Rudesheim am Rhein's city center | Photo by Pavel Dudek ()
Looking for the perfect day trip without breaking the bank? Nestled between the banks of the Rhine River and the Hochstein Mountains is a picturesque village that seems to be pulled right from a Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale.
Rüdesheim am Rhein is the perfect village for children and parents alike, with a variety of activities to appeal to any interest. When getting to Rüdesheim, it is often easier to park across the Rhein River in the village of Bingen. There is free parking available at the ferry from Bingen to Rüdesheim, just off of Hafenstraße, and the ferry itself costs less than 3 euros per person.
Once you arrive, stroll down to Drosselgasse, a traditional cobblestone street, where the aroma and sounds of traditional German cooking and music can wash over you and whisk you away to a different time. There are more restaurants and stores then you can count, leaving you with plenty of options as you wander along.
View from the Niederwald Monument | Photo by Matthias Lindner
At the end of the street, make your way to the charming cable cars that offer stunning picture-perfect panoramic views of the area as you work your way up to the Niederwald Monument. This impressive monument was built between 1870 and 1880 as a commemoration to the unification of the German Empire after the Franco-Prussian war. The detail in the monument itself is immense, and on the other side, you are presented with a stunning view overlooking the Rhein and Rüdesheim.
If you’re a little more adventurous, head to the edge of town and make the 1.5-mile trek up through the vineyards to the monument. Adjacent to the monument is Niederwald Park, with plenty of trails that cut through the forest that are a multitude of lengths, so you can go for a quick hike or be out for the day.
If all of this sounds more like a workout and less like a getaway, then taking a roundtrip cruise down the Rhine might sound a little more appealing. The cruises themselves are affordable, ranging from 20 to 30 euros, depending on how far you want to go down the river. I recommend heading to Sankt Goar, and exploring the small picturesque town and castle there before heading back to Rüdesheim am Rhein.
There are tour guides available on the cruise, in both English and German, to tell you about the history of the area and the countless castles that you will pass. If you opt to go to Sankt Goar, you will also pass the Lorelei statue which has its own unique folklore, all of which will be explained on the cruise.
You can plan the perfect getaway to Rüdesheim am Rhein and spend as little or as much as you would like. With only so many hours in the day, Rüdesheim am Rhein leaves you planning what you want to do on your next trip there before you even finish your first.
