Best Things to Do in Moselle River

1. Koblenz

Ancient Koblenz in central Germany is the gateway to the vineyards and ancient castles of the Rhine Gorge. Here, at the confluence of the mighty Rhine and Moselle rivers, look for the statute of Emperor Wilhelm I at Deutsches Eck (German Corner); this is the point of land that separates the two rivers.

Take a walking tour to explore the Old Town (Aldstadt), take the cable car from the riverbank up to the majestic Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and visit the 12th-century Alte Burge, where you’ll find the city’s municipal archives and library.

2. Trier

While the Romans arrived more than 2,000 years ago, there is archaeological evidence that this location has been settled for approximately 16,000 years. Explore the fortified gate of Porta Nigra, a 2nd-century UNESCO World Heritage Site; pop in to Constantine’s Throne Room at Aula Palatina and visit the Roman Imperial Baths, the largest in Europe. The Old Town is delightful, with its historic architecture and charming boutiques and cafes.

3. Eltz Castle

A stunning example of medieval architecture, Burg Eltz is perched above the Moselle River and remarkably is still owned by the same family whose ancestors built it in the 12th century. Look for 800-year-old furnishings, gold and silver artifacts, centuries-old weaponry and more inside this storybook castle.

The surrounding Eltz Forest is home to many walking trails - the Eltz Castle Panorama Trail is especially popular for its vast views from the Moselle plateau and access to the Elzbach River forests and meadows.

4. Bernkastel-Kues

Everyone loves a quaint, fairytale European village and that’s just what's on offer at Bernkastel-Kues. The riverbank marketplace offers plenty of souvenir shopping and adorable spots to find a quick bite or coffee before delving into ancient history at the 17th-century Town Hall, early Gothic St. Michael’s Church and 15th-century St. Nicholas’s Hospital. Oenophiles are in heaven at the Mosel Wein Museum, where there is opportunity to sample 160 different kinds of wine!

5. Cochem

Spread out below a turret-topped ancient church, Cochem is one of the Moselle Valley’s prettiest towns. Peek into 15th-century St. Martin’s Church, stroll through the quaint marketplace and learn a few fun facts at the 1739 Town Hall.

Don’t miss that hilltop castle, however - the Reichsburg Cochem was built in 1020 and is the largest in the valley. It was destroyed by the French in 1689, then restored in the 19th century in Neo-Gothic architectural style.

6. Zell and Zeller Hamm

For one of the prettiest pictures you’ll take along the Moselle River, climb to the top of Marienberg and capture the view of the 12-kilometer Zeller Hamm loop in the river. (The best views are from the old monastery ruins.) Traipse down to Zell, at the south end of the far bank of the Zeller Hamm, for a peek at well-preserved old town walls, a castle built in 1542 for the Electors of Trier and the famous Zell Black Cat fountain, dedicated to a quite legendary feline.

7. Piesport

History buffs are drawn to the evidence of the Roman Empire throughout the Moselle Valley, including one of the best examples of this heritage, the town of Piesport, which lies across the river from Bernkastel-Kues. See the largest surviving Roman grape press, the Rococo church of St. Michael and the cast of a famous Roman ship carving that was excavated in these parts.

8. Stolzenfels Castle

Just a few miles from Koblenz sits the enchanting, white Stolzenfels Castle, built originally as a fort in the 13th century before its reincarnation as a castle in the 19th century. Take a breather in the artistic gardens and marvel at the Prussian-Rhine romanticism of the palace.

9. Trabel-Trarbach

Nestled in by forest and vineyards, the architectural treasures of Traben-Trarbach lure lovers of ancient history to what, at the turn of the 20th century, was the second largest wine trading city in Europe. Take a tour through the ages, including the Art Deco buildings designed by renowned Berlin architect Bruno Möhring.

10. Beilstein’s River Promenade

While perhaps not as well known as some of its Moselle River counterparts, sleepy Beilstein is short on tourist attractions, yet long on charm. The river promenade is perfect for whiling away an afternoon or enjoying a glass of wine at the water’s edge, daydreaming of what life would be like if you called this riverside haven home.