Germany · City Guide
Rudesheim
Rüdesheim am Rhein is a beautiful wine town on the Rhine in the heart of the Rheingau wine region, famous for the picturesque Drosselgasse alley of wine taverns, outstanding Riesling wineries, the magnificent Niederwald Monument above the town and beautiful Rhine cruise connections to Koblenz, Cologne and Frankfurt. As the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, Rüdesheim combines outstanding wine culture with one of Germany's most dramatic riverside settings.
Explore Rudesheim →Elect's take
"Rüdesheim is an utterly enjoyable German wine town. The Drosselgasse has a genuine festive atmosphere, the Riesling is outstanding and the combination of beautiful Rhine views, the cable car to the Niederwald and easy cruise connections makes it an excellent base for exploring the valley."
The Drosselgasse, a narrow alley lined with traditional wine taverns and restaurants, is one of the most visited and most enjoyable streets in Germany, particularly lively in the evening when the wine flows and German folk music fills the air. The Rheingau wine region surrounding Rüdesheim produces some of the finest Riesling in the world and the local estates provide excellent tastings. The cable car up to the Niederwald Monument provides spectacular views across the Rhine. River cruises from Rüdesheim operate regularly up and down the gorge. The Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet is a quirky but fascinating museum of self-playing musical instruments.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Rheingau Riesling
Some of the world's finest Riesling wine from estates surrounding the town.
Drosselgasse
The famous alley of wine taverns and restaurants at the heart of Rüdesheim.
Niederwald Monument
Spectacular Rhine Valley views from the monument above the town via cable car.
Rhine Cruises
Regular river cruise departures through the stunning UNESCO World Heritage gorge.
Brömserburg Castle
A beautifully situated medieval castle in the centre of the town.
Mechanical Music Museum
A fascinating collection of historic self-playing musical instruments unique to Rüdesheim.