Camping in Cochem

Cochem Castle towers over the town in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate from afar. The Moselle region with the river of the same name characterises the landscape and the local lifestyle. There is plenty of space to discover and romp around, as well as a variety of events that make camping with children an experience.

Special features of camping in Cochem

The campsites in Cochem are located close to the bends in the Moselle river and often boast romantic views of the surrounding vineyards, for which the region is rightly famous. In addition to facilities such as disabled-access showers, some of the on-site pitches also offer the opportunity to relax in the site's own pub or bistro.

Hiking holidaymakers will get their money's worth thanks to the many circular trails on site, while families with children will be happier in the adventure playground or pool. Here it is easy to explore the surrounding area of Cochem on day trips and return home to the family atmosphere of the campsite in the evening.

How to get there

Cochem is a good 160 kilometres from Frankfurt am Main. For some relaxation en route, a visit to the old town of Limburg with its famous cathedral, which is located about halfway along the route towards the Moselle, is a good idea.

A good stopover on the approximately 540 km route from Hamburg is the university city of Münster with its inviting city centre. The cosy motorway service station in Vechta on the A1 offers the opportunity for a delicious lunch and a refreshing stop along the way. From the Rhine metropolis of Cologne with the famous Cologne Cathedral, it is another 113 km to Cochem.

The capital Berlin is about 650 kilometres from Cochem. The Klöckern service station on the A9 motorway between Dessau and Leipzig offers hungry travellers fantastic bockwurst sausages. Depending on your mood, a visit to historic Leipzig can be added afterwards to break up the journey.

From Frankfurt, Hamburg and Cologne, the last section from the Kaifenheim exit offers a scenic drive through smaller towns such as Klotten, where the bends and vineyards of the Moselle can already be seen. Now there are only a few kilometres left to the B49 to Cochem.

Top 5 sights

• Reichsburg Cochem: Rebuilt in the 19th century, the castle on the hill above the town is an outstanding example of historicism.
• Town fortifications with the Endert Gate: The gate is one of three remaining town gates and is located near the pedestrian zone in Cochem's charming old town centre.
• Moselle promenade: Here you can enjoy the river, which characterises the valley and the town, in peace and quiet.
• Capuchin monastery: The former monastery is now a cultural centre that can be reached via a steep staircase directly from the market square.
• Cochem Gemstone Museum: The museum is dedicated to the gemstones found in the region and has an original agate loop.

Top 2 insider tips

• Bundesbank bunker: A relic of the Cold War is hidden 30 metres underground in Cochem: what looks like a normal residential building is actually the entrance to the bunker in which the German Bundesbank had its second currency stored in case the actual mark was devalued by the enemy with counterfeit money. The bunker can be visited in its entirety today.
• Historic Dehren mustard mill: For 200 years, the mustard mill in the village has stood for delicious tradition: where else can you taste mustard made according to a centuries-old recipe and even watch it being produced? The in-house mustard fruit spreads are sure to make you hungry.

Activities and excursions

Not only Cochem itself, but also the surrounding area invites you to see and experience. Here, a trip on the cable car can be combined with a visit to the bear enclosure.

Take the chairlift to the Pinnerkreuz

At 225 metres above sea level, the Pinnerkreuz offers a fantastic view of the Moselle flowing far below in the valley and the surrounding hills. The Cochem chairlift takes visitors 380 metres out of the town to the viewing platform. The Pinnerkreuz is easily accessible from the campsite in Cochem; a beautiful hiking trail leads back down into the valley.

An exciting ride in the Klotten wildlife and leisure park

If you don't want to hike back down into the valley straight after the ascent to the Pinnerkreuz, you can visit the Klotten Wildlife and Leisure Park from the mountain station, with its large bear enclosure and one of the fastest wild water rides in Germany. With a high-speed rollercoaster, large bouncy castles and a petting zoo, the park is a varied experience for the whole family.

Events

The calendar of events in Cochem is orientated towards the course of the year and its regional customs, but also has larger festivals to offer.

February - March

• Cochemer Fassenacht: The fifth season is also celebrated in Cochem with a ghost parade, Rose Monday procession and Farmers' Tuesday.

April

• Knippmontag: One week after Easter Sunday, the whole community gathers for a picnic on the Knippwiese above the Reichsburg castle to commemorate a foiled attack on the town.

May

• Children's festival: the whole town belongs to the children! Numerous attractions and lots of fun await the little ones on this day.

June

• Moselle Wine Week: The wine festival on the Endertplatz in Cochem offers music, dancing and a sparkling variety of regional grape varieties.
• Cochem vineyard festival: This small festival in the middle of the vineyards creates a cosy atmosphere.

August

• Castle festival at the Reichsburg Cochem: Jugglers, knights and minstrels take the Reichsburg and all its visitors back to times long past.
• International Piano Summer: The two-week festival is a must for all fans of piano music.
• Local history and wine festival: One of the largest wine festivals on the Moselle invites you to enjoy the countryside, good food and, of course, the best wine.

October

• Cochem Oktoberfest: Once again, the focus here is on cosy conviviality in the large marquee.

Gastronomy

Anyone travelling to the Moselle is less interested in eating than in drinking. The Moselle wines, which are cultivated here on the lush green slopes of the river valleys, are known throughout the region for their quality. Some of the Rieslings produced are among the best in the world, such as the Berncasteler Doctor. Müller-Thurgau, which tends to be grown in the valley, also attracts fans to the region.

This fine wine is also a firm favourite in hearty local cuisine: Whether it's Riesling cream soup, winegrower's roast or wine pudding, everyone has to decide for themselves. In Cochem itself, guests can choose between Zwiwwelfleisch, or onion wine meat, or Tresterfleisch, which is marinated in the schnapps of the same name. The splendid Moselle eels that are served here are also highly prized.

Best time to visit

What pleases the wine also pleases the visitors: temperatures in the Moselle region rarely fall below 3 degrees Celsius in winter. The months of May to September are good weather for travelling. Holidaymakers get the most hours of sunshine between June and August. Temperatures then rise to a maximum of 23 degrees.

Those who appreciate a beautiful start to spring have the best chances in April. This is when it rains the least. But camping in Cochem is also possible in rainy August. With waterproof trekking clothing and a wet bag for technical equipment, changeable weather conditions are no obstacle. All in all, the sheltered Moselle valley offers every camper a good home from home.