Plizio Visual Lab
Altena
ℹ️Practical info — Altena
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Use the 'Erlebnisaufzug' (experience elevator) to Altena Castle to save yourself the steep climb.
- Combine your castle visit with the German Wire Museum located at the bottom of the hill.
- Parking is tight in the narrow Lenne valley; use the designated visitor car parks along the riverbank.
- Explore the river valley early in the morning when a photogenic mist often hangs over the Lenne.
🍽 Food
Schnitzel on toast topped with a fried egg. Try it in traditional taverns in the pedestrian zone.
Hearty dark bread. Get fresh slices from bakeries along Lennestraße.
Enjoy the view of the town with a slice of cake at the castle courtyard cafe.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Small art pieces made of wire. Look for them in the museum shop or local craft stores.
Great for picking up local sausages and cheese in the town center.
A leisurely walking path right on the banks of the Lenne river.
A nearby reservoir well-suited for a quiet forest walk away from the traffic.
Water temperature…
Altena, situated in the Märkischer Kreis district, is a town defined by its dramatic topography and deep industrial roots. Perched high on a rocky spur above the Lenne River is Castle Altena, arguably the town's most famous landmark. In 1912, it became the birthplace of the worldwide youth hostel movement when Richard Schirrmann opened the first permanent hostel within its walls. Down in the valley, Altena established itself as a global leader in the wire industry, earning the nickname 'the town of wire drawers.' The German Wire Museum, located just below the castle, provides an extensive look at how wire has shaped human civilization. Due to its location in a narrow valley, the town features dense historical architecture and a unique multimedia elevator that transports visitors from the town center through the mountain directly to the castle. Today, Altena is a key site on the European Route of Industrial Heritage. Its combination of medieval grandeur, technical history, and scenic hiking trails in the surrounding Sauerland hills makes it a unique destination for both history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Top sights: Altena Castle · German Wire Museum · Experience Elevator
- Nearby: Werdohl (8 km)
- Population: ~16.315
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 91 | 70 | 64 | 47 | 69 | 71 | 83 | 84 | 67 | 69 | 81 | 90 |
Geography
Facts
- First youth hostel founded: 1912.
- Castle construction: from the 12th century.
- Experience elevator height: 60 meters.
- Primary river: Lenne.
- Population density: approx. 343 per km².
- Total land area: 44.42 km².
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Altena (8)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Burg Altena world-famous?
How to get to the castle most comfortably?
What does the German Wire Museum show?
Can you walk along the river in Altena?
Is Altena worth a day trip?
Altena: where is it located?
Altena: what is there to see?
Altena: when is the best time to visit?
Altena: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
