Camping at the Middle Rhine

Between Bingen and Sieg, holidaymakers can enjoy a relaxing time camping by the river with their children against the backdrop of the picturesque mountain ranges of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. The Siebengebirge, Westerwald, Taunus and Hunsrück mountains are tempting places to visit in this region. Historic castles from the Middle Ages sit enthroned high on the peaks. Pure excitement is also offered by walks through the vineyards and a boat trip on the Rhine.

Special features of camping on the Middle Rhine

Most campsites on the Middle Rhine are just a few steps away from the riverbank. From here, visitors can take a dip in the water from one of the bathing jetties or explore the mighty river by canoe. The excursion steamers are also popular, taking passengers to the famous Loreley rock and the enchanting Rhine loops, for example. Away from the water, the mountain ranges invite you to go hiking. From the heights, excursionists can look out over the Rhenish breakthrough valley amidst the slate landscapes. Ancient castles and small villages can be visited on family tours. One of the cultural highlights is Bingen with its historical museum.

How to get there

The Middle Rhine is located in the far west of Germany and stretches for around 130 kilometres from Bingen almost as far as Bonn. If you want to spend your camping holiday in this region, it is best to follow the A4 motorway from the east, which leads directly to Cologne. During a stopover here, you can admire the cathedral and the Roman-Germanic Museum.

From the Rhine metropolis, head south on the A555 or A59 towards Bonn and the Siebengebirge. The latter is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit when camping on the Middle Rhine. The B9 and B42 motorways run along the banks of the Rhine on both sides. You can cross from one side to the other over numerous bridges and by ferry.

Those travelling to Koblenz on the Middle Rhine can use the A48 motorway. This motorway reaches the river from the east from Limburg an der Lahn. The A5 motorway and its western extension, the B49, also lead here. From Frankfurt am Main, first take the A3 to Limburg and then the A48 at Ransbach-Baumbach. Another option is the A60 motorway from Frankfurt via Mainz to Bingen.

Destinations

Over a length of around 130 kilometres, the Middle Rhine offers exciting destinations such as the Hunsrück, the Deutsches Eck and the Siebengebirge.

Bingen and the Hunsrück

Bingen am Rhein is one of the most traditional towns in Germany. The town is best known for St Hildegard, a Benedictine nun who was revered above all for her naturopathy. The Historical Museum provides visitors with detailed information on the importance of the saint. One of the most important sights is the Binger Loch, a narrow section of the Rhine that is popular with excursion boats. The wooded peaks of the Hunsrück rise up in the hinterland.

Exploring the Siebengebirge

On the right bank of the Rhine to the south-east of Bonn, the Siebengebirge between Königswinter and Bad Honnef entices visitors to go on extensive hiking tours. On excursions, you can climb the 460 metre-high Großer Ölberg or enjoy the view from the 455 metre-high Löwenburg. The Rheinsteig hiking trail leads right through the mountain range to Wiesbaden. The region's most famous attractions include Drachenfels, Drachenburg Castle and the wine trail in Königswinter.

Koblenz, the Deutsches Eck and the Moselle

The Moselle flows into the Rhine in Koblenz. The mouth of the river is also commonly known as the German Corner, where the famous imperial monument is located. Those who spend their holidays here enjoy cycling tours along the Moselle, one of the most beautiful wine-growing regions in Germany.

Activities and excursions

The Middle Rhine offers holidaymakers a wide range of possibilities. For example, the cultural region can be explored by bike or boat.

Boat trips on the Middle Rhine

Anyone visiting the Middle Rhine should definitely take a boat tour. You can admire famous sights such as the Loreley, medieval Bingen and the Deutsches Eck. In many places, the famous hilltop castles of the Rhineland are enthroned on the densely wooded mountains.

Cycle tours along the banks of the Rhine

You can follow the Rhine Cycle Route on both sides of the Rhine. The route offers marvellous views of the river meanders and is an excellent way to get to know this UNESCO World Heritage-listed cultural region. Of course, detours along the Moselle into the Nettetal valley or to Lake Laach are also worthwhile.

Hikes away from the river

The mountains of the Rhenish Slate Mountains rise to the right and left of the mighty river. The mountain ranges fascinate with their dense forests. Hikers can enjoy a great deal of peace and quiet on their strolls through the Hunsrück and breathe deeply under the dense canopy of leaves. On the right bank of the Rhine, the Rheinsteig from Bonn to Wiesbaden is one of the most beautiful routes. The tour is 320 kilometres long in total and leads through the Siebengebirge mountains, among other places.

Gastronomy

In the Rhineland, visitors can savour the aromatic freshwater fish, among other things. Trout and carp are traditional dishes in the region. Mussels in the Rhineland style with white wine, butter, bay leaf, cloves and garlic are also popular. The delicacies mainly come from the Rhine delta in the Netherlands.

The Rhenish sauerbraten, which was originally made from horse meat and is now made from beef, is hearty. Sultanas, gingerbread and cornflour are typically added to the gravy. It is served with dumplings and red cabbage. Many restaurants also serve Himmel und Erde, a combination of potatoes and apples, as a side dish with black pudding or bacon. Döppekooche consists of grated potatoes with onions and eggs: a dish served with apple sauce and bacon.

Best time to travel

The warm months of the year are of course ideal for an active camping holiday on the Middle Rhine. Most campsites in the region are open between May and October and offer a good starting point for hikes, boat trips and cycling excursions.

In May, travellers can expect temperatures of around 15 degrees Celsius. June is then characterised by temperatures gradually approaching 20 degrees Celsius. In July, August and September, the average maximum reaches 23 degrees Celsius. Occasionally, of course, temperatures are significantly higher during the day. September also offers good conditions for a camping holiday, with temperatures still reaching a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius.