City: Rhineland-Palatinate
Top Things to do in Rhineland-Palatinate
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Rhineland-Palatinate (German: Rheinland-Pfalz, pronounced [ˈʁaɪ̯nlant ˈp͡falt͡s]; French: Rhénanie-Palatinat; Dutch: Rijnland-Palts) is one of the 16 states (German: Bundesländer) of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has an area of 19,846 square kilometres (7,663 sq mi) and about four million inhabitants. Its state capital and largest city is Mainz.
Restaurants in Rhineland-Palatinate
1. Mosel Valley
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 619 reviews
The beautiful rolling hills situated along the Mosel River make for one of Europe's great wine valleys.
Reviewed By H7786NTmarkd - West Bloomfield, United States
Mosel valley is a beautiful area that everyone must visit if in this part of Germany. Amazing small towns. Many great hotels, restaurants, shops.
2. Hauptmarkt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,054 reviews
This public square has served as Trier's main marketplace since medieval times.
Reviewed By KeithAfrica - Bonn, Germany
The Main Market center of Trier is a busy and comfortable centre. It is the access to the • the Steipe, the city council's banqueting house, • the city church St. Gangolf (through the little baroque gate on the south side) • access to the Trier Dom, • access to the Jewish Quarter After the Viking destruction of 882, the archbishop moved the market from the river to the present site, the Market Cross still commemorates this event from 958. The Market Fountain from 1595 shows St. Peter, the patron saint of the Cathedral as well as the city, standing on top, surrounded by the four cardinal virtues of good city government, Justice, Strength, Temperance, and Wisdom (originals in the Municipal Museum), but also by monsters and frolicking monkeys. The fountain, just like the Cathedral and the parish and guild church St. Gangolf as well the Steipe, are all rooted in the 300-year struggle for supremacy in the city.
3. St. Stephan's Church (Stephanskirche)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 944 reviews
Although often overshadowed by the tremendous Martinsdom, this cathedral is notable for its dazzling Chagall stained-glass windows.
Reviewed By Aussie135 - London, United Kingdom
St Stephans was founded in 990 but it is most famous for its stained glass windows which were created by Marc Chagall and then Charles Marq. The church itself is beautifully simple, lofty and illuminated by the majesty of its stained glass windows. Chagall intended the windows to be a token of friendship between Germany and France, providing a message of understanding and peace. He chose blue, 18 shades of blue, for his biblical cycle of nine windows because they appeal to our very life spirit just as a clear blue sky on a summers day lifts the heart. He thought gazing on such lovely shades of blue placed the visitor in a more meditative state and made it easier to commune with god.. The windows tell the story of creation and they endow the church with great beauty. It is remarkable that he finished his windows in his 98th year. Charles Marq was a life long friend of Chagall and carried on his work in the church by completing the window in the north and south aisles. Marq created magnificent windows using only 8-10 shades of blue and they fit perfectly in harmony with the Chagall windows and are a joy to see. Buy a guide book and spend time in this joyful and peaceful place admiring the work of two great artists. There is much to see and admire including the church organ. Don't forget to visit the cloisters which are also lovely. At the back of the church there is a WC. My cruise ship guide never mentioned this church which was amazing but I rate it as an absolutely unmissable place to visit in Mainz. Its a bit of walk uphill but well worth it Highly recommended- do not miss.
4. St. Peter's Cathedral (Dom)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,738 reviews
This 11th-century cathedral holds the tombs of several archbishops and displays an impressive collection of religious relics.
Reviewed By CJFitCrazy - Brandon, United Kingdom
Stunning!!!! A peaceful place to privately take a moment or just walk around a see beautiful architecture and love that went into building this Cathedral! It is a must visit!!
5. Liebfrauenkirche, Trier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 508 reviews
Reviewed By Steveage - Rexburg, United States
This church feels like 'the little sister' next to St. Peter's Dom Trier. Built in early 13th century, it’s one of the earliest Gothic churches in the world. Built entirely on Roman foundation. It has some 15th century wall paintings. Stained glass is a recent add. Church layout is Greek Cross. Burial place of archbishops as far back as 1581. Under this church are numerous excavations not open to the public, however, one area has glass with a railing around it so you can look down in the dig area.
6. Mainz Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,279 reviews
The city's huge main cathedral is over 1,000 years old and contains the tombs of several of the city's archbishops.
Reviewed By tragio - Artemida, Greece
You can see the cathedral from all around the city. Its in the middle of a very big square. Worth your time and photo shooting.
7. Basilica of St. Castor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By TheRealGelatoGirl - Germany, null
Just a couple of steps away from the “German Corner”. Great gardens with gorgeous flowers. A pity the church was closed, worth coming back to see the inside.
8. Speyer Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,148 reviews
The cathedral St. Mary and St. Stephen in Speyer is church that is unique in its spiritual, architectural, and historical dimensions. Day for day this house of God, founded in the 11th century, casts its spell on people, serves as a site of contemplation and prayer, and testifies to the legacy of romanesque architecture. Furthermore, the cathedral of Speyer is the gravesite of Salian, Staufer, and Habsburg rulers, thus functioning as a symbol of the medieval emperorship. In 1981, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. As an episcopal church, the cathedral of Speyer is the spiritual centre of the diocese Speyer. Built in the Middle Ages as a house (Latin: domus) of God, to this very day its entire architecture serves to lead mankind to the Lord: the floor plan, the decoration, and all measurements serve this purpose. As an episcopal cathedral church, as the cathedral's parish church, as a place of pilgrimage: mass is celebrated here every day of the week.
Reviewed By 476jael - Long Island, United States
Since the era of Holy Roman Empire, Speyer Cathedral (Dom zu Unserer lieben Frau in Speyer) has been a most important Romanesque cathedral with proud history. Many German emperors and kings along with their spouses had been buried in the cathedral. In Spyer, where this cathedral played dominant religious role, the controversial Edicts of Worms and Spyer were protested by six princes and representatives of 14 Imperial Free Cities, aiding expanson of Protestantism. This cathedral is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During our Viking River Cruise’ “Rhine Getaway” journey, we visited this cathedral which was within a walking distance from the ship’s pier. On the side of the cathedral, we saw the Mount of Olives sculpture and the cathedral’s gift shop building. From outside, the cathedral with red sandstorm walls, copper topped nave, domes and towers looked more like a solid fortress than a basilica. Upon entering the heavy metal center door, we faced awe inspiring nave with double-bay vault system. The nave with solid stone columns did not have ornate decors seen in basilicas in Italy. There were no stained glass windows either. Altar area and pipe organs were also rather simple and stoic. And yet, the cathedral was awe inspiring especially when we thought about its status during pre-Reformation era. Upon exiting the cathedral through the center door, we faced a huge plaza with Speyer City Hall and the main road leading to the ciy center with other churches and shops. The visit was memorable.
9. Mittelrhein Klettersteig
10. The Museum of Ancient Shipbuilding
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
Other than the Rhine cruise, this was the best thing we did in Mainz. It was really excellent. Even if you have limited interest in Roman ships and history, go for a short visit. It’s free so you can leave when you like. It’s an open, white modern looking space and there’s a lot to interest kids as well. The museum is centred around the discovery of 6 Roman ships that were only uncovered in the 1980s. They found them when they were building the Hilton Hotel along the river front. Unbelievable to think that these 2000 year old ships were lying just around the corner, preserved in the mud all of that time. The boats include patrol vessels, cargo ship and ancient warship. They are really well preserved. The remains of the river patrol vessel looked like massive skeletons of plesiosaurs or underwater beasts. There are also large working replicas on display. The information is very good. As you’d expect, it’s mainly in German but there is enough in English too. Even for those who want more specific detail like construction, steerage and propulsion, there’s enough English information. The only thing we were curious about but couldn't find any information on was what had happened to the boats to cause them to all be left in the one spot. Had they been abandoned? Or sunk or wrecked by a storm? A really unique feature of the museum was the large restoration workshop. Unfortunately no one was at work when we were there but normally large windows let you watch them making full-scale working replicas of the Roman boats. There are videos showing the boats being trialled on the Rhine. Mainz was a very important ancient Roman port so there is a lot of additional information about the Roman settlement. Large colourful dioramas across whole walls show what Mainz might have looked like at that time. There are displays of marble busts, sarcophagai, relief sculpture, coins, urns and other artefacts like discharge documents from Roman sailors. We spent well over an hour here and could have spent two but it is only small so you can visit it relatively quickly too. GETTING THERE: It is right by the Romisches Theater train station. From the cathedral it is about 12 -15 min walk. Once you’ve finished, you are very close to the river which makes for a lovely walk along the promenade. Walk past the Hilton Hotel and see where the boats were uncovered.
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