Visiting the Fairy Grottoes (Feengrotten) in Saalfeld

Visiting the Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes (Feengrotten) is a unique experience. They are famous for being the “most colorful show grottoes in the world.”

Here is a guide to help you plan your visit.

What to See and Do

The “Erlebniswelt Saalfelder Feengrotten” (Adventure World) is divided into three main parts:

1. The Show Mine (Feengrotten): This is the main attraction. You must take a guided tour to see this area. The tour lasts about one hour. A guide leads you underground through the old mine. The tour finishes at the beautiful “Fairy Kingdom.” Here, you will see a perfectly still pool of water that reflects the colorful mineral rocks, creating an amazing view.
2. The Grottoneum: A fun, “hands-on” museum where you can touch and play with the exhibits. It’s located above ground, not down in the caves. You’ll find out about the mine’s history, how the caves were made, and learn cool facts about rocks and minerals. It’s great for people of all ages, from kids to adults. The museum ticket is usually free if you also buy a ticket for the cave tour.
3. The Feenweltchen (Fairy World): An outdoor adventure forest and play area themed around fairies and trolls. This part is especially magical for children and has separate admission, though combination tickets are available.

Planning Your Visit

Here are the essential details for your trip:

• Opening Hours: The adventure world generally opens at 10:00 AM. Closing times vary by season but are typically between 5:00 PM (17:00) and 6:00 PM (18:00).
• Tours:
  • Tours of the grottoes are guided and run regularly.
  • While the standard tours are in German, audio guides are available in several languages (including English) at the ticket counter.
• Tickets: You can buy tickets for the different attractions separately or as a combined pass. Here are the approximate prices:
  • Show Mine + Grottoneum:
    • Adult: ~€16.00
    • Child (4-14): ~€13.00
  • Kombi-Ticket (Show Mine + Grottoneum + Feenweltchen):
    • Adult: ~€26.00
    • Child (3-14): ~€21.00

Important Tips

• What to Wear: The temperature inside the caves is a constant 8-10°C (46-50°F) all year round. You must bring a warm jacket or sweater and wear comfortable, sturdy shoes.
• Accessibility: The underground tour is not suitable for visitors with mobility impairments.
• Parking: There is a parking lot on-site, which costs a small fee (around €3.00).

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