Why Visit Cochem? Where Is It Located?

Cochem is a small, beautiful medieval town in the Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz in German) region of western Germany. Located in the heart of the Moselle Valley (Moseltal in German), Cochem offers beautiful natural landscapes with its lush vineyards, riverside promenades and important historical sites like the Cochem Castle, which is one of the country’s most beautiful castles. 

Cochem is one of our favorite towns in this area and even if you don’t choose Cochem as your home base, it definitely deserves at least a few hours visit.

When’s The Best Time To Visit Cochem?

Cochem is a beautiful destination to visit year-round. Summer is a great time to visit for warm, sunny days and experiencing the town full of life. There are also a ton of special events during this time, like the Cochem Castle Festival that happens in August. However, summer is the peak travel season for Germany, which means crowds and higher prices, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.

Spring and autumn are good seasons too, especially if you’re looking to tour vineyards in the region since this is when they are in full bloom. The weather during these seasons are also more temperate, making it perfect for walks and boat trips along the river. If you visit in the spring, you might get to experience white asparagus season (Spargelzeit in German), a special time when restaurants are filled with all kinds of white asparagus dishes.

Winter is ideal for those looking to experience holiday festivities in a charming, medieval atmosphere. It’s also the low season so you can avoid crowds and high prices. But keep in mind that some activities, like hiking up the castle, might be more challenging with the winter cold, and some tourist sights will have limited hours or even be closed.

We’ve visited Cochem in both summer and winter and enjoyed the town in both seasons. Winter definitely felt off season but it was fun to see the Moselle river full of ice and experience the area with far fewer people.

How Much Time to Spend In Cochem

If you make Cochem your home base, you could easily spend a week exploring the Moselle and Rhine Valley areas. If you don’t have that much time, you can still see a lot in 1-3 days, especially if you have a car.

If you plan to stay in a different part of the region, Cochem makes a great day trip. The last time we spent a week in the area, we stayed in Boppard and drove to Cochem for the day (we also visited nearby Ernst and Beilstein – both of which are great places to stay if you want to be near Cochem but not stay in the town).

Plan to stop for at least a few hours so you can see the Old Town and walk up to the castle. A half or even a full day is ideal so you can take in all of the sights without rushing, enjoy a relaxing meal, and soak in the atmosphere. To maximize your time, we recommend booking this private guided walking tour to see all of Cochem’s highlights!

How To Get To Cochem

Cochem is easily accessible by train, bus or car. You can also fly into the area via nearby Frankfurt Airport and then take a car or train from there. The Moselle Valley area is a great first destination after landing in Frankfurt or last stop before flying home because it only takes 1.5-2 hours to get to/from the airport by car.

The nearest major cities are Frankfurt and Cologne, both of which make a great base for renting a car. The fastest way to reach Cochem by car is to take the A48 Koblenz-Trier motorway. 

Cochem has its own train station which is well-connected to other major and regional cities like Koblenz and Trier, both of which are less than an hour away by train. From the train station, it’s a short walk or taxi ride to the center.

Best Way to Get Around The Moselle Valley

We like having a car when visiting this area so we have the freedom and flexibility to explore all of the villages and beautiful areas in the Moselle Valley and nearby Rhine Valley. There’s a lot to see and half the fun is simply exploring the area without an agenda!

If you’re flying into Frankfurt you can easily pick up a rental car at the airport. If you don’t need a car for the rest of your trip, you can return the car to Frankfurt airport or a location in the city and take the train to your next destination.

We use Discover Cars to find great deals on rental cars in Germany and elsewhere (we stick to the major, well-known rental companies).

You can also take the train or bus to Cochem and other locations. If you’re primarily visiting a few towns in the area, the train and local busses will suffice. On our first visit in the winter we arrived by train and used the train and bus to explore other towns in the Moselle Valley and Rhine Valley.

The next few times we visited we decided to rent a car, though, so we could get off the beaten path a bit. Some of the drives we took were absolutely gorgeous!

Where To Stay In Cochem

If you want to be close to everything, the best place to stay is in or near Cochem’s city center area, which is the Altstadt (Old Town). In this area you’ll find important landmarks, cafes, and restaurants within a short walk of each other. And you’ll get that beautiful, historic look and feel. Cochem Castle is also just around a 10-minute walk from the market square.

If you’d prefer something a bit quieter but still close to Cochem, look on Booking.com (where we book most of our hotels and apartments) for a hotel or apartment across the bridge on the other side of the river or along the river promenade. The nearby villages of Ernst or Beilstein are also good choices, though they’re a bit further from Cochem.

Here are 3 highly-rated hotels we recommend:

• Hotel Germania –  If you want to be in the middle of it all, this hotel is for you! Located along the Moselle Promenade, this hotel is in a great central location. It’s also set in a historic building but with contemporary furnishings. There’s also an on-site restaurant overlooking the Moselle and wine tasting sessions at their vineyard in nearby Ernst. Click here to check availability and price!
• Hotel Zehnthof – This family-run hotel offers comfortable and spacious rooms with amazing service. It’s located across the bridge on the other side of the Moselle river so it’s close to Cochem but in a peaceful, relaxing location. The hotel has a cafe/restaurant and their daily breakfast and dinner comes highly recommended. They also features local wines. Click here to check availability and price!
• Hotel Villa Vie –  This luxury hotel is set in a charming 19th century stone building along the promenade. The rooms are comfortable and modern and it’s an easy walk to Cochem. Some rooms even come with riverside views and balconies. Click here to check availability and price!

What To Do And See In Cochem

Cochem Imperial Castle (Reichsburg Cochem Castle)

The Cochem Imperial Castle (also known as the Reichsburg Cochem Castle) is a popular tourist destination and for good reason! First of all, this fairytale castle has a stunning location since it’s perched atop a hill overlooking the city and the Moselle River. The views from the castle are stunning.

The castle grounds are just as beautiful with architectural features from a variety of different styles. This is because the Reichsburg Castle has a long history of being rebuilt over several decades beginning from its construction in the 11th century.

A guided tour of the castle brings visitors to all of the castle’s highlights including the fascinating Knight’s Hall with its collection of armory and weapons as well as the luxurious Dining Halls. Aside from guided tours, the castle also hosts fun events like the Knights’ Feast, a  medieval-themed evening meal with performances and good food and wine.

We highly recommend visiting this castle! The last time we were in Cochem, we had Bos as our tour guide and he made the English tour interesting and a lot of fun. He showed us secret doors and rooms and shared details about life in the castle…like how residents ensured they’d be able to fit their key into the keyhole when they were very tired…or very drunk.

The view from the castle is stunning so be sure to plan time for photos and just enjoying the scenery. You can walk up to the castle (recommended!) or take the shuttle bus. You can also buy tickets at the castle for frequent tours in German or English.

Thanks to Alex at the Reichsburg Cochem Castle for inviting us on a tour on our recent visit!

Old Town (Altstadt)

The Old Town of Cochem is a charming and picturesque area filled with winding cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and important historical landmarks. A must-visit spot is the market square, where you can find the Cochem town hall and Saint Martin’s fountain at the center.

Another historic sight is a town wall that displays a mosaic of Cochem’s lineage and history.

Aside from learning about the city’s history, one of the best things to do is to simply roam the streets of Cochem and take in the medieval architecture and atmosphere of the city! As you walk the narrow streets of Old Town, you’ll be sure to discover lots of different local restaurants, bars, and unique small shops.

Moselle Promenade

The Moselle Promenade (or Mosel Promenade) is a scenic walkway that runs along the banks of the Moselle River. It’s a great place for both locals and tourists to go on a leisurely stroll amidst the quaint facades of Old Town and the surrounding hills. The promenade is also lined with trees, lawns, and a wide variety of restaurants and bars.

Another great way to explore the Mosel Promenade is by booking a city river cruise on the River Moselle. This tour gives you the option between a 1-hour panoramic boat ride or a 2-hour evening tour. As you cruise your way down the river, you’ll have an audio guide explaining all the sights you’ll be passing by including the castle and the scenic valley.

Enderttor

Enderttor is a historic landmark that once served as the town’s city gate. The gate was part of Cochem’s old town fortifications and has an attached guard house to it. It’s located at the end of Endertstrasse, a main street that leads directly to the city center.

This distinctive medieval structure is a popular spot you can’t miss while exploring the Old Town. Nearby, you can also find several bars and restaurants with outdoor seating to enjoy a break in between sightseeing.

Historische Senfmühle

The Historische Senfmühle is one of the oldest mustard mills in Germany, dating back to the early 19th century. This family-owned enterprise has a long tradition of producing mustard. Visitors can see how it all began through a guided tour where they’ll see the original water-powered wheel. 

Now, the mill sells a wide range of 18 mustard varieties, all made with different grains and spices. You can also buy different regional specialties to enjoy with your condiment like ham, sausages, specialty spirits, homemade jams, and more.

Pinnerkreuz Lookout Point

Pinnerkreuz Lookout Point is the perfect place to catch spectacular views of Cochem and the surrounding Moselle Valley. This observation deck is located on Pinnerberg, a hill north of Cochem. 

The top of the hill can be easily reached with the Cochemer Sesselbahn (Cochem cable car). Once you reach the top, you can stop by the small terrace restaurant and grab some beers and snacks while taking in the beautiful scenery.

Wine Tasting in Moselle Valley

The Moselle Valley is known for being one of Germany’s best places for winegrowing. This region in particular is renowned for the Riesling grapes. The steep slate slopes in Cochem provide the ideal cultivation conditions and produce excellent wines with a delicately fruity and mineral flavor profile.

Take advantage of the wine stores and restaurants in Cochem to try some delicious local wines. But for all wine lovers out there, the best way to experience this is to book a guided vineyard tour of the Moselle Valley with wine tasting!

Moselland Museum

The Moselland Museum is a fairly new and interesting museum located in Ernst, a small winegrowing municipality along the Mosel River, around 2.5 miles from Cochem. It was established in 2017 and is set in an old-school hotel from 1959. 

The exhibit covers four floors and provides visitors with a nostalgic glimpse of rural life and culture in the Mosel Valley during the 1950s and 1960s. The exhibition features everything from a reconstructed blacksmith forge, a traditional winery complete with old wine presses, and authentic furnishings and farming equipment from that period.

We got here too late to tour the museum and were bummed we didn’t arriver a bit earlier! Ernst is a lovely, peaceful village and would be a great place to spend a few relaxing days, especially if you’re a wine lover. They even have a wine vending machine!

Bundesbank-Bunker Cochem

The Bundesbank-Bunker is a former secret bunker built during the Cold War. Its original purpose was to provide a secret safe place for emergency currency reserves in case of a nuclear war and hyperinflation. At one point, it stored billions of Deutsche Marks! 

Now, they are open to the public as a museum. A cool thing about the bunkers is that they are hidden in plain sight since the entrance just looks like residential houses. Inside, visitors can explore the subterranean complex and all its unique features while learning years of history of the Cold War.

​​Burgruine Winneburg

Burgruine Winneburg is another one of Cochem’s important historic sites. The castle ruins are located in the Endertbach Valley, just 2 miles away from the Old Town. The original castle was built in the 13th century before being destroyed in the 17th century during the Nine Years’ War by the French Forces.

Since then, it’s never been restored but some of the structures of the castle complex are still standing like the tower, gate hall and the courtyard. It’s perfect for those looking for an immersive hike with great views and that’s a bit off the beaten path.

Day Trips From Cochem

Cochem makes a great base for day trips to surrounding towns and small villages in the area. The best way to get around is by car but some places are also easily reached by public transit.

One of the most popular day trips is to Burg Eltz (Eltz Castle), one of the best castles in Germany known for never having been destroyed by war. The castle is towards the north of the Mosel and is perched atop a mountainous forest that overlooks the Elzbach River. Highly recommended!

If you’re looking for charming and picturesque towns, Zell, Beilstein, and Bernkastel-Keus are well-known options, all of which are around a 30 to 50 minute drive away from Cochem. The Moselle Valley is, however, filled with beautiful towns and villages so just hop in the car and go exploring!

Trier (around 1.5 hour drive away) is also perfect for history buffs, since it’s recognized as the oldest city in Germany and is an important site for ancient Roman ruins and architecture.

You can also head over to the Rhine River area for a boat cruise, tour more castles, stay in a castle hotel and visit picturesque towns like Bacharach, St. Goar, Boppard, Oberwesel, and more.

Next Steps For Planning Your Trip:

• Start planning an unforgettable trip to Germany here!
• Book a personalized travel consult or itinerary review with Cate.
• Join our friendly Facebook group.

The post Best Things To Do And See In Cochem, Germany appeared first on My Germany Vacation.

We’ve rented a car in Germany many times over the years and have driven all over this beautiful country. This guide will help you decide if you want to rent a car on your trip, offer ideas for beautiful road trips in Germany, and share tips for renting a car in Germany.

Traveling Around Germany: Train or Car?

What’s the best way to get around Germany – train or car? This is one of our most frequently asked questions.

Both are great options so it really just depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. So before we get to driving route suggestions, let’s go over some pros and cons for both options to help you decide which one will work best for you.

Train Travel in Germany: Pros and Cons

Here are the pros of taking the train:

• Train travel in Germany is pretty straight-forward, comfortable, and fast.
• On the train you can enjoy scenic views without worrying about navigating or driving.
• Many cities are well connected to different destinations and with train stations mostly being in the city center, it’s easy to get from one point to another.
• In terms of prices, if you book tickets in advance, it’s possible to get amazing deals. Plus you can save money on discounts for kids, seniors, regional travel, and group travel.
• Use the Deutsche Bahn website for train travel research and booking tickets. I like to do my research and booking on my laptop and then pull up the tickets in the DB Navigator app on my phone.

Here are some train travel cons:

• You’ll need to do a lot of research to find the right trains for your travel needs. Then you have to book each train individually (unless you buy a more expensive German Rail Pass).
• Seat reservations cost extra.
• Trains can be crowded or even sold out during major events, holidays, and on weekends on popular routes. While you can still get on trains, even when there are no seats left, you might have to stand in the corridor.
• If you buy the less expensive, train specific, non-refundable tickets and you miss your train you lose what you spent on those tickets and will have to buy much more expensive full price tickets.
• German trains aren’t as amazingly punctual and reliable as they used to be.
• Even though trains reach places in Germany, some smaller towns and off the beaten track areas aren’t easily accessible by train or need various transfers, making the trip quite time consuming. 

Driving in Germany: Pros and Cons

Here are the pros of renting a car:

• The biggest advantage of driving is flexibility! You get to decide when to leave, what route to take, and where you’d like to stop.
• You have the ultimate freedom to see so much more of Germany and really fine tune your itinerary to your preferences.
• Not to mention that some towns and regions are much more accessible by car.
• In terms of costs, sometimes it costs less than taking the train, especially if you’re traveling with more people.
• You get the experience of driving on the German Autobahn!
• You can get off the beaten path more easily than when taking the train.

Here are some rental car and driving cons:

• You have to take into account that someone has to be driving and navigating at all times, which can get tiring after long periods of time.
• There are additional costs to consider like gas, parking (even in hotels), extra insurance (if you decide to get it), and possibly even a parking or traffic ticket.
• There’s also the likelihood of getting stuck in traffic and losing time on the Autobahn and in busy cities.
• Parking spaces are tighter than in places like the US, which can make parking more challenging.
• You might feel nervous about driving in Germany. If that’s the case, we highly recommend this excellent Germany driving tutorial!

Renting A Car In Germany

Renting a car in Germany is an easy process. You can reserve a car online or at car rental agencies located at major airports, train stations, and cities.

We use Discover Cars to find the best rental cars, and if you can plan ahead you can find great prices. Our advice is to stick with major car companies like Hertz, Europcar, Alamo, Enterprise, Avis and the like. We’ve had good to great experiences every time.

Driving in Germany

If you’re set on doing a road trip through Germany, the first thing you should take into account is familiarizing yourself with some of the general rules of the road, traffic laws, and driving conditions.

Driving in Europe can be a very different experience from what you might be used to back at home, so the best way to prepare yourself is to do some research with the rules in Germany. We highly recommend using Tripiamo’s fantastic driving tutorial. It’ll only take you about an hour and you’ll feel comfortable driving all over Germany from day 1!

One of the most essential things you can read up on are the various road signs in Germany and their meanings. To give you an idea, there are over 1,000 different signs in the official German traffic code and it ranges from warning signs, regulation signs, guide signs, and other supplemental signs.

Most are pretty universal so you won’t have any difficulty understanding them, but of course there are more specific ones that you should at least be aware of. Tripiamo’s Germany driving tutorial covers the most important ones.

While you don’t need to memorize all of this information before hitting the road, it helps to have someone with you who can have easy access to road signs on their phone and is willing to help you identify any unfamiliar signs. This is also especially true for navigating directions, even if you have Google Maps or other GPS apps.

Since you’ll most likely be renting a car, there are also some things you have to keep in mind. In Germany, manual (stick shift) cars are much more common than automatic cars. If you’re not used to or not comfortable with driving stick shift you can rent an automatic for a slightly higher cost. You’ll need to specifically request an automatic when reserving your car.

While some people in Germany do drive large cars like SUVs or vans, smaller and more compact cars are a much more common option for rental cars. This might also be somewhat of an adjustment if you are used to driving larger cars back home. But actually, smaller cars will prove to be more helpful for parking in small spaces and driving through narrow streets.

Speaking of roads, be prepared to encounter all different types of roads in Germany. The Autobahn is, of course, Germany’s famous high-speed highway system. It connects different regions and cities all across the county. Some sections don’t have speed limits, but this doesn’t apply to every part. Look out for sections that have posted speed limits or construction zones with reduced speeds. 

In cities, you’ll mostly be driving through busy streets with traffic, pedestrians, bikes, busses, and even street cars so it’s important to be mindful of crosswalks and traffic signals. Meanwhile, in smaller villages and towns, the streets can be much narrower and winding, so be extra cautious with navigating turns or finding parking.

While driving in Germany might be an adjustment in the beginning, we are certain that it won’t feel like this the entire time! Once you get a hang of it, you’ll be ready to enjoy the full road trip experience in Germany.

Best Scenic Germany Road Trips 

Romantic Road

The Romantic Road is one of Germany’s most popular tourist routes. Because of this, it’s one of the easiest to navigate and follow since there are several signposts along the route. This “Romantic Route” starts in the city of Würzburg and ends in the small Bavarian town of Füssen.

If you plan to fly into Frankfurt and pick up your rental car at Frankfurt International Airport or a location elsewhere in the city, you could immediately drive to Würzburg, drive the route to Füssen, and then return the car in Munich.

This route stretches over 400 kilometers or almost 250 miles and passes through almost 30 official stops, including charming small towns, medieval castles, and beautiful scenery. The road trip can be done in either direction — Würzburg to Füssen or Füssen to Würtzburg. It can take anywhere from 1 to 5 days, depending on how much of the route you choose to see and how many stops you’d like to make along the way.

One of the main highlights of this route is Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Germany. Rothenburg is straight out of a fairy tale with its cobblestone streets, colorful half-timbered houses, and historic city walls.

Other picturesque towns that are not as well known but are worth stopping by are Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen. These are neighboring towns to Rothenburg but are often not as touristy or crowded. 

The final stop on the Romantic Road is Füssen, a small town in the Alps near the border of Austria and two dreamy castles. The most famous is Neuschwanstein Castle. One of King Ludwig’s fairy-tale castles, this is a beautiful place to visit year-round.If you don’t mind the cold, it’s especially breathtaking during the snowy winter months.

Fun fact: it’s said that Neuschwanstein castle was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s castles. The other, lesser known castle where King Ludwig spent some of his childhood is Hohenschwangau, which is located a short walk from Neuschwanstein.

Overall, the Romantic Road is one of the best scenic drives to discover the beauty of southern Germany.

Black Forest Route

Driving the Black Forest is another quintessential German road trip. This region is located in southwestern Germany in the state of Baden-Württemberg. It’s associated with many different things like the delicious Black Forest cake, the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, thermal baths, cuckoo clocks, and beautiful forests, which makes it the perfect place for those interested in culture, history, and natural landscapes.

The most popular route to take is the Black Forest High Road. This scenic route extends for over 230 kilometers (145 miles) and runs from Baden-Baden in the north to Freudenstadt in the south. It can be done in a weekend or even one day, depending on how much time you spend at each stop.

The route passes through several quaint villages, each worth visiting for different reasons. The first few stops, Baden-Baden and Bad Wildbad, are known for their thermal baths and natural hot springs.

Freiburg im Breisgau, a bustling university town considered the Capital of the Black Forest, is known for its charming city center with mixture of Gothic and modern architecture.

Triburg and Lake Titisee, are all great places for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hikes with panoramic views, water activities like swimming and boating or traditional cuckoo clocks.  

There’s a lot to see and do in the Black Forest! For more information on the best things to do and see, read our full Black Forest guide.

Bodensee (Lake Constance)

The best part about a road trip around Lake Constance (Bodensee in German) in southern Germany is that you actually get to discover three countries at once! That’s because Lake Constance shares a border with Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. 

The area surrounding the lake is not only full of beautiful places to stop and explore but there are also tons of different activities you can do, depending on which part of the lake you go to. On the German side, you can discover Konstanz, a university town right on the lake, picturesque villages like Meersburg, resort towns like Lindau, small islands like Meinau, and even camping areas for motorhomes.

On the Austrian and Swiss sides you’ll find amazing views of and from surrounding the nearby rolling hills heading into the Alps. You can also take an excursion to Zurich or head south to tiny Lichtenstein.

Aside from the gorgeous scenery, Lake Constance is a popular destination for families during summer when water sports and activities like sailing, windsurfing, and swimming are in full swing.

Fairy Tale Route 

The Fairy Tale Route is a classic road trip option highlighting the magical world of the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales. It starts in central Germany in the city of Hanau and goes all the way north to Bremen for a total of around 600 kilometers (370 miles).

Along the way, you’ll drive by fairytale castles and historically significant towns associated with the Brothers Grimm and their stories.

Some important towns worth seeing include Asfeld, which is home to the House of Little Red Riding Hood and Bad Wildungen, where visitors can find the Snow White Museum.

Another town to visit is Marburg, known as a place where the Brothers Grimm studied. The Old Town is sure to take you back to medieval times with its picturesque half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets. 

Other cities further up north include Kassel, where there’s a whole museum dedicated to the fairy tales which houses the first edition of Grimm’s Fairy Tales from 1812. There’s also the town of Hameln, best known for the tale of the Pied Piper. 

Another thing you can’t miss are the castles. In this route, you’ll get to admire the Sababurg Castle, which is widely referred to as the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Another iconic one is the Trendelenburg Fortress, known as the beloved Rapunzel Tower. This road trip is a must-see for anyone looking to experience the real magic of Germany!

German Alpine Road

The German Alpine road is one of oldest and most scenic routes, offering breathtaking views of the Bavarian Alps.

The starting points are either the town of Lindau near Lake Constance or Lake Königssee near Berchtesgaden. The route extends for 515 kilometers (around 320 miles) and snakes through alpine meadows, relaxing spa resorts, mountain lakes, historic castles, and quaint southern German towns.

Starting in Lindau, you’ll get to discover the beauty of the Allgäu region which is known for its crystal clear alpine lakes, lush meadows, and snow-capped mountain peaks. The next stop would naturally be Füssen which is home to the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau. 

As you go further east, you’ll reach Oberammergau and the Garmisch-Partenkirchen region. One of the highlights of this part of the journey is Zugspitze, the highest peak in Germany. To reach the summit, you have to take a cable car to get spectacular views of glaciers and the German Alps. It’s a fantastic winter destination for those who love snow sports like skiing and snowboarding. 

Last but not least, the alpine roads will lead you to Berchtesgaden. You can easily spend a day here filled with sightseeing and activities – from exploring the Berchtesgaden National Park, climbing the Eagle’s Nest, or a fun guided tour of the Berchtesgaden Salt Mines. If you want to extend your road trip, you can even make your way to Salzburg, Austria since it’s only a 45-minute drive away. 

For more information, read our full guide of the best things to do and see in Berchtesgaden!

German Wine Route 

The German Wine Route takes visitors through the scenic Rhineland-Palatinate region. This route is on the shorter side at only 85 kilometers (just over 50 miles) and showcases some of the country’s best wineries and vineyards, culinary spots, natural scenes, and hiking trails.

One of the highlights of the German Wine Route is its unique climate. It’s known to have a mild, temperate climate that’s unique compared to the rest of the country. Because of this, the region thrives with crops like kiwis, lemons, and figs. Spring is especially a great time of year to visit since the route comes alive with blossoming almond trees.

On the south end, the route starts in the town of Schweigen-Rechtenbach, located on the French border. This route is filled with hidden gems of towns like Bad Bergzabern, Bad Dürkheim, and Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. Make sure to stop by any of the various wineries and tasting rooms along the way to sample the best wines the region has to offer.

The best time to visit would be any time from March to October. During this period, many open-air wine wine festivals are held along the route. The most famous one is Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim. It’s the biggest wine festival worldwide, with over 600,000 visitors each year. 

Rhine River And Mosel Valley

The Rhine River and Mosel Valley area is not only another great option for wine lovers but it’s also one of the most picturesque regions in Germany.

The best place to start this route is the city of Koblenz, since it’s a point where the Rhine river and Mosel river meet. There are different variations to the route but a good end point would be Trier, a city further south near the Luxembourg border.

One of the first stops you can make is the town of Cochem. This romantic city is known for the famous Reichsburg Castle (Cochem Castle), which towers over the Mosel River. The medieval castle has been rebuilt many times over the year and it hosts fun themed activities like medieval-style dinner and live performances.

Before heading to Cochem, it’s definitely worth taking a slight detour to Burg Eltz, another castle along the valley and overlooking the Elzbach River. This rare castle has never been damaged by war or other external force and hasbeen under ownership of the same family for over 30 generations. If you make your way. 

Another picturesque town worth visiting is Bacharach, a popular stop for river cruises that’s filled with wineries and vineyards. It’s also home to Burg Stahleck, a castle turned into a youth hostel on a hill, which you can visit even if you’re not staying there!. If you’re interested in booking a room in that castle (or another German castle), check out our guide to the best castle hotels in Germany.

Towards the end of the route, we recommend stopping at Traben Trarbach, a former major wine trading center in Europe. There’s no better place to enjoy a glass of Riesling than in the famous underground wine cellars and vaults of the city.

And for the final stop in this road trip, head on to the town of Trier. It’s known for its amazingly preserved Roman structures and ruins, like the impressive Porta Nigra city gate.

Saxon Switzerland

Saxon Switzerland is one of our favorite hidden gems of Germany and definitely a worthy addition to your Germany road trip itinerary.

This area is one of Germany’s 16 national parks, boasting of 710 square kilometers (274 square miles) of pure natural beauty including everything from dense woodlands, tall mountains, deep canyons, and gorges. 

Saxon Switzerland is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts who love rock climbing, biking, and hiking. The park has a marked network of over 400 kilometers (250 miles) of hiking trails which visitors must strictly stick within.

The highlight of this region is the iconic Bastei Bridge. It’s made up of stunningly bizarre rock formations that stand over 600 feet over the Elbe river. There is a bridge that links several of the rocks, so visitors can walk over it and get the best views of the national park. You can also get amazing views in the Königstein Fortress, one of the largest hilltop fortifications in Europe.

The Saxon Switzerland region is also home to a number of quaint villages and towns, such as Bad Schandau and Kurort Rathen, where you can take a break from hiking and try out the local food or go for a dip in the thermal baths.

For a more comprehensive overview, read our full guide on Saxon Switzerland.

Northern Germany Wattenmeer (Wadden Sea)

If you’re looking for a scenic coastal road trip, then the Wattenmeer (Wadden Sea) area in northern Germany is the perfect option. The Wadden Sea is an important biological region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site and completely different from southern alpine Germany.

The Wattenmeer National Parks are located across Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Germany has three national parks in this region. Make sure to check out the Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park, located in the estuary of the Elbe in the North Sea, for a landscape different from unlike anything else in Germany. It’s mainly made up of mudflats, shallow creeks, dunes, and sandbars, and some islands. You can go for guided hikes or even horse-drawn carriage rides when the tide is out and explore the region’s biodiversity. 

Another highlight is the North Frisian Islands, a collection of islands and islets with a unique cultural heritage. The largest island is Sylt, a picturesque Island where visitors can stay at a luxurious resort or simply walk along the long sandy beaches and admire the sand dunes.

Rügen Island 

For more coastal destinations, Rügen Island is an amazing destination. The largest island in Germany, Rügen is known for its sprawling coastline, white-sand beaches and seaside resorts. It’s easily accessible thanks to the Rügen Bridge, an enormous bridge connecting the island to the Hanseatic city of Stralsund in Northern Germany.

The most well known sight is the Jasmund National Park. This national park is home to stunning white chalk cliffs with views to the Baltic Sea. For the best views, make sure to climb the Königsstuhl. The seaside towns of Bergen, Binz and Sassnitz are also worth stopping by for their elegant villas and scenic harbors.

Rügen is located in eastern Germany about 3 hours north of Berlin. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path for non-Germans, check out the beautiful island of Rügen.

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