Discover Kalkum: Palace Ensemble, Forest and Cycling Tours

Kalkum combines an unusually well-preserved historical ensemble with a varied cultural landscape and nature-oriented experiences. Kalkum Palace, the village of the same name, the Romanesque parish church, the palace park, the kitchen gardens and Kalkum Palace Avenue together form a distinctive overall picture.

Historical Impressions around Kalkum Palace

Kalkum Palace is one of the most significant moated castles in North Rhine-Westphalia. Together with its palace park, it is also a listed monument. Its present appearance was shaped largely by a comprehensive reconstruction commissioned from the architect Georg Peter Leydel by the then owner, Countess Maria Anna von Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg-Weisweiler, from 1809 onwards.

The historical sights in Kalkum also include St. Lambertus Parish Church and an old watermill. The parish church was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. Kalkum therefore offers different ways to explore the history of the village: the palace grounds, the religious building and the area’s industrial past can be included in travel plans as separate discoveries, without making the stay dependent on a single excursion destination.

In the palace park, the so-called Tempelberg offers attractive views over the surrounding cultural landscape beyond the enclosure. The Schwarzbach flows through the palace park and feeds the palace moat. This combination of water, parkland and historic architecture gives the visit a distinctive sense of place.

Kalkum Forest and Cycling Tours

For days spent outdoors, Kalkum Forest offers its own perspective on the destination. Roe deer, foxes, hares, rabbits and, once again, badgers live there. The diverse old stands of trees provide food and shelter for many bird species, including cavity nesters such as woodpeckers. Those wishing to include nature observation in their daily plans will find concrete opportunities here without having to leave Kalkum’s cultural focus behind.

Kalkum Forest has wide, flat and straight paths that are suitable for extended cycling tours. Another option is Tour D2: The circular route leads from Düsseldorf Airport to Kalkum Palace and along the Rhine through Kaiserswerth. Depending on your preferred itinerary, you can choose a ride through the forest or a longer circular tour as the main focus.

The Right Accommodation for Your Plans

When looking for accommodation in Kalkum, it is worth deciding in advance what kind of travel rhythm you want. For culture-focused days, the palace, church, watermill and historical ensemble are the main attractions. Those who enjoy spending time outdoors can include Kalkum Forest, the view from Tempelberg or a cycling tour in their plans. Stops on Kalkumer Schloßallee and at Kalkum Palace provide additional guidance when choosing your holiday apartment.

This allows you to shape your stay according to your interests: with historical discoveries, nature observation or a cycling tour connecting Kalkum with other landscape areas and Kaiserswerth. The location offers several clearly distinct ideas for day trips, particularly for travellers who want to combine shared experiences with different interests.

More Places for Your Travel Plans

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Kalkum, you can also include Garath, Düsseldorf, Angermund, Holthausen, Benrath, Wittlaer and Rath in your selection.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Düsseldorf.