Geisenheim – between the Rhine, Riesling and history

Geisenheim combines the valley town’s proximity to the Rhine with vineyards, architectural history and wine offerings. The valley town lies directly on the Rhine and is surrounded by vineyards. A federal highway and a railway line connect Geisenheim to the transport network. There are specific points of interest to help you plan your trip: historic sites within the town, seasonal wine stands, and tours on foot or by bike.

Cathedral, linden tree and town life

The Rheingau Cathedral, the parish church of Heilig Kreuz, is a three-aisled hall church. It was built around 1500 on the foundations of a Romanesque church. The Geisenheim linden tree, which is over 700 years old, also defines the town: it is a landmark and a traditional meeting place for the people of Geisenheim. The annual Lindenfest takes place around the linden tree in the market square in the town centre; the exact festival dates may vary.

The Geisenheim weekly market takes place every Friday on Bischof-Blum-Platz, in front of the Rheingau Cathedral. As dates may change, it’s best to check the market day before your visit. This helps distinguish the regular weekly market from the annual Lindenfest as two different occasions to visit the town centre.

Riesling and seasonal wine offerings

At the wine-tasting stand at Goetheblick, you can sample wines among the vineyards, with views across the Rheingau. From April to October, weather permitting, the stand is open Fridays from 2 pm to 10 pm and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 11 am to 10 pm. Schloss Johannisberg wines, including Riesling, as well as light meals are available. Opening days and hours may vary; check the latest information before your visit.

The Johannisberg winegrowers’ wine-tasting stand at Morschberg offers a changing selection of wines from Johannisberg from May to September. The two seasonal offerings have different focuses: Goetheblick also offers light meals and views across the Rheingau, while the focus at Morschberg is on its changing selection of wines. In the Geisenheim district of Johannisberg, Schloss Johannisberg is regarded as the world’s first Riesling wine estate. The Benedictine monastery was founded in 1100, and the castle was built in 1716. The wines of the Schloss Johannisberg estate can be sampled and purchased at the wine shop on Johannisberg; availability may change.

Hiking trails and cycling tours

The Mill Hiking Trail follows the watercourse for over 5.5 kilometres through the Elsterbach Valley, from the monastery at Marienthal to almost its confluence with the Rhine. Marienthal is a district of Geisenheim, located 3 km from the valley town between vineyards and forests. The place is best known for the Franciscan pilgrimage monastery of the same name, which attracts many pilgrims each year.

For a cycling tour, the QuerRhein cycle route passes through Geisenheim; it is 36.1 km long and includes 230 metres of elevation gain. This makes it possible to compare its length directly with the Mill Hiking Trail, which is over 5.5 km long. Another option is the circular route to the “Most Beautiful Vineyard View in the Rheingau 2012”: it starts at Geisenheim railway station and follows the wine trail to the summit of Rothenberg. The routes differ in activity, length and course, offering different options for planning your day.

Garden art and cultural sites

The park adjoining Villa Monrepos is now an important monument to 1950s garden art. The Bachelin House contains a wallpaper room with hand-painted wallpaper dating from around 1820. The cultural centre “Die Scheune” houses the town library and rooms for lectures, exhibitions and events; the current programme may vary.

Another perspective on the town’s history is offered by Geisenheim’s first municipal cemetery, which has been open to the public as a park since 2012. Its features include artistically designed 19th- and 20th-century tombs, a historic avenue of thuja trees and the Lade family mausoleum, built in 1864.

Getting here and the regional setting

Within the wider Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis travel destination, the right-bank Rhine railway line runs from Koblenz via Rüdesheim am Rhein and Wiesbaden to Frankfurt am Main. This connects Geisenheim, as well as Lorch, Oestrich-Winkel, Eltville and Walluf, to Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance rail network. For specific travel planning, check current timetables and connections with RMV.

More local pages about Geisenheim: Stephanshausen.

Discover more destinations: Niedernhausen, Schlangenbad, Aarbergen, Taunusstein, Eltville am Rhein.

Back to the regional travel overview: Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis.