Cochem

Cochem is a traditional German town with half-timbered houses and an exceptionally scenic location on the Mosel river in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The town is home to about 5,700 people, and has and a population of 8,700 in a 7 km radius.

Understand

Few towns in Germany can match the charm of Cochem. Cochem is rated as one of the prettiest villages along the Mosel, and it is a favourite place for visitors. Legend, folklore and a rich web of history is woven into every street. Little seems to have changed for centuries. The town has many fine buildings, quaint cottages, black & tan guild houses, and winding streets. The town square, lined with half-timbered houses, is particularly fine. Cochem Castle (Schloss Reichsburg) dramatically rises above the town.

It is in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Mosel river valley, between the Eifel and Hundsrück.

It is surrounded by high elevations, steep vineyards and typical wine villages, offering tastings, festivals and genuine hospitality. Cochem is the center of the Mosel wine trade. Fondly known for its regional wines due to the presence of the many vineyards and small family run wineries in the nearby towns along the river.

Early in the 19th century the first modern tourists came to Cochem. Mostly English artists. They recorded the romance and beauty of the Mosel Valley, in their drawings and paintings. The development of Cochem into the first tourist center on the Moselle came in the 1930s.

The Mosel river flows between the maintown and the Cond district, across the river by one of two connecting bridges. A wide boulevard runs along the river, with a number of river-view hotels, restaurants, bars and seating areas. From here you can take river tours at frequent intervals.

Weather

Cochem is in a valley and has an almost Mediterranean climate, with warm sunny days over a 9-month season. Summers are mild to hot.

Get in

Cochem is on the Mosel river route B49, 92 km (57 miles) northeast of Trier, 51 km (32 miles) southwest of Koblenz, 90 km south of Bonn, and 170 km (106 miles) west of Frankfurt.

By car

Cochem is between Trier and Koblenz. You can either follow the B49/B53 road along the Moselle River (most scenic option), or take the E44 (A48/A1) motorway between the two cities, until exit 2, then go down the hill on the B259 road.

There are direct local trains from Luxembourg (1h45min), Trier (50 min to 1hr 10min), Koblenz (40-55 min), Bonn (1hr 20min), and Cologne (1hr 45min).

By plane

The closest airports to Cochem are:

By train and local bus

IC trains, (Koblenz-Saarbrücken). The train travels mostly along the left bank of the river Mosel. The train-station of Cochem is in the east-end of the town, less than 500 meters from the center. From the train-station and the centre of town, you can take frequent bus and less frequent river boat connections to most of the villages along the Mosel-valley, that have no train-connection.

Get around

You can easily walk all through town and the districts of Cond and Sehl in a very short time. On the other hand the climb to the Castle and the upper town is quite steep.

  • You can take the trolley tour or
  • Rent bicycle at many locations.
  • There are frequent and regular bus and rail service to and from nearby towns with the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Mosel.

See
  • Senfmühle. The historical mustard mill, built around 1810, is the last one of its kind in Europe. Mustard miller Wolfgang Steffens produces various types of outstanding gourmet mustard according to choice, time-honoured recipes and processes at one of the oldest mustard mills in Europe, established in 1810. 
  • Klotten Wildlife and Leisure Park. 
  • 🌍 Cochem Castle (Schloss Reichsburg), Schlossstraße 36, ☏ +49 2671 255, . 09:00 - 17:00. At a high elevation, it overlooks the area, dominates the town, and is an impressive feature. A restored 10th-century ruin, the result is a mixture of styles that make it a pleasant and interesting building. tour €8.50. (updated Mar 2023)

Do

Stop at the tourist office first on Endertplatz 1. They have loads of information to orientate you to Cochem and are very helpful.

  • H.H. Hieronimi, Stadionstraße 2, ☏ +49 2671 221. Daily at 11:00 and 15:00. Wine cellars tour and tasting 
  • Seselbahn to the Pinnerkreuz mountain (Chairlift), Endertstraße 44. The chairlift is operated between Easter and mid-November 09:30-18:30. From there you may enjoy the very best view of the castle, the Mosel-valley and its surroundings. From the top of the mountain you can take several hiking-paths or spend some time in the restaurant with a perfect view on the castle. €4 one-way or €5.50 return.. 
  • Mosel-Wein-Express. Take a tour with the small street-train. The tours starts on a regular basis in the centre. The ride takes about 30 minutes and costs €4 for adults and €2for children. 
  • Stroll along the Moselle. The flower-bedecked Moselle promenade is a lovely place for a stroll, and there are plenty of benches when you're ready for a break. 
  • Bicycle rental. All along the Mosel there are bike paths. A day's hire costs about €8 a day. To rent a bicycle you need to show a valid ID and leave a €20 deposit per bicycle. Fahrrad = bicycle in German Fahrradverleih = bicycle rental. 
  • Golf. Cochem. Golf complex featuring 18 holes, 9 hole (executive) course, clubhouse, restaurants and vacation houses. 
  • Cochem is a port of call on many cruises from Trier, Bernkastel-Kues and Koblenz. Many cruises start from Cochem daily. The cruise ships pier is on the beautiful boulevard of the town. The river is an important transportation waterway for cargo-ships between the river Rhine and Moselle-ports in France.
  • Hiking - Many walking opportunities
  • Valwig wanderweg
  • Swimming, indoor pool and recreation center in Cochem/Cond, across the North bridge.
  • Disco at the Youth-Hostel in Cond.
  • The town can get a little quiet, after 18:00, when most of the tourist day trippers go home.
  • Cond, across the bridge, afternoon sunny terraces with a great view across the river of the Cochem architecture, the castle and the steep slopes as a background. Recreation centre, hiking paths, camping-grounds, large shopping centre, medical centre/hospital.
  • Sehl, in short walking distance south along the Boulevard, has a small historic village atmosphere. Offers good accommodations and hiking paths. Ebernach Kloister and winery, is also located here on the edge of town and well worth a visit. Beside the winery, it has an arts centre and shop, extensive gardens and a chapel for quiet contemplation.

Events

Throughout the year there are many events in the resort town of Cochem.

  • The season begins with the Easter Market two weeks before Easter. It continues with the Moselle Wine Week in mid-June. Over 300 wines are offered for sampling at twelve wine stands.
  • On the first weekend in August the Cochem castle invites "ladies and gentlemen, young and old, rich and poor" to the Castle Festival.
  • Popular events and fests all over the year from May to November
  • Wine tasting almost everywhere, especially in September and October
  • Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt) Nov. - Dec. most charming since it is small enough to be contained in a single tent.

Buy

Local wine and liqueurs. Especially in the pedestrian area you may buy a big choice of wines from the Mosel-valley. Almost every 2nd shop is wine-store and depending on the year expect to pay about €3-5 0.7-litre bottle.

Shops
  • Weingut Göbel-Schleyer (opposite the hotel Alte Thorschenke at the bridge end of the pedestrian area.), ☏ +49 2671 7444. Souvenir stoneware-bottle with 0.7 litres of Mosel-wine €4.40. smaller size 0.5 litre; €3.30. Wine tasting and many other local items. 
  • Fleischerei/Metzgerei Hans Noss (Artisan Butcher Shop), Bernstr. 17 (the pedestian area), ☏ +49 2671 7778. Fine meats, wursts, delicatessen for more than 150 years. Chef/Owner: Seigfried Schmitz. 
  • Bäkerei Die Lohners (Frau Gansen), Bernstr. 10, ☏ +49 26 71 73 77. Opening times: M-F 07:00-18:00, Sa 07:00-14:00, Su 13:00-16:30. Large range of bakery products, natural breads, bio-products. 

Eat

The area revolves around excellent wine and good food. A number of wineries have cosy restaurants where fine cuisine and regional specialties are served. While the town may only boasts a few churches, it makes up for it in the wealth of weinstübe, pubs, restaurants, bistros, cafes and hotels, offering traditional regional fare, in additional to dishes from many other regions exist.

The following is just a small selection of restaurants offerings. While exploring, you are sure to find many more.

Drink

Wine tasting is possible everywhere in and around Cochem, many also serve good food.

  • Antique Weinstube Alte Gutssehanke, Schlossstraße 6, ☏ +49 2671 8950. Organizes tasting from his own vineyard and from a vast collection. 
  • Weinstube Zum Kapuziner, Pater-Martin-Str. 10, ☏ +49 2671-1418. Vinothek and Weinstube (wine bar) with a terrace overlooking the Mosel. Wine by the glass and traditional home cooked meals from the vintner's kitchen. 
  • Weingut Andrae-Goebel, Herrenstr. 24, ☏ +49 2671-7447. Winebar in a historic building where you can taste all the wines they produce on their vineyard in Ernst. Bottled wine, liquers and brandy, homemade marmelades, vinegars and many items related to wine. 
  • Weingut Winzerhof Rieslingstub'n, Endertstr. 24-28, ☏ +49 2671-7297. A small winery in the heart of town run by Rolf and Erika Haxel. Wine tasting in a relaxing courtyard in the shadow of vine-plants. Also offers classic Rieslingsekt in dry or brût. 

Beer & cocktails

  • Murphy's, Endertstr.. A funky pub, good conversation, live music at night. Besides beer they serve cocktails, not famous for their food or wine. A few internet terminals. 

Nite life, dancing, music

  • Königstheke `Tanz & Gasthause´, Bruckenstraße 6, ☏ +49 91101. open 6PM-4AM.. 
  • Tanzpalast Moselstern, `Live- und Disco-Musik´, Uferstraße 13, ☏ +49 981402. Daily 19:00-03:00. 

Sleep

Cochem is the recognized centre of a geographical area especially well suited for tourism. There are over 3.300 beds, from budget to luxury, in area hotels, pensions, hostel, camping and vacation homes. Of the 350.000 annual overnight guests, 150,000 are foreigners.

There are three camping areas in Cochem.

For further area camping descriptions see this site made by a Dutch friend of the Mosel river.

B&B and Apartments on family-owned vineyards.

Visitors wanting to stay longer than they intended, because the wines are so good, might consider a cosy guest room at the vineyard. A vineyard holiday is often one that is remembered fondly for years afterwards. Maybe you have already experienced helping with the grape harvest or walking and picnicking in the vineyards, where you are quickly caught up in the relaxed, friendly atmosphere and visitors soon become friends.

Apartments (self catering) Price per unit usually between €35-50 per night.

  • Ferienhaus "Am Reilsbach" Haus Reitz, Am Reilsbach 25, Cochem/Sehl (across from the Moselromantik Hotel Kessler Meyer), ☏ +49 2671 8266, +49 2671 7080. Spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, most with balcony overlooking the river, Cochem and the Castle. Sauna/fitness and rec. room, BBQ, free WiFi hotspot. From €30 per night. 
  • Ferienweingut/Pension Elisabeth, Zehnthausstr. 54 (Three locations in Cochem (and just across the river in Cond)), ☏ +49 2671-5201. Pension rooms from €28 p.p./Double and Apartments from €40/night.. 

Hotels Usually includes breakfast, charged per person

  • Moselromantik Hotel Kessler Meyer, Reilsbach 12, Cochem-Sehl, ☏ +492671 4600. 50 room/apartments, great views of the Mosel, town and the Castle (room 53 has a spectacular vista). Pool, Sauna, leisure center, 4 restaurants, bars, terraces with BBQ's. WiFi access. Rooms from €50-150/per person.. 
  • Moselromantik Hotel Panorama, Klostergartenstraße 44, ☏ +49 2671 9 14 14 0. 49 room/apartments/suites, live webcam, restaurant, bar, lounge, garden terrace, wellness, massages, indoor pool, sauna, steambath, free WiFi access. Rooms from €40-99 per person - included ' Panorama-Breakfast-Buffet'.. 
  • Parkhotel von Landenberg, Sehler Anlagen 1 Moselpromenaden (between Cochem and Sehl in a parklike setting.), ☏ +49 2671 7110. 40 beds from €38 per person incl. breakfast. Half and full board available. Gourmet restaurant, pool, sauna, solarium. WiFi Hotspot. Free Parking. Wines from Weingut Freiherr von Landenberg (owner). 
  • Hotel Restaurant Stumbergers, Sehler Anlagen 29, Cochem-Sehl, ☏ +49 2671-41 99. Nine modern equipped rooms with shower/WC and TV. Parking, garage for cyclists and bikers at disposal. 

Connect

Go next

The RMV-Internet Agentur-Team (Rhein-Mosel-Verlag In Alf on the Mosel) has a very expansive website, not only on the Mosel but with links to the wider Hünsruck, Eifel and the Rhine area.

  • Zell
  • Burg Eltz, what many regard as the most beautiful castle in the Moselle region, near Treis-Karden
  • Burg Eltz bei Karden
  • Koblenz
  • Above all the tiny village of Beilstein, which has provided a fairytale setting for several films.
  • Nürburgring You'll notice many motorcycle (and sports car) enthusiasts, during the March to November season, visiting the famous racing circuit.
  • Schlagkamp-Desoye Wine Museum, Senheim. 
  • Senheim Sculpture Park. 
  • Calmont-Klettersteig. 
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