Atta Cave (Atta-Höhle)
Finnentroper Straße 39, Attendorn, 57439
One of Germany’s largest caves, the Atta Cave (also known as the Atta-Höhle, or Attendorn Dripstone Cave) is a magnificent world of caverns, rock formations, and other subterranean wonders. Accidentally discovered by limestone quarrymen in 1907, the cave is a major tourist destination, and attracts more than 350,000 visitors each year.
The basics
The Atta Cave’s “dripstone” descriptor is no accident—its caverns are most recognizable for their stalactites, stalagmites, pillars, and other mineral and rock formations. Over 400 million years old, the cave stretches some 3.7 miles (6 kilometers), though only a limited, circular pathway is open to the public; as such, it remains an accessible way for beginning spelunkers to explore below ground. The cave’s Kristallpalast (Crystal Palace) cavern is a particularly lovely tour highlight.
The Atta Cave is a popular destination for families, science geeks, and adventurous types. Group tours from Frankfurt make visiting easy.
Things to know before you go
Don’t forget to wear layers and comfortable shoes—the cave is 48° Fahrenheit (9° Celsius) all year round.
Photography is strictly prohibited on-site, even for personal use.
A health grotto, restaurant, and mineral gift shop are all hosted on-site.
How to get there
The Atta Cave is located in Attendorn, Germany. It's about 90 minutes by car from Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Bonn (take the A4), and from Wuppertal and Dortmund (take the A45); the drive is about 2 hours from Frankfurt, also via the A45. Paid parking is available on-site.
When to get there
In the spring and summer, the Atta Cave is typically open daily, from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, though hours vary throughout the year. Note that the cave is closed annually from late November to Christmas Day, and that it is open on weekends only from early January to mid February, and from late February to late March.
Exploring the Dechen Cave
Are you a dedicated spelunker? If so, pair your trip to Atta Cave with a visit to one of the region’s other impressive caverns: the Dechen Cave (Dechenhöhle), just an hour from the Atta Cave via the A54 and L539 or the B236. In addition to its striking dripstone scenery, the Dechen Cave is also renowned for the animal fossils discovered on-site, which can be viewed in the companion German Cave Museum (Deutsches Höhlenmuseum).
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