Location: Idar-Oberstein
Top Things to do in Idar-Oberstein
10 Things to Do in Idar-Oberstein That You Shouldn't Miss
Idar-Oberstein is a town in the Birkenfeld district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. As a Große kreisangehörige Stadt (large town belonging to a district), it assumes some of the responsibilities that for smaller municipalities in the district are assumed by the district administration. Today’s town of Idar-Oberstein is the product of two rounds of administrative reform, one in 1933 and the other in 1969, which saw many municipalities amalgamated into one. The various Stadtteile have, however, retained their original identities, which, aside from the somewhat more urban character encountered in Idar and Oberstein, tend to hearken back to each centre’s history as a rural village. Idar-Oberstein is known as a gemstone town, and also as a garrison town. It is also the largest town in the Hunsrück and has a population of 32,001 (December 31, 2015).
Restaurants in Idar-Oberstein
1. Deutsches Edelsteinmuseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Our Museum is one of the most important gemstone museums in Europe.The visitor finds a splendid exhibition of cut stones, minerals andengravings on 4 floors - with us, you find nearly all kinds ofgemstones from all over the world.
Reviewed By Aipalovik - Brussels, Belgium
Idar-Oberstein is a little out of the way, but well worth the visit. The mineral collections and artistic exhibits are of the highest quality and you can easily spend hours visiting. In the cellar there is an exhibition based on the theme of similarities between minerals and insects, and the selection is incredible. By comparison, the gift shop is a bit of a letdown because the nice things are very expensive and the cheap things too ordinary. I've seen better selections elsewhere. It's also a shame the museum makes you pay for the right to take pictures. We declined the audio guides despite most of the descriptions being written in German only, and we did not regret the decision.
2. Wildfreigehege Wildenburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Embeddedin the Mountains and Forests of the Hunsruck lies the Wildpark at the foot of the Wildenburg. It provides a unique view of various fallow deer species Dybowskiwild, mouflons and wild boar and, not to forget, the deer. The animals are kept in large, natural surroundings and most of them can be fed by visitors (animal food available at cashier).
Reviewed By themisterso - Grevenmacher District, Luxembourg
Visiting the park in February, early in the morning, we had an enchanting and relaxing experience. There was snow, it was cold, and we heard the wolves howling. Quite impressive. The children loved feeding the animals and the 5-km-walk is manageable for little legs.
3. Kupferbergwerk Fischbach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Matt G - Haughley, United Kingdom
We found a leaflet for this place in our accommodation and so glad we went. It was an excellent adventure back in time with our guide giving us lots of information in English. The nearby restaurant served good reasonably priced food and everyone was kind and helpful. Highly recommend!
Thanks!
4. Traumschleife Mittelalterpfad Wanderweg
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Jan S - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Mittelalterpfad is een 9 km lange wandelroute vanuit het mooie stadje Herrstein in de Hunsrück. De wandeling is heel afwisselend. Je loopt door verschillende soorten bossen, tussen landbouwgebied met mooie vergezichten en langs een beekje. De wandeling duurt ongeveer 3 uur 30 minuten.
Het is zeker geen moeilijke wandeling. Het wandelpad is perfect onderhouden en de bewegwijzering is uitstekend. Onderweg zijn voldoende bankjes om uit te rusten of te picknicken. Neem zelf eten en drinken mee. Onderweg is er geen mogelijkheid om iets te kopen. Enkele informatieborden geven interessante informatie over de geschiedenis van dit gebied. Deze informatie is alleen in het Duits.
De wandeling begint en eindigt in het bijzonder mooi gerestaureerde stadje Herrstein. Neem wat tijd om dit bijzondere plaatsje te verkennen. In Herrstein vind je ook een restaurant, café, bijzondere winkeltjes, een museum en een traditionele smid met een werkplaats en een winkel.
5. Felsenkirche
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By Laura M
We enjoyed our day of walking around Idar Oberstien but didn't realise that the church would be completely closed off for another month. It's still a lovely view from the top of the hill, but worth considering if you're set on seeing the inside.
6. Schloss-Schmiede
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Jan S - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
De 'Schloss-Schmiede' in Herrstein is een bijzondere attractie. Op de begane grond van een oud vakwerkhuis is de smidse te vinden. Met een beetje geluk zie je de smid aan het werk. Hij maakt traditionele messen, sikkels en ander werktuig.
Op de eerste verdieping is een tentoonstellingsruimte. Daar vind je een indrukwekkende collectie die door de smid is geproduceerd. De smid vertelt heel interessant over zijn vak, de technieken en de geschiedenis van de smederij. Er gaat opeens een oude wereld voor je open. De smid heeft ook Japanse zwaarden gemaakt. Ook deze zwaarden zijn hier te zien.
De Schloss-Schmiede is een mooie aanwinst voor het mooie dorpje Herrstein. Hier komt het verleden tot leven.
7. Steinkaulenberg Gemstone Mine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Beth F
We visited the mine and had a guided tour, which is much more interesting than touring yourself. They talk about the history of the mine, you see amethyst and crystal geodes in the mine and learn all about Idar-Oberstein's mining history. Very well worth it. Wear a sweater or jacket during the summer as it is chilly. The views surrounding the mine site are breathtaking.
8. Schloss Oberstein
Overall Ratings
4 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By GhislaineCordier - Amersfoort, The Netherlands
After we visited the Felsenkirche we continued our walk to the top and had a beer (Kirner) at the Schloss. You can also visit this by car!
9. Deutsches Mineralienmuseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By MrsE31 - Kaiserslautern, Germany
This place was very interesting. They had gemstones from all over the world. Very nice displays as well. I loved looking at the ways the stones were put into use.
10. Burg Bosselstein
Overall Ratings
4 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By Marinka H
With the use of your imagination and the information panel you can really see how it was before. Just a small detour on your way from the Felsenkirche to the castle above.
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