Rhine: Strasbourg – Mainz

Rhine, Wine and Culture.

Begin this diversified cycling tour in Strasbourg, the seat of numerous European institutions. The historic Old Town, which was declared World Cultural Heritage in 1988, presents itself proudly. Look forward to Rastatt, whose city center is dominated by one of the most beautiful Baroque castles in Germany. But also Germersheim with its mighty historic fortress has much to offer as well as Schloss Schwetzingen, the former summer residence of the Elector of the Palatinate with impressive castle gardens. For five centuries, the electors from the Palatinate resided from Heidelberg. Today, the mysterious castle ruins attract several million tourists every year. Discover the Old Town of Heidelberg and visit the dome in Speyer, Worms and Mainz, all of which are among the greatest creations of Romanesque architecture. Follow the well-developed Rhine cycle path, mostly flat, sometimes over longer sections on fine gravel roads. In the end, you cycle through countless vines through Nierstadt, the largest wine-growing community on the Rhine till Mainz.

1. day Strasbourg Arrival

Look forward to Strasbourg and take a informative bout tour, stroll through the city to the Strasbourg Cathedral and through the picturesque tanner quarter.

2. day Strasbourg – Rastatt 65 km

Through the gentle Rhine valley you comfortably cycle on the Rhine cycle path through small villages, along dam roads, small streets, through green meadows and along small lakes to Rastatt with its baroque old town. Marvel at the residential palace, the oldest baroque residence on the Upper Rhine, and visit Castle Favorite with its museum treasures.

3. day Rastatt – Germersheim 60 km

Along the old branches of the Rhine (Altrheinarm) you cycle through seemingly untouched nature. Look forward to the old fortified town of Germersheim with its many beautiful streets and squares. Be amazed by the massive walls of the fortress and the many historic buildings. Enjoy the Mediterranean flair of the city in one of the cozy cafés and dive into the culinary world of the fortress city in the evening.

4. day Germersheim – Heidelberg 50 km

The  Rhine will take you to Speyer today. Look forward to the imperial cathedral of Speyer (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 1981) and Schwetzingen. You will be amazed at the famous ensemble of the castle and the castle garden in the heart of the city. Just when you have left Schwetzingen, a new highlight awaits you. Visible from a distance, world-famous and the epitome of German romanticism: the castle ruins of the Heidelberg Castle tower majestically above the old town. Cycle over the famous Heidelberg sandstone bridge, take the mountain railway up to the castle ruins and stroll through the winding streets of the old town.

5. day Heidelberg – Worms 45 km

Along the Neckar you cycle to the old Roman town Ladenburg with many colorful half-timbered houses (15th-18th century) and imposing remains of the medieval city wall. Afterwards, you will be able to continue your journey through the Rhine valley to the Nibelungenstadt Worms. Visit the Romanesque emperor's cathedral, the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe, the synagogue in the old town, the Luther monument which is one of the largest reformation monuments in the world and let the evening end at the Rhine promenade.

6. day Worms – Nierstein 55 km

Follow the Rhine cycle path through meadows, forests, wide fields and along the old branches of the Rhine. Slowly but surely the wine growing is getting closer and closer. No wonder, because Nierstein is the largest wine-growing community in Rhinehessen. Enjoy the historic village center, romantic wine taverns, ostrich farms, wine taverns, the medieval market square and the old Fronhof.

7. day Nierstein – Mainz 20 km

Immediately after Nierstein the cycle path leads into the vineyards. Let your gaze wander over the Rhine valley, marvel at the steeply rising vineyards and the great stream as the lifeblood of this region. Directly on the banks of the Rhine you will cycle on the Rhine cycle route till the center of Mainz. Visit the Roman-Germanic Central Museum, the Gutenberg Museum, the Imperial Cathedral, the Elector's Palace and St. Stephan's Church. Tourists from all over the world make their way up to the Stephansberg, to see the blue luminous glass windows of the artist Marc Chagall.

8. day Mainz Departure

After breakfast your beautiful cycle trip goes to an end at the hotel in Mainz.

Worth knowing

Below you will find specific information about the Rhine bike trail Straßburg to Mainz. If you have further questions about this trip, you simply call us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival by train

Straßburg is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. We recommend to take a taxi from the station to get to our partner hotels in Strasbourg.

Train schedule information

Parking facilities in Straßburg

Public parking is possible for 65,00 EUR per week (2024: 80,00 EUR). The parking spots can not be pre-booked. Detailed information on parking at your hotel, you will receive together with the detailed travel documents two weeks prior to departure.

Condition of cycle paths

The Rhine bike path, which is mostly well-developed and flat route guidance, easy for everyone to cycle. Longer sections lead also on gravel roads through the Rheinauen.

Available rental bikes

If you choose to rent a bike for the tour, we take it to your first hotel and pick it up at your destination. You can choose between woman’s and men's bicycles either with 7-speed gear shift and coaster brake or 21-speed gear shift and freewheel or electric bikes. All ladies' bikes have a low opening that makes mounting and dismounting much easier.

Transfer back to the starting point of the journey

Saturdays there is the possibility to transfer back to Straßburg with a small bus (with bike trailer). The driver comes to pick you up at your hotel and has much room for you, your luggage and required your own bicycle.

Extra costs which are not included in the price

A possibly applicable city tax is not part of the travel price and therefore has to be paid at the hotel locally.
The ferry boat trips in Neuburg and Nierstein are payable locally (approx. 3,00 EUR per person and ferry incl. bike).

7 day hotline service

Just in case the bike chain breaks, flooding makes it impossible to continue your tour or any other nasty surprise: You can reach us seven days a week and we will do anything to help you as fast as possible. 

Passport and visa requirements

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg in Alsace is one of the most beautiful cities in the world – not least because of its landmark, the cathedral (in french: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg), which celebrated its millenial in 2015. The place in front of the cathedral is one of the most beautiful marketplaces in whole Europe, also because picturesque half-timbered houses with four two five floors can be found here. The „Maison Kammerzell“, one of those houses, is a real showpiece on this place.
The whole city centre of Strasbourg, which is also named „Grande Ile“ (Big Island) has been declared world cultural heritage by the UNESCO because of its interesting architecture. Last but not least, there are numerous institutions of the European Union in Strasbourg, as the European parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court for Human Rights. 

Strasbourg

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg is the landmark of the city and known in the whole world. It is surrounded by a big place where tourists and inhabitants of Strasbourg like to take a walk. In 2015, the city has celebrated the millennial anniversary of its cathedral. What makes this monument extraordinarily impressive are the steeple with a height of 140 metres, the principal façade with interesting portal statues and the rosette with a 15 metres diameter. Inside the Strasbourg Cathedral, you can admire the Pillar of Angels (pilier des Anges), the pulpit, the Astronomical clock and the big organ, built by André Silbermann. The construction of the Strasbourg Cathedral began in 1015 in Roman style, but later was continued in a Gothic style (from 1235 to 1275) and then in High Gothic style (from 1276 to 1330).

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg

European Parliament Strasbourg

Strasbourg is home to the official seat of the European Parliament. A visit to its Hemicycle is a great way to soak up the exciting atmosphere of the world’s largest transnational parliament and to find out about its powers and role. The Hemicycle can seat all 751 Members of the European Parliament. During plenary sessions it is used for Parliament’s largest and most important debates, providing the setting for many historic votes. The plenary sessions are interpreted into all 24 official European Union languages.

European Parliament Strasbourg

Rastatt

Rivers bring life to a city. Rastatt is situated on two banks, the Rhine and the romantic Murg. The large district town of Rastatt invites all guests of the city in a modern, cosmopolitan and hospitable baroque jewel with flair. One of the most beautiful baroque castles in Germany characterizes the city center. Many important historical monuments such as the town hall, churches, chapels and fountains create a special ambiance of the inner city, which breathes the touch of the beginning of the 18th century through its radiant complex. The Schloss Favorite is located in the middle of an English park, with its museum treasures.

Rastatt

Rastatt Residential Palace

Rastatt Residential Palace is the oldest Baroque residence in the Upper Rhine Valley. The palace, gardens and town were planned as a whole, to create an impression of elegant, perfectly-proportioned uniformity – with the palace commanding pride of place at the centre. In 1700, a few years after construction had started on a hunting palace at Rastatt, Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm of Baden-Baden decided that it should be expanded. Envisioning a grand residence modelled on Versailles, he commissioned an Italian architect, Domenico Egidio Rossi, who had previously worked for the Viennese nobility. After the margrave’s early death in 1707, his young widow Sibylla Augusta took over the reins of government. During her 20 years in power, she oversaw the completion of the palace complex and its sumptuous interiors.

Rastatt Residential Palace

Rastatt Favorite Palace

Rastatt Favorite Palace (Schloss Favorite Rastatt) is the oldest German “porcelain palace” and the only one to survive almost unchanged to this day. Its opulent interiors, extensive collections and idyllic setting lend it Europewide significance. This enchanting Baroque summer residence and hunting palace was built from 1710 to 1727 for the young Margravine Sibylla Augusta of Baden-Baden. At Favorite Palace, which is just a short carriage ride from Rastatt Residential Palace, the court met for festivities involving hunting, concerts and banquets.

Rastatt Favorite Palace

Germersheim Fortress

The fortress Germersheim - an impressive piece of contemporary history: The cityscape of Germersheim has been characterized for a long time by the massive walls of the historical fortress. Everywhere in the city are the obvious historical buildings.

Germersheim Fortress

Speyer Cathedral

The landmark that has loomed large and powerful for 1000 years is not far from the banks of the Rhine: it is the Imperial Cathedral. It ranks as the largest preserved Romanesque church in Europe. In the 1020s – the exact year cannot be determined – Konrad II started construction with the goal of building the biggest church of his era. After 30 years of construction, the Lord’s newest house was dedicated in 1061. With this monumental construction in what was then the very small city of Speyer, the ruler wanted to demonstrate his religio-political claim to power against the papacy.

Speyer Cathedral

Heidelberg Castle

It would be hard to imagine a more striking location: set against the deep green forests on the north flank of Königstuhl hill, the red sandstone ruins tower majestically over the Neckar valley. From its lofty position, the palace’s silhouette dominates the old town centre of Heidelberg.
The rich and eventful history of Heidelberg Palace began when the counts palatine of the Rhine, – later prince electors – established their residence at Heidelberg. First mentioned in 1225, this was destined to become one of the grandest palaces of the Renaissance.

Heidelberg Castle

Funicular Railway Heidelberg

The lower funicular railway starts at Kornmarkt and runs via Heidelberg Castle station as far as Molkenkur. From there you can continue with one of the oldest electric funicular railways to the city's highest point, the Königsstuhl.

Funicular Railway Heidelberg

Neckar Boat Trip Heidelberg

Explore the Neckar Valley from Heidelberg to Neckarsteinach or Neckargemünd. Lean back and enjoy the magnificent scenery aboard.

Neckar Boat Trip Heidelberg

Ladenburg

Ladenburg is an old, but very lively city, which is also reflected in the varied and interesting cultural events. For tourists there is much to experience. Let yourself be guided through the city, discover the numerous sights, explore the projects that have enriched the city, visit the numerous museums and galleries.

Ladenburg

Worms

On your journey through two thousand years of history in the city you will encounter emperors and kings, Nibelung myths and legends, Jewish history and Martin Luther. There is plenty to see and do: the Romanesque Cathedral, the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe, the former Jewish quarter with its synagogue and Jewish Museum, the world’s biggest Reformation monument, the multimedia Nibelungen Museum, the remains of the mediaeval city walls, wonderful vineyards and lots more.

Worms

Worms Jewish cemetery

The Jewish Cemetery in Worms or Heiliger Sand in Worms is usually called the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in Europe, although the Jewish burials in the Jewish sections of the Roman catacombs predate it by a millennium. The Jewish community of Worms was established by the early eleventh century, and the oldest tombstone still legible dates from 1058/59. The older part contains still about 1300 tombstones, the newer part (on the wall of the former city fortifications, acquired after 1689, more than 1200.

Worms Jewish cemetery

Worms Cathedral

Worms Cathedral with Mainz and Speyer, Worms is home to one of the three great imperial cathedrals on the Upper Rhine. Worms Cathedral (known variously in German as the Dom, Kaiserdom, Wormser Dom or Dom St. Peter) is one of the finest examples of High Romanesque architecture in Germany. For nearly 1000 years, the unique and majestic Worms Cathedral has risen above all the other ancient buildings of the city, dominating the skyline even from a distance. Its original Romanesque architecture and splendid carvings are still exceptionally well-preserved.

Worms Cathedral

Worms Nibelungenmuseum

The Nibelungenmuseum is not a museum in the classical sense that collects and presents relics. With its modern media-based concept, the Nibelungenmuseum fits into the long tradition of the Nibelungen receptions. Yes, it is itself a "Nibelungen-Werk", which informs about the centuries-old myth, interprets it and provokes and provokes with its futuristic exhibition architecture. The Nibelungenmuseum is integrated into two picturesque towers of the Stauferzeitlicher Stadtmauer, through which the visitor is equipped with a multimedia guide as through a walk-in audio book. This wall, which in the twelfth century surrounded and defended Worms, which was then powerful, might have been the place where the unknown poet wrote the 39 Aventures (chapters) of the Nibelungenlied around the year 1200.

Worms Nibelungenmuseum

Mainz Gutenberg Museum

Experience the history of printing, writing, and books in the Gutenberg-Museum. The Gutenberg-Museum, which lies opposite the cathedral in the heart of the old part of Mainz, is one of the oldest museums of the book and printing in the world. The Museum was founded by a group of Mainz citizens in 1900 and dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, today’s “Man of the millennium”, and his inventions.

Mainz Gutenberg Museum

Mainz St Stephan´s

200,000 visitors a year show: St. Stephen’s is an attraction! Tourists from the whole world pilgrim up St. Stephen’s Mount, to the glowing blue stained glass windows by the artist Marc Chagall. The reconstruction and restoration of the Gothic church, which was almost completely destroyed in the Second World War, also brought its revival. St. Stephen’s is the only German church for which the Jewish artist Marc Chagall (1887 - 1985) created windows. Born in Russia, the artists spent the longest period of his life in France. Blue light shines through the stained glass into the interior of St. Stephen’s, and not only angels but other Biblical figures move apparently ethereally in this light.

Mainz St Stephan´s