At only about 90min away, Rüdesheim am Rhein is a perfect place for a day trip from the Landstuhl/Ramstein/Kaiserslautern area. And, being only an hour by train from Frankfurt its well situated for a visit from wherever you’re coming from in Germany. This Riesling producing powerhouse on the Rhein River has a lovely, picturesque town center full of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars as well as a number of things to do along the mighty Rhein River that runs past it. Additionally, their yearly wine festival in the early fall is a can’t miss for anyone who enjoys German Riesling.
Things to do in Rüdesheim
Drosselgasse
Find the historic, charming little cobblestone street that runs through the center of the town that’s filled with historic restaurants, bars and shops. The half timbered houses with overflowing window boxes and ivy running up their walls provides a magical, fairytale atmosphere. On nice days, the shutters remain open and you can often peer into these venues and watch authentic live German music be played while you enjoy a wine or a beer.
Niederwald Monument
The Niederwald monument is found in the aptly named Niederwald park which overlooks the Rhine River Valley. The monument, built in the 1870s, commemorates the unification of Germany after the Franco-Prussian War. If you prefer to avoid the hike up this hill, you’re in luck as there is a cable car that takes you to the top. If you take the cable car up, you can also walk back down to town (about 1 mile) through the vineyards and stop at Weingut Georg Breuer for a tasting on your way down.
Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard (Eibingen Abbey)
Also known as Eibingen Abby and home to a community of Benedictine nuns, this abbey, which sits atop a hill overlooking Rüdesheim below, offers some of the most stunning views in town. The abbey itself is covered in beautiful frescoes and is quite stunning in its own right. During your visit you are able to purchase original artworks and wines created by the nuns that they sell to find their charitable endeavors.
Take a Rhein River Cruise
Leaving from the docks directly in front of the town center are a number of river cruise companies that you can hop on and enjoy a nice glass of wine while taking in the beautiful Rhein River which is covered in castles. Some of the most famous sites are Castle Rheinstein and Reichstein as well as the ruins of Ehrenfels, Castle Klopp and the Mouse Tower.
Adlerwarte Niederwald
This eagle observatory is dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured eagles with the intent of releasing them back into the wild once they are fully healed. One your visit you can see more than 40 different species of bird, ranging from eagles, falcons and vultures, to a number of different owl species.
Asbach Besucher Center
Asbach Brandy is a local delicacy dating back to 1892 when Cologne native Hugo Asbach returned from a trip to Cognac, France with a special recipe for brandy distillation. Here you can tour the distillery if you like and try some of their delicious brandy.
Rhein in Flammen
On the first Saturday in July every year the Rhein River is choked full with over 50 cruise ships that journey up the Rhein in celebration as fireworks light up the sky for 90 minutes in front of Burg Ehrenfels.
Siegfried’s Mechanisches Musikkabineff
This is an entertaining museum to visit for a short stop where you will see a collection of mechanical, self-playing, instruments held inside a 15th century manor house.
Try the Famous Rüdesheimer Coffee
This local delicacy is a bold coffee blend laced with Asbach brandy and topped with rich whipped cream. Restaurant Graf von Rüdesheim makes an excellent Rüdesheimer Kaffee.
Eat Zwiebelkuchen
Zwiebelkuchen, or Onion Cake, is a local specialty that is served throughout the town especially in the early Fall. It is basically a quiche like cake made from onions, bacon, cream and caraway seeds.
Try Rüdesheim Federweisser
Federweisser is another local delicacy. It’s a type of wine, often referred to as ‘young wine’ or ‘new wine’ that has a cloudy appearance due to the suspended yeast that float in it. It’s a refreshing and light wine with lower than normal alcohol content (between 9-11%), that is often only available seasonally from September until the end of October.
Places to Eat in Rüdesheim
Breuer’s Rüdesheimer Schloss
This 4-star hotel located right off of Drosselgasse in the old town center serves excellent food with a fantastic selection of local wines. The building dates back to 1729 and provides the perfect backdrop for the classic German Weinstube. Expect hearty German staples heavy on the meat and potatoes.
Restaurant Ratsstube
Lovely German restaurant with a fantastic outdoor seating patio.
Jakobsklause
Located right on the square in front of St Jakobus Church, with a spacious outdoor terrace, this is the perfect place to enjoy German schnitzel.
Stieblers Rauchfang
Located in the center of town, this quaint and charming old abbot of monastery Eberbach serves up authentic, home-cooked German meals made with seasonal local ingredients and served with regionally produced wines.
Hotel Unter den Linden
This restaurant is worth visiting just for the views along. Situated right along the Rhein River, the outdoor dining terrace provides panoramic views of the river. The menu is also quite good as they provide some modern and refreshing takes on the old German standards.
Hotel & Restaurant Magdalenenhof
Situated along hillside vineyard, this restaurant and hotel provide quite a scenic and secluded atmosphere.The rustic, barn-like interior provides additional charm and the hearty meals are excellently paired with the vineyards wines.
Places to Get Wine in Rüdesheim
Weingut Georg Breuer
Some of the finest wines in Germany are produced by this local vineyard that makes well balanced whites with fruity aromas and full bodied elegance. You can enjoy a tasting in their historic wine cellar daily from 10:00 to 18:00. The winery also doubles as an art gallery and they even have a full restaurant down stairs.
Carl Jung Winery
Nestled up next to the 1,000 year old Boosenburg Castle this winery offers wonderful wines for you to taste while you enjoy their adjacent rose garden.
