City: Rhineland-Palatinate
Top Things to do in Rhineland-Palatinate
Top 10 Castles 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. Rheinstein Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
"Burg Rheinstein" is nowadays a interesting museum with a long history. There is a restaurant for visitors and if you'd like to a special experience - there two beautiful apartments which can be booked for a overnight stay. The castle "Burg Rheinstein" is located approx. 5 kilometers (approx. 3 miles) westward of Bingen, down the river Rhine, at the south entrance of the UNESCO Cultural Heritage of the Upper Middle-Rhine Valley ("Oberes Mittelrheintal"), face to face with the village of Assmannshausen. The castle was the symbol of the castle-reconstruction period in the 19th century, the so-called Romanticism, because of its impressive location, and also its eventful history had many highlights.
Reviewed By Steveage - Rexburg, United States
Park down on the main road, make sure to pay for parking at the automated pay station and put the receipt on your dashboard. Big fines for not doing this. Then it’s a decent climb up a wide, dirt, switchback trail. My kids ran up this, but us 50-something-year-old-parents, it probably took us about 10 minutes to walk up. Beautiful views as you walk up to the castle, and of course at the top. The castle was constructed in the early 14th century. Then, after the Palatine War of Succession, the castle was in a sorry state. The castle was rebuilt under Prince Frederick of Prussia in the 1820’s. Burg Rheinstein possesses a working drawbridge and portcullis. The Burgundy grapevines in the garden have been there for 500 years! I really enjoyed seeing the legit armor form the 15th century, stone work on mantles, but easily, the most impressive and memorable part is walking out on the skinny stairs to the highest tower. That view of the Rhine from here is unforgettable. 5 € per person, yes, it’s worth it.
2. Burg Rheinfels
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
The most powerful landmark of St. Goar is Rheinfels Castle. It is the largest and one of the most magnificent castle ruins on the Rhine - equally important for the castle architecture of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen in the 14th century as well as for the castle and fortress construction of the 16th to 18th century Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel. Immerse yourself in the Middle Ages, explore fortifications, towering towers and halls and passageways cut into the rock.
Reviewed By webreg2017 - Portland, United States
We hiked up the hill from St. Goar to visit the castle. We only did the self-guided tour which shows you about 1/3 of the grounds. The hand out provided nice information about the ruins. The views from the top tower were impressive.
3. Reichsburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
This medieval castle towers over the village of Cochem.
Reviewed By YTCHENG - Hong Kong, China
While visiting Cochem, it is a must to go uphill to tour and enter the Reichsburg Castle. There is shuttle bus service from town to the castle for the charge of Euro 4 per person. The medieval castle is nice by itself and there is guiding service in touring around. Before leaving this castle, do have views over River Moselle from above and it is well worth the trip.
4. Eltz Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,808 reviews
Reviewed By 877margarets - Napier, New Zealand
Only on Sat and Sunday the bus goes from Treis Karten. You’ll need a full day. Train from Cochem before 10. 15 to Treis Karten Station. Turn left from the Railway Station, there is the bus stop. The Burg Eltz bus leaves at 11.15. The bus winds its way through villages for 1/2 hour ( at least) and finally you get to the parking area for Burg Eltz. Turn right and follow the track through the forest for 20 minutes. The walk isn’t that difficult and is very attractive. Take photos when you see the castle! We didn’t have time to fit in the tour that you have to take to see the castle. ..But, you could if you wanted to fill in the time until the return bus at 13.10. ... unfortunately, we were on a tight schedule and chose to walk down to Moselkern. It was a pleasant 4.9 km down hill walk. It took us one hour, ten minutes. . We waited for the hourly, 3pm train back to Cochem. As I’m older, I’m glad I took a walking pole. At some parts the track was uneven and the pole gave me support. I wouldn’t walk the track if it was damp. It could be dangerous. A taxi from Moselkern cost E45 one way.
5. Marksburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 969 reviews
Reviewed By alcor1922
The castle is one of several eye-catching castles in the Rhine Middle Valley. The tour was part of our Viking Rhine Getaway offshore excursion and a tour guide is required to have access to this well-preserved medieval castle. We were informed that the castle was used more as a fortress instead of a residence. The tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Climbing up the steep hill may be a challenge to some but it is worth it. The museum displays of medieval items were impressive - the strategic canons, the kitchen/dining area, the bedrooms, the weapons gallery and warriors garb, and the torture room or the dungeon. A toilet built protruding from the wall is an interesting medieval concept. The view of the town below and the Rhine River is amazing from the vantage point of the castle.
6. Rheinfels Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 498 reviews
Reviewed By 861mckennan - Gainesville, United States
We loved visiting this castle. It's in ruins, but you can climb all over and explore in a way that you couldn't in most castles. Wear good shoes to take advantage. Also, the view is spectacular. There is a shuttle from the town, but it was very difficult to find.
7. Genoveva Castle (Genovevaburg)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By JanV5280 - Tielt Winge, Belgium
Spent about 2 hours in the Eifel museum and the mines. Great and interesting and everything is very compact and in a nice scenery. The staff is also extremely friendly and helpful.
8. Burgruine Hardenburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By TomundJo - Victoria, Canada
A very comprehensive self guided audio tour of one of the largest castle ruins in the area. Well worth a visit, easy to spend a half day here, great spot for a picnic.
9. Reichsburg Cochem
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,960 reviews
Reviewed By emfeAthens_Georgia - Athens, United States
This beautiful castle atop a steep hill has a spectacular view of the town below. The interior areas were lovely and the guided history of the castle was outstanding.
10. Burg Stahleck
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 265 reviews
Reviewed By Steveage - Rexburg, United States
Some of my kids, and our 'adopted,' German foreign exchange student, stayed in this historic castle and present day hostel. The view of the Rhine is incredible. Burg Stahleck was first built in 1135, destroyed to just walls and foundation in the 17th century. In 1828 the Crown Prince Frederick William acquired it. It was rebuilt to original specs. Even Hitler Youth was housed in here before WWII. Great place to sleep, or just walk up to it from Bacharach town center.
