monschau’s charm vs. tourist crowds: worth the hype?
Last week, my girlfriend and I packed up the car and drove out to Monschau, Germany, after hearing everyone rave about how magical it is. The drive itself was pretty scenic—rolling hills, a few sheep here and there, and that fresh countryside air you just can’t get in the city. When we finally arrived, Monschau looked like something straight out of a fairy tale: half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and a river winding right through the middle.
But here’s the thing—so did about a thousand other tourists. We spent almost half an hour just circling for a parking spot, and by the time we squeezed into a tiny café for some cake, it felt like every table was packed with people snapping photos instead of enjoying the view. Don’t get me wrong, the town is gorgeous, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it’s really as peaceful as everyone says, or if we just picked the wrong day.
Has anyone else visited Monschau and found it a bit too crowded? Or maybe you discovered a quieter spot nearby that’s just as pretty but less packed? I’d love to hear if you’ve had better luck finding those hidden gems in Europe, especially ones that aren’t overrun with tourists. Sometimes I feel like the more popular a place gets, the less you can actually enjoy it. Anyone else run into this problem?
#travelstories #monschau #europeanvillages #Travel
