The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is undoubtedly one of Germany's most beautiful regions. Characterized by steep vine-covered slopes and impressive rocky outcrops with hilltop castles, the Middle Rhine Valley is still the epitome of Rhine Romanticism today and ideal terrain for castle lovers. From Koblenz up the Rhine, you can get to know new walls every day: over 40 castles and fortifications tell of an eventful period on the Rhine. So it's no wonder that there's only one answer to the question that's sung 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 Europe and is considered to be the epitome of Rhine Romanticism. The great diversity and beauty of the Middle Rhine has also been recognized by UNESCO and the approximately 65-kilometre-long section between the old 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 Second to None
This section of the Rhine has always inspired painters, poets, thinkers and musicians. It is no wonder the narrow Rhine Valley through the Rhenish slate mountains with its architectural monuments, settlements lining the narrow banks like pearls on a string and its vine-covered slopes is unparalleled in Europe.
Neuwied
Gauge Tower
Anyone who lives directly on the Rhine is no stranger to the concept of flooding. Measuring the water levels on the river has always been part of everyday life. This is also the case at the gauge tower in the dyke city of Neuwied. A measuring probe, which reacts to the changing water pressure, continuously sends the water levels to the municipal utilities. The dyke information centre at the end of the Promenadenweg provides more interesting insights into the measurement work.
Learn more about the water gauge towerBoppard
Rhine Bend
Boppard is at least as beautiful. The Rhine makes a bend here, which is of course best admired from above. A hike to Gedeonseck and Vierseenblick offers the most spectacular views. If you want to devote yourself entirely to Rhine wine, you can also do this extensively, as the Bopparder Hamm is well known for its tasty wines and wine nature trail.
Learn more about BoppardSt. Goar / St. Goarshausen
The Loreley
Legend has it that the beautiful Loreley, with her long blonde hair, sat on this rock and distracted the Rhine boat captains with her enchanting song. They no longer paid attention to the dangerous currents and rocky reefs and wrecked their boats on the reefs. Today, the Loreley Rock is world-famous and continues to cast a spell over visitors.
Learn more about the LoreleyWelcome Aboard!
Rhine River Cruises
Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Upper Middle Rhine Valley" in a different, perhaps its most beautiful, way and let the countless castles, palaces and fortresses on the banks of the Rhine pass you by.
Find the perfect Rhine river cruiseCastles & Palaces Along the Rhine
Around 40 castles, fortresses and fortifications can be found between Koblenz and Bingen. They bear witness to the strategic importance of the Rhine in earlier centuries and many of them can be visited with or without a castle tour.
Neuwied
Engers Palace
The beautiful baroque palace directly on the Rhine was built between 1759 and 1764 as a hunting, pleasure and summer palace for the Archbishop of Trier. Today, Engers Palace 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 can be found at Ehrenbreitstein fortress and can be admired on the tour "On the trail of fortress history".
Braubach
Marksburg Castle
The only hilltop castle along the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed is a must-see when visiting Koblenz. The majestic Marksburg towers high above the village of Braubach and offers a fantastic view of the valley. Anyone interested in the history of knights and castle life is sure to be a fan after a guided tour of the castle. Here you can immerse yourself in a bygone era. Of course, it is also worth taking a look at the beautiful Middle Rhine Valley. Perhaps you will spot your next excursion destination on the horizon.
More info on the Marksburg CastleKaub
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
It is also known as the stone ship in the Rhine - the Pfalzgrafenstein customs castle near Kaub. Its ground plan is reminiscent of that of a ship and 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. Although it is much more peaceful here today, the journey to the castle, which can only be made by small boat, is still a bit of an adventure.
Bingen
Bingen Mouse Tower
According to legend, Archbishop Hatto II holed himself up here fleeing from mice because the hard-hearted man would not grant his impoverished people any help from his granary. You can imagine what the mice did to him there. However, it is more likely that the name comes from Old High German and refers to the history of the tower as part of the customs barrier system at Ehrenfels Castle. But whether legend or history - the Bingen Mouse Tower is definitely worth a visit!
Find out more about the Bingen Mouse TowerBy train through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley
You have never seen so many castles on a single train journey. Trains run between Koblenz and Mainz several times a day. You can also travel comfortably from Frankfurt without changing trains on the RB 10. Just landed at the airport? You can also take the RE 2 from Frankfurt Airport's regional train station to Koblenz without changing trains. All 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 in comfort by public transport. It has never been easier to explore the most beautiful places in the region than it is today. You can get everywhere with the Deutschland ticket. Let yourself be surprised by the diversity of the region and the endless opportunities to recharge your batteries.
Download the leaflet on public transport as pdfHoliday on the Romantic Rhine
The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is often referred to as the Romantic Rhine. This term refers to the Romantic art epoch of the late 18th and early 19th century. The influences of this period can still be seen today in the architecture of various historical buildings, which you can easily view from the cycle 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 kilometers between Rolandsbogen and Bingen. As the name suggests, hikers on the RheinBurgenWeg will encounter beautiful views of the Rhine and countless castles, palaces and ruins: masterpieces of Rhenish architecture from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
Find out more about the RheinBurgenWegHiking 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 alike.
Find out more about the RheinsteigWe would like to thank our regional partners in the Middle Rhine Valley
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