Things to do in Cochem

The castle was first documented in 1051, when Richeza - eldest daughter of Count Palatine Ezzo and a former Queen of Poland - transferred it to her nephew, Count Palatine Henry I. In 1151 King Konrad III made it an imperial castle. On 8 November 1688 it was taken by French troops under Maréchal de Boufflers during the War of the Palatine Succession, and on 19 May 1689 it was blown up. It lay in ruins for almost two centuries until the Berlin merchant Louis Fréderic Jacques Ravené had it rebuilt between 1868 and 1877 in the neo-Gothic style of Historicism.

We drive up to the castle car park - a relief on the way back down in particular.

Between 1962 and 1964 the Deutsche Bundesbank built a bunker complex of some 1,500 square metres about 30 metres underground in the Cond district. From 1964 to 1988 it held up to 15 billion marks of a secret emergency currency - the BBk II, printed in 10, 20, 50 and 100 DM notes - meant to protect West Germany against a deliberately engineered hyperinflation during the Cold War. The facility was strictly secret. Since March 2016 it has been open for guided tours as a documentation centre.

The Cochem chairlift carries visitors up the slope in open two-seater cabins to the Pinnerkreuz, one of the best-known viewpoints above the town. From the top station a rocky path with a few steps leads to the viewpoint; handrails run the whole way, but you still need to be reasonably sure-footed.

Mustard has been produced at the Historic Mustard Mill in Cochem for over 200 years, still using the traditional process. The mill is one of the sights you can reach on foot within the town.

Eltz Castle lies hidden in the woods of the Eltz valley and counts among the most beautiful castles in Germany. By car the route runs via Münstermaifeld to the car park at the Antoniuskapelle; from there it is roughly another 800 metres on foot, or a shuttle bus runs in season. If you would rather walk, start at Moselkern: a trail of about 4.5 kilometres follows the Elzbach up to the castle.

Getting there from Cochem by public transport is awkward - we drive you straight to the visitor car park.

The Calmont between Eller and Bremm is considered the steepest vineyard in Europe: around 380 metres high, with gradients reaching roughly 65 degrees. A trail of about five kilometres runs through the Riesling slope, including via ferrata sections secured with steel cables, clamps and ladders. Sure-footedness, a head for heights and sturdy footwear are essential.

Drop-off at the start, pickup at the exit - that is what we are booked for here most often.

Beilstein is called the "Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle": a medieval centre of narrow lanes and half-timbered houses, with the ruins of Metternich Castle high above. The village is small - an hour covers it - and correspondingly busy in season.

The Moselle promenade runs along the bank through Cochem, looking out on the vineyards and the Reichsburg. On the opposite bank lies the Cond district, from where castle and old town line up in a single frame.

The Heimat- und Weinfest is the biggest festival in Cochem and runs from 27 to 31 August in 2026. Moselle winemakers pour their wines and sparkling wines on the market square and along the promenade. The highlight is the parade through the old town on Sunday in the early afternoon, followed by fireworks in the evening.

Festival days are our busiest - please book well ahead.