Part 2 of Touring the Rhine Valley
Why the Rhine Valley Works for Every Type of Traveler
The Rhine Valley makes an easy and rewarding destination for couples and families who enjoy variety.
Days can include castle visits, riverside hikes, and long meals paired with local wine or beer.
Kirk and I loved our time on the Rhine, especially our overnight stay at Burg Rheinfels.
👉 If you missed Part 1 of our Rhine journey, you can catch up here.
Arriving in St. Goar Beneath Lorelei Rock
We ended our first full day by ferrying into the small town of St. Goar, just below Lorelei Rock.
As soon as we arrived, we looked up the hill and knew hiking to the castle was not happening.
Instead, we found a nearby pub, ordered a beer, and called a taxi without regret.
Finding Our Way Around Burg Rheinfels
Reaching Burg Rheinfels felt slightly disorienting at first.
The property includes restaurants, a spa, apartments, hotel rooms, and scenic viewpoints spread across the hilltop.
After walking back and forth between villas and stone paths, we finally located the check-in desk.
Our Room and Why You Should Book Ahead
We had reserved a standard room in advance and hoped for a river view.
Thankfully, our room overlooked the Rhine, which felt like a small reward after a long travel day.
Burg Rheinfels offers 64 rooms, ranging from simple attic spaces to suites with private balconies.
Booking ahead is essential, especially during peak season.
The setting would also make a beautiful destination wedding venue straight from a fairytale.
Dinner and Castle Wine at Burg Rheinfels
After settling in, we headed to one of the castle restaurants for dinner.
Burg Rheinfels produces its own wine using grapes grown on nearby hillsides.
The atmosphere felt relaxed and festive, and we even spotted what looked like Santa Claus on holiday.
Sleeping in a Castle Above the Rhine
That night, I slept deeply in our cozy stone-walled room. The quiet and cool air made it easy to forget the modern world outside the castle walls.
Morning brought thick fog drifting across the Rhine, softening the valley below. Even with limited visibility, the view felt peaceful and dramatic.
Breakfast With a View
Breakfast was served in an enclosed porch overlooking the river. The combination of fresh food and scenery made lingering feel inevitable.
Exploring the Ruins of Burg Rheinfels
Before checking out, we explored the castle ruins that stretch across the hilltop. Construction began in the 13th century, long before St. Goar became a busy river town. The town itself traces its roots back to Roman times and later became a pilgrimage destination.
Count Diether V von Katzenelnbogen built Burg Rheinfels to protect local tax collectors. Over time, it grew into the largest fortress along the Rhine River.
In 1692, it remained the only left-bank castle not occupied by French troops. French revolutionary forces captured the castle in 1794 and destroyed much of the exterior walls.
Despite the damage, the scale of the fortress remains impressive.
Walking the Tunnels and Underground Passages
Visitors can wander through tunnels, chambers, and underground passages during their visit.
Candles and torches line darker areas for those who forget a flashlight.
One Last Stop Before Leaving St. Goar
On our way back toward the ferry dock, we made one final stop.
We visited the Largest Cuckoo Clock in the World, a fittingly quirky end to our Rhine adventure.
Cheers, Amy
To jump to one of our other German posts:Cologne, The Rhine River by ferry and train, Marksburg Castle, Burg Eltz, Heidleberg , Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau, Linderhof
