Discover the Rhein-Pfalz District

The Rhein-Pfalz District brings together Rhine floodplains, fields, swimming lakes and towns with histories of their own in a single travel destination. Along the Rhine are floodplains with areas resembling primeval forest and swimming lakes; cycle routes cross fields and floodplains, while museums explore individual chapters of local life. The district is centrally located between the natural havens of the Palatinate Forest and the Odenwald. For planning your trip, consider a simple question: Would you mainly like to spend time outdoors, focus on the water, or discover history in museums? You can also use these interests to guide your search for a place to stay overnight.

Rhine floodplains, nature conservation and water

Along the Rhine, the Rhein-Pfalz District encompasses scenic Rhine floodplains with areas resembling primeval forest and swimming lakes. The Neuhofener Altrhein adds a specific story of nature conservation: it was designated a bird sanctuary in 1938. Among the bird species found there were six of the eleven species threatened with extinction in Rhineland-Palatinate. The year of designation and the number of species highlight different aspects: the early protective designation and the connection to threatened species in the state.

Schlicht swimming lake lies between Neuhofen and Waldsee. Its water surface covers 26 hectares, and the beach covers 54,000 square metres. Nearby, visitors can swim, paddle and fish at the Blaue Adria near Altrip. The Mechtersheimer Weiher, between Römerberg and Lingenfeld, is also nearby. Its water surface covers 3.5 hectares, and its beach covers 13,000 square metres. The figures for water surface and beach give you a concrete basis for comparing the bodies of water mentioned, while the activities available at the Blaue Adria point to more things to do on the water.

Cycle paths through fields and floodplains

The Rhein-Pfalz District has numerous cycling routes through fields and floodplains. Here, the Kraut-und-Rüben cycle route passes through green fields and villages and runs along the Rhine. Cycling thus offers two different perspectives: routes through open fields and floodplain landscapes, and a named route that also includes villages and the Rhine. If you would like to make outdoor activity the focus of your stay, you can take these landscapes into account when choosing places to visit.

Museums and stories from the towns

In Böhl-Iggelheim, the museums feature an exhibition on the Bechtold family dye works. The family operated a black, blue and fine-dyeing works in Iggelheim in the 19th century; indigo dyeing is recognised as intangible cultural heritage. Another topic is explored at the old schoolhouse in Böhl-Iggelheim: it shows what school used to be like and includes an extensive collection of valuable porcelain. The two offerings provide different ways to explore local history—through a traditional craft and through everyday school life.

In Bobenheim-Roxheim, the local history museum of the Association for Nature Conservation and Local Heritage is housed in the former Roxheim town hall. It has the largest collection on the natural environment of the Rhine floodplains in the Palatinate. In Rödersheim-Gronau, the Palatinate Social History Cigar Factory Museum Association offers insights into the history of cigar production and its influence on the local community. The Historic Shoemaker’s Workshop is located in the Alte Schule centre in Dannstadt-Schauernheim. The topics therefore range from nature and crafts to the history of work and community.

Experiences to help plan your trip

In Schifferstadt, the Golden Hat Day has been celebrated annually since 2018. If you are planning your trip specifically around this event, check the dates before travelling. The Rhein-Pfalz District also has four district swimming pools. Together with the swimming lakes and cycling routes, they add to the range of activities, so you don’t have to limit your stay to a single theme.

The destinations mentioned are in different towns, so focus your search on the stops that matter most to you for your trip. If you would like to combine several themes, you can decide in advance which ones you want to shape your stay, then search for accommodation in the location that suits your plans.

Discover more destinations: Schifferstadt, Ludwigshafen Am Rhein, Limburgerhof, Harthausen, Römerberg, Dudenhofen, Lambsheim, Otterstadt, Dannstadt-Schauernheim, Böhl-Iggelheim, Mutterstadt, Waldsee, Bobenheim-Roxheim, Altrip, Heßheim, Kleinniedesheim, Hanhofen.

To the main travel overview: Rhineland-Palatinate.