A lovely town in a scenic location overlooking the majestic Rhine River: that’s Boppard, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. With its picturesque medieval old town, its famous vineyards, its endless trekking trails, and the unique location making it the perfect base or stop for a river cruise, it’s surely one of the best German weekend getaways.
Boppard lies at the heart of the Rhine River Valley, which was also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002, and its origins date back to several centuries ago: it was actually established by Julius Caesar, in the attempt of stopping the Gaul army and protect the Rhine River left bank.
It was just a military outpost at first, but it later became a flourishing town that experienced its golden age during the Roman Imperial era.
At present, Boppard is a popular tourist destination offering several historical, cultural, and natural attractions, other than producing some excellent wines that are exported all over Europe.
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Best Things to Do and See in Boppard, Germany
When to visit Boppard
The best season to visit Boppard is summer, when you’ll find sunny and warm weather perfect for a trekking trip or a river cruise. You can also plan a weekend on the occasion of the Wine Festival to fully enjoy local traditions and folklore. A couple of days are enough to fully explore the town and its surroundings.
How to Get To Boppard
By plane: if you’re flying to Germany, choose Cologne or Frankfurt as your base. You can easily reach Boppard from both cities, either by car or by train.
By train: Boppard is well connected to several cities and towns thanks to the Regional Express Network. You can get to Boppard in 15 minutes from Koblenz, about 1 hour from Mainz, and about 2 hours from Frankfurt. More information here Cheap Train Tickets | Timetables for Germany & Europe – Deutsche Bahn
By car: if you’re planning to visit Cologne, rent a car to be able to get to Boppard in about 1h30. Renting a car is a great option to explore the countryside and reach some remote natural areas where you can enjoy a trekking trip and some wine tastings.
By boat: your Rhine River cruise will likely stop in Boppard, so don’t miss the chance to explore this small town! If you’re staying there, just book a cruise leading you to Mainz or Cologne. More information here Boppard – KD Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH (k-d.com)
Where to stay in Boppard
Hotel Garni Günther: located in the old town and by the river, this hotel offers a great view and an excellent value for money. It’s also close to restaurants, shops, and cafés.
Baudobriga Rheinhotel: another scenic location, right in front of the pier and the ferry stop. It’s suitable for a romantic stay, and you can also have dinner on a lovely veranda overlooking the river.
Best Things to Do in Boppard, Germany
Take plenty of pictures of the Rhine River from the Vierseenblick
A stunning belvedere is waiting for you in Boppard! It’s named Vierseenblick (meaning “four lakes view”) and it gives the impression of watching four lakes instead of a river bend. You can reach it thanks to a steep but scenic paved trail.
Anyway, if you don’t feel like climbing up to 332m above sea level, you can take the Sesselbahn, which is a 915-meter-long chairlift “flying” over the vineyards and taking you to the top of the hill in about 20 minutes. It only works from April to October, and the cost is about 6 euros.
Discover Medieval Boppard
The so-called Electoral Castle, or Alte Burg in German, is a medieval castle dating back to the XIII century and overlooking the Rhine River. Its location makes it one of a kind: it was not built on top of a hill, like most of the other castles in the Rhine River Valley, but it was built right by the water instead.
That’s because it wasn’t meant to be a military outpost, but its main function was collecting the tolls from every ship passing by! Inside, you can visit the Boppard Museum, and the Thonet Museum, which is dedicated to a local famous chair designer and businessman.
To get a glimpse of what Boppard looked like in the Middle Ages, just have a walk in the old town, preferably at dusk: its cobbled streets and its dim and warm lights will make it easy to step back in time.
Learn more about Boppard’s Roman past
You might not know that the Romans built a huge fortress by the river to protect it from the Gauls. Just walk up to Angestrasse/corner of Kirchgasse, and you’ll be able to see the ruins of that mighty fortress representing the oldest part of the ancient Roman settlement.
It is said to be the best-preserved example of Roman Castrum North of the Alps, and you can still see some well-preserved sections of its 9m walls too! It’s an open-air attraction, and the entrance is free.
Challenge yourself on the Mittelrhein Klettersteig
If you like outdoor activities and natural landscapes, then try this via Ferrata among the vineyards. You’ll have the chance to admire the natural beauty of a famous rural area named Boppard Hamm from a privileged point of view while staying fit and having fun at the same time!
It was set up in 2006 using iron ladders, step bars, and steel cables to offer Boppard’s visitors a unique experience suitable for beginners too (the steepest sections can also be replaced by a trekking trail). The loop is 5 Km long, and it takes about 2-3h. Remember to wear your hiking boots and follow the safety rules.
Enjoy a river cruise
Of course, the real “star” of Boppard is the Rhine River, and you shall save at least a day to explore its banks and watch the natural landscapes and the picturesque villages while sitting on the deck of one of the many ships passing by each day.
You can reach Mainz and take a tour of this beautiful city before going back to Boppard in the evening, or stop in one of the lovely villages you’ll spot along the way, like St. Goar or Bacharach for example. One-day boat trips are available from April to October, and you can book and check the schedule at Boppard’s Tourist Information Office.
Check out the official website of the main company offering this kind of service: Home – KD Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH (k-d.com)
Take in the festive atmosphere of the Boppard Wine Festival
It takes place on the last weekend of September and the first weekend of October, in the harvest season. That’s the perfect occasion to taste some of the most renowned local wines, such as Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, or Pinot Noir.
During those weekends, Boppard’s old town is filled with street food stalls, live folk music, entertainment, and cultural events attracting a large crowd. If you feel like planning a weekend off there, make sure to book well in advance, since local hotels might be full!
Take a guided tour of the famous local vineyards
The so-called Boppard Hamm, which is the area around the town entirely covered in vineyards and overlooking the main bend of the Rhine River, includes some of the best and most renowned vineyards and wine estates of the Rhine River Valley.
The local Tourist Office offers a themed guided tour of the area to make visitors fully appreciate not only the landscape but also the local cultivation techniques and the different wines produced there. The tour includes some wine tastings too, of course! More information here Weinwanderung | boppard-tourismus
Enjoy a ride on the Rhein Express
If you’re traveling with kids, take this nice tourist train showing you the old town and its main attractions in about 30 minutes. Just plan this activity on your arrival to get a first glimpse of what Boppard has to offer!
Visit the Carmelite church
This former medieval monastery by the river is worth a stop to watch its wall art and its beautiful stained-glass windows.
Visit St Severus Church
This beautiful Romanesque Basilica is located in Marktplatz, and you cannot miss it! It’s white and elegant, with two slender twin towers. It was built upon the remains of the old Roman baths and it’s worth a visit for its special wall art.
Take a break at a local Straußenwirtschaft
Local taverns are the best place to taste local specialties and a glass of wine after a long day wandering around the countryside! These special places are different than an ordinary wine bar or a restaurant because they are only open at certain times of the year! They are run by winemakers selling their own wine together with some comfort food.