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EuropeGermanyNorth Rhine-Westphalia

Erkelenz

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany · Europe

About Erkelenz

Erkelenz sits on the route: 5 minutes from Rath-Anhoven, 49km from Hoge Kempen National Park.

Erkelenz is a town located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a population of 44,650, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Erkelenz sits in Germany, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Berlin time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Erkelenz to your route.

About Erkelenz

Erkelenz (German pronunciation: [ˈɛʁkəlɛnts] , Limburgish: Erkelens [ˈæʀ(ə)kəlæns]) is a town in the Rhineland in western Germany that lies 15 kilometres (9 miles) southwest of Mönchengladbach on the northern edge of the Cologne Lowland, halfway between the Lower Rhine region and the Lower Meuse. It is a medium-sized

Read more town (over 44,000) and the largest in the district of Heinsberg in North Rhine-Westphalia. Despite the town having more than 1,000 years of history and tradition, in 2006 the eastern part of the borough was cleared to make way for the Garzweiler II brown coal pit operated by RWE Power. This is planned to be in operation until 2045. Over five thousand people from ten villages have had to be resettled as a result. Since 2010, the inhabitants of the easternmost village of Pesch have left and most have moved to the new villages of Immerath and Borschemich in the areas of Kückhoven and Erkelenz-Nord.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Erkelenz

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Erkelenz?

Erkelenz offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Erkelenz?

Plan your road trip to Erkelenz with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Erkelenz as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Erkelenz located?

Erkelenz is located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Europe. The coordinates are 51.0795 latitude, 6.3153 longitude.

What is the population of Erkelenz?

Erkelenz has a population of approximately 44,650 people, making it a town in Germany.

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Quick Information

Population
44,650
Continent
Europe
Country
Germany
Region
North Rhine-Westphalia
Timezone
Europe/Berlin
Coordinates
51.0795, 6.3153

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Germany

Police
110
Ambulance
112
Fire
112
All emergencies
112
Driving side
right

ADAC roadside assistance: +49 89 22 22 22. No general speed limit on some autobahn sections but advisory 130 km/h.

Full driving guide for Germany

Tags

EuropeGermanyNorth Rhine-WestphaliaTown

Worth the detour from Erkelenz

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Classic Remise Düsseldorf

A magnificent classic car centre in a restored locomotive roundhouse filled with rare vehicles, workshops, and automotive lifestyle shops.

34 km · about 40 min drive

landmark

Thorn

The 'white village' of Limburg: an entire former abbey-principality of whitewashed brick lanes and cobbles beside the Maas, painted white in the Napoleonic era to dodge a window tax and kept that way ever since.

34 km · about 40 min drive

cathedral

Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom)

The first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany, built by Charlemagne as his palatine chapel in the 9th century.

38 km · about 45 min drive

landmark

Toverland

Dutch indoor-outdoor theme park in Limburg offering a mix of thrill rides and family attractions in themed areas.

42 km · about 50 min drive

landmark

Valkenburg Marl Caves

Hill-country Valkenburg hides Roman-era marl tunnels, a ruined castle and the Netherlands' only true hilltop drives.

42 km · about 50 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Vaalserberg Drielandenpunt

The Netherlands' highest mainland point at 322.4 metres, where the Dutch, Belgian and German borders meet near Vaals.

42 km · about 50 min drive

cathedral

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)

This twin-spired Gothic giant towers over the Rhine, its 533 steps rewarding climbers with a sweeping city panorama.

48 km · about 55 min drive

national park

Hoge Kempen National Park

Belgium's first national park, a heath and pine landscape in Limburg with six gateway entrances and visitor car parks.

49 km · about 55 min drive

Driving roads near Erkelenz

  • 42 kmVaalserberg DrielandenpuntThe Netherlands' highest mainland point at 322.4 metres, where the Dutch, Belgian and German borders meet near Vaals.
  • 60 kmGileppe DamA 19th-century dam near Spa crowned by a 13-ton stone lion, with a 78 m panorama tower and forested Ardennes reservoir views a short detour off the Verviers road.
  • 66 kmSignal de BotrangeAt 694m this is the highest point in Belgium, marked by a stone tower on the Hautes Fagnes plateau.
  • 78 kmDrachenfelsA dragon-legend hilltop ruin in the Siebengebirge offers Rhine panoramas that inspired Byron and generations of romantics.

Driving in Germany

Drives on
the right
Petrol
~€1.78/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Erkelenz.

Rath-Anhoven

🇩🇪 Germany

4 km awayPop. 1,619

Beeck

🇩🇪 Germany

6 km awayPop. 2,328

Hückelhoven

🇩🇪 Germany

7 km away

Beeckerheide

🇩🇪 Germany

7 km awayPop. 3,102

Wegberg

🇩🇪 Germany

7 km awayPop. 28,089

Arsbeck

🇩🇪 Germany

10 km awayPop. 2,621

Titz

🇩🇪 Germany

11 km awayPop. 8,461

Wassenberg

🇩🇪 Germany

11 km awayPop. 16,641

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence