Planning a trip to the Moselle Valley in Germany? Then Bernkastel-Kues should be at the top of your list! From the stunning old town to the Landshut Castle, there’s so much to see in this riverside town. In our opinion, it’s not just one of the most beautiful towns along the Moselle, but in the entire country! Here’s our favorite things to do in Bernkastel-Kues and why it’s such a must-visit in Germany.
How to Get to Bernkastel-Kues
Bernkastel-Kues is located towards the middle of the Moselle River in the Bernkastel-Wittlich district of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. This makes it easy to get to from large cities such as Dusseldorf (2.5 hours), Frankfurt (2 hours), Cologne (2 hours), Trier (45 min), and Bonn (2 hours).
The best way to travel to Bernkastel-Kues is by renting a car. We always use this website to find deals and filter through the most popular companies.
Having a vehicle will give you the freedom to explore the region and include Bernkastel Germany in a longer road trip itinerary. There are also several bus and train routes which connect the towns of the Moselle Valley, but it’s not the ideal way to see the area.
Our Visit to Bernkastel-Kues Germany
While we would typically rent a car to get around, our first trip to Bernkastel-Kues would be a little different! We were actually on a cycling trip with Boat Bike Tours which docked for one night here. If you’re interested in this style vacation, you can read all about our experience here.
From our very first glimpse of town and the magical Burg Landshut sitting high above, we were in love! We spent the afternoon strolling through old town, completely in awe of the colorful architecture.
Although this was a short stay, we knew it wouldn’t be long before we were back in Bernkastel-Kues. Our travels would take us to a long-term apartment after our boat cruise to the nearby town of Reil Germany. After this, we would make several more visits to experience the best things to do in Bernkastel-Kues Germany.
Where to Stay in Bernkastel-Kues
You should know that Bernkastel-Kues is a small Moselle town with a population of just under 7,000. However, it draws tourists in year-round for its abundance of outdoor activities, wineries, and Christmas markets.
You’ll find a great variety of accommodations to choose from on your visit. They range from historic hotels with river views to family run bed and breakfasts. Check out the some of the most highly-recommended places to stay below. Just make sure to book the popular hotels in advance, especially when visiting during the holidays!
Our Top Pick: DEINHARD’s – This hotel has a traditional elegant style with modern comforts. It’s just steps form the walking street and a great location in town.
Ultra Luxury: Schloss Lieser – While not in the town center, this unique castle hotel is part of the Autograph Collection. This makes it one of the best luxury hotels in the Moselle Valley!
Charming Stay: Hotel Sankt Maximilian – A popular family run property right in town. It’s situated just over the bridge from Bernkastel old town and has a cute and traditional feel.
About Bernkastel-Kues Germany
Before we get into the best things to do in Bernkastel-Kues, you should know a little bit more about it! At first glance, it may look like two separate towns.
Bernkastel and Kues sit on opposite sides of the Moselle River and are connected by a long bridge. This article is mostly focused on the Bernkastel side, but know that Kues old town is also worth taking a walk through.
So how long do you need to visit Bernkastel-Kues Germany? The best part about it is it’s small enough where you could explore it in an afternoon. Yet, as you’ll see in this article, there are so fun activities and sights that you could easily spend 2-3 days without getting bored.
The one thing we want to mention about spending the night is that the streets will be much quieter. During the day, it can be crowded with travelers coming on day trips.
It’s location in the heart of the Moselle also makes it a popular stop for cruise ships. With all that said, this is hands down a destination that is worth spending a night or two!
6 Best Things to do in Bernkastel-Kues
1. Explore the Historic Old Town
Set just back from the Moselle River is the stunning old town of Bernkastel. We highly recommend making a stop into one of the local museums at some point during your day.
However, also know that simply taking a walk through the altestadt (old town) will feel like a museum in itself! The cobblestone streets wind their way through Bernkastel, completely surrounded by the half-timbered buildings in all different colors.
Bernkastel-Kues dates back over 700 years ago and you’ll see it still retains its beauty. Our favorite area of old town is the gorgeous Marktplatz, which is the main square with a fountain in the middle (google location). Stop into a cafe for a coffee, beer, or glass of wine and take in the scenery.
2. Wine Tasting in Bernkastel-Kues
Speaking of drinks, Bernkastel-Kues is located right in the heart of Moselle wine country! Looking up into the hillside, you will be captivated by the endless vineyards and rolling green mountains of the valley.
This area of Germany is famous for its riesling production and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste it on your trip. One of the best things to do in Bernkastel-Kues is to visit one of the many weinguts around town.
You can simply pop into a storefront and taste on your own. Another option would be to take an official wine tour with a local guide. There was actually a pop up wine stand right on the river during our visit where we grabbed a glass of wine from.
Either way, Bernkastel is a place that wine enthusiasts will certainly enjoy! There are also many festivals and events celebrating the wine of the region if you’re lucky enough to be here during the summertime.
3. Hike to Burg Landshut
As you arrive into town, you will notice the main feature is the castle sitting above! Burg Landshut was built on top of early Roman fortifications from way back in the 4th century.
What you see today was constructed around 1276 by Heinrich von Finstingen, the Archbishop of Trier. The castle towers over old town and is certainly worth the hike up!
About halfway up the steep path from town you’ll come across see Schützenhaus Restaurant. This is a nice stop for a drink and snack along the way.
In total, it took us about 30 minutes to get to the top. The views are spectacular from here over the old town and Moselle Valley.
There is a high-end restaurant inside the castle which is a nice spot for dinner and drinks. Be sure to make a reservation here if you’d like a table.
4. Enjoy a Local Meal
Who’s hungry?? After all that walking you may be ready for a bite to eat. Luckily, there are so many incredible restaurants around old town.
We had the opportunity to try a few different places, each offering something different and delicious. For Brigitte’s birthday we went to Restaurant Alt Bernkastel for a traditional German meal.
Our order of schnitzel with peppercorn sauce and an amazing gratin really hit the spot. Just be aware that the portions are massive here. We went with the large size and decided to skip dinner because of how full we were!
On the night our boat was docked in Bernkastel-Kues, we got takeaway pizza to eat on the river. Ristorante Pizzeria Da Salvatore makes pizzas and pasta fresh to order.
There was also a small kiosk on the river which rotates local vineyards sporadically throughout the year. This was the pop up stand we mentioned earlier where you can grab a glass of wine!
The bottle of rose went perfectly with our pizza and made for the ultimate sunset dinner on the water. As we mentioned, there are so many cafes and bars to enjoy a drink at. You can’t really go wrong with anywhere around Bernkastel old town.
5. Ride the Panorama Train
When you need a break from walking the train is an exciting way to see the town. The 45-minute ride operates from May to October and takes you to many of the best sights and viewpoints.
It will take you past the wine museum, through the historic market square, to St. Nikolaus Hospital, St. Michael’s Church, and the birthplace of Nikolaus Cusanus.
Yet, the best part is the panoramic views you’ll receive of Bernkastel-Kues! You can learn more about it on their website.
This activity is especially fun for families with young kids. There is also a separate bus that goes up to the Landshut Castle if you don’t want to make the hike (learn more about it here).
6. Boat Down the Moselle River
Last but not least, it’s time to get out on the great Moselle! There are several ways to do this, including kayaking and canoe rentals.
Still, one of our favorite things to do in Bernkastel-Kues is take a boat ride. There are boats that leave from around the bridge and sail on scenic tours down the Moselle.
Some are a closed loop, while others have stops in different towns along the river. There are also sunset cruises available and other types of tours to check out, too.
Is Bernkastel-Kues Worth Visiting?
Yes! If you couldn’t tell, Bernkastel-Kues was one of our favorite stops in this region of Germany.
So much so, that we’ve now made multiple visits here over the summer. Its small size makes it an awesome place to spend a night or two, or even make a day trip to from one of the nearby towns.
The combination of nature, history, and German cuisine make it a must-visit on your trip to the Moselle Valley. Also, the wine is obviously a nice bonus! A few more places we absolutely loved were Saarburg, Zell, Beilstein, Cochem, and Traben-Trarbach.
While the summer was such a great time to visit, we can’t wait to come back in the winter. Bernkastel-Kues Germany is known for having one of the best Christmas markets in the area.
Have any questions on this article or want to share more things to do in Bernkastel-Kues? 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!
