Do you love discovering special and unique places ? Then short trips outside Berlin are just the thing for you. From an idyllic 9-kilometer hiking trail past lakes and green landscapes to a family farm full of nature experiences, there’s plenty to discover around the capital. That all sounds wonderfully relaxing—but if you’re looking for something that could even pass as a true natural wonder, you’ll have to keep an eye out for more extraordinary places. And we’ve found just one for you: The Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes are located in Saalfeld, Thuringia, and are officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “most colorful show caves in the world.”
However, the Fairy Grottoes aren’t just a natural cave. This extraordinary underground world was formed in a former mine. Among the most impressive areas is the so-called “Fairy Tale Dome,” whose minerals create an extraordinary variety of colors. The spectrum ranges from azure blue to copper green, citrus yellow, and ochre red, all the way to violet and deep black. These intense colors are of natural origin and have not been artificially applied. Visitors have been able to tour the grottoes for more than 100 years, and it is said that more than 20 million people have already explored this underground world. Even Siegfried Wagner, the son of the famous composer Richard Wagner, is said to have drawn inspiration from the “Fairy-Tale Dome” and used it as a model for a stage set in *Tannhäuser*.
Today, the Fairy Grottoes are part of a larger adventure park, making a visit ideal as a day trip or weekend getaway. In addition to a guided tour of the former mine, visitors can explore the Grottoneum, the Fairy World, and a natural healing tunnel. The Grottoneum is an interactive museum that explores the history of mining, the formation of the Fairy Grottoes, and various geological processes. Instead of a traditional exhibition, the focus here is on hands-on participation, making the museum particularly well-suited for families with children. The Feenweltchen is located above ground in the middle of the forest and transports visitors to a fantasy world full of fairies, trolls, and nature spirits. On the grounds, visitors can explore various areas of what’s known as an “alternate world.” In September 2026, the “Feenweltchen” is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m. Starting November 2, the attraction will close for the winter break.
A standard guided tour of the Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes, including a visit to the Grottoneum, costs 17 euros for adults. Children between the ages of four and 14 pay 13 euros. If you have more time and want to explore the entire experience, you can opt for a combination ticket. Admission to the Fairy Grottoes, the Grottoneum, and the Fairy World costs a total of 29 euros for adults and 23 euros for children. Visitors should plan on spending about five hours for the entire experience.
From August 31 to November 1, 2026 , the Fairy Grottoes and the Grottoneum will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last guided tour of the grottoes begins at 4 p.m. each day.
