Discover Rhein-Lahn

In Rhein-Lahn, river landscapes, Roman traces and the historic spa ensemble of Bad Ems sit alongside a wide range of travel interests.

Between the Lahn Valley, the Taunus and the Middle Rhine

The Rhein-Lahn district includes the area on the right bank of the Rhine around the mouth of the Lahn, the Lahn Valley up to just before Limburg near Diez, the southern foothills of the Westerwald towards the Lahn Valley, and the northern uplands of the Taunus between the Rhine and the Aar. This geographical diversity offers different starting points for planning a trip: you can focus on river landscapes, mountain ranges and historic places.

The district’s section on the right bank of the Rhine, from Kaub to Lahnstein, lies in the Loreley Valley and the UNESCO Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site. The World Heritage Site covers a 65-kilometre stretch between Bingen, Rüdesheim and Koblenz. Historic small towns, terraced vineyards and castle ruins are among the defining features of this cultural landscape.

The Loreley Rock lies within the Loreley collective municipality; its villages and towns form part of the core area of the UNESCO Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage Site. Marksburg Castle is also in the Loreley collective municipality. It is the only medieval hilltop castle on the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. The two places offer different points of interest: one centres on the Loreley, the other on the remarkable history of a preserved hilltop castle.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Roman Limes, which runs through the district. Remains are still visible today and are part of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes World Heritage Site. The area’s history can therefore be encountered not only in castles and spa architecture, but also along this Roman frontier.

Bad Ems: spa history and museums

Bad Ems preserves a historic spa ensemble comprising the spa house, concert hall, villas, former hotels, churches, spa park and historic panoramic paths. Together, these elements form the “Historic Spa Town of Ems” listed monument area. If you are interested in architecture and the history of spa culture, this offers a distinct focus for planning your trip.

The Emser Therme in Bad Ems offers wellness with thermal water from mineral springs and a river sauna. At the Bad Ems Spa and Town Museum, you can explore the history of the town, once a world-famous spa; the Mining Museum presents the lives of miners. Bad Ems thus brings together the subjects of spa history and mining.

Castle history, cycling and activities on the Lahn

Oranienstein Palace is a notable attraction in the Diez area. It was built in the 17th and 18th centuries as a residence for a widow; direct ancestors of the Dutch royal family once lived there. On guided tours, you can visit the historic rooms and the Nassau-Orange Museum. Advance reservations by telephone or email are required.

The Lahn also offers options for active days: in the Bad Ems-Nassau collective municipality, it attracts canoeists, while walkers and cyclists come to enjoy its banks. In the Diez area, the Lahn Valley Cycle Route, the Aar Valley Cycle Route and a well-developed network of local cycling routes provide opportunities to ride.

For planning train journeys, the Lahn-Eifel-Bahn offers connections between Koblenz and Diez, while the RheingauLinie runs between Koblenz and Kamp-Bornhofen. Check the current timetable for your specific journey.

Winegrowing is also part of the character of the Middle Rhine: Riesling grapes grow on its steep slopes in the Loreley area and are made into high-quality wines. Together with the castles, vineyards and historic places, this offers another way to experience the region’s culture.

When choosing a base, consider which themes you would like to shape your stay: the spa ensemble and museums in Bad Ems, castle history in the Diez area, or the landscape and activities along the Lahn. This lets you focus your search on the places and experiences that interest you most.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Balduinstein, Lahnstein, Nastätten, Nassau, Bad Ems, Diez, Nochern, Holzhausen An Der Haide, Bettendorf, Loreley, Katzenelnbogen, Hahnstätten, Reichenberg, Burgschwalbach, Oberneisen, Kemmenau, Attenhausen, Bremberg, Patersberg.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Rhineland-Palatinate.