Daun.
Daun sits in the volcanic Eifel hills, an hour west of Koblenz along the A48. The town is built around ancient volcanic maar lakes and quiet mineral springs, serving as the central base for exploring the crater landscape. Daun is worth visiting if you want to swim in flooded volcanic calderas, cycle former rail lines into the Mosel valley, and eat slow-baked Döppekooche after a long walk. Look elsewhere if you want late-night nightlife, urban shopping streets, or guaranteed dry summer skies.
Last updated 20 Oct 2026
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Volcanic Lakes
Swim in the Gemündener Maar, walk the quiet rim of Weinfelder Maar, or rent a wooden rowboat on the open water at Schalkenmehren.
Volcanic Lakes
Swim in the Gemündener Maar, walk the quiet rim of Weinfelder Maar, or rent a wooden rowboat on the open water at Schalkenmehren.
Three Maar Ridge Walk
Weinfelder Maar
Park at the lot off the L64 road between Schalkenmehren and Daun. The loop path connecting the Weinfelder and Gemündener Maar craters takes two hours and is free to access.
Editor TipThese water-filled craters formed roughly twenty to thirty thousand years ago when rising magma collided with groundwater, blasting circular funnels into the Devonian slate. Climb up to the stone Dronketurm tower first; the early morning light across the crater makes the short climb worthwhile.
Volcanic Geology Survey
Vulkanmuseum Daun
Pay six euros at the Leopoldstraße desk. Give yourself sixty minutes to inspect the seismographs, volcanic ash strata, and heavy volcanic bomb specimens.
Editor TipHoused inside the old district administrative building, the museum details the phreatomagmatic explosions that engineered the entire Eifel volcanic field. Ask for the English guide sheet at the counter, as some exhibit signage is solely in German.
Pan-Fried Eifel Trout
Restaurant Maarblick
Reserve a lakeside terrace table for early evening. Order the local trout served with parsley potatoes and melted butter, which costs around twenty-five euros.
Editor TipFed by deep volcanic springs, the cold regional waters have sustained freshwater fish farming and simple tavern cookery across the Eifel for centuries. Ask for a dry Elbling from the upper Mosel; it cuts through the rich butter sauce without any fuss.
Morning Walk Around Gemündener Maar
Gemündener Maar
Follow the forested path from the southern edge of town down to the crater rim. It takes forty minutes at an easy clip, with zero entry fees and total morning quiet.
Editor TipFormed roughly 30,000 years ago by violent steam explosions, this deep volcanic funnel reflects the dense beech forest and remains a tranquil civic preserve. The lakeside wooden benches catch the first low sun; bring a warm thermos and sit five minutes in silence.
Heated Hearth and Maar Trout
Gasthaus Kupferkessel
Reserve an indoor table for seven. Order the whole pan-fried crater trout alongside Döppekooche, the slow-cooked potato cake baked crisp in cast iron.
Editor TipVolcanic mineral runoff feeds cold, oxygen-dense streams ideal for brown trout, while the Eifel potato cake sustained generations of quarry workers who needed heavy calories after long shifts. Ask for a dry glass of Mosel Elbling with the fish. It cuts right through the rich bacon fat in the potatoes without fuss.
Rowing a Volcanic Caldera
Bootsverleih am Schalkenmehrener Maar
Rent a wooden rowing boat by the jetty for under ten euros an hour. No booking needed; just hand over cash and push off onto the dark water.
Editor TipFormed roughly 20,000 years ago during explosive phreatomagmatic eruptions, these deep circular water bodies defined the region's geological identity long before farming took over. Stick to the reed-lined eastern bank where the wind drops and dragonflies congregate by the hundreds.
Döppekooche and Regional Game
Restaurant Zur Post Schalkenmehren
Reserve an evening table out on the terrace. Expect crisp potato Döppekooche with smoked bacon, local venison ragout, and Bitburger Pils poured properly from the tap.
Editor TipDöppekooche was once a poor man's feast for Saint Martin's Day, baked slowly in cast iron so grated spuds, onion, and lardons formed a dark, satisfying crust. Order the wild boar stew whenever the seasonal chalkboard lists it; the local foresters supply the kitchen directly.
Note from the Editor
“Start along the crater ridges before nine in the morning. By eleven, coaches arrive at the main overlooks, but an early start gives you the cool water and silent forest entirely to yourself.”
The Bed
Where to stay in Daun
Which part of town to book, and what each one costs you in walking, noise or quiet.
The Comparison
Daun, or somewhere near it
The places you are realistically choosing between, and the honest case for each.
The Local Record
Where to read more about Daun
The blogs, boards, guides and operators worth bookmarking.
What to do in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Daun revolves around its volcanic crater lakes, known locally as maars, which form deep blue bowls between forested hills. The town itself is small, practical, and unpretentious, centered on Leopoldstrasse and the Kurpark. Days here are spent outdoors on foot or saddle, followed by substantial rustic meals in wood-paneled guesthouses. It suits walkers, road cyclists, and families seeking brisk air and quiet country rhythms.
24 hours in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Begin with a morning loop around Gemündener and Weinfelder Maare before the crowds arrive. Head into Daun for lunch at a Gasthaus for Döppekooche with apple sauce. Spend the afternoon at the Vulkanmuseum learning why the ground once blew open, then walk up to the castle hill for a quiet evening view across the valley. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Day two belongs on two wheels. Rent a touring bike by the old Daun station and coast along the Maare-Mosel-Radweg through former rail tunnels down to the village of Gillenfeld. Stop for fresh goat cheese at Vulkanhof, then continue along the Lieser path before returning by shuttle bus for a glass of local fruit schnapps. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
A third day lets you branch out into the wider Vulkaneifel. Drive north to Wallenborn to watch the Wallender Born cold-water geyser erupt on the half-hour. Spend the afternoon wandering through the wild beech stands of the Manderscheider Burgen gorge, finishing with roast game and a fresh pilsner in a timbered tavern.
Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany itineraries by interest
Volcanic Lakes in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Swim in the Gemündener Maar, walk the quiet rim of Weinfelder Maar, or rent a wooden rowboat on the open water at Schalkenmehren.
Cycling in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Ride the Maare-Mosel-Radweg, a gentle 58-kilometre downhill path along a disused rail line through viaducts and lit tunnels to Bernkastel.
Regional Cooking in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Order Eifeler Döppekooche, a crisp-crusted grated potato cake studded with bacon, or tender local roe deer stewed with lingonberries.
Hiking Trails in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Tackle Stage 11 of the Eifelsteig trail, climbing the dry maar walls and descending through beech forests toward the Lieser valley.
Mineral Springs in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Sample carbonated, iron-rich water straight from the Dunaris spring tap or take a quiet walk through the town kurpark drinking pavilion.
Geology & Science in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Study seismographs and volcanic rock cores at the Vulkanmuseum Daun before visiting the nearby Strohner Lava wall in the countryside.
Local Cheese in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Taste raw-milk goat cheeses and aged gouda-style wheels at Vulkanhof farm dairy in nearby Gillenfeld, paired with crusty rye loaf.
Castle Ruins in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Climb the basalt crag to the remnants of Burg Daun, an eleventh-century fortress overlooking the town roofs and the Lieser river bend.
Day Trips in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Drive twenty minutes north to the cold-water geyser at Wallenborn or thirty minutes south to the steep Riesling terraces along the Mosel.
Wildlife Parks in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Take the six-kilometre forest drive through the Wild- & Erlebnispark Daun to see free-roaming red deer, wild boar, and European bison.
Distilleries in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Sample traditional Eifeler Obstbrand made from local orchard plums, apples, and sour cherries at small family-run fruit distilleries.
Old Churches in Daun Rhineland-Palatinate Germany
Visit the fourteenth-century Dronketurm tower on the Mäuseberg or the Romanesque parish church of St. Nikolaus in the town centre.