This Rhine Valley town has medieval towers and half-timbered buildings from the 12th century. The 6th-century Roman fortress walls still mark its historic center.
Boppard stretches along the Rhine River in Germany's Rhine Gorge. You'll find medieval towers rising above the riverbank promenade, a 4th-century Roman fortress with 28 defensive towers, and Gothic churches like St. Severus with its twin spires. Local winemakers cultivate 75 hectares of Riesling and Müller-Thurgau grapes on the steep riverbanks. From the Vierseenblick viewpoint, the Rhine's largest bend creates an optical illusion of four separate lakes.
Getting to Boppard
Trains run regularly between Boppard and major cities like Frankfurt (1 hour 40 minutes) and Cologne (1 hour 40 minutes). You'll find the train station 200 meters from the town center. You can also drive along the B9 road that follows the Rhine River, or take a KD river ferry that stops at multiple towns along the Rhine.
Rhine River Promenade
The Rheinallee runs along the waterfront, where you can watch cargo ships and cruise boats pass by throughout the day. The promenade connects the train station to the old town center, with wooden benches every 50 meters facing the water and mature sycamore trees along the path. Wine taverns and cafes line the walkway, many with outdoor seating areas extending toward the river.
Medieval Buildings and Museums
The Electoral Castle (Alte Burg) from 1312 contains two museums: the Boppard Museum and the Thonet Museum. The castle's four wings and two round towers include later additions from the 17th century. Inside the Thonet Museum, you'll see original bentwood furniture pieces by Michael Thonet, including his No. 14 chair from 1859. Entry costs €6 for both museums, which open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00-17:00.
Ancient Roman Ruins
At the Römer-Kastell archaeological site, you can walk along the limestone walls of a 4th-century Roman fortress. The walls extend for 300 meters, with 28 defensive towers reaching 8 meters high. The site includes German and English information panels explaining the fortress's military function and the visible Roman construction techniques in the stonework patterns.
Viewpoints Above the Rhine
Take the Sesselbahn chairlift to reach Vierseenblick viewpoint in 20 minutes. The chairlift operates daily 10:00-18:00 from April to October, ascending 332 meters above the river. At the top, follow three marked walking paths to viewing platforms overlooking the Rhine's largest bend, known as Bopparder Hamm. Walk 15 minutes from the chairlift station to reach Gedeonseck viewpoint, which faces north toward Koblenz.
Wine Production
The Boppard Hamm vineyard slopes rise at 30-60 degree angles along the riverbank. Winemakers grow Riesling grapes in slate and quartzite soil on south-facing hills. You can taste regional wines at twenty wine cellars in the town center, with extended hours and special events during the September and October harvest season. Most cellars charge €5-10 for a tasting of 4-6 wines.
Walking and Hiking
The Hunsrück forest contains 42 square kilometers of trails, with colored signs marking routes every 200 meters. For climbing, try the Mittelrhein-Klettersteig via ferrata with eleven sections between 10-30 meters high, each secured with steel cables. Four marked paths through the vineyards lead from Boppard to the villages of Filsen and Bad Salzig, with distance markers and benches every kilometer.
