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Market - central square

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

Understand

Few towns in Germany can match the charm of Cochem. Its picturesque beauty, makes it a favourite place for visitors. Legend, folklore and a rich web of history is woven into every street. Situated 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, itself, is a showpiece gem and rated as one of the prettiest villages along the Mosel. 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 its half-timbered houses, is particularly fine.

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and Cochem Castle, (Schloss Reichsburg) dramatically rises above the town.

Cochem is the center of the Mosel wine trade. Fondly known for it's 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 real 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 real 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 one can also 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 located on the Mosel river route B49, 57 miles north east of Trier, 32 miles south west of Koblenz, 56 miles south of Bonn and 106 miles west of Frankfurt.

By car

Cochem is situated 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 (50min to 1h10min), Koblenz (40 to 55min), Bonn (1h20min), and Cologne (1h45min).

By plane

The closes 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.
Panorama of Cochem with the Cochem Imperial Castle (Reichsburg Cochem) on the right side

See

Imperial castle (Reichsburg Cochem)
  • Cochem Castle (Schloss Reichsburg). on it's high elevation, overlooks the area, it 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. 
  • 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. 

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 11.00h and 15.00h. Wine cellars tour and tasting 
  • Seselbahn to the Pinnerkreuz mountain (Chairlift), Endertstrasse 44. The chairlift is operated between Easter and mid-November 9.30a.m. - 06.30p.m.. 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. Tickets for the chairlift are 4 Euros one-way or 5,50 Euros 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 half that for 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 euro a day. To rent a bicycle you need to show a valid ID and leave a 20 euro 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.
  • Be advised that the town can get a little quiet, after 6 pm, 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 € a 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 just 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 7AM-6PM, Sa 7AM-2PM, Sun. 1PM-4:30PM. 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.

  • Castle Thorschenke (hotel and restaurant). Dates from the 14th century?" Local Theme, Price: US$11–20 Website:. 
  • Hotel Germania, Moselpromenade 1 (on the Mosel promenade in the centre of Cochem). Local Theme. Price: US$11–20 Comparison: less expensive than average.. 
  • Speisegaststätte Noss. Fleischerei-Gaststätte. Internet: Moselpromenade 4 
  • Hotel/Restaurant Lohspeicher 'l'Auberge du Vin', Obergasse 1 (Am Marktplatz), ☏ +49 26 71 39 76. Top gourmet restaurant More expensive than average.. 
  • San Christobal, Endertstraße 7, ☏ +49 2671 4199. Mexican and International 
  • La Baia, Pizzeria, Josef-von-Stelb-Platz 1, ☏ +49 2671 8040. Restaurant, sunny terrace 
  • Kochloffel, Am Markt 10. Open morning until late.. Fast Food (Imbiss-Stuben) 
  • Australian Homemade Ice Cream & Chocolate, Moselpromenade 9. 9AM-11PM. 

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

  • Konigsteke `Tanz & Gasthause´, Bruckenstraße 6, ☏ +49 91101. open 6PM-4AM.. 
  • Tanzpalast Moselstern, `Live- und Disco-Musik´, Uferstraße 13, ☏ +49 981402. Open 7PM-3AM.. 

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. Some suggestions below, you can 'Google' for many more.

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.. 

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, sölarium. WiFi Hotspot. Free Parking. Wines from Weingut Freiherr von Landenberg (owner). 

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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This city travel guide to Cochem is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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