Rheinstein Castle

Rheinstein Castle (Burg Rheinstein) clings to a rocky spur above the Rhine near Trechtingshausen, just downstream from Bingen. It was the first ruined Rhine castle to be rebuilt in the Romantic era, and it lies within the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its battlements, Gothic Revival chapel, and terraces high above the river, it is one of the most photogenic stops in the Rhine Gorge.

A short history

The castle was built around 1300 by the Archbishop of Mainz to keep watch over neighboring Reichenstein. After centuries of decay, Prince Frederick of Prussia bought the ruin in 1823 and had it rebuilt in a romantic medieval style inspired by designs from Karl Friedrich Schinkel; it received the name Rheinstein in 1829. Royal guests included Queen Victoria. In 1975 the opera singer Hermann Hecher bought the dilapidated castle and spent decades restoring it, and it remains in private family ownership.

Things to do at Rheinstein Castle

• Walk through furnished rooms with restored stained glass from the 14th to 17th centuries.
• See the Gothic Revival castle chapel, which holds the crypt of the Prussian prince's family.
• Stroll the Burgundy Garden, a recreated medieval garden.
• Climb the Rhine Tower for views across the river to Assmannshausen.

Allow about 90 minutes to two hours, plus time for the climb and a break at the castle restaurant, which is open to ticket holders only and closed on Tuesdays.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the castle:

• March 21 to November 8, 2026: daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., last entry 5:30 p.m.
• Christmas castle: weekends from November 21 to December 20, 2026, plus a lighter version on Thursdays and Fridays.
• Closed in winter from late December to mid-March.

Admission is €11 for adults and €7 for children aged 5 to 14; a family ticket for two adults and two children costs €30. Prices are in euros, and a combination ticket with nearby Sooneck Castle saves 20 percent.

How to get to Rheinstein Castle

Rheinstein is about 70 km west of Frankfurt, making it an easy day trip from Frankfurt or Mainz. By train, take a regional service along the Rhine (covered by the Deutschlandticket) to Trechtingshausen, then walk about 30 minutes, or walk roughly an hour from Bingen. The most scenic option is a Rhine cruise: boats stop at landings right below the castle. Drivers park at two lots on the B9 road and walk about 380 meters uphill.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you are exploring the Rhine Valley and want a castle that is both furnished and dramatically sited. Note that the site is not wheelchair accessible and the path is steep. Dogs on a leash are welcome, even inside.

Nearby

• Reichenstein Castle, a short walk downstream.
• Sooneck Castle near Niederheimbach.
• Bingen with the Mouse Tower in the Rhine.
• Rüdesheim, across the river, famous for the Drosselgasse and wine taverns.