In the Easter holidays, we spent a week with our family in Willingen, Germany. Just a few hours’ drive from Belgium and the Netherlands, yet you suddenly find yourself surrounded by mountains, cable cars, a summer toboggan run and a spectacular suspension bridge. Bliss! In this blog post, I’m sharing some of our favourite spots in and around Willingen. Furthermore, I will tell you about our stay in Familotel Sonnenpark, which turned out to be the perfect base for our family holiday. This premium all-inclusive family hotel offers the perfect mix of comfort, relaxation and endless fun for children. It’s the kind of place where you instantly switch into holiday mode.
How to get to Willingen
Willingen is located in the heart of the Sauerland region, in the German state of Hesse, close to the well-known winter sports destination of Winterberg. From both Belgium and the Netherlands, you can reach this area within just a few hours by car. That makes Willingen the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend getaway or a short family holiday. Willingen is also easily accessible by train thanks to its own railway station. The journey does require a few transfers, so travel times are slightly longer though.
Willingen town centre
A stroll through the centre of Willingen is the perfect way to get acquainted with this charming destination in the Sauerland region. The town itself is compact and centred around a lively shopping street filled with boutiques, specialty shops and cosy cafés. One of the prettiest spots is undoubtedly the Linnenkerlplatz, an atmospheric square in front of the former village church, which has now been transformed into a bar and restaurant. Looking to escape the crowds? Then be sure to go to the ‘Kurpark’, a green oasis in the heart of the town centre.
Outdoor adventures on the Ettelsberg
For families, the Ettelsberg is one of the best places to explore in Willingen. Located just outside the town centre, this 838-metre-high mountain is easily accessible by cable car. While the area is best known for its ski slopes in winter, spring and summer are perfect for hiking and outdoor fun.
Near the mountain station, you’ll find a large adventure playground with slides, climbing frames and a giant air pillow. Guaranteed to be a favourite spot for children! The Hochheideturm is also well worth a visit. From the top of the observation tower, you can enjoy stunning 360° views over Willingen and the surrounding hills.
Several hiking trails start near the Hochheideturm, including a number of child-friendly routes. One of the best options is the Linnes Schatz adventure trail, a three-kilometre walk where children search for the treasure of the Ettelsberg. Although a minimum age of six is recommended to fully enjoy the activities along the walking route, younger children will have plenty of fun too.
Still got some energy left at the end of the day? Then it’s definitely worth walking back down into the valley instead of taking the cable car. The walking paths are wide and easy to navigate, making this perfectly doable with children as well.
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High above Willingen: the impressive Skywalk
The Skywalk is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular experiences in Willingen. Stretching 665 metres in length, it is the longest suspension bridge in Germany. The bridge hangs completely free between the Mühlenkopf and the Musenberg and features a steel grid floor, making it possible to look straight down. An impressive experience but not suited for anyone with a fear of heights, I guess. We were quite curious to see how our 3 year old toddler would react, but he absolutely loved it!
There are several ways to reach the Skywalk. You can take the cable car up to the Ettelsberg and from there enjoy a twenty-minute walk to the start of the bridge, near the Mühlenkopfschanze ski jump. Another option is to park at the bottom of the ski jump and take the lift up (a new lift is currently being built, opening in summer 2026). If you want to avoid taking a cable car, you can also park near Stryck station and walk about one kilometre to the starting point on the Musenberg. The Skywalk is open in both summer and winter.
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Sliding down the mountain on the summer toboggan run
No family trip to the mountains feels complete without a summer toboggan run, right!? Luckily for us, Willingen has one too! Since the track isn’t too steep, it’s also very suitable for families with younger children. For our son, it was his very first time on a summer toboggan run, quite a milestone for any family that loves the mountains, if you ask us. Right next to the toboggan run, you’ll also find a marble run and a small playground.
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Where to stay: Familotel Sonnenpark
Although we’re usually most impressed by the surroundings during our trips, the biggest surprise of our week in the Sauerland region turned out to be the accommodation: Familotel Sonnenpark. This hotel has been voted Germany’s best family hotel for eighth year in a row — and honestly? After our stay, we completely understand why.
Everything here revolves around carefree family holidays, both for children and for parents. Thanks to the premium all-inclusive concept, you truly don’t have to think about a thing: from extensive meals and drinks to an impressive range of activities, everything is included. With several indoor and outdoor playgrounds, swimming pools, wellness facilities and a kids club, getting bored simply isn’t an option here.
Even though the hotel is often fully booked during holiday periods, it never really felt crowded or chaotic to us. That’s probably because the resort is so spacious and the facilities are spread across several buildings. However, this also means that the hotel felt a little like a maze during the first few days. But that might also have something to do with my poor sense of direction.
