We were staying in the historic city of Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, setting aside one day to drive around the area surrounding Koblenz. In particular, the town of Cochem is a must-visit destination. Discover why you’ll love visiting the magical town of Cochem on the Moselle River.
The drive from Koblenz to Cochem
The one-hour drive from Koblenz to Cochem is filled with scenery. We wound our way along the Moselle River, catching glimpses of castles and small towns on the other side. Vineyards accompany us along the road and line the banks across the river.
Cochem
Picturesque Cochem is best known for its castle, half-timbered houses sitting in small squares, medieval cobblestone streets, vineyards and its riverside promenade.Spend a day wandering the streets, strolling the river promenade, or sitting at a cafe watching the activity around you. We spent a few hours in Cochem doing a little of each.
Reichsburg Castle
Reichsburg Castle perches majestically on the hill, towering over the town and surrounded by grapevines. It is the first thing you catch sight of as you drive around the bend.
A version of the castle has been on the site since the 12th century. It was heavily damaged during the Nine Years’ War in the late 17th century, and remained in ruin until the 19th century, when a wealthy Berlin businessman restored it.
A walk up the hill on a path from the town centre was the first thing to do on our itinerary. The terrace provided the perfect vantage point to gaze over the spectacular views of Cochem and the Moselle.
With much more to see, we didn’t take a tour of the castle’s interior. The castle tour takes about 40 minutes, leading you through the displays of tapestries, wood panelling, Baroque paintings, and armoury.
A stroll around Cochem Altstadt
Back down in the old town, we meandered through the cobbled streets and alleys lined with beautiful old homes, stores and wine cellars to reach the main square (Marktplatz).
Marktplatz is where you’ll find the Town Hall and the best collection of half-timbered houses in Cocham, along with Martinsbrunnen, the water fountain featuring St. Martin (the town’s patron saint) atop.
Enderttor City Gate
Wandering through the old town, we found ourselves at the city gate to find our perfect lunch spot, a busy little bakery with seating outside, from where we could eat our lunch, gazing at the Enderttor.
The largest of Cochem’s gates, built in 1332 with a guardhouse attached, Enderttor is one of the town’s major landmarks.
River promenade
Next to the old town, there’s a walkway next to the Moselle River that transforms into a pretty parkland path. as you walk further away. It’s a lovely spot to sit and watch the activity on the other side of the river. Walking back towards the town, you’ll find yourself looking up at the fantastic view of Cochem Castle up above.
On the promenade closer to the town, you’ll find tour boats offering cruises up and down the river, while across the road, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to dine at while watching the river activity.
Next to the upper part of the old town, the riverside walkway broadens into a park, and just before the Skagerrak-Brücke (bridge), beside the quay for tour boats, you can turn back for the ultimate view of Cochem Castle on its high roost.
Skagerrak-Brucke
The Skagerrak Bridge offers one of the best views of the Castle perched above the town amongst the grapevines, as well as the township itself. We didn’t find much else on the other side of the bridge, however, but it was worth walking across for another perspective of the landscape.
Drop into a wine cellar in the Old Town
Surrounded by wineries, there is no better opportunity than in Cochem to visit a wine cellar or two for tasting and to buy some renowned local wine.
We took the opportunity to visit a couple of wine cellars where helpful staff explained the local varieties and assisted us in purchasing a few bottles of wine to enjoy later.
Our conclusion
Cochem was a wonderful choice to take a day excursion to. Its proximity to Koblenz meant that it was not an onerous drive to reach, while giving us a chance to experience the magic of this fairytale town. We highly recommend visiting o staying in the town if you’re planning a trip to the Rhine Valley.
One more thing…
While you’re in the area, be sure to make a side trip to see the romantic medieval Burg Eltz located in the mountains between Cochem and Koblenz.
After arriving at the parking lot, the beautifully maintained castle of turrets and towers is reached by a short walk on a forest trail after arriving at the car park. Alternatively, regular shuttle buses run between the car park and the castle.
On a sunny afternoon, we found the walk pleasant with the castle appearing impressively before us as we rounded a corner.
The castle is one of the best medieval fortresses in Germany. Built over 900 years ago, it’s been owned by a branch of the Eltz family since its construction.
In case you’re interested
We visited Cochem on a day trip from our base in Koblenz, a beautiful city on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. We arrived in Koblenz by driving the scenic Rhine Castle Route. Read more about our time in the Rhine Valley and our recommendations by clicking on the links below.
