Bacharach (pop 1877) is a town in the Middle Rhine Valley in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany.

Understand

It is a small ancient town on the west bank of the Rhine. It existed before the Romans as a Celtic settlement. Its name Baccaracum came from the God of Bacchus as it supplied wine to the ancient territories. The medieval town is extremely well-preserved and can easily be called a hidden gem. Stahleck Castle, which was built in the 11th Century, was initially the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne's reeves. Nowadays, it is a youth hostel overlooking the town. In the 19th century, Victor Hugo described Bacharach as one of the "world's prettiest towns".

Altkölnischer Hof

Bacharach Town featuring the Altes Haus

Get in

By plane

The airport at Hahn is about 50 km and Frankfurt Airport is about 70 km away.

By train

Trains from Koblenz and Mainz run to Bacharach at least hourly. Sometimes, there are direct trains from Cologne as well. Otherwise, you would have to change the train at Koblenz. The line is Koblenz – Boppard – Oberwesel – Bacharach – Bingen am Rhein – Mainz. From Frankfurt airport it takes between 1 and 1.5 hours (with one change in Mainz).

By road

Is on the B9 16 km north of Bingen. Parking on the side of the main road, 50 cents an hour.

By boat

The Köln-Düsseldorfer Rheinschiffahrt, better known as KD, runs cruises and scheduled services up and down the river to towns between Cologne and Mainz.

Bingen-Rüdesheimer operates scheduled services between Rüdesheim and St. Goar.

Get around

The town is small so walking is the best way to get around.

See

• 1 Castle Stahleck. is a large castle on a hill that is approx 1,000 years old. It is a bit of a walk but the views of the Rhine are magnificent, so it`s totally worth it.  

Bacharach featuring Castle Stahleck

• 2 Werner Chapel. The ruins are quite lovely and are on the way to Castle Stahleck.  

Do

Take a cruise along the Rhine.

Do a wine tasting 'carousel' in town.

Walk through the vineyards, taking the Rheinburgenweg going south. The Northerly direction gives good views but has a steep section not recommended for the casual walker.

Buy

Several shops sell souvenirs, especially local wine. Despite its small size, there is at least a supermarket in town.

Eat

There is a large number of restaurants catering to tourists in the town. Here are a few suggestions

• 1 Altes Haus, Oberstraße 61. 
• 2 Altkölnischer Hof, Blücherstraße 2, ☏ +49 6743 1339. Traditional German style décor and food. Friendly service. 

Drink

Wine

Wine Tasting

Sleep

• 1 Castle Stahleck Youth Hostel, ☏ +49 6743 1266. This youth hostel is actually located inside the Castle Stahleck overlooking the Rhine Valley! It will be hard finding a place where you make the experience of sleeping in an actual Medieval castle for such a low price. beds from €21.50. 
• 2 Pension Im Malerwinkel, Blücherstraße 41-45, ☏ +49 6743 1239. 
• 3 Hotel am Markt, Oberstraße 64, ☏ +49 6743 1715. 

Go next

• Trechtingshausen
• Bingen
• Oberwesel