Cochem on the Moselle – relaxation, wine and castle charm
Cochem on the Moselle is one of the most romantic and picturesque destinations along the river. This small town offers a wonderful blend of history, nature and culinary delights.
The winding alleys of the picturesque old town, historic half-timbered houses, the historic market square with St Martin’s Fountain, and old city gates (such as the Enderttor) invite you to stroll around and take photos. The majestic Reichsburg Castle stands imposingly on a steep hilltop above the town. It is the region’s landmark. A guided tour of the restored rooms is available as part of a guided tour.
A boat trip on the Moselle is not to be missed. It is pure relaxation to gaze out over the vineyards and discover the villages along the riverbank.
Those who prefer to stay active will find numerous cycling and walking trails throughout the region. The Moselle Cycle Path runs right along the riverbank and is perfect for leisurely bike rides. Walkers can explore the famous Moselsteig trail. In the district of Cond, the trail leads into the small Brauselay nature reserve.
Cochem lies at the heart of the Moselle wine-growing region, which is world-famous for its Riesling. You can stop off directly at the vineyards. Whether in traditional wine taverns or excellent restaurants, you can enjoy the wine.
When looking at the menu, keep an eye out for traditional dishes and specialities:
- Riesling soup: A true classic starter. This creamy, delicate soup is made using meat or vegetable stock, cream and, of course, plenty of regional Moselle Riesling.
- Gräwes: A very old and hearty winegrower’s dish. It consists of mashed potatoes mixed with sauerkraut and crispy bacon bits. It is traditionally served with smoked pork loin, smoked pork or bratwurst.
- Tresterfleisch: Here, pork (usually from the neck) is marinated in ‘trester’ – the grape pomace left over after pressing – or in a strong wine marinade, and then braised extremely slowly.
- The Red Moselle Vineyard Peach: This isn’t a ready-made dish, but it’s an absolute regional celebrity. These small, unassuming peaches with deep red flesh grow right in the steep vineyards. You’ll find them almost everywhere in Cochem: as jam, as a compote for dessert, used in fine cakes or – highly recommended – as a liqueur (often drunk as a ‘shot’ in sparkling wine).
Discover Cochem
There are places that not even the local population knew about. In Cochem, too, the surprise was great when the history of the Bundesbank Bunker in Cochem came to light.
In the midst of steep vineyards, deeply cut river loops, and picturesque half-timbered backdrops rises the Reichsburg Cochem (Cochem Imperial Castle). It sits majestically on a prominent rock cone about 100 meters above the town.
Book a tour
A culinary journey through Cochem
Accommadation
IchZeit Aparthotel
Hotel Villa Vie Cochem
Moselland Hotel im Enderttal Zum Onkel Willi
Hotel Hegenbarths
Travel informations
Getting here
By train:
Cochem has its own railway station. Two regional trains stop here every hour.
By car:
Take the A48 motorway to the Kaisersesch exit
By plane:
The nearest airports are Frankfurt-Hahn (approx. 45 minutes away) and Cologne/Bonn or Frankfurt am Main (both approx. 1.5 to 2 hours away).
Getting around in...
On foot:
Cochem’s old town is very compact and is best explored on foot. Most of the streets are cobbled.
Cable car:
The Cochem chairlift takes you comfortably up to the Pinnerkreuz. From up there, you’ll have what is probably the most beautiful panoramic view of the Moselle Valley. But BEWARE! The chairlift does not operate all year round!
Guest ticket:
Many accommodation providers in Cochem issue the “Guest Ticket”. This often allows you to use all buses and trains (regional rail) within the local transport network free of charge.
Parking
Cochem has grown organically over time, which often makes parking a challenge. Here are our top tips:
If you’re booking a hotel or holiday flat, make sure that on-site parking is guaranteed. In Cochem, this is a real luxury. Due to the layout of the old town, many historic buildings simply don’t have their own parking spaces.
Public car parks (paid):
- Pinnerstraße car park (behind the station): This is often the best and most convenient option. The car park is very large and relatively cheap. An added bonus: there are also several charging points for electric cars here.
- Multi-storey car park on Endertstraße: Located right on the edge of the old town and covered. It is very central, but fills up quickly at weekends during the high season.
- Stadionstraße car park (Cond district): Drive over the Moselle bridge to the ‘other’ side (Cond). There, near the stadium and the outdoor pool/Moselbad, there are large parking areas. The walk back over the Skagerrak Bridge to the old town takes just under 10 minutes.
Free parking
Finding free parking right in the town centre and along the Moselle promenade is almost impossible. Almost all spaces are managed (mostly subject to charges from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm).
A few practical tips
- Use parking apps: You can now pay via smartphone (e.g. using EasyPark) at many pay-and-display machines in Cochem. This is really handy as you can extend your parking time via the app whilst on the move.
- Warning: Flooding: Anyone parking directly on the banks of the Moselle should definitely keep an eye on flood warnings. In autumn/winter and during heavy rain, the riverside car parks are the first to be flooded when the water level rises.
Best time to visit
The tourist season in the town begins at Easter. In winter, the area is very quiet and many businesses are closed.
May to September:
This is the best time for cycling, hiking and boat trips. The weather is pleasant and outdoor dining is available throughout.
September to October:
The absolute peak season on the Moselle! This is when the grape harvest takes place.