Camping at the Rhine

From its source in the Alps to its mouth near Rotterdam, the Rhine covers a distance of more than 1,200 kilometres. There are just as many opportunities to camp along the mighty river. Fantastic views are guaranteed in the famous Rheingau region, for example, or along the Rhine loops between Koblenz and Cologne. However, the flat landscapes of the Lower Rhine and Lake Constance also offer numerous comfortable campsites with atmospheric flair.

Special features of camping on the Rhine in Germany

Many campsites on the Rhine are located directly on the banks of the river, surrounded by lovely meadows and sparse forests. There are good opportunities for relaxing, swimming and sports in the region around Düsseldorf, for example. Here, holidaymakers also have the chance to explore the state capital of North Rhine-Westphalia and enjoy art, culture and the "Kö (Königsallee)". In Cologne, a camping holiday on the Rhine can be combined with a visit to the cathedral, the Roman-Germanic Museum and the many traditional Kölsch breweries.

Unforgettable impressions can be gained camping near the mouth of the Moselle into the Rhine near Koblenz, at the legendary Loreley rock and around Bingen. In the south of Baden-Württemberg, the Lake Constance region is a popular excursion destination with a wide range of sporting activities on offer.

Getting there

No matter which destination visitors are travelling to, the Rhine is well connected and easy to reach. In the southern region, especially on the border between Baden-Württemberg and the French Alsace and around Breisgau, the A5 motorway is the most important transport link. The road follows the course of the Rhine from north-west Switzerland to Karlsruhe.

From the north, the A5 can be travelled from Frankfurt am Main towards Baden-Württemberg. The financial centre is also only around 40 km away from the state capitals of Wiesbaden and Mainz, which are located opposite each other on the banks of the Rhine. From there, it is 185 kilometres to Baden-Baden and around 200 kilometres to Kehl. The North Rhine-Westphalian metropolis of Cologne is around 190 km away. To get to the Rhineland, travellers are best advised to use the A3 or the A61, which also follows the Rhine.

Travellers coming from the north take the A1, which connects Hamburg with Trier via Bremen, Münster, Dortmund and Cologne. The A2, in turn, leads from Berlin across Germany past Hanover to the Ruhr region and finally to the Rhine.

Destinations on the Rhine

When looking for a campsite on the Rhine, travellers are spoilt for choice. For example, you can spend your holiday at picturesque Lake Constance, between the Black Forest and Alsace, in the Palatinate, around Cologne and Düsseldorf and near Holland.

Rhineland

North Rhine-Westphalia's Rhine cities are known for their carnival culture, traditional Kölsch pubs and unique architecture. Cologne stands out in particular with its cathedral. The impressive building is a World Heritage Site and the region's landmark. In the neighbouring state capital of Düsseldorf, the Media Harbour is considered to be architecturally outstanding. A trip to the Neandertal promises exciting information about the history of mankind.

Alsace and the Black Forest

During a holiday in Baden-Württemberg, excursions to the Black Forest or the tranquil city of Freiburg are a good idea. The Swiss city of Basel in the border triangle and the capital of Alsace, Strasbourg, are also worth a detour. Art lovers will discover three impressive Gothic cathedrals in the three cities, which were built from the red sandstone of the Vosges mountains.

Rhineland-Palatinate

Travellers can look forward to lovely flair in a picturesque landscape and outstanding cuisine at the mouth of the Moselle on the Rhine. The hearty Palatinate cuisine is usually accompanied by an exquisite wine from the region. If you feel like it, you can go on cycle tours along the tributaries of the Rhine and visit one of the many excellent wineries in Rhineland-Palatinate.

Top 5 sights

• Loreley: Near Sankt Goarshausen, the Loreley rock with its legend of the mythical blonde beauty is one of the most famous sights.
• Cologne Cathedral: With its Gothic towers over 157 metres high, Cologne Cathedral is one of the tallest church buildings in the world.
• Lake Constance: This body of water is ideal for swimming and for a boat trip to Switzerland.
• Deutsches Eck: The Moselle flows into the Rhine in Koblenz. The equestrian statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I stands at the mouth of the river.
• Düsseldorf: is regarded as one of Germany's fashion and shopping metropolises par excellence and also boasts a varied art scene.

Top 2 insider tips

• Bingen am Rhein: The municipality in Rhineland-Palatinate is best known for the medieval abbess Hildegard von Bingen, who was intensively involved in the field of medicine. Her approaches still have an impact on alternative medicine today. You can also visit the Mouse Tower in Bingen and stroll along the cultural riverbank.
• Worms: Visitors to Worms in Rhineland-Palatinate can follow in the footsteps of the Nibelungs. A museum is dedicated to the medieval German epic. The Romanesque cathedral from the 12th century is also worth a visit. The building is one of the oldest churches in Central Europe.

Activities and excursions

With its green meadows, the Rhine offers good opportunities for hiking and cycling excursions. It is also worth taking a trip on one of the passenger boats, for example between Koblenz and Cologne.

Boat trip on the Rhine

In Germany, the main way to get to know the Rhine is by excursion boat. Boats depart from Cologne, among other places, and travel as far as the Middle Rhine Valley. The Loreley, Bingen and Koblenz are popular destinations. Sailors also get their money's worth on Lake Constance. Leisure providers can be found in Friedrichshafen and Constance, among other places.

Fantastic cycle tours

The Rhine Cycle Route is one of the most popular excursion routes in Germany. The route is around 1,230 kilometres long and leads from the Swiss Alps right across Germany to the mouth of the river in Rotterdam. During the various stages, you can follow either side of the riverbank to the north or south.

Culture for those interested in history

The towns along the Rhine inspire with a rich cultural scene. Historic church buildings from the Romanesque and Gothic eras as well as the history of Roman colonisation are the highlights of a visit. The museums in Cologne and Neuss, among others, provide information about antiquity.

events

February - March

• Carnival: Cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz are particularly well known for the Rhineland carnival. There are also exuberant celebrations in Baden and Switzerland. During the Alemannic carnival, jesters wearing elaborate wooden masks stroll through communities such as Freiburg and Tettnang.

May - September

• Rhine in Flames: In several German cities, spectacular firework displays light up the river landscape in summer. Holidaymakers can enjoy the best views from the passenger ships that sail at night. The event is organised in Linz, Bonn, Bingen, Koblenz and Sankt Goarshausen, among others.

July

• Rhine funfair in Düsseldorf: one of the largest public festivals on the Rhine. The event is organised in the first week of the summer holidays on the Oberkassel riverside meadows. The programme includes fairground rides and fireworks.
• Nibelungen Festival: The theatre event takes place every year in July in the Nibelung city of Worms and brings the medieval epic to the stage in various productions.

July - September

• Schlosslichtspiele Karlsruhe: The baroque façade of Karlsruhe Palace serves as a canvas for impressive light installations in summer.

Gastronomy

In the Baden region, holidaymakers can sample a unique blend of German and French cuisine when camping on the Rhine. The classics include Schupfnudeln and Spätzle baked with cheese. Alsatian tarte flambée is also one of the culinary highlights of the region. The trend for snail dishes with garlic or herb butter has also spilled over the Rhine from France.

Air-dried ham and mountain cheese come from the Black Forest. On the border with Switzerland, you should also try the savoury cheese fondues and delicious roasted Italians. If you are in Koblenz, try Palatinate wines from the Moselle and hearty dishes such as Himmel und Erde and Saumagen. In Cologne and Düsseldorf, the local beers, Kölsch and Alt, are a must.

Best time to visit

Most holidaymakers come camping on the Rhine in summer. The best temperatures prevail from June to August. During this period, you can expect temperatures of around 22 degrees Celsius on the Lower Rhine and up to 25 degrees Celsius further south in Baden-Württemberg. During the day, the temperatures are often even higher.

June is comparatively rainy. July, August and September are much drier. Many campsites on the Rhine are open well into October, when temperatures in places such as Worms are still 17 degrees Celsius. Spring, from the end of March to mid-May, is characterised by similar climatic conditions.