In 3 short trips we have explored the beautiful Moselle and the surrounding region and show you in this article the most beautiful Moselleplaces and their sights.
Table of contents
Things to know about the Moselle
The Moselle rises in the Vosges of France and makes its way through Luxembourg to Koblenz, where it flows into the Rhine at the German Corner. Over a distance of 544 km, it crosses three countries, 28 dams, magnificent landscapes, numerous Moselle villages, steeply towering vineyards and hilly landscapes. With the Moselweinstraße, the Moselle Cycle Path, the Moselhöhenweg and the Moselsteig, the Moselle offers its visitors plenty of leisure opportunities. In addition, a number of remarkable castles and ruins tower over the Moselle valley, and a tour by boat is also worthwhile. And the connoisseurs are also not neglected, because the Moselle also has a lot to offer with its wines and ostrich farms.
Whether a weekend getaway or a summer holiday: the Moselle is a region where you can spend an unforgettable time due to the wide range of leisure opportunities.
The course of the Moselle through France, Luxembourg and Germany
Cities, castles & activities – the most beautiful places on the Moselle
Eltz Castle
With its unique architecture, its many towers and gables and its picturesque location, Eltz Castle is the epitome of a German knight’s castle for many visitors and is rightly considered one of the most beautiful castles in Germany ❤
The medieval castle of Eltz is one of the few fortifications in Germany that could never be conquered by force in its history and thus survived the wars almost unscathed. Only a fire in 1920 destroyed some parts of the castle, which could later be rebuilt. A guided tour of the interiors of the castle is worthwhile, because it gives you an impression of the chivalrous way of life and home décor and sees many furniture and works of art, all from the possession of the Eltz family – a real journey through eight centuries of history.
Our detailed article about the castle Eltz with many more photos can be found here.
Cochem
Cochem is located directly on the Moselle and with its almost 5,200 inhabitants is the smallest district town in Germany. The old town of Cochem is not so big. This way you can easily reach all major sights on foot and on your own. Particularly impressive are the many well-preserved remains of the historic city wall, where you can still discover the three preserved city gates. The centre of the old town is the centrally located market square, on which are the Martinsbrunnen, the Baroque-style town hall built in 1739 and many old half-timbered gables covered with Moselle slate. The most visited attraction and THE highlight of the city is the Reichsburg, which towers over the city. From the market square you can reach the castle within 10 to 15 minutes on foot – either via the Schlossstraße or via the “Tummelchen”.
One of the most beautiful views of the city is from the opposite side of the Moselle in the Cond district. From the Mosellepromenade you can let the colourful house scenery of the city with the towering Reichsburg on you and take beautiful photos. Another fantastic view of the Moselle, the town of Cochem and its Imperial Castle can be reached from the 255 m high Pinnerkreuz, which can be easily reached via the chairlift or a short steep ascent.
Our detailed article about Cochem with many more photos can be found here.
Beilstein
The small village of Beilstein is located directly on the right bank of the Moselle and bears the nickname “Dornröschen der Mosel”due to its very well preserved historical townscape. Beilstein has only about 140 inhabitants – many tourists visit every day and enliven the streets.
The old town of Beilstein is relatively compact and easy to explore on foot, as it is really not large. Everywhere there are cobbled and winding alleys with beautifully restored and lovingly decorated half-timbered houses. We liked the picturesque market square from 1322 very much – the former Tenth House, the former parish church of St. Christophorus and the old princely waiter from the 18th century are worth seeing here. A highlight of the city and one of the most photographed sights is the famous monastery staircase, which leads to the Carmelite church of St. Joseph above. She fits so picturesquely into her surroundings that she has already served as a film backdrop for numerous feature films. Beilstein is dominated by the ruins of Metternich Castle, which can be reached via a hiking trail directly from the city. You will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the Moselle and the surrounding vineyards.
Our detailed article about Beilstein with many more photos can be found here.
Geierlay Suspension Rope Bridge
The Geierlay suspension rope bridge is located in the Hunsrück (Rhineland-Palatinate) between the villages of Mörsdorf and Sosberg. With its 360 metres of length until the construction of the Titan RT suspension rope bridge at the Rappbode Dam dam (Saxony-Anhalt) in 2017, it was considered the longest suspension rope bridge in Germany.
The Geierlay suspension rope bridge can be reached both from the north (Mörsdorf) and from the south (Sosberg) on foot or by bike. There is no way to get to the bridge by car. You should plan at least 20 to 30 minutes for the easy hike. On the bridge it can sway back and forth with the appropriate wind and several people. Just 100 meters above the abyss we have seen one or the other one or the other who did not feel quite comfortable with it. But we found it funny and fortunately are also absolutely dizzy 🙂
Our detailed article about the suspension rope bridge Geierlay with many more photos can be found here.
Traben-Trarbach
Traben-Trarbach is located in Rhineland-Palatinate directly on the Moselle and has about 5,500 inhabitants. The city is located about 40 km northeast of Trier and about 60 km southwest of Koblenz.
In the city itself, the bridge gate, which stands on the southern bank of the Moselle Bridge and is the symbol of the city, is worth seeing. Since its construction, it has housed a restaurant/café, from which you have a beautiful view of the bridge and the Moselle. Other buildings worth seeing in the city are the town hall of 1833, the city tower, from which one has a beautiful view over the roofs of Trarbach and the old station building in Traben. Somewhat unusual, but certainly quite interesting, is the Buddha Museum,which opened in 2009, which contains about 2,000 Buddha figures. If you are a fan of mini golf, you should not miss the oldest mini golf course in Germany, which was built in 1955 in Traben-Trarbach. Above the town on the Trarbach side is the ruins of the Grevenburg, which was built around 1350 and was destroyed after several sieges in 1734. Today there are still many foundations of the Burganalage and the western facade of the former commander’s house. From the bridge gate you can reach the castle via a hiking trail in about 20 to 30 minutes.
Our detailed article about Traben-Trarbach with many more photos can be found here.
Bernkastel-Kues
The town of Bernkastel-Kues with its 7,000 inhabitants is located directly on the Moselle about 50 km from Trier and is a state-recognized spa. There are many reasons to visit the city of Bernkastel-Kues: Romantic alleys, rustic half-timbered houses, cosy wine bars and wine cellars as well as countless restaurants and cafés. Popular are the numerous jetties of the city, of which several daily tours of the Moselle are offered and regularly stop Rhine-Moselle river cruise ships.
The city is very easy to explore via a walk, where you can see some beautiful sights, such as the white-red St. Nicholas Hospital (Cusanusstift), the Catholic parish church of St. Michael with its imposing bell tower, the Karlovy Vary square and the square at the Bärenbrunnen. The highlight of the old town is the medieval market square with its gabled half-timbered houses from the 17th century, the Michaelsbrunnen, Renaissance town hall and pointed houses. Not to be missed is the ruins of Landshut Castle, which towers over the old town on the 235 m high castle hill. This can be reached either by a hike from the city or easily by car.
Our detailed article about Bernkastel-Kues with many more photos can be found here.
Hiking with alpacas
Woolly fur, big brown cuddly eyes and a friendly look: It doesn’t take a minute to close alpacas in your heart ❤ Hiking with alpacas is a very special adventure that can be experienced here in the Moselleregion on the Alpaca farm Abayomi-Lieser.
At the beginning, humans and animals first get to know each other at a distance in order to be able to sniff themselves in peace. After getting a lot of interesting information about the individual alpacas, the herd and their attitude, you can start. During the 2.5 km long walk you walk side by side with the cuddly animals, watch them eat and can see them up close. Back in the pasture there is still enough time to ask questions, observe the alpacas and take beautiful souvenir photos. A lasting experience for young and old!
Our detailed article about the alpaca hike with many more photos can be found here.
Trier
Founded in 17 BC as “Augusta Treverorum”, Trier is today considered one of the oldest cities in Germany. It was once one of the largest metropolises of the Roman Empire and today has more than 110,000 inhabitants. In the late antiquity period, the thriving trading town was designated an imperial residence. To this day, the cityscape is characterized by monumental Roman buildings, which are among the best preserved of their kind.
In 1986, a number of Roman and medieval cultural monuments in Trier as well as in the neighbouring municipality of Igel in Trier were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the title “Roman Monuments, Cathedral and Church of Our Lady in Trier”. In total, there are 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Amphitheatre, Barbara Thermen, Igeler Column, Kaiserthermen, Konstantin-Basilika, Porta Nigra, Römerbrücke, Trier Cathedral, Church of Our Lady) and 1 UNESCO World Documentary Heritage (Codex Egberti).
The main market is the central square in Trier, which is located in the middle of the historic city centre and where the main business streets converge. The impressive buildings on the main market are partly from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism and Late Historicism periods. We particularly liked the Steipe, a white Gothic corner building built around 1430, which was rebuilt in the 20th century after its destruction in world war II. In addition, other striking buildings on the main market are besides the Red House also the church of St. Gangolf, the Petrusbrunnen, the Market Cross, some beautiful half-timbered houses as well as the Dreikönigenhaus in Simeonstraße. Other sights in Trier include the thermal baths at the Viehmarkt, the St. George’s Fountain on the Kornmarkt, the Alte Krahn on the banks of the Moselle, the Red Tower, the Frankenturm and the Karl Marx statue.
Our detailed article about Trier with many more photos can be found here.
Great viewpoints on the Moselle
Stunning views of the Moselle Valley and over countless vineyards are automatically included in a Moselle holiday. And the Moselle really has a few to offer on its 544 km flow route.
Viewpoint on the Moselle Loop near Kröv
Above the wine and holiday resort of Kröv, directly on the road, is the mountain chapel of Kröv from 1882. In the small parking lot next door we parked our car, looked at the church from the inside and enjoyed the beautiful weather and panorama just above the church on a park bench. Our drive then continued to the holiday park Mont Royal of the Landal GreenParks, because from here you have a beautiful view of the Kröver Moselle Loop. Simply park the car at the holiday park, walk a few meters down the road towards the Moselle and enjoy the fantastic view of the Moselle Valley on the park bench 😊
Viewpoint on the Moselle from the Prinzenkopfturm near Pünderich
On the opposite Moselleside of the village of Pünderich there is a very special viewpoint, because from the 27-metre-high Prinzenkopfturm you have a magnificent 360-degree view of the Moselle with its loop from Pünderich via Zell to Bullay as well as to the surrounding vineyards, forests and hills. Here, the Petersberg forms together with the Zeller Hamm a peninsula, which is surrounded by a 14 km long Moselle loop, so that one has the Moselle in view several times.
The Moselle Loop at Bremm
One of the most famous viewpoints is the Moselle Loop at Bremmer Calmont, the steepest vineyard in Europe.
First we made a short hike to the summit cross of the Calmont. We have to admit that we were a little disappointed when we got there. Because actually we expected to see the complete Moselle loop from here. Unfortunately, this was not the case, because the view was disturbed by some trees. Nevertheless, we were rewarded with a fantastic panorama of the surroundings. Our next stop was the parking lot at St. Lawrence’s Church in Bremm. From here you walk only a few meters to the official lookout point for the Moselle Loop. But somehow we weren’t quite satisfied with this view 😉 So we walked up a few steps of the Calmont climbing path and through some vineyards until we found a nice place from which we had a fantastic view of the Moselle
Our detailed contribution about the viewpoints on the Moselle with many more photos can be found here.
The beautiful Moselle loop near Bremm
A map of the sights on the Moselle
On the following Google MyMaps map we have mapped the most important sights along the Moselle