Koblenz & Cochem, germany
Attractions Guide

The city of Koblenz is located at the star of Germany’s scenic Rhine River Valley gorge, at the confluence of the Moselle River. Koblenz is usually considered to be the gateway city to the many castles along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers.

A system of ferries connects Koblenz with the many small towns and castles along the Rhine River Valley, including Braubach, St. Goar, Sankt Goarshausen, Oberwesel, Kaub, Bacharach, Bingen, Rüdesheim am Rhein, Mainz, and more.

The ferries from Koblenz and the Rhine River Valley towns also connect to the larger cities of Cologne and Bonn to the north, as well as Königswinter. Another popular and more efficient way to admire the castles is to take a boat tour along the Rhine River from Koblenz, allowing you to see a majority of the castles from a distance.

A majority of the towns and castles along the Rhine River Valley can also be reached from Koblenz via train.

Along the river in Koblenz’s Altstadt Old Town are several attractions, including the Schloss Koblenz Palace, a sprawling 18th century palace. You can explore the ground and exterior of the Koblenz Palace, as well as its gardens. Nearby you can visit the oldest building in Koblenz, the Basilica of St. Castor, a towering Romanesque church originally built in the 9th century.

Just north of the Basilica of St. Castor is the headland point where the Moselle River meets the Rhine River, called Deutsches Eck. This headland hosts a giant monument and offers great views looking along the rivers.

Adjacent to the Basilica of St. Castor at the lake’s edge is the Seilbahn Koblenz, a cable car that travels over the Rhine River up to Koblenz’s top attraction, the hilltop Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. This giant 19th century fortification is a UNESCO world heritage that you can explore.

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress hosts several museums, including shifting exhibitions, and exhibits in archaeology, history, and photography. The top reason to visit the fortress however is for the incredible views overlooking the Rhine River and Koblenz from high above.

At the southern edge of Koblenz is the Schloss Stolzenfels Castle, a well-fortified 13th century castle which sits atop the forest-covered hills above the Rhine River Valley. Stolzenfels Castle is the first castle you’d see from a boat along the Rhine River, but if you’d like to visit it you can take a very short bus ride from Central Koblenz. The Stolzenfels Castle is open for guided tours, except on Mondays.

Along the Mosel River west of Koblenz you’ll actually find one of the most famous castles in Germany, the Burg Eltz Castle. This fairytale-like medieval castle was built in the 12th century up in the hills above the river and is surrounded by dense forests. Be aware that the castle is only open to visitors from April through October.

The Eltz Castle’s exterior is especially photogenic, mixing half-timbered framing with fantastical stone towers and spired roofs. A long stone pathway atop a ridge leads to the castle’s entrance, and once inside you’ll find lavish medieval furnishings and decor. The castle also contains an armory and treasury filled with precious objects and artifacts as well as historic weaponry.

Reaching Eltz Castle

The easiest way to reach the Eltz Castle is via car or a tour from Koblenz/Cologne, however you can also reach it by bus on weekends and holidays. From Koblenz HBF Central Station you can take the train for just under 30 minutes to the village of Treis-Karden. From the village you can catch the VRM Line 330 (BurgenBus) to Eltz Castle, which runs 4 times per day [Timetables].

Apart from the bus, you can also reach the Eltz Castle via a moderately long hike of approximately 6.8 miles (11 km) round-trip from the Treis-Karden Train Station.

Cochem is a lovely and colorful town located further along the Mosel River Valley, surrounded by forested hills. Cochem’s Marktplatz (Market Square) is highly photogenic and beautiful, featuring many half-timbered medieval buildings which house many cafes and restaurants. Nearby you might visit a unique museum dedicated to the history of mustard, the Historische Senfmühle Dehren GmbH, which also offers mustard tastings.

You might also consider hiking or taking the Cochemer Sesselbahn cable car up the mountain to the Pinnerkreuz Viewpoint, which offers majestic views overlooking Cochem and the Mosel River. Further up the mountain is a wildlife and amusement park called the Wild- und Freizeitpark Klotten.

Cochem Castle

Atop a hill on the southern side of town is Cochem’s top attraction, the Reichsburg Cochem Castle. This stunning 12th century castle sits above the river and features mesmerizing Neo-Gothic Romanticist architecture. Inside the castle you’ll find historic furnishings from the Middle Ages. The Cochem Castle also hosts medieval performances and reenactments amongst its charming grounds.

Reaching Cochem

From Koblenz HBF Train Station you can reach the town of Cochem in about 35 minutes by train. From Treis-Karden (the village near Eltz Castle) you can reach Cochem in just 10 minutes via train. It’s also possible to reach Cochem via ferry from Koblenz, although this option is obviously slower.