Near Bad Münstereifel, the Effelsberg Radio Telescope awaits you—a true highlight of the Eifel region. With its impressive diameter of 100 meters, it was the world’s largest movable radio telescope until the year 2000. Even today, it remains one of the most modern of its kind and receives signals from the depths of outer space.

From the parking lot, it’s about a ten-minute walk to the telescope. You can get very close to the giant dish via a freely accessible viewing platform. Regular presentations in the visitor pavilion offer fascinating insights into the telescope, our solar system, and the mysteries of the universe.

A special experience is the approximately 800-meter-long Planet Trail, which is part of the 13-kilometer-long Radio Telescope Trail from Bad Münstereifel to Effelsberg. Along the route, you’ll discover our solar system in a true-to-scale model. The Sun and planets are depicted according to their size and distance. Information panels reveal fascinating facts about the individual celestial bodies—even the dwarf planet Pluto is included.

If you’d like to delve even deeper into the world of the universe, you can also explore the Time Travel Trail, the Milky Way Trail, or the Galaxies Trail. The surrounding EifelSchleifen trails also invite you to hike through the idyllic landscape around the radio telescope.

For a quick bite to eat, you’ll find a kiosk right by the parking lot offering drinks, coffee, and snacks.

Important: Due to the radio telescope’s high sensitivity, you should turn off electronic devices or put them in airplane mode.