Rüdesheim cruise port guide
Why go
Characterised by its picturesque hillside vineyards, Rüdesheim is one of Germany’s foremost wine regions. As well as an alluring and quaintly cobbled Old Town, the town offers mountain and nature hikes and even offers gondola rides along the Rhine.
Location
The 18 piers are all set along the southern edge of the Old Town. Most dock close to the main centre, but a few of them require a 10-15 minute walk into the city from the promenade.
Can I walk to any places of interest?
Rüdesheim is quite a small town, and river cruise vessels dock very close to the town centre. Most of the local sights, including the Drosselgasse, the Klunkardshof and the Rüdesheimer Schloss, can be reached within a few minutes by foot.
Getting around
The Old Town of Rüdesheim, which contains most of the main sights, can be easily explored on foot, although there also public buses and taxis available if needed. Buses and trains run to nearby Assmannshausen, or active visitors can walk the five or so miles along the Rhine.
What to see and do
What can I do in four hours or less?
The easiest place to start a tour of the city is at the charming Drosselgasse, a cobbled street lined with historic buildings, restaurants, bars and shops, which begins right at the river.
Just off the street you’ll find Oberstrasse, with its string of handsome aristocratic residences. Inside one of them (the Brömserhof) is Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet, a delightfully quirky place to visit with a collection of self-playing instruments: dainty music boxes, automated dolls, mechanical violins.
On parallel Steingasse, the historic Rüdesheimer Schloss was constructed by the archbishop of Mainz in 1729 and now functions as a four-star hotel with a plush restaurant, while over on the market square lies one of Rüdesheim’s oldest buildings, the two-storey, half timbered Klunkardshof, built in the 16th century.
Other landmarks are the 20-metre-high Eagle Tower, a late Gothic construction built in the 15th century and – a little out of the centre, but not to be missed – is the town’s famous Niederwald monument. Created between 1870 and 1880 as a commemoration of the unification of the German Empire, it offers memorable views over the scenic Rhine valley. If you don’t want to take the 45-minute hike, a cable car (10-minutes, €8/£7 round trip) operates from late March to early November.
What can I do with a bit longer?
There are several significant castles in the near vicinity of Rüdesheim – Castle Rheinstein (Reichstein) – many of which can be explored via a river cruise.
A little closer are the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle, which occupy an atmospheric location within a series of vineyards, and can be reached via a pleasant 45-minute walk or by taxi.
Eat and drink
The region is well known for its excellent Rheingau wines, which include Rieslings, Pinot Noirs and even sparkling wines. You can find these in most local cafes and restaurants, along with Asbach, a locally crafted brandy that’s served in coffee (Rüdesheimer Kaffee) – and is literally served flaming.
Don’t leave Rüdesheim without…
Local wines can be found in the wine shops along Oberstrasse, as can Asbach, which can be purchased as gift sets with cups, saucers and extra-long spoons to ensure you won’t burn your fingers at home. It’s also a good place to buy Christmas ornaments and decorations thanks to the local Kathe Wohlfahrt store on Oberstrasse.
Need to know
Safety
Rüdesheim is a very safe town and there aren’t any no-go areas to be aware of, or any problems with crime of any kind.
Best time to go
Between May and September is the best time to visit Rüdesheim, thanks to the superior weather but also events such as the Harley Davidson rally in June, and the Rüdesheim Wine Festival in August. The town’s Christmas market, with over 120 stalls offering products, specialities and customs from 12 different countries, is also justifiably popular.
Closures
Most, but not all, museums are closed on Mondays. Shops are generally closed on Sundays and after 4pm on Saturdays, but there are also some exceptions (such as museum or gallery shops). Many shops and restaurants are also closed during January and February.
