Schlitz offers several distinct highlights for a stay: a medieval keep, a special Advent tradition, a history of castles and palaces, a distillery and the Vulkanradweg. Plan your visit around whether culture, cycling or a tasting is your main priority.
Hinterturm and the Schlitzer Candle
The Hinterturm is a 14th-century keep, 36 metres high. From here, you can enjoy views across the Schlitzerland. On certain days, the viewing point can be reached by lift. If you want to use the lift, check in advance which days it is available.
A seasonal tradition of its own marks the Advent season: since 1991, red fabric panels have transformed the keep of the Hinterburg into the 42-metre-high Schlitzer Candle on every Advent weekend. It shines over Schlitz’s historic marketplace as the world’s largest Christmas candle. The Advent weekends are therefore an important point of reference when planning your dates; the tower and the candle tradition represent different aspects of the town.
Castle history and a town walk
Schloss Hallenburg was once the castle and residence of the Counts of Schlitz. Between 1706 and 1712, it was remodelled into a new late Baroque palace with a mansard roof, based on plans by French architect Louis Remy de la Fosse. The Schlitz Castle Museum is located in the Vorderburg. If you would like to explore the town’s history step by step, a printable German and English version of the historic walking tour of Schlitz is available.
Cycling on the Vulkanradweg
The 93-kilometre Vulkanradweg starts or ends in Schlitz and follows the route of a former railway line. Its length makes it a separate part of your planning: consider which section you would like to include in your stay rather than treating the entire route as a short loop around town.
The Vogelsberger Vulkan-Express carries bicycles to the Hoherodskopf free of charge; from there, you can cycle downhill along the Vulkanradweg. If you plan to use this option, check the Express timetable in advance. This way, the cycling route and the journey to the starting point remain separate parts of your planning.
Distillery and tastings
The Schlitz Distillery has a distilling tradition dating back to 1585. Its approximately two-hour experience tour costs €15 per person and includes a tasting of Milden Schlitzers, classic fruit brandies, fruit and herbal liqueurs, and a premium product. The tour visits all three distilleries and the historic whisky cellar. As the tour format may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before booking.
The Whisky Lounge offers a different selection: Single Malt, Single Grain and Wheat Malt are tasted side by side, along with whisky liqueur and selected cask-strength whiskies. Comparing the types of whisky offers a different focus from the experience tour, which features a range of brandies and liqueurs. The selection at the lounge may also change, so it is worth checking the latest tasting details.
Travel planning and accommodation
The candle is lit on Advent weekends, while the town walk, castle history, tower and distillery appeal to other interests; cyclists can also explore the Vulkanradweg. Match the planned length of your stay to the options that interest you, and check the latest conditions for tours.
More to explore in the Vogelsberg
The wider Vogelsberg destination offers more nature and culture. The Vogelsberg is Europe’s largest volcanic region; the Vogelsberger Bergmähwiesen are the largest protected areas of their kind in Hesse. The Vulkaneum in Schotten is an interactive museum that vividly explains volcanism. Its multimedia exhibition focuses on volcanism and the geology of the Vogelsberg; hands-on stations and interactive exhibits bring the past to life.
The other trails can also be distinguished by their stated features: the GipfelTour Schotten covers 14 kilometres, crossing four peaks in the Oberwald and passing through species-rich mountain meadows and forest areas with rugged basalt formations. The Weitblicktour Ulrichstein is a moderately difficult 11.6-kilometre loop around Ulrichstein through deciduous forests and varied farmland. The Vogelsberg therefore offers a choice of routes with different lengths and landscapes.
Discover more destinations: Bernshausen, Homberg, MĂĽcke, Lauterbach, Feldatal, Grebenhain, Alsfeld, Antrifttal
Back to the overview of destinations: Vogelsberg.
