Growing up in a place where castles and fairy tale sights are non-existent, I thought I would only see them in movies. Castles, ancient churches, hillside vineyards and romantic small villages – everything straight right out of a fairy tale scene is no longer a dream. Such places are real and I saw some of them with my own two eyes in Germany.
Read: Schloss Neuschwanstein: A Glimpse Of The Famous Fairytale Castle and 15 Photos Of Fairytale Sights You’ll See When Cruising The Bavarian Alps
Germany has abundant castles and the great concentration of it can be found in the Rhine Valley. These historic towns of the Upper Middle Rhine has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s no doubt that the Middle Rhine is an interesting place for castle fanatics. The first time we laid eyes on it we knew it is the place we will keep coming back to.
As the heartland of the Medieval buildings such as castles, fortresses and churches, the Rhine Valley is the place wherein you can literally visit as many castles as you want.
If you’re coming from Koblenz you can get a ticket for a Rhine river cruise at the KD Rhine ticketing station near the Seilbahn (cable car station). You can always choose as to where you want to disembark and which villages or towns you want to explore. Depending on your itinerary and free time you have the option to take the cruise from Mainz to Cologne to see everything. In our case we got to experience two cruises, the first one was in 2015 where we navigated from St. Goar to Boppard and the second one was from Koblenz to Boppard during our recent travel in 2016.
To sum up all the castles that we’ve seen during our two Rhine river cruises, I’ve listed all eight castles and palaces between Koblenz to St. Goar.
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress – Koblenz
Festung Ehrenbreitstein
Ehrenbreitstein guarded the most valuable relic of the Trier See, the Holy Tunic, from 1657 to 1794. Successive Archbishops used the fortress’ strategic importance to barter between contending powers; thus in 1672 at the outset of war between France and Germany the Archbishop refused requests both from the envoys of Louis XIV and from Brandenburg’s Ambassador, Christoph Caspar von Blumenthal, to permit the passage of troops across the Rhine. [Source]
Today, Ehrenbreitstein is the home of several museums and is accessible through Koblenz Seilbahn (cable car) which is now the famous attraction in the city.
Martinsburg Palace – Oberlahnstein
Standing on the bank of Rhine in Oberlahnstein is the Martinsburg Palace. It was built around 1324 as a Rhine toll station for the archbishop of Mainz. Today it is maintained and preserved by the owner Dr. Johannes Romberg.
Stolzenfels Castle – Kapellen
Stolzenfels Castle was built between 1242 to 1259. The castle is one of the most outstanding surviving examples of Neo-Gothic architecture.
Marksburg Castle – Braubach
Towering on top of the hill overlooking the romantic village of Braubach is the magnificent Marksburg Castle. The castle was built at around 1100. Today, the castle is the home of the German Castles Association, that works to preserve all the German castles.
The Warring Brothers – Kamp-Bornhofen
The picturesque castles of Liebenstein and Sterrenberg became known as the ‘Warring Brothers’ because of the way their front battlements face each other, as though they were standing off for a fight.
Maus Castle – Wellmich
Maus Castle was originally called St. Peterseck and later became known as Deuernburg. During its glory days, it was one of the most advanced castle complexes. Presently the castle is privately owned and it houses a historical falcon and eagle station.
Rheinfels Castle – St. Goar
Overlooking St. Goar is the expansive complex of Rheinfels Castle. Built in 1245, the castle became the residence of the counts of Katzenelnbogen. Today, only one third of the complex has survived and it now houses a museum, restaurant and hotel.
Katz Castle – St. Goar
Just across the river from the Rheinfels castle is another impressive castle named Katz Castle. The castle was built around 1300 and is standing on the tip of the rocky spur on the Rhine side. Now, the castle is privately own by a Japanese businessman.
The castles I’ve mentioned here are some of the castles you’ll see in the entire Rhine Valley. Hopefully, in our next visit to this place we’ll get to see the rest.
How about you? Have you been to Rhine Valley? If yes, what are your favorite castles?
Nice place… 😁
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Indeed! Thank you, Johnny! 🙂
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Such a lovely place! Maus Castle bears a resemblance of Sultan’s (Oman)
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Hi Junifer! Thanks for dropping by! 🙂
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Waaah sobrang ganda lang
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Ay oo, sobrang ganda talaga! Kung pwede lang doon nalang tumira. Hehe! 🙂
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migrate na yan…chos! ha ha ha
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Kung pwede lang, kaso lang mahirap pag wala kang work doon hahaha. The husband needs to work para mag pangtravel. 🙂
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ha ha ha true…at kelangan mo pa matuto mag German bago ka makakuha ng work
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Tama! Ok lang dito muna kami, visit nalang doon pag may extrang pang-travel. 🙂
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We stayed in Gutenfels for a night, in the early spring. And it was cold!
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Hello Mel! We actaully passed by Gutenfels, unfortunately we don’t have enough time to explore the village. Perhaps next time. 🙂
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If you do stay in one, be prepared to bundle up. The shower may be warm but remember the floor and walls are made of stone and cold! Even with the carpets!
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That sounds exciting! I’ll take note of that, Mel. Thanks for the tips! 🙂
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Wow Joy, what a nice experience I supposed. 🙂 I never thought there is a valley tour in Germany where you get to see many castles. I am wondering if it is also possible to enter? hehe
When is the best time to visit this place?
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Hi Angela! We really love Rhine Valley. Yeah, some castles are now museums which tourist can visit. Summer (June-August) is the best time to enjoy Rhine Valley. 🙂
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Your pictures are soo amazing! Giving me some serious wanderlust!
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Thanks Adriana! Keep exploring! 🙂
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Ate, I had so much fun looking at the photos ba! Honestly, mura ko og gatan-aw og fairy tales nga cartoons ba, especially katong Cinderella before, mura gyug mga ingon ana ang nawng sa castles sa cartoons. Nindot kaayo! Unda na lang og sa personal gyud makita!
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Thank you, Janine! Chika nya ta… see you soon! 🙂
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Lifelong dream ko na tumira sa small quaint town, feeling Cinderella haha!
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Same here! Kung pwede lang no? Hehe Di rin kasi pwede basta basta mag migrate doon, mahirap maghanap ng work. 🙂
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Loved travelling the Rhine on our visit to Germany … we even got the chance to tour Marksburg Castle, which was amazing. I think next time I’m going to need to stop off at Stolzenfels Castle 🙂
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Awesome! My husband and I are planning to go back and explore Moselle Valley and its treasured castles. 🙂
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Hi there! I love your blog and nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award!
http://www.oneandhalfbackpacks.com/blogging/blogger-recognition-award/
Congrats!
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Wow! This is so sweet! Thank you so much! My husband and I are traveling in Asia now, I’ll try my best to do it as soon as I can.
Regards! 🙂
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I have never had the privilege of visiting the Rhine Valley, but it is definitely on the bucket list. The castles are gorgeous 🙂
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Thanks for dropping by! I hope you’ll be able to tick it off from your list soon. Happy travels! 🙂
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I hope so too. Thanks Joy
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I haven’t visited any castles in Germany, but would definitely like to see many of the ones listed here. They are absolutely stunning. Koblenz definitely needs to be seen by me. I’ve only been to Berlin :-). Thanks for sharing.
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Hello Kem! There’s so much to see in Germany, if you love romantic and quaint small towns then you’ll enjoy Bavaria and Rhine. You’re welcome and thanks for dropping by!
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Those castles near the lake are so breathtaking and beautiful. Why most EU countries have this? I guess I would be a happy local if I live here.
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Oo nga eh! Nakakainggit sila, pero okay lang. Philippines is blessed with beautiful beaches din naman hehe! 😉
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I’ve seen the Rhine from Switzerland but not from Germany! You managed to see so many Castles? That’d fabulous!
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Actually there are still more castles that my husband and I haven’t seen yet in the Rhine Valley region. Hopefully, in our next visit in this region we’ll be able to see more… Thanks for dropping by… 🙂
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Few years ago I have visited some Bavarian castles. They were like out of a fairytale. Now after reading your post, I realised that Germany has to offer even more fairy tale castles!
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Yes, Germany is abundant with castles and these are only few of them. Thanks for dropping by, Milijana! 😉
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Throughout the post I kept wondering why were these palaces so secluded back then and what if they were at loss and prone to wars because of their lonely locations. loved the list of castles though!
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I have the same thoughts too… thanks for dropping, Vishvarsha! 🙂
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Wow! I didn’t know that there are tours available to explore all the beautiful castles! I’ve seen only Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World, Orlando and I’d love to see each of these castles as mentioned in your list through my own eyes!
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Yes these castles are open for public. One thing I love about real castles are the stories of the people who lives there. 🙂
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I had a very brief visit to the Rhine but was so mesmerized by the river that I seemed to have missed the fact that there were so many castles here. Gosh! I wish I had known earlier. Would have loved to stick around and do this tour.
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There’s always next time. I’m sure you’ll get another chance to revisit Rhine Valley. 🙂
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It’s been a long time since I visited your blog. It’s always nice to read your blogs because I feel like I’m also visiting the place 😀
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Hello Dew! Sorry for the late reply. I been on a blog hiatus for a month now. Just came back from long summer vacay. I was actually in Cebu last June and July. I’m now trying to catch up with my blog. 🙂 Thank you so much for the nice words!
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Haven’t been to Rhine:) But this was a fantastic virtual tour! ❤ loved the castles. SO fairy tale like. I'd love to relive fairy tales here.
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I hope you’ll get to see this place in the future. I’m sure you’ll love Rhine Valley! 🙂
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Hey Joy,
Oh my CRUISES, seem to be where it’s at! I’ve been to five continents yet somehow completely avoided cruises and boats in general, but it is so on my bucket list for the next year to go on a cruise with my friends.
Thanks for the travel inspiration,
Nadalie, It’s All You Boo
NEW POST: When You Just Don’t Feel Like It
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Great! Enjoy every moment with your friends! Thanks for dropping by, Nada! 🙂
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Wow what gorgeous shots! Absolutely beautiful architecture and scenery!
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wow, this place is like a real life fairy tale! So so beautiful! And so green and lush! This is straight out of a movie!
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Yes exactly! Thank you Grace! 🙂
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How beautiful! When I was in Ireland we saw quite a few castles from afar, but next time I go I definitely want to actually go into some and explore them!
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Ireland and Scotland’s castles are on my list too. Thank you Shannon! 🙂
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[…] Related post: Chasing Castles On The Rhine: Between Koblenz and St. Goar […]
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Beautiful. #keepwriting
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Thank you! 😀
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My husband and I just visited Neuschwanstein last month – amazing! So thanks for giving us a list of more castles top see!
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The largest concentration of castles in Germany can be found along the banks of the river Rhine. Hope you get to see them in your next trip to Germany. Happy travels 🙂
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Germany is the land of castles. They are everywhere and everyone is unique. I love to visit them and wander around in the ruins or the rooms (when they are still intact). The tour seems to be perfect for seeing a couple of them.
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Hi Pia. The next time we’re in Germany we’ll make sure to visit the insides of more of their castles. Specially the ones that have been preserved. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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I have to say Germany was never really on my travel list high up… don’t ask me why.. but lately it looks more and more interesting. And your pictures and post add to that.
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Maybe you should at least put Germany a little higher up in your travel list. It offers quite a lot. Specially the Bavarian region. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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There’s so much history around castles. You truly visited so many of them! Did you also have the chance to peek inside of some of them?
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Only the Neuchwanstein and the Ehrebrenstein castle. The next time my husband and I visit Germany we’ll make sure we peek inside some more of them. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Wow! you weren’t kidding when you said there are many castles, I can hardly choose which one I like the best 🙂 I will definitely have to make a trip when I’m back in Europe.
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Hi Stephanie. You should definitely make a trip to the Rhine Valley when you’re back in Germany. This is a must see place. Enjoy your travels 🙂
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I totally love your introduction. Not growing up around castles either, I remember being mesmerized the first time I saw castles in France. Have not been to the Rhine Valley, but would love to at some point. Katz Castle is amazing. It’s incredible to think that it now has a Japanese owner. The shifts in time!!
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Thanks for the compliment. The castles along the banks of the Rhine river were breathtaking. Such a lovely place to have a cruise. Hope you get to see it someday. 🙂
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The architecture gives the region such a whimsical feel as seen from your cruise ship. Marksburg Castle certainly creates an impression from up on that hill. I guess subtlety wasn’t really what the commissioning owners must have been going for.
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Each and every castle along the banks of the Rhine river gave their own unique expression. It such a lovely sight from the cruise ship. Thanks for the comment 🙂
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How cool! I would love to go on a tour one day of castles!! Love seeing all the photos too!
Thanks !
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You’re welcome. Hope you do get to see some of those castles up close and personal. Enjoy your travels 🙂
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I think Germany is surprisingly so full of incredible moments by castles, or in nature. I was blown away nearly every time I visited even just a big city like Berlin (now 8 times I’ve visited). But mostly, I love how you went from Castle to Castle soaking up the history and these gorgeous sites, Stolzenfels Castle certainly a standout. I have much more to revisit.
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Hi Ariana. The next time you’re in Germany, try to visit its southern part. Specially the Bavarian region and the Rhine Valley. I’m quite sure you’ll be totally surprise how different those regions when compared to Berlin or even Hamburg. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
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Omg, such perfect timing me reading this post! We are headed to Rhine valley in a few weeks and I wanted to shortlist which castles I want to see on the way. We might be road tripping though instead of a cruise. Loved reading this 🙂
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Nice to know the article was of some assistance to you and your travel plans. Happy travels 🙂
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