Koblenz and the Mittelrhein and Ahr regions

Travel times from Trier:
Train – 1 hour, 30 mins.
Car – 1 hour, 15 mins.

Between the picturesque landscape of the Rhine and Mosel and surrounded by four low mountain ranges, is this more than 2,000-year-old town known as the “Gateway to the Romantic Rhine,” the ideal starting point into the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Koblenz’s  abundance of cultural monuments and historical buildings, the cozy little lanes and alleyways, and the relaxed and happy atmosphere of its squares and river promenades make Koblenz a charming town where its guests feel right at home. And it’s a perfect base for exploration of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers and the Mittelrhein and Ahr wine regions that border the city.

Extending north (downstream) from Koblenz, you can visit the red wine-region Ahr, one of Germany's northernmost wine regions.  It is also one of the smallest, with vineyards extending only 24 kilometers (15 miles) along the Ahr River as it flows toward the Rhine just south of Bonn. Most of the vineyards grow red grapes - Spätburgunder (Pinot noir) and Portugieser - producing red wines of light charm and racy fruitiness. Four out of five bottles of Ahr wine are red — velvety to fiery Spätburgunder and light, charming Portugieser predominate, with plantings of Dornfelder on the rise. Lively, fresh Riesling and Müller-Thurgau are the white wines grown here. A testament to its high quality, nearly all of the region's wine is consumed locally.

To the south (upstream), the Mittelrhein forms a beautiful region of steep, terraced vineyards and some of the wine world's most splendid scenery with medieval castles and ruins clinging to rocky peaks. Nearly three-fourths of the vineyards are planted with the noble Riesling grape. The clayish slate soil yields lively wines with a pronounced acidity. In years when the wines are particularly austere, they are sold to the producers of Sekt, Germany's sparkling wine, where high acidity is an asset.

Built on the occasion of the German Wine Exhibition in 1925, Koblenz’s Wine Village is situated on the Rhine banks (in the Empress-Augusta-Gardens). It has been a destination for connoisseurs of good wine and regional specialties for nearly 75 years. The complex includes a vineyard and half-timbered houses from some of the most famous German wine-growing areas. Sit inside for a relaxing view out onto the river, or enjoy the romantic ambiance of sharing a glass of wine on the outdoor trellised courtyard.

After appreciating a few of Koblenz’s local products, move on to exploring its narrow alleys and vibrant plazas in the Altstadt (Old Town), situated in the corner of town bordered by the Mosel to the north and Rhine to the east. A scenic walk that gives a sense of the breadth of this charming quarter is along the Mosel and Rhine promenades. Stroll across the Balduin Bridge, first built across the Mosel starting in 1342. The view back to the Altstadt offers a unique view with the turrets of the Old Castle and the two pointed steeples of St. Florin’s Church.

Make your way to the Deutsches Eck—or German Corner—with its monument of Emperor William I on horseback, where the rivers Rhine and Mosel meet. Standing at the tip of the Corner, you can watch the sparkling waters of the Mosel swirl into the powerful Rhine. Across the Rhine stands the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, looming 388 feet above the river and reminding visitors of Koblenz’s symbolic strength and historic significance. Today, the Fortress houses a memorial to the German army, a youth hostel, the Regional Museum and a restaurant with excellent regional food.

For a lovely day excursion into the romantic Rhine valley, take a castle boat tour along the river, for example on the “Goethe,” a historical paddle steamer.  Enjoy a glass – or share a bottle – of the regional Riesling while cruising past the unparalleled castles on Koblenz’s neighboring stretches of river. There’s Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Stolzenfels Castle and the remarkably well preserved Marksburg Castle in Braubach. Take a look at the Cat and Mouse Castles before you reach the undisputed highlight of any tour on the Middle Rhine - the Lorelei Rock. The legend lives on, high up above the Rhine on a mighty cliff top. But there are still more sights to be seen: Schönburg Castle, Pfalz Castle and the romantic wine village of Bacharach with Stahleck Castle, before you can head to the famous Drosselgasse in Rüdesheim for yet more wine tasting.