Romantic Rhine, Rüdesheim Germany
December 28, 2024 - by Muriel Dassen
Welcome to Rüdesheim and the Romantic Rhine motorcycle tour! We're here in the heart of one of Germany's most picturesque regions, where the mighty Rhine River winds its way through a landscape dotted with charming villages, steep vineyards, and historic castles. And this part of the Rhine is truly special. Known as the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site, packed with centuries of history and breathtaking views at every turn.
Our Romantic Rhine motorcycle tour is centred around the lovely town of Rüdesheim, a perfect base for exploring the best of this region with the 2 amazing rides we have in this tour. We'll experience the stunning river views, cliffside castles, and enchanting towns to explore of the Rhine region, but also venture into the scenic Mosel Valley, famous for its winding roads and lush vineyards.
Of course you can download the GPX / ITN files and full e-books of the 2 rides we have in this tour via our roadtrip planner but you can already find the info in this blogpost.
But before we hit the road, let's dive into our top 5 things you can do right here in Rüdesheim to make your stay unforgettable.
RÜDESHEIM'S WINE MUSEUM - BRÖMSERBURG CASTLE
Rüdesheim is a wine lover's paradise. Before you can of course taste them in Rüdesheim, you can dive deeper into the local wine culture by visiting the Wine Museum housed in the historic Brömserburg Castle. We were hoping to give you 2 tips in 1 go. However the Brömserburg Castle ánd the Wine Museum are closed for the duration of the renovation and repair work, so we can only show you the outside.
Brömserburg Castle was the property of the Archbishops of Mainz from the early 10th century until the beginning of the 19th century and was inhabited until 1937. Nevertheless, it’s a very pretty sight with a nice view of the Rhine and the romantic Middle Rhine Valley as well.
And at the museum you can learn about the region's winemaking history, which dates back over a thousand years, together with sampling some of the finest local wines. Although they are only in German, you can find more info via the website of the Brömserburg Caslte and the website of the Weinmuseum.
Luckily, until the reopening of the Brömser Castle the romantic Winegarten invites to enjoy various events with wine and culinary delights. And we were lucky enough that there was an event going on during our stay here.
SIEGFRIED'S MECHANICAL MUSIC CABINET
If you have time for something truly unique, don't miss Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Immediately at the top of Drosselgasse, our last tip here in Rüdesheim you can find this museum at Brömserhof, a former knight’s mansion built in the 15th century. This museum is home to one of the largest collections of self-playing musical instruments in the world, ranging from delicate music boxes to grand orchestrions. More than 400 self-playing musical instruments from three centuries await you on a 45-minute interesting, melodic tour. And of course there's more info on its website.
SEILBAHN - RÜDESHEIM CABLE CAR
For a bit of adventure and stunning views, we’re going to hop on the Seilbahn Rüdesheim. This cable car takes us from the town centre up to the Niederwald Monument, gliding over the lush vineyards that produce the region's famous Riesling wines.
At the top, you're greeted with these panoramic views of the Rhine Valley—a perfect spot for photos or a relaxing break. And if you’re not into a cable car, you can also get here by bike.
From the top of the Seilbahn it’s just a short walk to the Niederwalddenkmal. This towering statue is a tribute to the unification of Germany, built in the late 19th century. Standing 38 meters tall, it overlooks the river and the valley below. From here, you can take in the full grandeur of the Rhine landscape—a view that will definitely stay with you long after your trip.
So don’t forget to take pictures and if you are sharing them on social media, please tag us and use #quazyrides because we love to see you having fun with our tours and tips.
Last, but not least, make sure you visit the Drosselgasse. This narrow cobblestone street is the beating heart of Rüdesheim's old town. Packed with lively wine taverns, cozy cafes, and traditional German music, it's a must-visit spot…
…especially in the evenings. A stroll through Drosselgasse is like stepping back in time, with half-timbered houses and a vibrant atmosphere that will make you feel like you're in a fairy tale.
Rüdesheim truly has something for everyone—whether you're looking for a bit of history and culture, or just a good time. We hope these tips help you make the most of your stay here.
Recommended hotels:
Booking.com Superb 9.0
With onsite – not covered – parking, reservation needed and cost applicable
With own private kitchen and patio
In city centre Rüdesheim
Booking.com Fabulous 8.9
With onsite / nearby parking, reservation needed and cost applicable
With bar and restaurant
In city centre Rüdesheim
Booking.com Very good 8.2
With private parking (garage), reservation needed and cost applicable
5 minute walk in to city centre Rüdesheim
Booking.com Superb 9.0
With free private parking onsite
With restaurant
20 to 25 minute walk in to city centre Rüdesheim
Booking.com Superb 9.1
With free private parking onsite
40 minute walk in to city centre Rüdesheim
Few restaurants in Geisenheim withing 20 minute walk
Ride 1
Welcome to Ride 1 of our Romantic Rhine motorcycle tour! Legends, landscapes, and history come together here in one of Europe’s most enchanting regions. We’ll see dramatic cliffs, medieval castles, winding rivers and charming towns, that inspired many poets and painters. And today, it’s the perfect setting for an unforgettable motorcycle adventure. This ride is 225 km / 140 miles adventure that takes us through the hills, alongside the legendary Rhine, and into the heart of the Lahn Valley. Get ready for stunning views and amazing riding, and of course some unforgettable stops along the way.
Our journey begins in the scenic hills north of Rüdesheim. As we ride through the peaceful forests around Ranselberg and Sauerthal, you'll feel a world away from the bustling riverbanks. This area is perfect for a relaxing ride, with quiet roads that wind through beautiful landscapes, offering a serene start to our day. And yes your day as well, because you can download the ready to ride gpx file of this ride via a free account on our website and go on this ride yourself.
As we just descended from the hills, we meet the majestic Rhine River and one of its most famous landmarks—the Loreley Rock. According to legend, the Loreley was a siren whose enchanting song lured sailors to their doom on the treacherous waters below. Today, you can spot a statue of this mythical figure at the base of the rock, a tribute to the folklore that adds a touch of mystique to our ride.
After passing the Loreley, we added a stop in Sankt Goarshausen for a well-deserved coffee break. We added this parking, but make sure you pay for your bike as well. There's nothing quite like sipping a hot cup of coffee right by the Rhine, watching the boats glide by and soaking in the tranquil atmosphere of this riverside town. This Café Rheingold is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Rhine.
This is the Lahn River, a lesser-known gem, that flows through lush landscapes and charming villages, offering a different, more intimate experience than the grandiosity of the Rhine. Our route will take us along some of the best roads in the region, perfect for a smooth and scenic ride.
We are getting to our lunch stop of today, here in Limburg an der Lahn, a town with medieval charm. The highlight here is the stunning Limburg Cathedral, a masterpiece of late Romanesque architecture that towers over the old town. We added a bike parking close to the pedestrianated centre so you can walk into town for lunch. And be sure you can take some relax time before we continue our journey South, because after lunch, we’re heading South back into the hills where the roads twist and turn, offering a thrilling ride through picturesque landscape. This part of the journey should be all about enjoying the road itself—perfect curves, rolling hills, and the freedom of the open air, so let’s go and find out.
Well, those were some perfect curves! For our last stop before returning to Rüdesheim we added this parking in Eltville am Rhein, a charming town known for its wine and roses. Eltville is even one of the oldest wine-growing towns in the Rheingau, and it’s a great place to stretch your legs and unwind with a refreshing drink.
For the final stretch of some 15 km almost 10 miles, we’ll follow the Rhine back to Rüdesheim. It’s the perfect end to a day filled with incredible scenery, legendary rivers, and charming towns. We hope you will enjoy this ride as much as we did.
Ride 2
In this Ride 2 of our Romantic Rhine motorcycle tour we're venturing west of Rüdesheim into the beautiful region between the Rhine and the Mosel rivers. This 225 km 140 miles ride will again take us through rolling hills and charming towns, but in this ride we’re throwing in the peaceful Mosel and its beautiful area before we return to the majestic Rhine. Get ready for another unforgettable day’s riding!
So after crossing the river Rhine our journey began with a ride through the lush hills that lie between the Rhine and the Mosel. This area is known as a cyclist's paradise, but it's also perfect for motorcyclists, offering smooth roads that cut through green forests and open meadows. Before we will get to the Mosel region, our first stop is in Simmern. Although it is described as a small town with a big heart, we’re not going into the centre of town as there should be a nice backery with café down here, where we can also enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the Hunsrück region.
And than we hit the Mosel River, one of Germany’s most scenic and serene waterways. The Mosel is famous for its meandering curves, steep vineyards as we can immediately see, and picturesque villages that seem to cling to the hillsides. So riding in this area should be a real highlight of today, look, with every turn revealing a new postcard-perfect view.
For our lunch stop today we have taken you to Cochem, a town that perfectly captures the charm of the Mosel Valley. Approaching Cochem we were already able to spot the imposing Reichsburg Castle perched high above the town. And if you are interested in castle like that, we have a separate roundtrip Curves and Castles going from Rüdesheim – the central point of this tour – to Valkenburg in the Dutch Mountains to Vianden in Legendary Luxembourg back to Rüdesheim with I think over 25 castles and of course a multitude of curves. If you want, take some time to explore the old town’s narrow streets, lined with half-timbered houses and cozy wine taverns, and we are sure that you will find a good spot to enjoy a well-deserved lunch in one of the local eateries.
With the ride after lunch, we’ve been going East, making our way back to the Rhine valley. And as we follow the river for a bit, you'll catch sight of the Loreley Rock again, this time from the western bank. That is if you have already been on Ride 1 in this Romantic Rhine motorcycle tour, because that ride is following the river up on the other side there. Seeing this legendary landmark from a new perspective reminds us of the myths and history that make this region so special.
Our final stop before returning to Rüdesheim is here in Bacharach, as it is said to be one of the most beautiful towns along the Rhine.
If you don’t find a spot to park in town, don’t worry, we added this convenient bike parking to the ready to ride gpx file that you can download via your free account from our website.
Bacherach is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and truly a great place to stretch your legs and soak in the historical atmosphere. The town's half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and ancient walls make it feel like a step back in time. As the ride back to Rüdesheim is only 18 km / less than 12 miles, but with a ferry to cross the river Rhine, you might already want to try a glass of local Riesling as a perfect way to toast the end of our ride. The gpx file will of course bring you to Rüdesheim.
Go on your own QUAZY RIDE
You can download the GPX / ITN files of the rides and the full e-books via our roadtrip planner and then we hope you will enjoy the rides you will be doing in this Quazy Rides Romantic Rhine tour and your stay in Rüdesheim.
If you are posting on social media, don't forget to tag Quazy Rides or use the #QuazyRides, because we LOVE to see you having fun with our rides.
