By air
Frankfurt (FRA), ~1 h
Europe · Germany
Rhine Valley, Germany
Castles and vineyards on the river
Getting there
Best time to visit
May to October — the cruise season
Don't miss
The Lorelei
The Marksburg
Rüdesheim
Bacharach
Things to do
Rhine cruises
Wine tastings
Castle hikes
Where to eat
What to pack
Layers
A quieter corner
Burg Eltz in its forest valley
Questions travellers ask
When should I plan a Rhine Valley trip?
May to October, the cruise season. Fly into Frankfurt (FRA), about 1 hour away, and bring layers.
What can I do in the Rhine Valley?
Take a Rhine cruise, go wine tasting and hike to the castles. Don't miss the Lorelei, the Marksburg, Rüdesheim and Bacharach.
Which castle is tucked away near the Rhine Valley?
Burg Eltz, in its forest valley.
What should I drink in the Rhine Valley?
Riesling, with Flammkuchen on the side.
About Rhine Valley
- Riverside
- Hills
Where it is
The most famous stretch of the Rhine Valley, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley or Rhine Gorge, runs for about 65 km from Bingen and Rüdesheim north to Koblenz in western Germany, in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse, between steep vine-covered slopes.
History
The Rhine was a Roman frontier and later one of Europe's great trade routes, and roughly 40 hilltop castles were built along this stretch in the Middle Ages, many of them to collect tolls from river traffic. Many fell into ruin in the wars of the 17th century, 19th-century Romantics restored castles such as Rheinstein and Stolzenfels, and in 2002 the valley became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
People
Rhinelanders speak German with local Rhenish dialects, and winemaking on the steep terraced slopes has shaped the valley for centuries. Wine festivals fill the villages in late summer and autumn, and the Rhine in Flames festivals light up the river with fireworks.
Known for
- The Lorelei rock
- The Marksburg castle
- River cruises between Bingen and Koblenz
- Riesling vineyards on steep slopes
- The Deutsches Eck at Koblenz
Did you know?
The Marksburg above Braubach is the only hilltop castle in the Middle Rhine Valley that was never destroyed.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.