomotives) and the city Quedlinburg.

4th Saxony: Drachenhöhle Syrau in Vogtland

Drachenhöhle means 'dragon cave' in Swedish. Located 16 metres below the surface, the cave offers a hidden and fantastic world where you will find stalagtites, interesting formations and an underground lake. Are there also dragons? You might have to come here and find out for yourself! In any case, the website promises that this is an experience for the whole family. Apparently, you can also experience LED lighting and background music here.

Nearby attractions include the Thuringian Schiefergebirge/Obere Saale Nature Park, with its winding Saale River. If you prefer to visit cities, you can go to Chemnitz or Leipzig.

• Address: Höhlenberg 10, Paul Seifert Street, Syrau.
• Read more: Website of the cave
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Camping Lindenau (Am Forstteich, Lindenau/Schneeberg) or Camping Gunzenberg (Möschwitz, Hauptstrasse 38, Pöhl).
• Parking space in the neighbourhood: Drachenhöhle Syrau (Paul Seifertstrasse, Syrau).
• More to see in the area: Thuringian Slate Mountains/Upper Saale Nature Parks, the city Chemnitz and Leipzig.

5th Thuringia: Saalfeld fairy cave

Feengrotte means 'fairy cave' in Swedish. This cave is particularly famous for its coloured stalactites and its magical world of fairies. There is a whole adventure world for children with different experiences and also an "adventure museum".

If you like wine, you can visit the Saale-Unstrut wine region. You can also take a trip to Moritzburg Castle, which is considered one of the most beautiful castles in the area. Built as a hunting lodge in the 16th century, the castle sits on an island surrounded by artificial lakes and canals.

• Address: Feengrottenweg 2, Saalfeld/Saale..
• Read more: Website of the cave
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Camping Weissensee (Günstedter Strasse, Weissensee) or Camping am Tor zum Hainrich (Hainichstrasse 22, Weberstedt).
• Parking space in the neighbourhood: Feengrotten Saalfeld (Feengrottenweg 2,Saalfeld)
• More to see in the area: Moritzburg Castle, the city of Jena and the Saale-Unstrut wine region.

6. North Rhine-Westphalia: Atta Cave in Attendorn

Atta Cave is famous for its large stalactites and stalagmites. The cave was discovered in 1907, while quarrying limestone, and opened to tourists in the same year. Today it is the most visited tourist cave in all of Germany, with around 350,000 tourists per year.

In addition to the exciting formations in the cave, a tasty cheese ripens here, and you can come here to taste both cheese and wine. In the neighbourhood of the cave you will find the Teutoburger Forest. If you want to go on to bigger cities, Bonn and Cologne are just over an hour away by car.

• Address: Finnentroper Str. 39, Attendorn
• Read more: Website of the cave
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Naturcamping Kessenhammer-Biggesee (Kessenhammer 3, Olpe/Kessenhammer) or Camping Seeblick (Seeuferstr. 2, Meinerzhagen).
• Parking space in the neighbourhood: Atta Cave (Finnentroper Strasse 39, Attendorn).
• More to see in the area: Teutoburg Forest, Bonn and Cologne.

7. Schleswig-Holstein: Kalkberg cave in Bad Segeberg

The Kalkberg cave in Bad Segeberg (Kalkberghöhle) is a large bat cave found by children at play in 1913. It is now known that around 18,000 (!) bats hibernate here every year. To protect the bats from cats, owls and other dangers, a small wooden entrance has been built, and here the owls sit hopefully watching for prey.

We visited this cave in the summer of 2018, which was very interesting. Besides being down in the 2285 metres long cave, we also visited the Noctalis museum. There is educational information about animals and nature for both adults and children (in German, English and Danish). Nearby you can experience Travemünde, Lübeck or the holiday resort Timmendorfer strand, with its long sandy beaches.

• Address: Oberbergstr. 27, Bad Segeberg
• Read more: Website of the cave and our visit to the cave.
• Campsites in the neighbourhood: Camping Seeblick (Dorfstrasse 59, Dersau) or Sjöcamping Weisser Brunnen (Seestrasse 12, Wittenborn).
• Parking space in the neighbourhood: Kalkbergblick caravan site (Kastanienweg 1, Bad Segeberg).
• More to see in the area: Karl May outdoor theatre play in Bad Segeberg, Timmendorfer Strand, Travemünde and Lübeck.

More to discover in Germany

Would you like to discover more exciting sights and experiences in Germany? Here you will find more reading and more reports:

• Amusement parks in northern Germany
• Natural areas in Germany
• Festivals in Germany
• Holiday routes in northern Germany