Among Germany's most beautiful regions is, of course, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Characterized by steep slopes overgrown with vines and impressive rocky outcrops with hilltop castles, the Middle Rhine Valley is still the epitome of Rhine romanticism and ideal terrain for castle lovers. From Koblenz up the Rhine, you can get to know new walls every day: more than 40 castles and fortifications tell of an eventful history along the Rhine. No wonder the people living here know only one answer to the question sung every evening over a glass of wine, "Why is it so beautiful on the Rhine?": "That's why it's so beautiful on the Rhine."
UNESCO World Heritage: the Upper Middle Rhine Valley
The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is one of the most magnificent and oldest cultural landscapes in all of Europe and is considered the epitome of Rhine Romanticism. The great diversity and beauty of the Middle Rhine has also been recognized by UNESCO and the approximately 65 km long section between the ancient Roman city of Koblenz and the towns of Bingen and Rüdesheim was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 2002.
The Upper Middle Rhine Valley
A Landscape without Equal
Since time immemorial, this stretch of the Rhine has inspired painters, poets, thinkers and musicians. No wonder, the narrow valley of the Rhine through the Rhenish Slate Mountains with its architectural monuments, the settlements strung along narrow banks like pearls on a string and its vine-covered slopes is unparalleled in Europe.
Sights Along the Rhine
Neuwied
Water Level Tower
Anyone who lives directly on the Rhine is no stranger to the concept of high water. Measuring the water levels on the river has always been part of daily life. This is also the case here at the gauge tower in the dike town of Neuwied. Using a measuring probe that reacts to the changing water pressure, the water levels are continuously sent to the public utility company. The dike information center at the end of Promenadenweg provides further interesting insights into the measuring work.
Learn moreBoppard
Rhine Bend
Boppard is at least as beautiful. Here the Rhine makes a loop, which of course is best admired from above. A hike to Gedeonseck and Vierseenblick offers the most spectacular views. Those who want to devote themselves entirely to Rhine wine can also do so extensively here, because the Bopparder Hamm is not only known for its good wines, but also offers an educational wine trail.
Learn moreSt. Goar / St. Goarshausen
The Loreley
The legend says that the beautiful Loreley with long blond hair sat on the rock and distracted the Rhine ship captains with her beautiful song, who thereby ignored the dangerous currents and rock reefs and crashed with their boats on the reefs.
Learn more!Castles & Palaces Along the Rhine
Around 40 facilities such as castles, fortresses and fortifications are dotted between Koblenz and Bingen. They have always testified to the strategic importance that the Rhine had in earlier centuries. Many of these facilities can be visited with or without a guided tour of the castle.
Neuwied
Engers Castle
The beautiful baroque castle directly on the Rhine was built between 1759 and 1764 as a hunting, pleasure and summer castle for the Archbishop of Trier. Today, Engers Castle is home to the Villa Musica Academy and is a very popular location for weddings and photo shoots. A model of the Hall of Mirrors with ceiling frescoes by the famous Januarius Zick is located at Festung Ehrenbreitstein and can be marveled at during the tour "In the Footsteps of Fortress History".
Learn more!Braubach
Marksburg
The only hilltop castle on the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed is an absolute must-see. The majestic Marksburg Castle is enthroned high above and offers a fantastic view even from the valley. Anyone who is even a little interested in the history of knights and castle goings-on will surely become a fan after a guided tour of the castle, because here you are completely immersed in a world long gone. Of course, it is also worth taking a look at the beautiful Middle Rhine Valley. Perhaps you can already discover the next destination on the horizon
Learn more!Kaub
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
It is also called the stone ship in the Rhine - the Pfalzgrafenstein toll castle near Kaub. Its ground plan is reminiscent of that of a ship, and so it has defied wind and weather, ice and waves since it was built in 1326. It has experienced many things on the Rhine - including the crossing of the Rhine by Field Marshal Blücher and his army during the wars of liberation against Napoleon. Today it is much more peaceful here, but the journey to the castle, which can only be made by small boat, is still a bit of an adventure.
Learn more!Bingen
Bingen Mouse Tower
According to legend, Archbishop Hatto II entrenched himself here on the run from mice, because the hard-hearted man did not grant his beggarly people any help from his granary. What the mice did to him there, one can imagine. Much more likely, however, the name comes from Old High German and refers to the history of the tower as part of the customs barrier system of Ehrenfels Castle. But whether legend or history - the Bingen Mäuseturm is always worth a visit!
Learn more!By train through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley
You have never seen so many castles along a river. Trains run several times a day between Koblenz and Mainz. Even from Frankfurt you can travel quite comfortably without changing trains with the RB 10. Just landed at the airport? Perfect! With the RE 2, you can also travel from the regional train station at Frankfurt Airport to Koblenz without changing trains. Both routes take you past countless castles in the upper Middle Rhine Valley and offer many opportunities to discover them - often even on foot from the platform!
Discover Germany's most beautiful regions by bus & train
Germany's most beautiful regions are closer than you think! Discover the city on the Rhine, Moselle and Lahn easily by public transport. It has never been easier to explore the most beautiful places in the region, because you can get everywhere with the Germany map. Be surprised by the diversity of the region and the endless possibilities to recharge your batteries.
Download the leaflet on public transport as a pdfHoliday on the Romantic Rhine
The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is more often referred to as the Romantic Rhine. While our love for the region is endless, this term actually refers to the romantic era of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The influences of the time can still be seen today in the architecture of various historic buildings, which you can view quite practically from the bike paths and hiking trails.
Rhine Cycling Route - from the Alps to the North Sea
Cycling on the Rhine
Cyclists experience one of Europe's largest rivers up close on the Rhine Cycle Route. From the Swiss Alps to the North Sea, the Rhine has always been the cultural and economic axis between the Alpine region and northern Europe. Discover the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Upper Middle Rhine Valley" on the Rhine Cycle Route from Koblenz and enjoy the unique river landscape with its picturesque towns and villages on both banks of the Rhine.
More Information on the Rhine Cycling Route:
Hiking along the Rhine
RheinBurgenWeg
This hiking trail winds along the Rhine for over 200 km between Rolandsbogen and Bingen. As the name suggests, hikers on the RheinBurgenWeg encounter beautiful views from the Rhine and countless castles, palaces and ruins: masterpieces of Rhenish architecture from medieval times to the 19th century.
Learn moreHiking along the Rhine
Rheinsteig
The Rheinsteig is one of the most beautiful long-distance hiking trails in Europe. This is certainly due to the 320 varied kilometers with idyllic landscapes, forests, vineyards, meadows and castles, which invite ambitious long-distance hikers and short-distance hikers at the same time.
Learn moreWe thank our regional partners in the Middle Rhine Valley
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