Sankt Goar

Although not a very lively town, it gives off a very nice friendly vibe. It is a true German town although orientated towards tourists. This small town is great to experience the spirit and culture of Germany without the hustle and bustle of the big cities.

By car

The B9 goes through the town and is about half way (30 km) between Bingen and Koblenz. Alternatively 12 km from the A61 exit 42 Emmelshausen.

Fähre LoreleyCar and foot ferry across the Rhine from St. Goarshausen.

By train

Train station St. Goar of the line Mainz – Koblenz.

By boat

• Bingen-Rüdesheimer cruise boat to/from Bingen and Rüdesheim.
• The Köln-Düsseldorfer Rheinschiffahrt, better known as KD, runs cruises and scheduled services up and down the river between Cologne and Mainz, stopping in Sankt Goar.

The town sits in a narrow flat section of the valley between the river and the steep hillside. There is effectively only the main street (B9 Heerstraße) and one main retail street (Oberstraße) making it an easy place to walk around. To visit the castle on the hill above either drive to the car park or take the tourist road train up the hill.

• Castle RhinefelsLooming formidably above Sankt Goar and the Rhine valley, the large and partially ruined fortress of Burg Rhinefels is definitely worth a visit on any trip to the Rhineland. The fortress's first components were built in 1245 by Count Diether von Katzenelnbogen. Other rulers of the region made their own contributions to the construction castle. It was eventually ruined by members of the French Revolutionary Army when they were invading the area. Despite its partially ruined state, the fortress retains a strong sense of dignity and strength.
  
  While visiting Burg Rheinfels it is important to note that the current overall size of the castle is only one fifth of its original size before the destruction of it by the French Army in 1797. One way to understand the former size of the fortress is to explore the underground tunnels built during the 30 Years War. These tunnels were built under the flat, undefended plain to the West of the castle by the garrison of the castle. The tunnels were filled with gunpowder, and in theory, as an approaching enemy army neared the castle by way of the flat plain, the gunpowder would be ignited and eventually explode, sending the enemy army falling to their death. However this secret weapon was never put to use so the tunnels formerly housing gunpowder can be visited today. It is a tight fit and flashlights are needed.

• Stiftskirche St. Goar

  address: Markt 3
  Romanesque crypt comes from the late 11th century. Wall paintings from the latter half of the 15th century. Late Gothic gallery.

• Deutsches Puppen- und Bärenmuseum

  phone: +49 6741 7270
  address: Sonnengasse 8

The Rheinburgenweg runs above the town past Schloss Rheinfels.

Events

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This is home to many shop catering to tourists and thus one of the best places to buy a beer stein, clogs or cuckoo clocks, non of which are traditional to the region although obviously associated with Germany. They have the biggest range of all three. Wine is obviously the local produce, but probably better to purchase in other villages in and above the valley if you are looking for a bargain.

There are two restaurants in Schloss Rheinfels offering good food and great views of the Rhine.

• Hotel Restaurant Zur Loreley

  phone: +49 6741 1614
  address: Heerstraße 87

• Café und Bäcker St. Goar

  phone: +49 6741 1635
  address: Heerstraße 95

• Philipps-Mühle

  address: Gründelbach 49, 56329 St. Goar
  Family-run vineyard with an outdoor restaurant that serves delicious local food. Their wines, along with jams and homemade wine gums, are also available for purchase in their shop (around 8-12€ a bottle).

• Romantik Hotel Schloss Rheinfels

  phone: +49 6741 802-0
  address: Schloßberg 47
  Attached to the hotel, through the small shop is a restaurant with an excellent view of the valley.

• Knab´s Mühlenschenke

  phone: +49 6741 1698
  address: Gründelbach 73

• On the right Rhine side St. Goarshausen with the Burg Katz, Burg Maus and the Loreley
• Oberwesel
• Bacharach
• Bingen
• Boppard
• Koblenz