Mainz-Bingen between the Rhine, wine and history

Landscapes and routes

Mainz-Bingen can be explored through its landscapes, river routes and specific cultural sites. The southern part of the Mainz-Bingen district is shaped by the rolling hills of Rheinhessen, specialty fruit and vegetable crops including asparagus, and extensive vineyards producing Rheinhessen wine. The district of Mainz-Bingen is part of Rheinhessen, which covers 26,300 hectares of vineyards and is Germany’s largest wine-growing region. This cultural landscape combines viticulture and specialty crops with opportunities to discover the region along its routes and at its sights.

The approximately 75-kilometre Rheinterrassenweg trail runs from Worms to Mainz. Oppenheim and Bodenheim are stage destinations in the valley and provide convenient access to the Rhine Terrace. Another route option is the Rhine Cycle Route in the Rheinhessen region: it runs for around 90 kilometres from Bingen am Rhein to Worms. The routes differ in length and endpoints: as described, the Rheinterrassenweg connects Worms and Mainz, while the Rhine Cycle Route connects Bingen am Rhein and Worms. For a shorter circular walk through the Binger Wald, the Binger Wald adventure trail is a different-scale option: the loop is 4.5 kilometres long.

Bingen’s history and culture

The Museum am Strom in Bingen has a permanent exhibition dedicated to the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen. It also displays the 66-piece Bingen set of medical instruments: the working tools of a Roman doctor from the 2nd century. The objects highlight different historical themes, from Hildegard’s life and work to a specific testimony to Roman medicine.

Notable buildings include the Rochuskapelle and the Binger Kran on the banks of the Rhine. Built in the late 19th century, the Rochuskapelle is a pilgrimage church and part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1487, the Binger Kran is the oldest datable land crane on the Rhine between Mainz and Cologne. Burg Klopp is also a landmark of Bingen. Its panoramic view of the Binger Loch attracted numerous writers and artists during the Rhine Romantic period. The Binger Mäuseturm stands on a small island in the Rhine off Bingen; guided tours explore its legends and the island’s history.

Ingelheim: Imperial Palace and museum

The Imperial Palace of Ingelheim combines a distinctive architectural layout with an on-site walking tour. Its floor plan, unique for the early Middle Ages, incorporates elements of Roman and ancient villa and palace architecture. A signposted self-guided tour, accompanied by a booklet, leads to points of historical interest. The permanent exhibition at the Museum bei der Kaiserpfalz spans the Stone Age to the High Middle Ages, adding further periods to your visit.

From Ingelheim station, the Museum bei der Kaiserpfalz can be reached on bus routes 611 and 620 or on foot in about 20 minutes. As transport details may change, check them locally before travelling. The Kaiserpfalz app also offers audio texts, image galleries and digital reconstructions of the Imperial Palace of Ingelheim. It is available free of charge on Google Play and the App Store; check the digital features again before your trip, as they may change.

When choosing a hotel in Mainz-Bingen, you can start by deciding on the focus of your trip: the Rhine Terrace and its stage destinations, one of the routes described, Bingen’s sights, or the Imperial Palace and museum in Ingelheim. This way, your search starts with the places and experiences you actually plan to include.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Stadecken-Elsheim, Gensingen, Gau-Algesheim, Engelstadt, Ober-Hilbersheim, Mommenheim, Badenheim, Aspisheim, Appenheim, Bingen Am Rhein, Heidesheim am Rhein, Münster-Sarmsheim, Nieder-Olm, Oberheimbach, Ockenheim, Ingelheim Am Rhein, Bacharach, Nierstein, Weiler Bei Bingen, Grolsheim, Oppenheim, Sankt Johann, Dienheim, Nackenheim, Wolfsheim, Lörzweiler, Sprendlingen, Essenheim, Dolgesheim, Waldalgesheim, Genheim, Schwabenheim An Der Selz, Budenheim, Bodenheim, Eimsheim, Trechtingshausen, Manubach, Weinolsheim, Wintersheim, Niederheimbach, Ludwigshöhe, Uelversheim, Guntersblum, Hahnheim, Ober-Olm, Oberdiebach, Undenheim, Dorn-Dürkheim

For the overarching travel overview: Rhineland-Palatinate.