Is Cochem Castle Worth Visiting? Rick Steves Was Wrong!

Perched high on the hill over the Moselle River in the picturesque town of Cochem is the beautiful Reichsburg Cochem Castle.

Over 100 meters (300ft) above the river surrounded by sloping vineyards the castle is among one of the most picture-perfect of all the castles in Germany. To accompany the beautiful surroundings, the castle has an interesting past and vibrant story dating back nearly 1,000 years.

We visited in the late fall and were blown away by the beauty of the area and the castle. In late October the hills flanking both sides of the river were covered in grapevines that had turned bright yellow as they prepared for winter.

While Cochem Castle wasn’t at the very top of our must-visit castles in Germany list nor is on Germany’s Romantic Road, it quickly became one of our favorites. Please note you may also see it referred to as Burg Cochem. Here’s everything you need to know when planning a visit to Cochem Castle in Germany.

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How to get to Cochem Castle (Burg Cochem)

The easiest way to get to Cochem Castle is by car. Just launch Google Maps, type in Cochem Castle, and start directions. Google will lead you right to the castle. If you don’t have service on your phone, start navigation prior to leaving your hotel and disconnecting from WiFi.

There is a castle shuttle bus right that runs seasonal. This year it was April 29th through November 1st.

Cochem Castle Address: Schlossstraße 36, 56812 Cochem, Germany

Cologne | 1 hour 45 minutes away and 76 miles
Frankfurt | 2 hours away and 94 miles

Renting a car in Germany is the best way to see the country and visit some of the best castles in Germany. We have rented a car five times in Germany and can’t imagine not having that freedom. Often, cars are less than $35 a day. We book on Discovercars.com. They have the best prices and free cancellation. Click here to check rates.

History of Reichsburg Cochem Castle

The history of Cochem Castle dates back to the mid-11th century, but the actual castle in the town of Cochem along the Mossel River today is much younger. This castle, like many castles in Germany, saw many kings and invaders through the many troubled centuries.

Most estimate that the castle was originally built for the palatinate count Ezzo around the year 1,000 AD. For the following centuries, the castle was disputed between palatine counts until King Konrad III took control of the Cochem Castle, bringing it to imperial status, which it kept until 1294, when the castle was pawned by King Adolf of Nassau.

The next major event in the Reichsburg Cochem Castle was the 1688 occupation by King Louis XIV, and then subsequently burned and blown up the following year in 1689.

The castle lay in ruin for almost 200-years when a Berlin businessman named Louis Ravené bought the site and castle ruins in 1868. During this period in Germany, it was common for the wealthy to purchase ruins and turn them into summer homes.

Coincidentally this project started the same year that Neuschwanstein Castle was brought back from ruins by King Ludwig II. Ravené used the ruins as a base and reconstructed the Cochem Castle in a Neo-Gothic style.

The reconstruction of Cochem Castle was completed in 1890 after Ravené’s death by his son, but he would not stay with the family for long. The family was forced to sell the castle to the Prussian Government, and it was then used as a Nazi law school during the war. After the war, the castle was given to the newly formed state of Rhinelander-Palatinate and then sold to the city of Cochem in 1978, which still owns and operates the castle.

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Things To Know Before Visiting Cochem Castle

Guided Tours Only – You are only allowed inside the gates of the castle grounds as part of a Cochem Castle Tour
Avoid the weekends if possible – While Cochem Castle is not the most visited Castle in Germany, it can get crowded on the weekends. If you’re flexible, your trip will be more pleasant on a weekday.
Photos are allowed inside the castle – Bring your camera and follow the rules of your guide as far as photography is.
There is a restaurant at the castle – skip the drive-thru and instead have a meal in a castle. The restaurant is reasonably priced and serves coffee, sandwiches, Schnitzel, salads, soups, brats, and much more.
Strollers are not allowed inside the castle – Small children are allowed but must walk or be carried.
Dogs are allowed inside the castle – “Well-behaved” dogs can accompany you on the guided tour.
Credit Cards are accepted – EC, Maestro, Visa, and Master-Card can be used to pay for tours, food, and souvenirs at the castle.

Cochem Castle Tour

If you want to see the interior of Cochem Castle, the only way to do so is on the formal castle tour. Tickets can be purchased from the gift shop for just 6 Euros, and the tour lasts about 40 minutes.

The main downside is the tour is only in German, but there are printed materials that are easy to follow along in just about all major languages.

Tour Costs:

Adults: €6
Children (6-17): €3
Groups 12+: €5
Students: €5
Family Ticket (2 adults + children): €16

Cochem Castle Tours in English

There are a few tours per day conducted in English. You just need to plan your visit during one of these times if you’re visiting on your own. During the summer months, English tours generally run daily at 12.00 and 15.00 hrs.

For larger groups of 20 or more audio tours can be booked in advance in English or ten other languages.

Hours of Reichsburg Cochem Castle

The open hours of Cochem Castle change frequently, and there are more than six seasons during the year. It can be confusing when the castle will be open for tours. Always check the castle website to double-check the hours.

Summer Hours March through November 10 am- 5 pm

Cochem Castle Parking

There is parking at the base of Cochem Castle, with a paved path leading up to the castle entrance. There are a few options for parking near the castle. There is a pay lot at the base of the castle labeled with a large blue “P” with automated gates and a pay station. However, if you visit mid-week or during the offseason, there are many free street parking spaces available close to the castle base.

Cochem Castle Restaurant

For lunch with a view and an epic setting, plan on eating at the castle. The menu is much more affordable than you think when you think of dining in a castle. If you’re visiting mid-November through March, the restaurant will be closed, with the exception of the holiday break from December 26 through January 7th.

Summer Hours March through November: 10:00 to 18:00

Special Events at Cochem Castle Medieval Dinner

Almost every Friday & Saturday night, join in on a Medieval dinner at the Cochem Castle. Enjoy a feast of drumsticks, soup, bread, and lard, served by servants and maids dressed in period costumes.

A full guided tour of Cochem Castle is included and is before sitting down for the feast. The price is 49,- € per adult and 24,50 € per child (6 to 17 years,) and it lasts around 4 hours. Please note this must be booked in advance.

Cochem Castle Interior

One of the main highlights of Cochem Castle is the beautiful interior that is relatively open to the public on tours compared to other castles in Germany. There are 10 rooms you can visit as part of the Cochem Castle tour. Many rooms have furniture and artifacts from the Ravené family or it has been replaced with items from the period.

Rooms you can visit on a tour of the Cochem Castle:

Dining Hall
Gothic Room (Caminita)
Romanesque Room
Room Above the Last gate
Hunters’ Room
Knights’ Hall
Weapons Room
Balcony
The Well
The Witch’s Tower

Best Views of Cochem Castle

While the tour of Cochem Castle is a must, it’s hard to grasp the full perspective of the castle while standing on the castle grounds. Some of the best views of Burg Cochem come from the hills surrounding the town and castle.

While driving to the castle we stopped at a lookout point, which gave a great perspective of the castle surrounded by vineyards and tall hills and the beautiful Mossel River.

More Castles Near Cochem Castle

There are over 20,000 castles in Germany and several castles nearby Cochem that are worth visiting. There are a number of castles within a day trip of Cochem Castle. The most famous and beautiful is Burg Eltz, located less than an hour by car from the city of Cochem. Here are a few of the castles to consider visiting before or after Cochem Castle.

Burg Eltz | 27 km – 17 miles away | Address: 56294 Wierschem, Germany
Burg Thurant | 29 km – 18 miles away | Address: 56332 Alken, Germany
Burg Metternich | 10 km – 6 miles away | Address: Burg Metternich, 56814 Beilstein (Rheinland-Pfalz), Germany
Satzvey Castle | 90 km – 56 miles | Address: Burg Satzvey, An der Burg 3, 53894 Mechernich, Germany
Mespelbrunn Castle| 233 km – 145 miles away | Address: Schloßallee, 63875 Mespelbrunn, Germany

Another one of our favorite castles is Lichtenstein Castle if you can tie this into your trip you should It is 4 hours away from Cochem Castle so not easily tied in the same day.

Things to do near Cochem Castle

Taste Some Cochem Wines – The hills surrounding the Cochem Castle are covered in vineyards. After visiting the famous castle slow down and sip some regional wine from the Mossel Valley and the town of Cochem.
Visit the Senfmühle – Another local must is the historical mustard mill or in German “Senfmühle”. This mill has been grinding mustard seeds for over 200 years and is thought to be one of the oldest in Europe. While you are there of course pick up some mustard to bring home to remember your time in Cochem.
Take a Ride on the Mosel-Wein-Express – A great way to explore the town of Cochem is by this small street train that brings you to many of the town’s top attractions with a bit of narration for less than 5 Euros.

Where to stay near Cochem Castle

We suggest staying at a hotel nearby so you can get to take your time at Cochem & Eltz Castle (nearby) and get there early in the morning to beat the crowds. There are several cute hotels in the area that are the perfect place to rest your head between castles in Germany.

Hotel Villa Vinum Cochem, Cochem | Check Rates On Booking | Read Latest Trip Advisor Reviews
Moselstern-Hotel ‘Brixiade & Triton’ | Check Rates On Booking | Read Latest Trip Advisor Reviews

Also check Vrbo, as there are some really cute German houses and even castles for rent. You can rent an entire house with six beds and a sauna for less than a standard hotel room.