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Cologne to Koblenz and surrounding

Hello - We will be travelling to the Cologne to Koblenz area in a few weeks. Flying into Amsterdam and then taking the train to Cologne. We will have 3 nights in cologne, then will rent a car and head to Koblenz for 4 nights before heading home. We have all the 'big stuff' mapped out, but with so many small towns around I'd love to hear from those who have been your hidden gems you have fallen in love with.

Also - any good restaurant recommendations. We tend to have the worst luck in picking eating establishments when we travel.

*I know the train system is effecient and economical. However, we have a random visit planned to a good friend's rather obscure hometown and want to be quick about it, so we needed the car anyway. Hopefully it will help us visit some of the lesser known/hidden gems!

Posted by
6590 posts

"...hidden gems you have fallen in love with."

If you've read through my posts on the area, you may have gathered that Koblenz doesn't reach "gem" status for me, but there's probably a reference or two in that bunch that will sound interesting to you.

You'll likely get what you're requesting if you can make that request a little more specific. What sort of places/experiences/sights are you looking for exactly? And what dates will those 4 days fall on? There may be some special events on in the region which we could suggest.

Are you attempting to work in a Rhine or Mosel cruise? If so, that may put you in the vicinity of some "lesser known" destination that you should check out.

For a good selection of tried-and-true restaurants, check the Tripadvisor pages, like this one for Koblenz, where I assume you'll be taking at least 1 or 2 meals.

Posted by
39 posts

We will be in Cologne June 25-27, the in Koblenz until the 2nd. On the 2nd we head back to Cologne to drop the car and take the train to Brussels where we fly home from.

We enjoy history and will hit some of the castles and of course the Cologne cathedral. I'd like to try the wine in the area, and we are beer drinkers and will check out the local fair for that. I'd like to find a easy - moderate hike, +/- 5km. I am a subscriber to All trails, but many listed there are walks through towns rather than off the main area.

We know that we are unfortunately missing the fire on the Rhine July 2nd, but as we thought it was cancelled again this year we didn't adjust our plans for it.

Obviously we will check the websites for restaurants wherever we are, just thought if someone had a great place I'd love a rec. We've always tried to go to highly rated places, but unfortunately it's hard to rely on them in my experience.

Posted by
2274 posts

Since you insist on going to Cologne, how about a lunch of Hackepeter (Mettbrötchen) and a glass of Kölsch.

Posted by
7181 posts
Posted by
39 posts

Tim - Thank you for the links. I'm not very experienced with the RD Forum navigation, helpful info for sure. I know we can do everything w/o the car, except the one thing we can't, so there you have it. Aware it may be a waste of resources but no turning back at this point. We will have a 2 night (one full day) in Brussels before heading home.

As far as Cologne, my husband is a lover of all things Cathedral so this was a must stop for us, and since we are only planning to do a relatively small area for the 7ish days, we are splitting between Cologne and Koblenz and plan to do a couple of day trips from Cologne since we are aware that it isn't likely to keep us interested for 3 days. Based on other feedback, considering staying in Boppard instead of Koblenz. We have some non-changeable/refundable portions which include our flight into Amsterdam (really just an economical starting spot for us) and out of Brussels (not the most effecient but I love Belgium so will spend a day there before we go home).

Posted by
3938 posts

We’ve stayed in this area for longer periods of time with a car in the past and loved our day trip from Koblenz to the Abbey Maria Laach for a hike around the lake and a meal. We also like the Eifel Mountain area for its extensive hiking network and the beautiful black slate roofed town of Monschau. A day trip along the Mosel to Cochem and other towns is possible. We took a longer day trip to Trier. I see that our favorite restaurant along the Rhine Promenade is closed (Biergarten Café Rheinanlagen) since Covid but if you stroll south from the Deutsches Eck there are several other restaurants with river views and nice restaurants.

From Köln, Aachen and it’s amazing cathedral with the golden bust of Charlemagne is accessible within an hour. We also enjoyed a day trip to Bonn to see some composer’s homes and museums. We had a lovely meal in the Rathskeller with friends.

Posted by
6590 posts

Very big Fest in Mainz

"We enjoy history..."

WW II museum in the historic town of Remagen
Marksburg Castle
Pfalzgrafenstein and Blüchermuseum in Kaub (lesser known)
Limes north of Koblenz (lesser known)
Rheinland-Pfalz Freilandmuseum (open-air museum in the spa town of Bad Sobernheim on the Nahe River, lesser known, great collection of historic buildings)

"...we are beer drinkers..."

Koblenzer Brewery Biergarten (Stolzenfels area)

Boppard is a good choice. Nice in-town Weingarten there too (Heilig Grab)

Posted by
7181 posts

Monschau is also a good use of the car. Remember that the train is 5 times faster than the KD boat, for returning to the car.

Köllner Dom is the highest turnstile count of all German tourist stops. But there is much more to Cologne. A cathedral fan would want the Kolumba and MAK museums.

Posted by
2274 posts

"Köllner Dom is the highest turnstile count"

Curious what that count would be, without the river boat traffic!

Posted by
7181 posts

I guess you mean Viking Cruises-style sleeping boats. I would never take a day boat to Cologne because it would take so long and be so un-scenic. I don't even recommend the local "harbor cruise" in Cologne.

Posted by
14482 posts

If you are interested in "Koblenz and surrounding," I would also suggest in additional to the Blüchermuseum in Kaub am Rhein, regardless of any ignorant reviews pertaining to the subject matter, another site quite close to Koblenz, Bad Ems, another place connected to Prussian-German history, should you be interested in that. If so, both Kaub and Bad Ems are worthy of your time.

Posted by
2376 posts

If you go as far south as Oberwesel, be sure to visit the Liebfrauenkirche, the red church near the train station. Probably my favorite

Posted by
6231 posts

@Karen, I had one very memorable meal in Cologne at Maibeck für Dich. It was one of the best meals I had in Germany. Not German food, but just good food.

I also liked Brauhaus früh am Dom, which does serve German food. I had the sauerbraten, which was very good. Both restaurants are within walking distance of the cathedral.