As you continue exploring the charm of the Mosel or the Rhine Valley, during one of your trips you may want to set your starting point in Koblenz – a city lying at the confluence of the two rivers.
This charming little city has some wonderful things to do, some amazing places to stay, and is the perfect starting point for many trips you’re likely planning on taking in Western Germany. It’s quite a central hub that certainly packs a lot of punch.
How to get to Koblenz
To get from Düsseldorf to Koblenz you can either take a regional train that will get you there in about 1,5 – 2 hours, or you can drive there and it will take you 1 hour and 45 minutes. There are cheap rental car options if you don’t have a car. However, if you don’t plan on exploring more of the region and would just like to make Koblenz a day trip, a train is a great option. Otherwise, you can also choose to join a ride-sharing program from Düsseldorf to Koblenz.
Things to do in Koblenz
There are plenty of things to do in Koblenz and the surrounding areas. While you can certainly visit Koblenz on a day trip, I’d definitely recommend staying a little longer to see all the other sights around the Middle Rhine Valley (hotel recommendations included below).
Deutsches Eck – where the 2 rivers meet
Namely, the meeting point is called Deutsches Eck (the German corner). To experience it you have at least two wonderful options:
- 1: The actual corner of the land where the two rivers meet: It is a ship bow-shaped landmark with a magnificent (37 meters tall!) Monument to Emperor Wilhelm I, semi-circled by the column wall, both symbolizing German Unity. The reinstallation of the monument (no spoilers, a lot of historical pieces were damaged in one war or another) was done by a sculptor from Düsseldorf.
- 2: From the Rhine viewing point up the hill, near the Fortress of Ehrenbreitstein: The location will give you a wonderful finish to your rivers Rendez-vous experience from the 112 meters height. To surmount that distance and to get you from point a to point b – yes, you guessed it right! – you can use the Koblenz Cable Car – the closed cabin which in a few minutes time will give you plenty of opportunities to take numerous pictures and selfies of the breathtaking views, or, simply, to sit and enjoy the view. If you’re lucky, you can get into the cabin with the glass floor – providing, of course, you’re up for such an experience!
The Fortress of Ehrenbreitstein
If you’ve already decided to take the cable car up to the fortress for that killer view, you may want to spend some time on the hill, at the Fortress’ grounds. Ehrenbreitstein is also a cultural center that hosts a number of activities for all – whether you’re a history fan, your kids love climbing parks, or you enjoy wildlife and would appreciate a griffin show at the place.
Naturally, they also have a beautiful café with a fantastic view and local delicacies. In the evenings, the café often hosts live performances.
The Fortress of Ehrenbreitstein also hosts a number of incredible events like the festival of lights, Kidsfest, history plays, Dragonfest, Springfest, and many more.
If you’ve still got some time and energy you can continue and explore the other castles of the area.
Beautiful castles around Koblenz
Once you’ve explored and been inspired by the beautiful city of Koblenz, you can continue exploring the romantic small towns around the Middle Rhine Valley. One of my favorite stops along the way was in St.Goar at Stefan’s Wine Paradise, which apart from wine can boast the best collection of cuckoo clocks in the region! And of course, you’ve also got other beautiful little towns like Cochem, where you’ll find delicious local foods, beautiful views of the Mosel Valley and a stunning castle on the peak.
Staying in Koblenz
If you’re planning on exploring further, you may also recognize that Koblenz is a great place to spend the night due to its central location and ample opportunities for food (some of the smaller towns close up shop in the evenings and leave you with limited options depending on the season).
There are few amazing options worth considering like the Fährhaus or the Hotel Brenner otherwise, you can check out all your other options below.
