Koblenz | 6 tips for discovering the versatile city

In the west of Germany lies the versatile city Koblenz (Location here). The most special thing about this place is that it is located at the mouth of the Moselle and the Rhine. Koblenz means confluence and this of course refers to the special location of the city. In this article I give you (more than) 6 tips and practical information to discover this nice city!

1. Deutsches Eck 

The exact point where the two rivers the Moselle and the Rhine meet is called Deutsches Eck (Location here). When you stand at the middle point and look at the water you see the two rivers coming together. The Moselle has a slightly different color than the Rhine, so if you look closely you can see the confluence. At the same point there is a huge statue in honor of Emperor Wilhelm I.

2. Fortress Ehrenbreitstein

Across the street from the Deutsches Eck is the 19th century Fortress Ehrenbreitstein (Location here). It is the second largest preserved fortress after Gibraltar Europe and part of the UNESCO World Heritage. 

The fort is located at a strategic point in the city, on the edge of a ridge with very steep walls. This meant that only part of the fort had to be defended. On the defensive side there are walls of 3 meters and a moat of 15 to 25 meters wide and 5 meters deep. 

From the fort you have an amazing view of the city! Here you can also sit on the terrace and enjoy a nice drink and/or snack. Several events are also organized throughout the year for the whole family. View on the website For more information. A ticket for the fort costs €8 per person. 

3. The Koblenz cable car

The cable car or the Rheinseilbahn (Location here) is a notable attraction in the city. It is a total of 890 meters long and takes you to a height of about 118 meters. You can buy a ticket from €14 per person. You can also buy a combination ticket for the cable car and Fort Ehrenbreitstein. So decide in advance what you want to see and do. It's cheaper with a combination ticket. 

4. Old town

Like almost every other city, Koblenz also has a historic city center (location here). We had read online about the many romantic streets and cozy squares. Unfortunately that was a bit disappointing. Still, it is worth a visit and especially Jesuitenplatz.

5. Jesuitenplatz

This attractive square (location here) consists of beautiful buildings and cozy terraces. The town hall is also located here, built in the 17th century. There is also a fountain in honor of the French-German children born in this city in 1941. They were often called 'Jean', which was often pronounced 'Schang'. Ultimately this became Schängel and thus the name of the fountain was born: Schängelbrunnen. About every 3 minutes the bronze figure spits a jet of water towards passers-by. A kind of German Manneke Pis, but slightly different. 

6. The churches and castles

There are many churches and castles to visit in and around Koblenz. Below I list them for you. 

1. Stolzenfels Castle (Location here), according to many, the most beautiful castle in the city, located 5 kilometers from the city center
2. Basilica of St. Castor (Location here), a medieval Roman Catholic church located in the Altstadt and known for its organ concerts.
3. Church of Our Lady (Location here), a Catholic church with beautiful windows.
4. Marksburg (Location here), the only intact castle 12 kilometers from the city.
5. Finally, no castle or church, but a stately palace from the 18th century: Electoral Palace (Location here).

Bonus tip: Rhinecruise

Would you like to take a cruise on the Rhine? Then this region is really worth it. There are countless boat trips on the Rhine possible through different companies and you have plenty of choice from various cruises. It just depends on what your wishes are. From the water you almost always have a panoramic view and you see everything slightly differently than on land. 

Also read: Germany | Discover the magical Black Forest

Of course it is also possible to explore this beautiful area by car. The great thing about this is that you can put together your own route and schedule and don't have to wait for anyone. You can go on an adventure with your own car or rent one.

Practical Information

One full day is enough to visit the city. Would you like to see more of the area? Then it is of course useful to book more nights. The The best time to travel is from May to September because of pleasant temperatures. The city is also worth a visit outside this period. We spent a day here on a sunny day in November and we had a great time.

Residence

There are many hotels and apartments in and around Koblenz. It is a cheap option near the center Am Administrative Center Nahe Mosel (click here). The apartment has everything you need and you can stay here for around €82 per night.

Another budget option is Rheinmosel Glück 8 (click here) and is otherwise comparable to the above apartment. Would you rather stay in a hotel? Then choose Top Hotel Kramer (click here) near the center.

Would you rather stay at a campsite? Then is Camping Wolfsmühle (click here) highly recommended! This place is located 10 kilometers from the city, in a beautiful and quiet area. There are many pitches on the river and you are surrounded by mountains and lots of greenery. It is the ideal base to discover Koblenz and the surrounding area. Outside the high season you pay with the ACSI CampingCard (discount card) €23 per night for two people.