We have 4 days to travel from Brussels to Frankfurt in the middle of March '26. We are thinking of staying in Koblenz, St. Goar, Mainz or Frankfurt. We love the outdoors, but know the weather may not play in our favor. Looking for suggestions for the best place to make our base and activities to do in the region (that will be open). Thank you in advance!
Posted by
Green Bay
22960 posts
I would suggest Boppard, since you get a free VRM transit pass for the length of your stay.
Posted by
Paradise
7887 posts
activities to do in the region (that will be open)
Marksburg Castle in Braubach (includes a 25-minute uphill hike from town... or reserve a taxi up.)
Rheinfels Castle in St Goar (if you actually end up staying in the Middle Rhine Valley... St Goar or Boppard.. but I don't recommend that in mid-March. See suggestion below for just visiting Marksburg)
Mid-march is too early for river cruising, chairlift rides, and outdoor stuff.
Suggested approach for 4 days:
I suggest you pay a visit to Cologne first. Spend one night there and catch some of the sights. Germany's most-visited landmark is Cologne Cathedral. There's a WW II memorial site to victims of the Holocaust at the NS Doc Center. And several museums as well.
I'd move on to Mainz the next day for the remainder of your time. But on this travel day, stow bags at Koblenz station (on the way) in a locker on a stopover of several hours and take the train to Braubach (which is only 10 minutes from Koblenz by train) for Marksburg - and take a walk through this very attractive old-world town with half-timbered buildings too. Back to Koblenz for bags, then off to Mainz. You'll probably reach Mainz in the afternoon sometime. Suggest you stay in the old-town zone near the Dom (cathedral) and Marktplatz.
That leaves 2 days to sightsee in Mainz. There's quite a bit there. And it's a fine place for wining/dining and picking up gifts before flying home from FRA. There are direct trains from Mainz to FRA airport starting in the wee wee hours of the morning - trip takes 25 minutes.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187393-Activities-oa0-Mainz_Rhineland_Palatinate.html
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2418 posts
I'd pass on the whole idea. Nothing will be open in those cute little towns along the Rhine in mid-March. It will be cold and grey, no leaves on the trees, no river tours running, and there's a possibility of snow. Between Rosenmontag (16 Feb, 2026) and Easter (5 April) everything is shut. And frankly, in the area between Mainz and Koblenz even Fasching isn't a big deal. From New Years to Easter is the worst time to visit that area.
Now staying in Mainz or Koblenz might be worthwhile, depending on what you want to see or do. There are good choices in both locations. Frankfurt also is worth several days depending on your proclivities.