What to do in Boppard, Germany

Boppard. It’s fun to say, right? Bo-part . It has a bounce, a story, and is located in a region, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Boppard itself is a designated Fremdenverkehrsort (state recognized resort), known for its viticulture. The news of its famous wines began with the Romans in 643 and today, more than 75 hectares are dedicated to its vineyards. It is actually the largest wine-growing center in the Middle Rhine.

Visitors can take part in Boppard’s walking tours operated by the tourist office (in a variety of languages by appointment from mid-April to mid-October), as well as use our guide to its top attractions and discover the heart and Boppard’s soul.

How to get to Boppard

Boppard is well connected to the rest of Germany by car, train and even by boat.

By car

Boppard is 10 km from the main A60 road. It is also accessible by the B9 which follows the river Rhine.

By train

Boppard Hauptbahnhof is located between Mainz and Cologne on one of the most picturesque stretches of Germany’s excellent train network.

By boat

The Köln-Düsseldorfer Rheinschiffahrt (KD) ferry service runs along the entire river with a stop in Boppard. River Rhine cruises are also very popular, with many stopping in the city on their way through the Netherlands, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Switzerland.

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Follow the loop on the river

Boppard is centered on the Rhine and is easily identified by its proximity to the nearby Bopparder Hamm, the great loop in the river. The word Hamm comes from the Latin hamus , meaning “hook,” appropriate for such a dramatic change of meaning.

Walk to Vierseenblick ( Four Lakes View ) for segmented views of the river that make it look like four separate lakes. You can walk to the lookout or take a chairlift (April to September) for an easy 20 minute ride over vineyards than forest. From here you can also see (and plan a visit) the Burg Liebenstein and Burg Sterrenberg castles. Or cruise down the Rhine for an ideal view of this UNESCO site.

Back in the city, take a walk after dinner Rheinallee, a pedestrian walkway along the water bordered by quays, stylish cafes and cozy wine taverns.

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Medieval in the castle

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The electoral castle of Boppard (or Alte Burg , “Old Castle”) is one of the few along the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. Visitors can explore its 13th century majesty along the water’s edge in the center of town.

This is unusual since most of the castles were placed away from the townspeople on the highest peaks. But the location of this castle was intentional as its location on the river allowed it to extract tolls on each ship and well that passed through the Rhine.

The castle expanded and transformed throughout its history. During the French Revolution, Boppard Castle was used as a hospital and during the 19th century it acted as a prison. In the 20th century, the west wing housed the police station.

Today, its grace has been restored with extensive renovations that took place between 2009 and 2015. The Thonet Museum, honoring the famous Boppard son and furniture maker Michael Thonet, is housed in the castle as well as in the Boppard Museum.

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Go for a wine walk

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+49 6742 2371

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Surround yourself with the region’s precious product: wine. The Romans began cultivating wine here around 2,000 years ago and it has been refined into an art form. The geography of the valley is ideal for vineyards with a sunny south-facing slope.

The Boppard Hamm vineyards are the largest in the Middle Rhine Valley, divided into different areas known as Elfenlay and Weingrube and Mandelstein. Workers are constantly perfecting the vines, but visitors can simply enjoy walking the grounds and sampling everything from riesling to müller-thurgau to pinot noir, produced here. If you prefer to drink with a guide, Boppard Tourism offers vineyard tours with tastings.

Return to the town of Boppard to sample more local wines in the cozy atmosphere of a wine tavern, such as Weinhaus Heilig Grab, Boppard’s oldest wine tavern dating back over 200 years. Or if you arrive in late September, the wine harvest begins and a wine festival celebrates the tour.

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Admire the Roman ruins

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The Roman influence is not only found in the wine, but in the preserved ruins. The best example of this is the Roman fortress. This is one of the best preserved Roman forts in Europe.

Römer-Kastell (or Römerpark ), just south of Marktplatz, is an archaeological site with original Roman ruins from the 4th century. There are 28 semicircular towers and walls that are still nine meters high. Although the site is a shadow of itself as a fortress (the walls were once 3 meters thick), visitors can imagine the site as it once was with a wall panel depicting the original Roman city of Bodobrica.

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Walk the city wall

Despite the development of the city, great care has been taken to maintain the medieval elements. For example, many of the medieval walls remain and are living parts of the city. One of the city gates, Ebertor, has been transformed into a hotel.

These sections of the wall once separated the Altstadt (old city) from its expansions in the west ( Niederstadt or “Lower City”) and east ( Oberstadt and “Upper City”). Other elements, such as the Säuerlingsturm (tower), have been moved to accommodate new constructions such as the Hunsrückbahn (train).

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Sanctify yourself in the church

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+49 6742 2315

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The Church of San Severo is a beautiful example of late Romanesque architecture. Severuskirche from the 13th century was built on the site of Roman military baths and a 6th century Christian church. Its towers define the skyline of the city.

Restorations since the 1960s have left it in impressive shape. The church features a large cross with a crowned Jesus from 1220. The organ was restored, the wall paintings were renovated, and the interior was restored as recently as 2010. In an unusual move, the church was even modernized with the market square lowered to do it without barriers.

Even if you don’t enter the church, you cannot ignore their presence. The church has five bells (all of which have survived from medieval times) and they ring throughout the city at 10:00 and 12:00.

San Severo is a registered monument and was elevated to a minor basilica in February 2015 by Pope Francis.

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Dine with the locals

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+49 6742 3218

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Consistently ranked the number one restaurant in Boppard, expect a bustling local crowd and good German cuisine on Severus Stube (Untere Marktstrasse 7). Everything from Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) to Kasseler (smoked pork) is on the menu, ready to be washed down with bottles of local wine at a fair price.

The building is a classic in the heart of the city, with timber framing and outdoor seating on the narrow cobbled street in summer.

As this is a favorite with locals and tourists, reservations are recommended. While a little German is appreciated, the staff generally speak English and English menus are available.

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Get on the train up, up, up

The Hunsrückbahn is a picturesque railway that runs through the trees and over the valleys and through the tunnels from Boppard to Emmelshausen. It is one of the steepest railways in Germany, and certainly one of the most scenic. On the six-kilometer climb between Boppard Hauptbahnhof to Boppard-Buchholz, the slopes ascend 336 meters. This charming stretch of railway has been designated a protected monument.

For those on a more active trip, take the Hunsrückbahn to the most unpleasant part of the hike to Buchholz or Emmelshausen and then descend to Boppard. You can find hiking information and maps for the area (in German) in this brochure.

Tickets can be purchased at the station or on the train. A single ticket can cost as little as 1.85 euros, but the fare depends on how far you travel on the train. Although this rain line is operated by Rhenus Veniro, tickets for Rhineland-Palatinate and Schönes-Wochenende-Tickets (discount fares) are also valid on the Hunsrückbahn.