Rudesheim is a beautiful town that sits on Germany’s Rhine River. It’s become a favorite for travelers visiting the country for its picturesque views, vineyards, and hiking trails. There are so many fun things to do in Rudesheim, even if you only have one day like we did! Follow along on our adventure as we explore Rüdesheim am Rhein and share everything you can’t miss.
Our Visit to Rudesheim Germany
Our first trip to Rudesheim was actually part of week-long Viva River Cruise! Over 7 nights, we sailed on both the Moselle and Rhine River and spent one day in Rudesheim.
We arrived bright and early in the morning, which gave us the entire day to explore. Something we truly loved about Rudesheim is that you can walk basically everywhere.
From where our boat was docked, we strolled right into the colorful streets of old town. While we only had one day Rudesheim, we were able to experience so much in such a short time.
Our adventure took us up the cable car, through the vineyards and hiking trails, and down the famous Drosselgasse street. This is such a great town to visit with limited time, and there’s so many fun things to do in Rudesheim Germany!
If you are going to spend the night, a couple of the most popular hotels in town are Breuer’s Rüdesheimer Schloss, Hotel Trapp. Rüdesheimer Wohlfühloase is also great if you’d prefer apartment-style. All three options are right in Old Town.
One Day in Rudesheim Germany
German Breakfast & Rüdesheimer Kaffee
We recommend that everyone starts their day in Rudesheim with a traditional German breakfast. Our morning actually began with eating on our cruise ship, but that didn’t stop us from snacking our way through town!
Art Cafe is great if you’re looking for a sit down breakfast and Bäckerei Aulmann is perfect if you just want to grab something to go. One thing you absolutely can’t leave without trying is the famous Rüdesheimer Kaffee.
Just be careful because underneath the whipped cream is actually an alcoholic drink. For this reason, you may want to save it for later in the day!
Ride the Rudesheim Cable Car
One of the most popular things to do in Rudesheim is to hop on the cable car from the town center. The Seilbahn Ruedesheim has been in operation since 1954, replacing a railway that went up to the Niederwald monument.
We couldn’t believe the views as we boarded the cable car and started our ascent up the mountain. There was vineyards as far as the eye could see, with the stunning Rhine River in the background.
Taking the Rudesheim cable car was a highlight of our entire day and we can’t recommend it enough. We decided to purchase a one-way ticket (more on this soon) so we could hike back to town!
Visit the Niederwald Monument
This region of Germany has an incredible history to discover. A short walk from the top of the Seilbahn Ruedesheim will take you to the massive Niederwald Monument.
At first glance, we couldn’t believe how truly big it was! The story behind it is even more fascinating than the 38 meter tall statue, as it was finished in 1883 to commemorate the unification of Germany.
The project started way back in 1871 after the end of the Franco-Prussian War. Kaiser Wilhelm I himself would lay the first stone down in 1877 to celebrate the newly founded German Empire.
There are also several viewpoints of the vineyards and Rhine River here. This makes it a great photo spot to remember your time in Rudesheim with.
Hiking in the Niederwald Forest
The Niederwald Monument may be the star of the show, but know that there are also endless hiking paths at the top of the cable car. You could literally spend all day strolling through the forest here and enjoying the scenic nature above Rüdesheim am Rhein.
Since we had limited time during our one day in Rudesheim, we decided to just take a short walk through the forest. We then hiked back to old town instead of paying for a return ticket on the cable car.
This was such a fun way to experience this area of Germany! The trail to town is a mix of dirt pathways and stairs that wind their way through the vineyards. The hike back to town only took 45 minutes and was insanely beautiful.
Detour to Assmannshausen
Another option is to hike from the Niederwald Monument through the forest to Assmannshausen. This small town is known for its high-quality red wines, which is quite unique from the Rieslings of the region.
If you’re interested in this hike, plan to leave yourself the entire afternoon free. There is a train that runs regularly between the two towns so you don’t have to hike both ways. However, the most popular way to get back to Rudesheim Germany is by taking a river boat that runs along the Rhine.
Stroll Down Drosselgasse
Drosselgasse is the heart of Rudesheim old town and honestly one of the most beautiful streets we’ve seen in Germany. It’s filled with an abundance of flowers, traditional restaurants, and quirky shops.
The street flows elegantly up from the Rhine River towards the top of town. Take your time walking through and be sure to stop in for a coffee or drink.
This is the perfect place to start exploring old town. From here, you’ll be right in the center, with easy access to the cable car and riverfront.
Wine Tasting in Rüdesheim am Rhein
By now, you can tell that wine is a huge part of Rudesheim. It’s located in the Rheingau wine region and has several amazing blends to try.
So what’s the best way to taste wine here besides going directly to a vineyard or restaurant? Well, you can hit the Rüdesheim’s Wine Stand Marketplace in the town center or find one of the many local cellars.
For the more active wine lovers, you can even go hiking above the village on a route through the vineyards. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to have endless opportunities to drink delicious wine in Rudesheim Germany.
Where to Eat in Rudesheim Old Town
Some of our favorite traditional dishes to try from this region are frankfurters, sauerbraten, spundekas, saumagen, riesling soup, and of course different variations of schnitzel.
As we mentioned, you’ll also want to sip on a Rüdesheimer Coffee, which is a specialty of the town. Below you’ll find some of the best restaurants to check out. You can also read our guide to German food for more inspiration!
- Quetschkommod, Drosselgasse: Great outdoor area with a large traditional menu.
- Bollesje: A wild experience where you eat in an old prison cellar.
- Villa Weil Restaurant: Historic restaurant that serves a mix of local and international dishes.
Have any questions about this article or want to share your own tips for one day in Rudesheim Germany? Leave us a comment 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!
