Visiting Koblenz? Discover this picturesque German city at the junction of the Rhine and Moselle. Its rich Roman history, the famous Deutsches Eck (German Corner), historic castles and beautiful surrounding scenery make Koblenz a destination worth visiting.
The first time I heard about the beauty of Koblenz and the surrounding region was from my friend in the Netherlands. She had lived in Koblenz for a few years and often said she missed the Middle Rhine, with its green valleys, charming small towns and castles perched on almost every hill. Her description caught my attention, so I googled Koblenz and the Middle Rhine and found countless gorgeous photos of the Deutsches Eck and the Rhine winding through green hills and valleys. Before long, I was planning our family trip to the region!
Our trip to western Germany included Frankfurt, Scenic Middle Rhine cruise from Bingen to Boppard, Koblenz and Cologne. In this post, I’d like to share our experience of visiting Koblenz – a picturesque city on the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
Getting to Koblenz
If you’re not travelling by car, the best way to reach Koblenz is by train. Services run frequently, with the journey taking about 1.5 hours from Frankfurt and around 1 hour from Cologne.
Another option is to take a Middle Rhine cruise from Mainz all the way to Koblenz, though the boat trip takes around six hours.
As part of our trip in the Middle Rhine region, we travelled from Bingen to Boppard by boat and then took a train from Boppard to Koblenz, which takes only 15 minutes.
The nearest airports to Koblenz are Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, Cologne Bonn Airport and Frankfurt Airport – all of them about a 1–1.5 hour drive away.
Koblenz: A Short History
Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany. As early as 1000 BC, there were fortifications on the Festung Ehrenbreitstein hill. The Romans established a military post there in 9 BC and named it “Castellum apud Confluentes”. This is where the modern name of the city originates. The Roman word “Confluentes” means “confluence”, as Koblenz stands at the meeting point of two rivers – the Rhine and the Moselle (or Mosel in German).
The name was spelled “Coblenz” (under French influence) until 1926, when it changed to “Koblenz” to align with German spelling.
Today, you’ll find many historical buildings and fortifications in Koblenz, some of which were rebuilt after the World War 2.
Exploring Koblenz
We arrived at Koblenz Hbf as we were travelling by train. It’s about a 15–20 minute walk from the station to Koblenz Altstadt (the old town) and its main attractions. If you have only a day in Koblenz, you can leave your bags in one of the lockers at the station and start exploring straight away.
During our visit, we stayed at Mercure Hotel Koblenz. It’s conveniently located midway between the train station and the start of our walking route through the city. Our room had wonderful views over the Rhine and towards Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the opposite bank.
After leaving our luggage at the hotel and grabbing the camera, we set off to explore Koblenz’s main sights.
The Electoral Palace (Kurfürstliches Schloss)
Start your walk along the Rhine waterfront and make your first stop at the Electoral Palace. This 18th‑century palace, built in the style of French classicism, now houses various government offices. While you can’t go inside without a special booking or attending an event, the palace garden is open to the public (free of charge), and there’s a cafe on the grounds that you can visit.
Between the palace and the Rhine, there’s a pleasant green space with steps leading down to the water – a nice spot to enjoy views across the river.
Government building (Preussisches Regierungsgebaude)
Continue walking along the Rhine to the beautiful stone Government Building. In Prussian times, it served as the seat of the regional government, which is why it’s known as the Preussisches Regierungsgebäude (the Prussian Government Building).
The building was constructed in 1905 in a neo‑Romanesque style and survived the WW2 practically undamaged.
Deutsches Eck (German Corner)
Deutsches Eck, also known as the German Corner, is the famous spot in Koblenz where the Rhine and Moselle meet. It’s marked by the Memorial of German Unity and the monumental equestrian statue of William I, the first German Emperor. The flags of the 16 federal states fly here as a symbol of German unity.
Deutsches Eck is a popular spot with both locals and tourists. Nearby, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés and ice‑cream shops. If you’re travelling with children, it’s helpful to know there’s a small playground with water features just behind the Memorial of German Unity. Right next to it stands the Basilica of St. Castor – a historic church built in the Romanesque style.
From Deutsches Eck, continue along the Moselle waterfront. We walked towards the Baldwin Bridge (Balduinbrücke) and then turned into the old town of Koblenz.
Koblenz Altstadt (the old town)
Koblenz’s old town is small and compact, and it can be easily explored on foot. You’ll find plenty of cafés and restaurants serving traditional German dishes and wines from the Middle Rhine region. During the warmer months, many places set up outdoor seating so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the old town while dining.
Walk to Münzplatz and take in the pleasant atmosphere of this square, surrounded by historic buildings. Don’t miss the bronze statues of Die Maatfrau sat zom Schutzmann at Münzplatz.
Then find the Four Towers (Vier Türme) and the charming old houses at the crossroads of four streets: Altengraben, Marktstraße, Am Plan and Löhrstraße.
At the centre of the Altstadt, you’ll see Liebfrauenkirche (the Church of Our Lady) with its two tall towers. The history of this church dates back to the 5th century, when the Franks established the original building on this site. Since then, Liebfrauenkirche has been rebuilt and expanded several times, always on the foundations of the earlier church.
Walk to Jesuitenplatz, a lively square that features the monument to Johannes Müller Denkmal.
Have a rest at Josef‑Görres Platz by the History Column fountain – the Historiensäule. This sculpted column depicts the history of Koblenz from Roman times to the present day.
Explore the streets and buildings of the Altstadt at your own pace. There are plenty of charming squares, fountains and historic houses to discover.
Cable Car to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
We highly recommend taking the cable car from Deutsches Eck to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Even if you don’t have time to visit the fortress itself, the cable car ride offers picturesque views over the city.
Buy your tickets at the cable car kiosk (Seilbahn Koblenz) located behind Deutsches Eck on the Rhine waterfront. You can choose between cable car only tickets (one‑way or return) or combined tickets that include entry to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
The origins of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress (Festung Ehrenbreitstein) date back to around the year 1000, although the current fortifications were built by Prussia in the early 19th century. The fortress forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Upper Middle Rhine Valley and marks its northernmost point.
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is open to visitors and hosts museums, exhibitions and various public events.
We didn’t buy tickets to go inside the fortress, but instead wandered through the park in front of it, enjoying the views and the peaceful atmosphere away from the city.
Visit a Museum in Koblenz
If you have enough time in Koblenz, visit one of its museums.
Visit the Romanticum – an interactive exhibition dedicated to the culture, legends and landscapes of the Rhine.
Explore the Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung – a military technology museum with an extensive collection of vehicles and equipment.
Explore the Mittelrhein Museum – showcasing art and history from the Middle Rhine region.
Alternatively, visit Stolzenfels Castle – a beautifully restored 19th‑century castle just south of Koblenz, easily reached by bus or bike.
Places to Visit Near Koblenz
If you have extra time in the region, Koblenz is a wonderful base for exploring the Middle Rhine Valley. One of the very best things to do is to take a boat tour or a day cruise through the Middle Rhine and the Rhine Gorge. This 65‑kilometre stretch of river between Koblenz and Bingen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its dramatic cliffs, terraced vineyards and more than 40 medieval castles. Koblenz’s own Ehrenbreitstein Fortress marks the northernmost point of this remarkable landscape. A cruise is a relaxing and scenic way to appreciate the beauty of the Rhine – we would highly recommend it.
Read next: ‘Scenic Middle Rhine cruise’ for details on what to see and expect from a cruise in the Rhine Gorge region.
Beyond the river, there are plenty of easy day trips. Marksburg Castle in Braubach or Stolzenfels Castle, just south of Koblenz. You can also visit Boppard for its chairlift to the Vierseenblick viewpoint, or head to Cochem on the Moselle to explore its half‑timbered old town and fairytale castle. Wine lovers might enjoy stopping in Winningen or Alken, two Moselle villages known for their steep vineyards and local wineries.
For us, Koblenz was the final stop on our trip through West Germany. After exploring the city, we travelled by train to Cologne and then continued home to Utrecht. It was a great trip, and I’m really glad my friend told me about Koblenz and the Middle Rhine region – it truly is a beautiful part of Germany.
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These German towns along the Rhine are so pretty! Your photos make me want to visit 😍 I bet the views from the cable car were spectacular.
Koblenz is a really picturesque city. The old town looks perfect for exploring on foot and we would definitely enjoy the cable car ride to the fortress.
Great Post, I’ve subsequently added Koblenz to our possible list. The fortress and old town look particularly appealing. And it’s Germany, thus great for Henry my dog.