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Germany's Rhine River is hundreds of miles long, but not all of it is the
"Romantic Rhine" of syrupy guidebooks. The stretch of river where you
can see castles, villages, and vineyards, not to mention the Loreley, runs 36
miles from Koblenz in the north to Bingen in the south.
Pfalzgrafenstein at Kaub on the Rhine
River, Germany
(c) Michael T. Schumacher
Visitors like coming to this part of Germany
because the scenery is actually stunning. Whether you travel by car, train, or
boat, you'll see high hills stretching away from the river, topped with castles
and vineyards. Some of the castles are open
for touring during the tourist season, while others are hotels, hostels, or the
homes of some organizations. In the area around the Loreley, the river valley runs through
dramatically elevated hillsides.
The Loreley is a treacherous precipice that for
centuries trounced ships traveling the Rhine River. The male sailors, of course,
blamed their tragedies on a woman. A legend developed that a young, beautiful
maiden with long, blonde hair would sing and distract the sailors. You can see a
statue of the Loreley near the cliff.
As you travel along the river, you'll see
colorful villages that are geared for travelers. The most popular places are St.
Goar and Bacharach, each with its own castle that you can tour. There are also
opportunities for dining on German cuisine and buying Rhine wine, probably from
a nearby vineyard.
Village of Rüdesheim on the Rhine
River, Germany
(c) Michael T. Schumacher
When to Go
The best time to visit the Rhine is during the summer, when you can take full
advantage of the sights. Traveling in a cruise boat is more fun when you can sit
in the open rather than down below, peering at castles through rain-streaked
windows. Of course, be prepared for tourist crowds during the summer.
How to Go
There are several ways to travel along the Rhine. Several river cruise companies
offer tours. It takes about two hours to cruise from St. Goar to Bacharach, and
most visitors agree this is the most scenic part of the Rhine River.
You can also take the train that runs between
the villages in the area, and stop anywhere along the way. Another option is to
drive the highway that's on the banks of the river, or ride a bicycle along a
trail. If cyclists or drivers want to get to the other side of the river, a
number of ferries are available to get them across.
River Cruise on the Rhine
River, Germany
(c) Michael T. Schumacher
Tourist
Information
Map
of the Rhine Area
River Cruise Lines offers this map of Rhine's best part, which shows locations
of villages, highways, and the Loreley.
Accommodations
in Bacharach
See some of the beautiful places you can stay in Bacharach.
Castles Near the Rhine and Mosel
Links to descriptions of various castles along these rivers.
Rhine River
Tours
Rhine
River Boat Tours
Read the description of the boat tour from St. Goar to Bacharach, and all the
stops along the way.
Bingen-Rüdesheim
River Tours
See the timetable and fares, as well as tour information.
Rhine
River Bus Tours
This tour company offers a number of options for bus tours.
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