The Mosel Valley in Germany is a destination that offers a perfect mix of adventure, history, and natural beauty. As the heart of the wine industry, Mosel is full of picturesque vineyards, historic towns, stunning landscapes, and a scenic river. We went to the Mosel area with our motorhome for a long weekend trip and we were captivated by its charm and serenity. This blog post delves deeper into the best things to do and see around the Mosel Valley while sharing our personal experiences.
1: Visit Koblenz
Koblenz is the city where the Mosel connects with the Rhine. There is a monument at this confluence called the Deutsches Eck. The monument features a large statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I on horseback and is a popular spot for tourists to take photos, mostly because of the amazing views this spot offers.
The Koblenz Seilbahn is a cable cart that goes from the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress to the Rhine and offers stunning views of the historical landmarks in the city, including the Basilica of St. Castor, a Romanesque church dating back to the 9th century and the Church of Our Lady, a Gothic church dating back to the 13th century.
The town also has many parks and gardens, including the beautiful Schlosspark, which surrounds the Electoral Palace, dating back to the 18th century. Overall, Koblenz is a charming town with a rich history and many attractions for visitors to explore.
2: Beilstein, the Sleeping Beauty village
One of the towns we visited during our motorhome adventure was Beilstein, a quaint town on the Mosel River’s banks. The town is often called the “Sleeping Beauty of the Mosel” because of its well-preserved medieval architecture with its narrow, cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and peaceful atmosphere.
Beilstein’s most famous landmark is the Burg Metternich, a castle that sits atop a hill overlooking the town. Visitors can take a guided tour of the castle, which has been beautifully restored and features stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Though Beilstein was pretty, we felt like we went through it quickly. It is a really small village, and we only spend a brief amount of time here before moving on.
It is also worth mentioning that we encountered some difficulties with parking our motorhome. Although no signs indicated that motorhomes were not allowed, we struggled to find a suitable parking spot to accommodate our vehicle. In the end, we found a spot that was just long enough. We discovered designated motorhome parking located slightly outside the village after we left the town. We wished that there had been clearer signage pointing to this parking option.
3: Hiking trails
The Mosel Valley’s amazing natural beauty gives you ample opportunity to hike. And there are many hiking trails that offer breathtaking views. We saw signs for hiking trails almost everywhere we went.
The Calmont Klettersteig is a popular hiking trail that takes visitors through the steepest vineyard in Europe. There is also the Moselsteig, one of the longest hiking trails in Germany, split up into several stages.
You can check out the hiking trails in Mosel here.
4: Burg Eltz
Burg Eltz is a stunning medieval castle in the hills above the Mosel River, near Wierschem in Germany. This castle from 1157 must have been blessed because it has withstood time and wars with no damage. It took over 500 years to build this burg, which means it has a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. It is considered the most beautiful castle in Europe as well as a fairy tale in stone.
To reach Burg Eltz, visitors must hike through a beautiful forest trail that is approximately 1.5 km long. The trail offers stunning views of the castle from different angles and its strategic location on top of an 80-meter-high rock. Visitors can explore the castle’s interior, which is decorated with ornate furnishings, antique weapons, and beautiful tapestries. The castle also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can take a guided tour of the castle, which lasts about 45 minutes and covers the castle’s history, architecture, and the everyday life of its inhabitants.
5: Traben-Trarbach and the Railway
Traben-Trarbach was once a major centre for wine trading, and as a result, it is home to some of the most impressive Art Nouveau architecture in Germany. A great example is the Brückentor, a Jugendstil-style gate across the Mosel that connects Traben and Trarbach. Visitors can walk across the village and see these different Jugendstil buildings. They can also explore the town’s many wine cellars.
Another activity around Traben-Trarbach is the historic railway Moselweinbahn. This 54-kilometre-long railway is a scenic route that goes from Traben-Trarbach to Bullay and passes through picturesque vineyards, quaint villages, and beautiful countryside. The railway was built in the late 19th century and was primarily used to transport goods such as wine and slate from the region.
However, it has become a popular tourist attraction in recent years, offering visitors a unique way to explore the Mosel region. Several stops along the way allow passengers to get off and explore the villages and towns at their leisure. The train is also equipped with large windows, allowing passengers to take in the breathtaking scenery as they ride. Overall, the Mosel Valley Railway is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the Mosel region and is a must-try for any traveller visiting the area.
6: Visiting Vineyards & Tasting Wine
Mosel is famous for its vineyards; no trip to the region would be complete without exploring them. The region is home to some of the best Riesling wines in the world, and there’s no better way to experience them than by visiting the vineyards where they’re produced. There are many vineyards throughout Mosel that offer tours and tastings, so you can learn about the winemaking process and sample some of the region’s finest wines.
We visited a local winery that we had visited before. We sampled some of the wines and took home several bottles of our favourites.
7: Visit Trier
Are you looking for a bigger town? How about Trier, the oldest city in Germany, full of Roman buildings? You can visit the Porta Nigra, a UNESCO world heritage site. It is the best-preserved Roman city gate in Germany and is considered one of the most impressive Roman structures outside of Italy. The gate was built in the late 2nd century AD and served as the northern entrance to the Roman city of Augusta Treverorum, which was the capital of the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. Visitors can explore the interior of the gate and climb to the top for a panoramic view of Trier. The gate also hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year.
8: Bernkastel-Kues
Bernkastel-Kues is another picturesque town that captures the essence of the Mosel region’s rich history and culture. This village was originally two towns that are connected by a bridge. Bernkastel is older and, therefore, more popular than its modern brother Kues.
It is located on the banks of the Mosel River, surrounded by lush vineyards and rolling hills that add to its charm. The biggest tourist attraction is the Medieval market square which is surrounded by 400-year-old half-timbered houses, including the city hall, built in 1608. The market square is the heart of the town and is lined with charming cafes, restaurants, and shops that offer a wide variety of local goods and produce. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the town’s narrow streets, admiring the historic buildings and soaking up the atmosphere of a bygone era.
9: Biking
We noticed there are several biking trails around the area but even more so, people mountain bike anywhere through the amazing nature of the Mosel Valley. Marten also took out his mountain bike and biked several trails with enough height meters to make him work.
We also saw there is a Mosel Cycle Path meant for normal bikes. The mostly asphalted route is relatively flat and goes alongside the Mosel a lot of the time. You can get an audio tour with 40 audio stop-off points and ten stages for a total of almost 250 kilometres of cycle path.
10: Visit the Town of Cochem
Cochem is one of the most popular destinations in the Mosel area and attracts visitors worldwide with its charm, history, and scenic beauty. At the heart of the town stands the Reichsburg Cochem, a medieval castle that towers over the river and offers stunning views of the town and the surrounding vineyards. The castle has a fascinating history and has been beautifully restored, making it a must-visit attraction in Cochem.
In addition to the castle, Cochem is also home to a beautiful historic town centre with narrow streets, half-timbered houses, and cosy cafes and restaurants. The town centre is perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride, and visitors can admire the buildings’ colourful facades and historic architecture.
We parked our motorhome in P3, a big parking behind the train station. We also saw special parking spots for motorhomes at the edges of the town.
11: Cruising Down the Mosel River
During our trip to Cochem, we took a boat ride down the Mosel River, which turned out to be an unforgettable experience. As we made our way up and down the river, we were treated to breathtaking views of the region’s famous vineyards, which were a sight to behold. Some of the vineyards go straight up a hill, and it was incredible to think about the amount of work and dedication that goes into taking care of these vineyards. You can see a photo of such vineyards a bit higher up in this article.
As we continued our journey down the river, we could also take in the castle of Cochem from all sides and see some of the surrounding charming and picturesque villages that dot the Mosel River. The villages were all so unique and different, with their own distinct personalities and traditions. The boat ride was a relaxing way to take in the beauty of the region while enjoying a glass of wine and learning about the local history and culture.
When are you visiting the Mosel Valley?
In conclusion, the Mosel Valley in Germany is a destination that offers something for everyone, and it’s a must-visit for any motorhome adventurer. With its rolling vineyards, charming towns, and scenic river, Mosel promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you wanting more. So pack your bags, get your motorhome, and get ready for an adventure!
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