The Rhine Valley, with its beautiful landscapes, charming towns surrounded by picturesque vineyards, is high on our list of places to visit on a German road trip. We were fortunate to see much of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley while driving the scenic Rhine Castle and Romantic Rhine route. Short on time? Read on as we tell you how to get a taste of the Rhine Valley.
Driving to the Rhine Castle route to Koblenz on our first day in Germany, we looked across the Rhine River to hills covered in vineyards and small towns hugging the riverfront. We were glad that we had made some time to explore that side of the river on the return leg.
In particular, there was one town we wanted to visit, Rüdesheim am Rhein.
Rüdesheim am Rhein
Rüdesheim am Rhein is a charming town just over one hour’s drive (65km) from Frankfurt. It’s the perfect town to get a taste of the Rhine Valley. If you’re not convinced, then look at any riverboat cruise itinerary travelling the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, and you’ll find the town on their itinerary.
The town is a great way to experience the local architecture, the Rhine Valley and wine.
Rüdesheim am Rhein architecture
Dating back to the 15th century, the town has an old town filled with medieval buildings. The best way to experience the town’s charm is to walk up one of the alleyways leading from the riverfront and stroll through the town. You’ll find beautiful half-timbered houses and squares in a compact area.
Rüdesheim am Rhine wine
The UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine is renowned for its picturesque vineyards, which produce world-famous Riesling and Pinot Noir wines. The countryside is dotted with world-famous winegrowers. And, there’s no better place than Rudesheim am Rhein’s old town to sample some. You’ll find plenty of local wine cellars which offer tastings and wine for purchase when strolling through.
Stroll along Drosselgasse
The heart of Rüdesheim is the town’s most popular and scenic street, Drosselgasse. The lively cobblestoned street is filled with historic inns and restaurants serving local dishes.
Ride the Cable Car or drive to the Niederwald Monument
The Niederwald Monument was constructed between 1871 and 1883 to commemorate the unification of Germany, which took place when 25 individual states merged into one nation following the Franco-Prussian War. If you are in Rüdesheim, visiting the monument by making your way up the hills is highly recommended.
The monument sits majestically on a pedestal overlooking the Rhine Gorge, perched above the valley in a park. It’s one of Germany’s most revered monuments.
How to get a taste of the Rhine Valley
The park offers the public a terrace overlooking the vineyards and across the Rhine River to the towns, vineyards, and countryside of the west bank.
The panoramic view is absolutely worth the effort. Savour the scenery from above.
If you have extra time
Take the ferry between Rüdesheim and Bingen. A short six-minute ferry ride will offer you the opportunity to view both sides of the river from the water and stroll through the walkable town and riverfront.
Our opinion
Being on both the river cruise and tourist bus routes, be prepared to share your Rüdesheim experience with the crowds. We returned to visit in mid-September at the end of our summer road trip in Germany to find that there were lots of tourists milling around the town.
In our opinion, there are other, more enchanting towns in the Rhine Valley. It is, however, the perfect place to get a taste of the Rhine Valley if you have time constraints.
In case you’re interested
Have plenty of time and want to see more? Please take a look at some of our other experiences in the Rhine Valley.
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