Germany Rhine River Day Cruise

When Rosita and I were just starting to plan our trip to Germany, I asked her what the one thing was that she would like to do in Germany. Without hesitation she said she wanted to see some castles. I started looking and found a roughly 30 miles stretch of the Rhine River with about 30 castles that you could see from the River. Everything I read said this is the best spot to go to see some castles.  

Rhine River Cruise Boat

I started looking at River Cruises and found a 4-day cruise form Cochem to Strasbourg France. Since wanted to spend 4 or 5 days in Germany and then go to Switzerland this seemed like a great choice. But the dates for the cruise would not work out so we decided on a day cruise. The advice I got suggested cruising downriver instead of upriver because the upriver cruise would take almost twice as long. 

Rhine River View

After doing some research I found out that the stretch from Bingen to St. Goar was the best stretch to see a concentration of castles. So now to find a boat and where to get on and off of it.  

Marksburg Castle

We decided to go to Bingen and take a Koln-Dusseldorfer or KD boat to Braubach. At Braubach is located the Castle Marksburg, the only castle in this area that had not ever been destroyed by war. It also had daily tours. Our goal was to get off at Braubach and tour this castle. 

Koln-Dusseldorfer Stolzenfels

We left Cochem at 7:30 on the train and arrived at the Bingen Stadt train station in plenty of time to catch the boat as the KD boat dock was a short pleasant walk from the train station. We bought our tickets at the dock, boarded the boat and departed at 9:30.  

Upper Deck of KD Stolzenfels

We went to the top deck and found a table outside so we could have unobstructed views of the castles. It was a little cold outside but we were bundled up and they were serving hot chocolate on the deck.  

The Mauseturm Toll Tower and The Ehrenfels Castle Ruin

After a short cruise we could view The Mauseturm Toll Tower or Mouse Tower and The Ehrenfels Castle Ruin.

The Ehrenfels Castle Ruin

The Ehrenfels Castle was destroyed in 1689. It is still in ruins but you can see from my photo that some restoration work is being done. You can tour the castle by appointment only.  

Rheinstein Castle

The next castle we came to is the Rheinstein Castle. This was one of the more impressive structures we saw. The castle can only be reached by a short foot path and is open to visit and tour. It is one of the main attractions of the Rhine River Valley.  

Reichenstein Castle

The Reichenstein Castle or Falkenburg is on the mountain above Trechtingshausen. The castle is open daily except for Monday and each month except for January.  

Sooneck Castle

The Sooneck Castle was the next up. It was built during the 11 century and destroyed later that century. It was restored during the 1800s and can now visit it by guided tour only.  

Heimburg Castle

The Heimburg Castle was built in 1294 and was destroyed by the French in 1689. This castle is not open to visitors. 

Nolig Castle Ruin

Just past the Heimburg Castle on the other side of the river is the Nolig Castle Ruin. It is in ruin and is not open to the public.  

Furstenberg Castle Ruin

The Furstenberg Castle Ruin was the next castle. It was built in 1219. It was destroyed during the Palatinate Succession War. It is now privately owned and is not open to visitors. 

Stahleck Castle

The Stahleck Castle is next and on the same side of the river as the Furstenberg Castle. It was built during the 12th century and destroyed by the French in 1689. 

Pfalzgrafenstein Toll Station

Pfalzgrafenstein Toll Station is very interesting because it sits right in the middle of the river. It was used as a toll station until 1866. You can take a ferry to the island and take a tour of the building.  

Gutenfels Castle

Soon after the toll station we saw Gutenfels Castle. This castle was rebuilt between 1889 and 1892. It is used as a hotel and is not open to the public.  

Schonburg Castle

Schonburg Castle is next and it is a very impressive structure. It also was destroyed in 1689 and restoration was started in 1885 and continued for many years. Today it is used as a hotel and is not open to visitors. 

Katz or Cat Castle

Katz or Cat Castle is the next one you will see. This castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times, the last destruction was by Napoleon in 1806. In the late 19th century the castle was restored to its original design. Now it is a hotel and is not open to visitors. 

Rheinfels Fortress

Rheinfels Fortress is the largest of the castles to overlook the Rhine River. It fell to the French in 1794 without a fight, who then blew it up. The fortress is mostly in ruins but there is a hotel and a restaurant on the grounds and the ruins are open to visitors.  

Maus or Mouse Castle

Maus or Mouse Castle is next. It is also known as Thurnberg. The castle was never destroyed but fell into disrepair during the 16th and 17th centuries. It was restored early in the 20th century. It later received some damage during World War II, that has since been repaired.  

Sterrenberg Castle and Liebenstein Castle

Sterrenberg Castle and Liebenstein Castle are called the Hostile Brothers. It is thought that disputes of different castle owners started the legend in the 16th century. But there is not any know armed conflicts between the two castles.  

Liebenstein Castle

In reality Liebenstein Castle, built in the 13th Century and the younger one was built as a forecastle for Sterrenberg Castle. Now the tower houses a hotel and restaurant.  

Sterrenberg Castle

Sterrenberg Castle was built first. The Castle received preservation and restoration work in the 1970s. It is now open from March through October and houses a Restaurant with panoramic views.  

Marksburg Castle from upriver

Castle Marksburg is the last castle we saw. This castle is the most impressive of the castles, viewed from the river. You can see it high on the mountain for miles as you come downriver.  

Marksburg Castle

It is very impressive as you round bends in the River and see it looking like it is towering over the city of Oberspay. It is actually on different sides of the River.  

Castle Marksburg

We departed the boat here in Braubach right on time at 12:20 and went for a tour of Marksburg Castle. This castle is one of the few that has never been restored and been kept as it was in the middle ages. It was a great way to see how people lived hundreds of years ago.  

Lunch at Marksburg Castle

After the tour we had a wonderful lunch on their outdoor terrace with some amazing views overlooking the Rhine River. We also bought some souvenirs and some brandy made by the local monks that was very good.  

View from Marksburg Castle

If you do go to Marksburg Castle keep in mind that the public transportation does not run on Monday. We kept looking for it, made our way to the tourism office and were told the tram to the castle did not run on Monday. They were very nice and called us a taxi, so everything worked out well.  

Rhine River View

In summary this was a very enjoyable day excursion for us. If you are within a 2 or 3-hour train ride of Bingen and Braubach this will be a very good day trip for you.  

Maus or Mouse Castle

If you would like to read more about the castles, go to LoreleyInfo and there you can find more information about these and other castles on the Rhine River. 

To read more about our stay in Cochem, Germany you can read our Three Day Visit to Cochem Germany and 7 Things to do in Cochem Germany.  

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