Discover Geisenheim: Wine, the Rhine and Culture

Geisenheim’s valley town lies directly on the Rhine and is surrounded by vineyards. A federal road and a railway line connect Geisenheim to the transport network. When planning your stay, you can consider whether you would most like to discover its architectural history, wine or trails through the countryside.

Cathedral, Market Square and Historic Sites

The Rheingau Cathedral, the parish church of the Holy Cross, is a three-aisled hall church. It was built around 1500 on the foundations of a Romanesque church. Nearby, the weekly Geisenheim market takes place every Friday on Bischof-Blum-Platz. As the schedule may change, it is advisable to check the latest dates. The Geisenheim Linden tree, over 700 years old, is a city landmark and a traditional meeting place. The annual Linden Festival takes place around it in the town centre’s Market Square; the exact festival dates may vary from year to year.

Garden and residential culture are also part of Geisenheim’s appeal: the park adjoining Villa Monrepos is now an important monument to 1950s garden design. The Bachelin House features a wallpaper room with a hand-painted wallpaper dating from around 1820. The “Die Scheune” cultural centre houses the municipal library, as well as rooms for talks, exhibitions and events; the current programme may vary. Geisenheim’s first municipal cemetery has been open to the public as a park since 2012. Its historic features include 19th- and 20th-century tombs, an avenue of thuja trees and the Lade family mausoleum, built in 1864.

Experience Wine and Discover Geisenheim’s History

Schloss Johannisberg, in the Geisenheim district of Johannisberg, is considered the world’s first Riesling wine estate. The Benedictine monastery was founded in 1100, and the palace was built in 1716. At the wine shop on the Johannisberg, you can taste and buy wines from the estate; availability may change, so it is best to check before your visit.

The seasonal wine-tasting stands also have varying offerings and opening times. In fine weather, from April to October, the Goetheblick stand offers wines from Schloss Johannisberg, including Riesling, and light snacks on Fridays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The stand is surrounded by vineyards and offers views across the Rheingau. From May to September, the Morschberg stand offers a changing selection of wines from Johannisberg. Seasonal details and opening hours may vary, so check them in advance if you are planning a visit.

Marienthal is a district of Geisenheim and a pilgrimage site, 3 km from the valley town and set between vineyards and forests. The area is best known for the Franciscan pilgrimage monastery of the same name, to which many people make pilgrimages every year. The Mühlen hiking trail also lets you experience the landscape and culture: it follows the watercourse for more than 5.5 kilometres through the Elsterbachtal, from Marienthal Monastery to almost the point where it meets the Rhine.

Routes for Different Interests

For a cycling trip, the QuerRhein cycle route passes through Geisenheim. It is 36.1 km long and has 230 metres of elevation gain. Another circular route starts at Geisenheim station and follows the wine trail to the summit of the Rothenberg, to the “Most Beautiful Vineyard View in the Rheingau 2012”. The route information offers different options for planning: a designated cycling route, a hiking trail along the watercourse and a loop along the wine trail. Conditions on the circular route may change; take this into account when planning.

If you are looking for a hotel in Geisenheim, first consider which of these themes you would like your stay to focus on: the cathedral and local history, seasonal wine offerings or the various routes. You can then compare the details of the available hotel offers with your plans.

Discover more destinations: Marienthal, Stephanshausen, Johannisberg, Walluf, Taunusstein, Rüdesheim am Rhein, Schlangenbad, Kiedrich.

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