12 Best Places to Visit on the Rhine River & Things to Do

Today, we’re going on a virtual journey through the romantic Rhine Valley in Germany. It’s a land of incredible contrasts, with rugged mountain peaks towering over the lowlands and river.

Here, castles dot the landscape. Some were built for war, while others were built as luxurious vacation estates. Meanwhile, the waterside is an endless vista of peaceful vineyards and rural villages like Bacharach. These vineyard and villages are divided by the dense forests that gave The Black Forest its name.

Those passionate about history will love the ruins and architectural wonders on this list. Families can treat the kids to traditional wooden dolls. Everyone will want to dig into artisan pastries crafted from recipes passed down centuries ago.

This isn’t just an urban tour through some of European civilization’s best and oldest parts. There are wild, untamed areas along the Rhine Valley. These include challenging mountain trails, overlooks, and other heart-pounding outdoor adventures.

The Rhine River is one of the longest rivers in Europe. It flows from the Swiss Alps on an incredible 1,230-kilometer route through mountains and meadows to the Netherlands, eventually spilling into the North Sea. That’s quite a journey!

For this guide, we’re narrowing down a plethora of attractions to the absolute best places to visit on the Rhine River.

Places to Visit on the Rhine River & Things to Do

1. Marksburg Castle

Address: Marksburg, 56338 Braubach, Germany

Marksburg Castle isn’t the biggest castle along the river, but this picturesque site is considered one of the highlights of any visit. It’s the only hilltop fortress in the middle Rhine region that was not destroyed and rebuilt at some point in its history.

This is especially impressive since it was built in 1117 and survived nine centuries of strife. The castle boasts original architecture and a museum you can visit over a breezy one-hour guided tour. Visitors can enjoy amazing views of valleys, nearby villages, historic towns, and the Rhine River just outside its walls.

A short walk downhill takes you into the village of Braubach, which clusters at the castle’s metaphorical feet. This quaint and quiet place is just across the river Rhine from the well-known city of Koblenz.

Braubach has retained much of its medieval character. It’s full of twisty old streets and half-timbered buildings straight from a fairytale….