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How to see the best of Koblenz and the Rhine

After driving Germany’s wine road we headed north in our motorhome along the number 9 road from the town of Bingen, intending to spend a few nights on the banks of the River Rhine, near Koblenz. The road hugs the River Rhine and twists and turns passing several towns and villages. Huge commercial barges and river cruise boats were a constant attraction but I had to keep my eyes on the road! In this motorhome blog article you will find out where we stayed, to make sure we saw the best of Koblenz and the Rhine.

River Rhine camping
The view from our motorhome

We were looking for a campsite just south of the city of Koblenz, where we hoped to spend a few days. After, looking at one campsite that we found scruffy and not to our liking we found the lovely riverside site of Camping Sonneneck. With a swimming pool, restaurant/bar, small shop, a friendly reception and stunning riverside pitches we had found a gem of a campsite, and all for half the price of a UK campsite! The campsite price even included bus tickets to and from Koblenz – A bargain!

Camping Sonneneck on the River Rhine by drone.

We spent a hot afternoon relaxing next to our motorhome and watching the huge commercial barges and river cruise boats on the River Rhine, as well as admiring the varied wildlife such as Egyptian geese, herons and cormorants. We finished the day with a dip in the swimming pool to cool off followed by a BBQ by the beautiful River Rhine.

The amazing Koblenz cable car

The next day we caught the free bus from outside the campsite to the city of Koblenz, a 30 minute journey, and explored the busy centre before making our way to the river.

The Koblenz cable car is an aerial lift that was opened in 2010 for the Bundesgartenschau (a biennial exhibition) the following year. It connects the banks of the river Rhine and the hill plateau next to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. The cable car system has an 890m length and elevates 112m. 

Koblenz cable car

The cable car runs every minute from 10:00 to 19:00 every day. Tickets are available at the ticket offices at the bottom station (Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer), the top station (Greiffenklaustraße) or at the office (Rheinstraße. 6). For prices and online tickets for the Koblenz cable car click here

The ride on the cable car is a thrilling experience that offers a panoramic view of Koblenz and its surroundings. The cable car takes you from the banks of the Rhine to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which stands 118 meters above the river. The fortress is a must-see attraction in Koblenz and is spread over 1700 sq meters of the striking glass Forum Confluentes building. The museum’s displays span 2000 years of the region’s history.

If you’re planning to visit Koblenz, then a ride on the cable car is a must-do activity. You can combine it with a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and explore its extensive grounds, historic fortress, and breathtaking panorama 

Koblenz: Where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers Meet

Koblenz is a city in the western part of Germany, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The city is surrounded by three low mountain ranges, namely the Hunsrück, the Eifel, and the Westerwald. The Romans founded a military stronghold at this location, which they named Confluentes for its strategic value. Today, Koblenz is a park-filled city that serves as both the northern gateway to the Romantic Rhine Valley and the northeastern gateway to the Moselle Valley, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the region.

Koblenz viewpoint

Koblenz is a city with a rich history and culture. It has many attractions that are worth visiting. One of them is the Festung Ehrenbreitstein fortress, which is located on the right bank of the Rhine. It stands 118 meters above the river and proved indestructible to all but Napoleonic troops, who levelled it in 1801. Another attraction is the Mittelrhein-Museum, which is spread over 1700 sq meters of the striking glass Forum Confluentes building. The museum’s displays span 2000 years of the region’s history. The Deutsches Eck is another must-see attraction in Koblenz. It is located at the point of confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers and is dominated by a soaring statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I on horseback.

After 3 nights on the Rhine our plan was to drive along the banks of the Moselle river to Cochem and into Luxembourg. The weather, however, was changing and we were going to encounter some big thunderstorms!

Rhine river boat
River Rhine boat and Koblenz fortress

More motorhome blog articles about Germany

Rothenburg ob Der Tauber- A fairy tale destination for motorhome travellers

A motorhome adventure at Lake Titisee in The Black Forest

Motorhome Magic – A journey through Germany’s wine road

Driving in Germany – What you need to know

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