Did you know one of the most beautiful areas of Germany is actually along the Moselle River? This small corner of the country is known for its unique scenery and magical villages. As the steepest wine growing region in Europe, the towns along the Moselle River are set between endless vineyards. After spending the summer exploring the Moselle Valley, we’re excited to share the best places to visit and our favorite small towns!
8 Magical Towns on the Moselle River Germany
1. Cochem
Let’s start off with one of the most popular towns along the Moselle River in Germany! Cochem is famous for the brightly colored buildings that line the waterfront and the massive castle towering above.
As we found out, Cochem is more of a small city compared to the smaller Moselle River towns in this article. It also makes for a fun base to stay and discover more of the nearby villages from.
Either way, you really can’t talk about the best places to visit in Moselle Valley without including it! The highlight for us was making the hike to the top and touring the castle. Movie buffs may recognize it immediately as it was inspiration for Hogwarts from Harry Potter.
There are so many great restaurants to enjoy on a trip to Cochem. Also, make sure to jump on a panoramic river cruise to see the town from the water. Read our full guide for the best things to do in Cochem Germany.
Where to Stay in Cochem: Hotel Villa Vinum Cochem & Pension Winnemuller are two of the best hotels in town. You’ll be walking distance from everything which is ideal in one of the bigger towns of the Moselle Valley.
2. Beilstein
Beilstein has long been praised as one of the most stunning Moselle River towns, and frankly in all of Germany. On our first visit, we were in awe of the fortress and traditional homes sitting beneath it along the river. It’s easy to see here why it’s nicknamed the sleeping beauty of the Moselle Valley!
Take a stroll through the backstreets which wind their way up to the legendary Metternich Castle. After a quick 20 minute hike, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views on the Moselle River in Germany.
We recommend tasting some local wine in town at one of the many winery storefronts. There is also an amazing restaurant inside the castle where you can grab a cold drink or lunch.
Where to Stay in Beilstein: Hotel Restaurant Alte Stadtmauer & Hotel Gute Quelle are both great options right in the center of Beilstein.
3. Ediger-Eller
This small charming town is one that we randomly stopped at while biking along the Moselle River in Germany. Read all about our 7 day cycling adventure with Boat Bike Tours here.
It was so beautiful that we wasted no time walking through the cobblestoned streets and alleyways. Ediger-Eller isn’t very large, so you won’t need long to see it.
It’s the perfect place for a coffee or a quick ice cream at Eiscafé Dolomiti, especially if you are biking right past it, as we did.
Where to Stay in Ediger-Eller: Winzervilla is a nice apartment if you want your own space, while Hotel St. Georg directly overlooks the Moselle Valley.
4. Bremm
Bremm is one of those Moselle towns that seems straight out of a fairy tale! While the town is certainly gorgeous, the main reason to visit here is the huge hillside which sits behind it.
Make the hike up above the the Bremmer Calmont Vineyard for the famous view of the Moselle Valley. The U shaped bend has become an iconic photo of the Moselle River in Germany and is well worth the hike.
Just be prepared for a steep climb, as this is the steepest sloped winery in all of Europe! You’ll want to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated before doing some wine tasting in town.
Where to Stay in Bremm: Gästehaus Trulla and Ferienhaus Scheid are two two highly-rated apartments that are available for rent in the town center.
5. Zell
Part of our summer in Moselle River Germany was spent in the tiny village of Reil. It was just 10 minutes away from Zell, and we spent many days in the lovable town.
It’s full of cute cafes, restaurants, and outdoor activities. Yet, what Zell is truly known for is its world-renowned Black Cat Wine (read more here).
You’ll see the Moselle town’s mascot pictured everywhere, from the rotaries to the windows and bottle labels. After spending some time in the centre, we recommend going for a hike up above Zell.
The Zeller Schwarze Katz hike will take you through the vineyards in the hillside for picturesque views over the Moselle Valley. Wine lovers will also want to take a walk over the pedestrian bridge which takes you to the other side of the Moselle River in Germany.
Here you’ll find several wineries where you can sit and enjoying a glass with a view of town. One place we did a wine tasting and highly recommended is the family run Weingut Treis.
Where to Stay in Zell: Haus Till E & Mayer’s Weinhotel are two small boutique hotels set in the town center.
6. Reil
As we mentioned, we stayed in the small Moselle town of Reil Germany. It was such a nice and relaxing place to use as our base to explore the region in the summertime.
While Reil may not have a bakery of grocery store, there is no shortage of great wine here! You’ll find a handful of local restaurants and over two dozen small family run wineries to enjoy.
This is the perfect spot to soak in the Moselle Valley views after a long day of cycling. There are several trails through the wineries above town as well if you’re up for a hike.
Where to Stay in Reil: Hotel Reiler Hof, Gästehaus Weingut Schier & Boutique Hotel Villa Melsheimer are all popular hotels right along the Moselle River town.
7. Traben-Trarbach
Traben-Trarbach is another must-visit destination on the Moselle River in Germany! During our visit in July, there was a different wine festival or event going on here just about every weekend.
It’s yet another one of the best places to visit in the Moselle Valley for wine enthusiasts and nature lovers. We enjoyed many afternoons here, strolling along the main street and taking in the views from the long bridge crossing the river.
Kayaking and canoe rentals are a fun way to get out on the water. You can also take a ferry boat which runs between Traben-Trarbach and many of the Moselle River towns. Read our complete article about Traben-Trarbach to see why it’s so worth visiting!
Where to Stay in Traben-Trarbach: Moselschlösschen Spa & Resort is one of the best spa hotels in the Moselle Valley! Also, Das Haus Am Markt is great if you are looking for an apartment-style accommodation.
8. Bernkastel-Kues
Last but not least, we have the magnificent Moselle town of Bernkastel-Kues. This is a place that’s so beautiful it almost doesn’t seem real!
A bridge separates the twin towns, with the main attractions being on the Bernkastel side. You could spend hours strolling through the old town and historic market square.
Still, the highlight of Bernkastel is hiking to the Landshut Castle above! Families visiting with kids should check out the panorama train that glides through the village. Read our complete guide for the best things to do in Bernkastel-Kues here.
Where to Stay in Bernkastel-Kues: Deinhard’s is a wonderful modern hotel every traveler will love. Mosel-Loft is also the perfect pick if you’re looking for an apartment rental.
Planning Your Moselle River Germany Trip
🚗 While there are some train and bus routes available, the best way to see the Moselle Valley is by renting a car! You can pick up a vehicle when you land in one of the major cities (check the prices).
🚴 The Moselle River in Germany is very popular for biking. You can book accommodations in different Moselle towns and make your own cycling trip.
Another option would be to hop on a tour like we did and have your very own floating hotel! Read this guide for the answers to all your questions about a Boat Bike Tour.
✈️ If you’re arriving on an international flight, the two largest airports are Frankfort and Düsseldorf. Check this website to compare companies and find the cheapest deals for your dates.
🍇 The best time of year to visit the Moselle Valley Germany is in the summer and fall. We found the weather to be amazing in July, with the vineyards on full display. Also, be sure to include Saarbug and the city of Trier in your visit.
🎒 Scan through our Amazon packing lists, electronics, camera gear & long flight essentials.
Have any questions about this article or want to share more of the best places to visit in the Moselle Valley? Let us know in the comments below.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
