One of the most famous German river valleys is the Upper and Lower Middle Rhine Valley between Remagen via Koblenz to Bingen. For vacationers this region is the epitome of German Rhine romanticism.
The Rhine is over 1200 kilometers long and is one of the most important waterways in Europe. A vacation in the Rhine Valley, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe, has delighted visitors for many years. Already at the beginning of the 19th century, poets and artists, such as Heinirch Heine, Victor Hugo and William Turner, were attracted to the romantic Rhine Valley. Numerous works were created, which revived the era of Rhine Romanticism.
However, the Romantic Rhine is not only characterized by its fantastically beautiful landscape. Along its banks, the traveler will find numerous idyllic places, over 60 castles and palaces, cultural sights and places steeped in legend. Who has not heard of the famous Loreley Rock?
Another reason to discover the Romantic Rhine, the wine: hiking through the steep vineyards, visiting ostrich / broom farms, drinking wine and of course experiencing wine production first hand. Numerous winegrowers here invite you to immerse yourself in the world of wine and let yourself be seduced.
The Upper Middle Rhine Valley has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2002.
Romantic Rhine – Excursion tips
Andernach is one of the oldest towns in Germany and is located just under 10 kilometres from Koblenz on the left bank of the Rhine in Rhineland-Palatinate.
At Rhine kilometre 555 there is a 123-metre-high slate rock, the world-famous Loreley Rock. Who doesn't know the stories about the mysterious Loreley, which is said to have been responsible for many a shipwreck on the Rhine?
Who would have known that the highest cold-water geyser in the world is located on the Rhine? Close to the tranquil town of Andernach, you can visit this geyser from the end of March to the end of October.
Sayn is a district of Bensdorf and is located just under 12 kilometers from Koblenz. You should definitely plan a day trip to Sayn during a visit to the Romantic Rhine.
On a 160 meter high slate cone, high above the small town of Braubach on the Romantic Rhine, stands the Marksburg. The hilltop castle from the 12th century is the only medieval castle on the Middle Rhine, which was never completely destroyed.
Travel information for the Romantic Rhine region
Arrival
By train
The Rhine Valley is easily accessible by train. On both sides of the bank run railroad lines. With the ICE you can reach Bingen on the Rhine and Koblenz.
By car
The Rhine Valley is served by two federal highways. The B 9 runs on the left bank of the Rhine and the B 42 on the right bank. The A 61 freeway takes motorists to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.
There are no bridges in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley between Mainz/Wiesbaden and Koblenz-Süd! Only ferries operate here!
By ship
The Rhine is navigable between Bingen and Koblenz. In addition to cargo ships, river cruise ships and excursion ships also sail here.
By bike
On the left side of the Rhine, a continuous cycle path runs from Bingen to Koblenz. The cycle path on the other side of the Rhine is not as well developed and has gaps in between.
On the way in.. …
Public transport
There are buses and local trains along the Rhine.
Ferries
There are no bridges in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley between Mainz/Wiesbaden and Koblenz-Süd. There are a total of eight ferries that can be used to cross to the other bank:
Car and passenger ferries:
- Ingelheim harbor – Oestrich-Winkel
- Bingen harbor – Rüdesheim station
- Lorch – Niederheimbach
- Engelsburg – Kaub
- St. Goar – St. Goarshausen
- Boppard – Kamp-Bornhofen
Passenger ferries:
- Bingen Brücke 5 – Rüdesheim Brücke 8
- Koblenz − Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein (März – April: 8 – 18 Uhr, Mai – November: 7 – 19 Uhr)
Cable car
A cable car runs from Koblenz Old Town to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
On foot
The Rheinsteig hiking trail runs on the right bank of the Rhine, the Rheinburgenweg on the left bank.