Your first visit to the Nürburgring - What you need to know

The Nürburgring is one of the most legendary places for motorsport fans worldwide. But even if you're not the biggest car enthusiast, there is a lot to discover here. The mix of history, speed and nature makes the Nürburgring a special destination.

The highlights at the Nürburgring

The racetrack consists of two main parts: the famous Nordschleife, which, with its tight corners and differences in altitude, is considered one of the most demanding tracks in the world, and the more modern Grand Prix track, which is used for international racing series.

A good starting point for your visit is the Nürburgring Boulevard. There are various shops, restaurants and the official fan shop, where you can find souvenirs and fan articles. The Ring°Werk, an interactive motorsport museum with simulators and exciting insights into the history of the Nürburgring, is particularly exciting. If you want to dive even deeper, a guided backstagetour of the Nürburgring is ideal. You can take a look behind the scenes and visit places such as the pit lane, race management and VIP areas. Meanwhile, your guide will tell you some of the legendary stories that make up the Nürburgring myth.

But there are also highlights away from motorsport. A visit to the Nürburg Castle is not only worthwhile for history buffs — from here you have a great view of the track and the surrounding landscape.

What you should pay attention to on your first visit

Since the Nürburgring is a popular destination, you should book your tickets for races or guided tours early. It can get full, especially on weekends, and the best seats are quickly taken.

The arrival also needs to be well planned. Parking spaces are available, but often fill up quickly on event days. It is recommended to arrive early to start the day in a relaxed way.

The weather in the Eifel is unpredictable. Within a few hours, it can change from sunshine to heavy rain. It is therefore advisable to bring weatherproof clothing — a rain jacket or sunscreen belongs in every pocket.

Good footwear is also important, especially if you don't want to limit yourself to just the grandstands. There are many trails that run around the track and offer great views of what's happening.

What you can do at the Nürburgring

An absolute highlight for many visitors is the opportunity to ride the Nordschleife themselves. Whether with your own car or a rented sports car — experiencing the track for yourself is an unforgettable experience. Alternatively, you can book a RaceTaxi ride with a professional who will race you around the track at top speed.

If you prefer to drive smaller vehicles, the Nürburgring kart track offers a good opportunity to get a taste of racing air yourself. Here you can go on a small race with friends or family and prove your driving skills.

For an off-road experience, there are special routes where you can master challenging terrain with an off-road vehicle. This shows that the Nürburgring is not only made of asphalt, but also offers exciting adventures off the racetrack.

Of course, the major motorsport events are at the heart of the Nürburgring. From the 24-hour race to the DTM to the Nürburgring endurance series — if you have the chance to see one of these events live, you should take advantage of them. The atmosphere, the sound of the engines and the enthusiasm of the fans make the visit a unique experience.

Even if you don't come exclusively for motorsports, the surrounding area has a lot to offer. The Eifel is known for its beautiful hiking trails, from which you can take a look at the track again and again. This is the perfect way to combine nature and motorsport and round off your visit to the Nürburgring.

Your first laps Nürburgring Nordschleife - tourist drives

If you want to get on the Nordschleife with your own car, you should find out more beforehand. The track is demanding and there are clear rules for tourist drives. Even though it's tempting to push yourself to the limit, be careful — accidents are not uncommon, and recovery can quickly become expensive.

You can get your rechargeable credit card e.g. at the infocenter, at the ticket office opposite the Nordschleife entrance or at the legendary ED gas station on the Döttinger Höhe. As soon as you have charged the card at these locations, drive to the Nordschleife entrance and hold it up to the sensor on the gate.

From here, it's straight onto the legendary Nordschleife.

Nice-to-know: There are also available dates when the GP track is open for tourist drivers. Here you get the opportunity to take part in a 15-minute stint at a weekend rate.

Important: Pay attention to the thermal conditions of your vehicle and slowly cool your brakes after the stint and do not stop the car directly.

Among other things, this prevents your brake discs from warping.