Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress towers above the Rhine in Koblenz and is one of the largest surviving fortresses in Europe. From its walls you look straight down on the Deutsches Eck, where the Moselle meets the Rhine, and far across the hills of the Eifel and Hunsrück. Inside the massive Prussian ramparts are the State Museum of Koblenz, exhibitions on archaeology, wine and photography, and costumed tours. Getting there by cable car across the Rhine is half the fun.

Where it is and how to get there

The fortress sits on the east bank of the Rhine opposite central Koblenz, in Rhineland-Palatinate. Koblenz is on the main Rhine rail line, with ICE and Intercity trains from Cologne and Frankfurt, which makes this an easy day trip.

• Cable car: The most scenic option. The lower station is on the Rhine promenade near the Deutsches Eck, and the cabins climb 367 feet (112 m) across the river to the fortress plateau. It is fully accessible.
• Train and lift: Take a regional train to Koblenz-Ehrenbreitstein station or bus line 9/19, 10 or 460 to "Festungsaufzug/Jugendherberge," then ride the inclined lift up to the fortress. The Deutschlandticket covers trains and local buses, but not the cable car.
• By car: Navigate to Greiffenklaustraße, 56077 Koblenz. The paid visitor parking costs €2.50 for the first hour.

Why it is special

A castle stood on this rock spur by around AD 1000, and from the 16th century the prince-archbishops of Trier turned it into a fortress. French troops blew it up in 1801. After the Rhineland became part of Prussia, the current fortress was built between 1817 and 1828 as the centerpiece of a huge defensive system around Koblenz, designed for 1,500 soldiers. It was never attacked. Since 2002 it has been part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, known worldwide for its castle-studded river landscape.

What to see

• The view: The classic panorama over the Deutsches Eck, the Old Town and both rivers.
• Fortress history trail: Fourteen stations and a multimedia show explain the site's turbulent past.
• Museums: The State Museum of Koblenz runs houses dedicated to archaeology, wine culture, photography and, since summer 2026, a new permanent exhibition on work and everyday life.
• The "Greif" cannon: A giant gun cast in 1524 that weighs about nine tons.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, the fortress is open daily 10 am to 6 pm from April to October and 11 am to 4 pm from November to March. Admission is €10 for adults, €4 for children aged 7 to 17, and free for children up to 6. The combo ticket with the cable car costs €21.90 for adults, and a family combo ticket costs €48.50. Tickets are sold online and on site.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you are touring the Rhine Valley. Plan two to four hours for the views, the grounds and at least one museum. The exhibitions are designed mainly in German, so check the official website or ask at the entrance about English-language options. Wear comfortable shoes, as there are many stairs and cobblestones. The Restaurant Casino and a large beer garden serve food, and there is even a youth hostel inside the fortress walls.

Nearby

Ride the cable car down to the Deutsches Eck and explore Koblenz's Old Town. Upstream, Stolzenfels Castle and Marksburg Castle in Braubach are classic Rhine castles, and Rheinfels Castle in St. Goar is a great stop further south. Eltz Castle lies in a side valley of the Moselle.