Castles of the Romantic Rhine

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The UNESCO World Heritage portion of the Rhine Valley is breathtaking.  Surrounded by lush vineyards, German fairy tale towns, and gorgeous medieval castles, you can’t help but feel like you have whisked away to a far off land as you cruise this beautiful region.  

Nowhere else in the world can you find as many castles as close together as the castles in The Upper Middle Rhine Valley.  

These castles highlight the wealth and prosperity of this region in The Middle Ages, and a cruise along the Rhine River gives you an amazing view.

Castles on the Rhine

Travel Like Us

Accommodations: For our trip to the Rhine Valley, we decided to make the charming town of Bacharach our home base.  

You can read all about why we chose Bacharach in our post, Ultimate Guide to the Fairy Tale Town of Bacharach, Germany.  We stayed in a charming bed and breakfast, Bistro Rene, where the town castle overlooked our balcony!  

We always book with Hotels.com.  Not only do we get a great rate, but we also earn free nights.  You can’t beat that!

If you prefer a small apartment, consider booking with Airbnb.  We use Airbnb when we want to “live like a local.”  Haven’t tried Airbnb? Well, click here to get a $55 credit toward your first stay.

To begin exploring the castles on the Rhine, we chose to do a day cruise on the most scenic portion of The Rhine, from St. Goar to Bingen.

We recommend cruising in one direction, and then taking the train in the opposite direction.  Marty and I chose to use KD Cruise line for our trip.  The lady working the ticket office in St. Goar was super helpful so she won our business.

When to Visit:  The boats run from early April through October, with the summer months being the nicest weather and therefore the most tourist.

Rheinfels and Katz Castle

Boarding our boat in St. Goar meant we were immediately greeted by two castles. The ruins of Rheinfels Castle sit high above St. Goar like a ghost from the past, while the Katz Castle sits across the river staring at the town of St. Goar.

Rheinfels Castle sits watch over the town of St. Goar and is one of the largest castles of the Rhine.  Built in 1225 to protect the tax St. Goar tax collectors, Rheinfels quickly became one of the most spectacular castles of the Rhine Valley. 

Only to gain more power in 1479 when Neukatzenelnbogen ‘Katz’ Castle was built across the river.

In the Medieval days, these two castles of the Rhine combined had clear views up and down the river where they could control traffic and collect their duties.

A long standing history, Rheinfels was one of the only castles on the Rhine’s left bank to withstand the attacks from King Louis XIV.

Today, visitors can immerse themselves in medieval history by touring the many towers, halls, and passageways that intertwine to make up Rheinfels castle.

The Loreley

While cruising past Rheinfels, be on the lookout for the infamous statue of the Loreley, the beautiful-but-deadly nymph.

Legend has it that a young maiden threw herself into the river in a fit of despair over an unfaithful lover. Upon her death, she was turned into a siren that sailors say could be heard singing a hypnotic song that lured them to their death.

It’s funny, you’re cruising right along, and then suddenly, the whole ship breaks out into song!  

Why you ask?  Well, they didn’t want the Loreley to sink our ship, so they were serenading her, of course!

Luckily our captain didn’t fall under her spell, and we sailed safely past!

Oberwesel and Schonburg Castle

The charming town of Oberwesel is overlooked by Schonburg Castle.

Oberwesel has a magnificent medieval wall and 16 of the original 21 towers of the town are still standing!  If you have time, definitely stop in Oberwesel.

You can take in Liebfrauenkirche, the town’s beautiful red church.  Here you will find gorgeous sculptures, paintings, and one of the oldest altars in Germany!  Wander up to St. Martin, the ‘white church’ with the fortress like tower that sits up on the hill. 

And of course, you will want to visit Schonburg Castle!

Schonburg Castle was built in the 12th century for the Dukes of Schonburg, the ruling family of Oberwesel at this time.  After the family died out with their last heir, the castle was burned down in 1689 by French soldiers and sat in ruin for over 200 years. 

That is until it was purchased by the Rhinelander family in the late 19th century and restored.

Schonburg Castle is now a hotel that boasts 27 rooms along with a prison tower and a library!  Definitely on my list to stay in next time we visit the castles on the Rhine!

Pfalz Castle

Sitting on a tiny island in the middle of the Rhine River, Pfalz Castle can’t be missed.  Like most other castles in this area, it was built for the sole purpose of generating revenue from boats traveling down the Rhine River.

While being one of many toll castles on the Rhine, it was the unique location of Pfalz Castle that gave it a clear advantage over the other toll castles of the Rhine.

For you see, Pfalz Castle would string large chains across the river forcing traffic to stop and pay their taxes before crossing.  This helped to make the town of Kaub very wealthy!

You can tour the tiny castle if you like, but it’s pretty boring so I wouldn’t bother.  Just admire it from your cruise.

Bacharach and Stahleck Castle

The charming town of Bacharach sits right along the Rhine and is overlook by Stahleck Castle up on the hill.

Known for the wonderful white wine that has been exported from this area since the medieval ages, Bacharach is surrounded by vineyards just waiting to be explored. 

You can climb into the hillside, walking into the vineyards before exploring the remaining town towers and the town wall.

Visitors will definitely want to see the ruins of Wernerkapelle, the ruined church that has an interesting story behind it, before stopping into Altes Haus, the oldest house in Bacharach.  This half timbered village will have you falling in love with it in a matter of minutes.

Before leaving, be sure to head up to Stahleck Castle, the 12th century castles that has one of the most picturesque views of the Rhine River that we experienced during our time in the Rhine Valley. 

Stahleck is now a youth hostel where you can spend a night or two if you choose to do so.  Even though the castle doesn’t offer guided tours, you are welcome to come up and admire the views while sipping a glass of wine in the castle’s courtyard.

Lorchhausen

Surrounded by vineyards, as are most towns on the Rhine, you will find the quaint town of Lorchhausen.

Famous for being the starting point of the Rheingau Riesling Route, you will find the area growing Riesling and pinot-noir grapes.  Visitors can roam the vineyards and explore the towers and castles on the Rhine from this charming town.

Gutenfels Castle

The Gutenfels Castle has been owned by the Falkenstein family since the 11th-century.  One of the many castles on the Rhine that was used to charge tolls in order to transport goods down the Rhine River.

Since 1277, the castle has served as a castle of the Electorate of the Palatinate.  After surviving an unsuccessful siege in 1504, the castle was renamed Gutenfels, meaning solid rock.  Rebuilt between 1889 and 1892, the castle is now used as a hotel!

Niederheimbach and Heimberg Castle

The town of Niederheimbach is overlooked by Heimberg Castle.  Although Heimburg Castle is individually owned today, and not available for tours, you can still visit the town of Niederheimbach.

Enjoy the of the historic ring-wall, as well as some 17th-century relics in the church.

Sooneck Castle

Up on the hilltop near Aachen, is one of the many castles of the Rhine that have been named UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Sooneck Castle.

Originally built in the 11th century, Sooneck Castle was destroyed twice.  It was also the sight of several medieval battles and sieges, including one in 1282 when the castle was overtaken by King Rudolph I. 

It was during this seige that the castle was destroyed and the king put a ban on rebuilding it.

It wasn’t until 1346 that a new castle was built on the site on to later be destroyed in the War of the Palatine Succession.

In 1834, the remains of the castle were rebuilt and today is open to tours.  Touring this castle gives you insight into wonderful paintings and furniture.

Assmannshausen

The village of Assmannshausen is well worth a visit during your time in the Rhine Valley.

Known for growing a different type of grape than the traditional Riesling of this region, Assmannshausen specializes in a delicious red wine that is ruby in color with notes of cherry, blackberry, and a hint of smoke.

Visitors will definitely want to stop in one of the historic taverns to enjoy the town’s famous red wine made from grapes grown on “hell hill”.  Ride the chair lift to the top of the hill while overlooking half-timbered house and beautiful vineyards.  

There is also a Gothic style church, a 12th-century basilica, and the Niederwald hunting lodge.

Assmannshausen is also known as a health spa region with its warm thermal spring that has lithium rich water flowing through it.  The thermal spas, wonderful wine, and great places to stay make Assmannshausen a desired destination for visitors from all over the world.

Reichenstein Castle

Reichenstein Castle is a perfect example of romanticism that is contained within the castles of the Rhine.

Although the castle was first built in the 11th century, it was rebuilt in the beautiful Romantic era.  Passed around several times, the castle fell into despair in the 1500s until it was purchased and rebuilt in 1834.

This gorgeous castle is a classic example of neo-Gothic style.  Pay particular attention to the castle’s impressive shield wall.

Today the castle houses a modern roomed hotel where guests can immerse themselves in history.  Inside you will find a large collection of cast-iron plates, hunting trophies from all over the world, weapons, arms, porcelain, and furniture from centuries.

Furstenburg Castle

Built by the archbishop in 1219 to protect his lands, Furstenburg Castle is now one of the ruined castles of the Rhine.  The oldest part of the castle is the tower which contains walls that are over 3-meters thick! 

For years the castle provided protection to estates of the area and of course, collected tolls for passage along the river.

Today the castle is privately owned, and is not available for tours.

Rheinstein Castle

Located opposite of Assmannshausen, Rheinstein was our favorite castles on the Rhine.

Built in the beginning of the 14th-century, Rheinstein screams romance to me.  Situated on a rocky outcrop, Rheinstein stands 270 feet above the Rhine River.

Rheinstein was home to the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph von Habsburg where he founded the Noble Knighthood.  Like most castles of the Rhine, it fell into disrepair for many years until it was purchased by the Hecher family in 1975 who spent 19 years restoring it to its glory.

The castle possesses a working drawbridge, a gorgeous courtyard with fabulous views of the Rhine, a garden still producing grapes, and a small chapel.

Inside the castle is decorated with are stained glass windows, beautiful paintings, and period furnishings.  Today the castle hosts many events including medieval games and romantic tours.

Ehrenfels Castle

Look up near the town of Rudesheim and among the vineyards you will see the ruins of another fabulous castle of the Rhine, Ehrenfels Castle.

Ehrenfels Castle was one of three castles originally built to protect the archbishop of Mainz.  In Medieval times, it was of strategic importance because of its location above the Binger Loch.

It was destroyed in 1689, but the ruins are still pretty impressive.  You can access the castle via a hiking trail through the vineyards.

Here are some suggested tours while you’re in the region!

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