Things to do in Diez

Marvel at picturesque landscapes, enjoy family-friendly entertainment and learn about local folklore at Loreley (or Lorelei). The 433-foot (132-meter) tall bluff Loreley rises over the eastern shores of the Rhine River. It stands above a precarious curve in the river, which for centuries has been infamous for causing shipwrecks. The bluff has long been shrouded in myths. Discover much of this lore at the visitor center.

Deutsches Eck is a headland in Koblenz at the point where the Moselle and Rhine rivers merge. It is known for the replica of an iconic 19th-century equestrian statue of a famous German. Relax here with a vista of the water, taking in the serene atmosphere, scenic views and important history.

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is the military centerpiece around which the town of Koblenz grew. Today, the stronghold has a popular viewing platform 387 feet (118 meters) above the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley from the cable car, which has one of the world’s highest passenger capacities.

Visit Rheinfels Castle (Burg Rheinfels) to journey through the ruins of a magnificent fortress that dates back over 700 years. Uncover the ancient history of both the castle and Sankt Goar via exhibits in the castle museum. Count Diether V. von Katzenelnbogen established Rheinfels Castle in 1245 as a hideout for Sankt Goar’s tax collectors. It passed to the House of Hesse in 1479 and then to the French revolutionary army in 1794 before Napoleon inflicted major damage at the end of the 18th century.

Stolzenfels Castle is a glorious medieval fortress secluded in a dense forest next to the Rhine River. This ruined 13th-century castle was rebuilt in the 1800s as a Gothic-style masterpiece with a tall central tower. Marvel at the architectural feats and the interior period décor of this spectacular castle.

Admire the arresting architecture, glimpse inside the well-preserved rooms and explore the ramparts of Marksburg Castle. This hilltop stronghold has the honor of never falling to enemy attack and thus stands virtually unaltered since its foundation. The Lords of Eppstein established Marksburg Castle and it later passed through the hands of the Counts of Katzenelnbogen and became quarters for Prussian soldiers. Today it is home to the German Castles Association, which protects and preserves castles.

The Rheinseilbahn is Koblenz’s premier aerial cableway. It was built in 2010 as a feature of the Bundesgartenschau (Federal Garden Show) hosted by the city in 2011. It has since become a key feature of the pretty town on the Deutsches Eck (German Corner), where the Rhine meets the Moselle River. Take a ride on the urban gondola and fly over the city’s pretty waterways. Snap photographs of the historic cityscape, which is framed by distant mountain ranges.