Discover the Mosel-Saar region
Wine, rivers, history and moments of true pleasure
Welcome – to a region where rivers wind their way past steep vineyards, historic towns are steeped in a history stretching back millennia, and the simple pleasures of life are very much part of the experience. Between Trier, Saarburg, Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues, and the many wine-growing villages along the Moselle, Saar and Ruwer, you’ll experience a varied landscape that you can explore on foot, by bike, on the water or simply whilst relaxing with a glass of wine.
The Mosel isn’t a region suited to just one type of holiday...
You can set off on a walk through the vineyards in the morning…
…explore a historic town at lunchtime…
…and round off the day in a relaxed atmosphere with a wine tasting in the afternoon.
You can cycle along the river…
…explore a castle…
…try some regional cuisine…
…or watch the sun set behind the vineyards from the terrace.
It is precisely this blend that makes the region so special: nature meets culture, wine meets indulgence, and activity meets relaxation.
Whether it’s a weekend break or a longer holiday – there’s always another bend in the river, a viewpoint, a wine village or a favourite spot to discover.
Come along, set off, go on a voyage of discovery – and experience the Mosel-Saar region with all your senses.
Explore the towns and villages in the region
Konz
Konz is a modern town with ancient roots, situated right on the confluence of the Saar and Moselle rivers.
There’s plenty to see and do here!
Saarburg
The town of Saarburg is truly unique: a wide stream flows right through the heart of the old town and plunges down into the valley in a magnificent waterfall. But the waterfall isn’t the only reason you should visit Saarburg.
Trier
Trier, the city at the Mosel, is best known for its ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its landmark is the Porta Nigra, a monumental Roman city gate. The pedestrianised area, with its many historic buildings, is a great place to stroll and shop. Trier is also a university town, home to many young – and young-at-heart – creative minds!
There’s plenty to discover on the culinary front: the modern cuisine draws inspiration from neighbouring Luxembourg and France. Naturally, you’ll also find first-class wines from the world-famous Moselle wine-growing region here.
Bernkastel-Kues
Bernkastel-Kues is the centre of attraction in the Middle Mosel, renowned for its outstanding vineyards and beautiful half-timbered architecture. But that’s by no means all! It’s also well worth taking trips into the surrounding countryside, discovering the culinary delights of the outstanding local restaurants, enjoying a traditional regional operetta in the open air, or cruising down the Mosel on a Roman-style boat. So you should make sure you allow plenty of time.
Traben-Trarbach
You really must visit the wine town of Traben-Trarbach. For one thing, it boasts magnificent Art Nouveau buildings and other stately homes. For another, it is criss-crossed by vast wine cellars – the so-called ‘Traben-Trarbach Underworld’ – which you can explore on a guided tour. In the 19th century, the town was arguably the world’s largest wine-trading centre alongside Bordeaux, and you can still see evidence of that today.
You’ll love our tip if you’re a fan of distinctive architecture and enjoy drinking excellent wine!
Cochem
Whenever people read or hear the name ‘Mosel’, they often think of Cochem straight away. And so many people can’t really be wrong. But, as we all know, tastes vary: some visitors only feel at home when there’s plenty going on, whilst others are looking for peace and tranquillity. With our recommendation, you’ll find both. What’s more, in this recommendation we’re focusing on the wine, culinary and cultural aspects of Cochem. Let us also inspire you to take trips into the surrounding area, which has plenty of charming attractions to offer.
Koblenz
When people hear the name “Koblenz”, their first thoughts are usually of the Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress – in other words, monumental and historic landmarks. But the city has so much more to offer! It’s lovely that the old town is directly connected to the newly designed, spacious riverside promenade. And what is still a distant dream for many major German cities, Koblenz has already made a reality: the modern cable car across the Rhine has been an integral part of the local public transport network between the Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, as well as the hillside districts, ever since the 2011 Federal Horticultural Show! The vast fortress plateau has also benefited enormously from this, not to mention the fortress itself, which has since evolved into a cultural centre.
Discover the 11 holiday regions
Saar-Upper Mosel holiday region
City of Trier
One of the region’s particular highlights is Trier. This former Roman city looks back on some 2,000 years of history and, with its significant architectural monuments, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ruwertal & Hochwald Holiday Region
The Ruwer Valley combines unspoilt countryside with a rich wine-growing tradition. Discover the distinctive Ruwer Riesling at a wine tasting, explore the Ruwer-Hochwald Cycle Route, or go for a walk through the vineyards and woods around Waldrach, Kasel and Mertesdorf.
Roman Wine Route Holiday Region
Schweich, the centre of the Roman Wine Route holiday region, lies north of Trier. Numerous small Mosel villages are scattered around the town. Well-preserved Roman villas and historic wine-pressing facilities serve as a reminder that viticulture and the Mosel were closely linked as far back as some 2,000 years ago.
Bernkastel-Kues Holiday Region
Continuing towards the Middle Mosel, you reach Bernkastel-Kues, one of the region’s best-known towns. The old town is particularly charming, with its narrow streets, historic half-timbered houses and medieval market square. The ruins of Landshut Castle tower above the town.
Wittlich Town & Countryside Holiday Region
Wittlich lies a little way from the Mosel. The town links the Mosel region with the hills of the Eifel and the Wittlich Valley, and is home to the famous Säubrennerkirmes.
The Mosel region: Traben-Trarbach, Kröv
Another charming little town on the Mosel is Traben-Trarbach. The town impresses with its extraordinary Art Nouveau architecture. Many of the buildings are reminiscent of the period around 1900, when Traben-Trarbach rose to become a major centre for the wine trade.
Zeller Land Holiday Region
Further downstream lies Zell (Mosel), idyllically nestled within a large bend in the Moselle. The town is best known for the ‘Zeller Schwarze Katz’, one of the Mosel’s most famous vineyards and wine brands.
Cochem: A Holiday Destination
Cochem is one of the best-known towns at the Mosel – and for good reason. The historic old town and the imposing Reichsburg Cochem provide a particularly atmospheric backdrop.
The Sunny Lower Mosel Holiday Region
Along the sunny Lower Mosel, also known as the Terraced Mosel, the landscape changes. Here, the Moselle valley narrows and the vineyards stretch along narrow terraces on the steep slopes.
City of Koblenz
Koblenz awaits at the end of the Mosel journey. This is where the Moselle flows into the Rhine at the Deutsches Eck. The historic old town, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and the cable car make the city a special way to round off the journey along the Mosel.
Our answers to...
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mosel tourist region is situated in the west of Germany and stretches along the River Moselle from the border with France, through Luxembourg, and into Germany. The German part of the region is mainly located in Rhineland-Palatinate.
The Mosel region is characterised by a unique river valley with steep vineyards, historic villages and a cultural landscape dating back thousands of years. The two tributaries, the Saar and the Ruwer, complement the tourist region with tranquil side valleys, unspoilt walking trails and traditional wineries.
The region offers visitors a wide variety of experiences: walking and cycling trails along the rivers, boat trips, castles and culinary discoveries at local wine taverns and wineries.
The Mosel is, on the whole, very varied, and ‘the most beautiful’ depends very much on what you are looking for. Each section has its own scenic and cultural characteristics:
In the Middle Mosel, around places such as Bernkastel-Kues or Traben-Trarbach, the river landscape is considered particularly typical: narrow bends, steep vineyards and many historic wine-growing villages characterise the scene. This area is particularly well known for its classic Moselle postcard scenery.
In the Terraced Mosel region, roughly between Cochem and Koblenz, the landscape is somewhat wilder and more characterised by castles. Cochem Castle is a striking example here of the interplay between the river valley and historic architecture.
The landscape along the Saar and the Upper Mosel is quite different, yet equally charming. Around Saarburg, the Saar river blends with a historic old town, an imposing waterfall and the surrounding vineyards. Its proximity to the Moselle and the ‘Dreiländereck’ (tri-border area) makes this part of the region particularly varied.
The city of Trier is also an important landmark in the region. As Germany’s oldest city, it combines Roman heritage with a modern urban structure.
All in all, it can be said that the Mosel does not offer a single ‘most beautiful spot’, but rather a wide variety of landscapes depending on the section – from lively wine-growing villages to tranquil, unspoilt stretches of river. It all depends on what you’d like to discover.
The Mosel can generally be visited all year round, with each season offering different advantages.
The peak tourist season runs from spring to autumn (April to October). During this time, temperatures are usually pleasant, the vineyards are green, and many tourist activities such as boat trips, wine festivals and sightseeing tours are fully available.
Summer (June to August) is particularly popular, as the weather is fairly stable and warm. However, demand is also at its highest during this period, and many places are correspondingly busy.
Autumn (September and October) is considered by many to be particularly attractive, as this is when the grape harvest takes place and the landscape changes as the vineyards take on their autumnal colours.
Spring (March to May) offers a more peaceful atmosphere with mild temperatures and a landscape in full bloom, making it particularly suitable for walks and cycle rides. A special highlight during this time is the flowering of the vineyard peach trees.
Winter also has its own charm. The region is much quieter then, and many towns take on a tranquil atmosphere. At the same time, atmospheric Christmas markets in the Mosel towns invite visitors and create a special pre-Christmas atmosphere.
Overall, the best time to visit depends on whether you’re looking for nature experiences, an active holiday, wine events or simply some peace and quiet.
