Things to Do in Solingen

A free walking trail through 19th-century industrial history with old factory buildings, worker cottages and the Scharff villa. Plaques in German and English explain Solingen's blade-making heritage. No entry fees at any point.

🕐 Trail: always open. Villa: 9am-4pm weekdays only

💡 Start at the villa (now a community centre) and follow the yellow markers uphill. The trail loops back in 45 minutes. The villa's public toilets are clean and open during weekday office hours.

A restored 12th-century hill castle overlooking the Wupper valley. You can walk the grounds and exterior for free; paid entry gets you inside the museum with period rooms and armoury.

🕐 10am-5pm Tue-Sun (closed Mon). Free exterior accessible 24/7.

💡 Take the cable car (Schwebefähre) from Burg station across the river for a cheap thrill at €2.50 each way. The castle's cafe sells decent Apfelstrudel.

World-class museum dedicated to blades, cutlery and sword-making, housed in a former monastery. Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month; otherwise €5. Most exhibits are in German but the blades speak for themselves.

🕐 10am-5pm Tue-Sun, closed Mondays

💡 Check the smithy demonstrations on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2pm – real blacksmiths shaping steel, no booking needed.

A small, well-kept botanical garden with themed sections including a rockery, herb garden, and Japanischer Garten with a pagoda. Run by volunteers and calm even on weekends.

🕐 8am-dusk daily, free entry year-round

💡 Visit during rhododendron bloom in May. Free guided tours happen every second Saturday at 11am – just show up at the entrance hut.

Open green space beneath Germany's highest railway bridge, the Müngstener Brücke at 107 metres. Perfect for picnics, photos and watching trains cross the viaduct. Free barbecue spots available.

🕐 Always open, paths unlit after dusk

💡 Bring your own food – the on-site kiosk is overpriced. For the best view, walk the trail up the hill behind the park towards 'Blick auf die Brücke' sign.