Merzig is a charming town set on the Saar River and surrounded by forested hills and valleys. Explore the chocolate-box historic centre filled with half-timbered buildings and visit family-friendly attractions like a wolf sanctuary and high ropes course.
Things to do in Merzig
Meet packs of majestic wolves at Wolf Park Werner Freund. Founded by a passionate wolf conservationist and behavioural researcher, the park is home to wolves from around the world, including Mongolia, Scandinavia and the Arctic. Scenic trails wind through the park and take you past spacious enclosures where you can see wolves in their natural habitat.
Test your strength, skills and nerve on the Kletterhafen Merzig high ropes course. It’s one of the biggest freestanding climbing parks in Europe and offers fun for the whole family. Clip into your harness and walk across hanging bridges, climb vertical rope ladders and speed along flying fox ziplines.
Visit the Steine an der Grenze outdoor art installation on the German-French border. Local sculptor Paul Schneider spearheaded the project and invited dozens of artists from around the world to create stone sculptures. You’ll find more scenic trails in the Saar-Steilhänge/Lutwinuswald nature preserve. The highest points of the park treat you to fantastic views of the Saar River snaking through the forested hills.
Stroll around the Altstadt and admire handsome brick, stone and half-timbered buildings. Step into the foyer of the Baroque-style “Stadthaus” Town Hall to see more than a dozen terracotta sculptures commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the 19th century. Cafes and bistros spill onto the streets and create a lively atmosphere. Claim a table and order traditional Saarland dishes like “gefillde” potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat and “lyoner” spiced pork sausages.
Getting around Merzig
Merzig is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The town is in Saarland, a 2.5-hour drive from Frankfurt and 30 minutes from Saarbrücken by car or train. Frankfurt Airport is a 2.5-hour drive away.