Rheinfels Castle Tours
175 Reviews

For centuries, Rheinfels Castle was the region's largest, most important fortress. Now the imposing castle—one of many along the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley—is in ruins. The castle, located on a hill along the river’s left bank, dates back to the 13th century. Roam the grounds and learn its history at the on-site museum.
The Basics
Situated above the town of St. Goar along the Middle Rhine, Rheinfels Castle was founded by the counts of Katzenelnbogen in 1245. Over the years, the castle grew to be the region's largest. While it is largely in ruins today, you can scramble over the rubble, walk through its subterranean galleries and tunnels, and visit the museum. The castle is undergoing a renovation, so some sections may be closed; however, the bulk of the landmark remains open.
Admire the Rheinfels Castle from water on a river cruise, or visit it on a hop-on-hop-off boat tour of the region. You can plan an independent visit by car from Frankfurt or other nearby cities. Book ahead for guided tours and night tours.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Most tours of Rheinfels Castle are conducted independently; check the website for details on prebooking guided tours, including for groups of 10 or more.
- Dogs are allowed on site, except in the castle’s museum.
- The castle only accepts cash for tickets and for goods in its on-site gift shop.
- A hotel is hosted on site.
How to Get There
See Rheinfels Castle on a variety of numerous one-day and multi-day Rhine cruises. If traveling by car, take the A61 to St. Goar; from St. Goar, take the B9. The castle is also a popular stop for hikers and cyclists in the region, and a shuttle operates from St. Goar and back from late April through late October.
When to Get There
Rheinfels Castle is open in March from morning until early evening, with extended evening hours April–October. In October and November, it's open from morning until early evening. Prebooked, weather-dependent weekend guided tours may be available November–March 1. The museum hours vary slightly from that of the grounds, and last admission is one hour prior to closing time.
Events at Rheinfels Castle
Rheinfels Castle hosts several major festivals and events. The Medieval Castle and Hansen Festival, held on the first weekend in August, takes attendees back to the Middle Ages. Rhine in Flames, a fireworks festival held along the river, is in September.
Address: St. Goar, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Admission: Varies
2 Tours and Activities to Experience Rheinfels Castle
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KD Rhine HoHo Cruise from Mainz
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Make the most of your time in Mainz with a sightseeing cruise along the Rhine River! With your ticket in hand, hop aboard any KD ship (except Rheinjet) and glide through the lush river valley. From the comfort of your seat, view riverside scenery speckled with grand castles, vineyards and natural wonders. Hop on and off all day at the many route stops from Mainz to Koblenz and Cologne to Linz with a flexible 24-hour ticket.
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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KD Rhine Pass from Koblenz
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See a different side of Koblenz and the river valley with a sightseeing cruise along the Rhine! Choose your ideal start time and hop aboard any KD ship for the leisurely day-long float. From the comfort of your seat, catch great riverside views, ornamented by castles, lush vineyards and natural wonders. Hop on and off all day at the many stops from Koblenz to Mainz or Linz to Cologne with your flexible single-day ticket.
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From
$41.13
From
$41.13
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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