Experience the very best things to do in Bernkastel Kues with a day trip to one of Germany’s most beautiful small towns.
Bernkastel-Kues is a picturesque town in the Mosel Valley of Germany, renowned for its charming medieval architecture and scenic vineyards. It’s often recognized as one of the most beautiful places to visit in the country and is what I think of when I think of the quintessential German destination.
The best part of Bernkastel-Kues to visit is the old town area clustered across the river and over the bridge from the new town center. Here, you’ll experience the magic of cobblestone streets, historic wine cellars, and timber frame buildings that lean at seemingly impossible angles.
If you ever find yourself in the Mosel Valley or visiting top destinations like Cologne, Frankfurt, Trier, or Koblenz, Bernkastel makes for a perfect day trip or a stop on a longer visit in the area.
Here’s everything you need to know when visiting one of my favorite places in Germany, including where to stay, how to get there, and the very best things to do in Bernkastel Kues.
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Where is Bernkastel Kues?
Bernkastel-Kues is in the Mosel Valley in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of central, western Germany.
It’s about an hour north of Trier and south of Koblenz as well as two hours from Cologne and Frankfurt.
»Read more: Best Things to Do in Trier, Germany
How to Get to Bernkastel Kues, Germany
As a “rural” small town, there isn’t a direct way to get to Bernkastel Kues. But here are your options!
Bernkastel by public transportation
Although train and bus travel is extensive in Germany, unfortunately, Bernkastel-Kues has no train station.
If you wish to take the train to Bernkastel, the nearest train station is in the nearby town of Wittlich. You can take a train to Wittlich from larger cities in the region including Koblenz and Trier, which connect even larger destinations in Germany like Cologne and Frankfurt.
From the Wittlich Hauptbahnhof (central station), you can take the 300 or 301 bus to Bernkastel city center, which departs about once an hour. I recommend using the DB Navigator app to look up train and bus routes and schedules.
Or you can take a local taxi, which is about a 17-minute drive. Wittlich does not have FreeNow or Uber, and the local cabs can be expensive, even for a short drive.
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Bernkastel by car
Driving is the most convenient way to get to Bernkastel Kues. It’s direct and allows you to visit on your own time.
There is ample parking near the entry to the downtown area of Bernkastel along the river. You may have difficulty finding a spot on nice weather days and the weekend, so I recommend getting there early.
Bernkastel by tour
Unfortunately there aren’t too many tour options to Bernkastel Kues.
However, you can also embark on a cruise of the Mosel River with a stop in Bernkastel from Trier. One of the popular day cruises from Trier to Bernkastel is via Moselle Tours.
Where to Stay: Best Bernkastel Hotels
If you wish to soak up all the scenic beauty in a trip that’s longer than a day, I recommend spending the night. The accommodations offered in Bernkastel tend to be cozy, locally owned bed and breakfast style guest houses spread out amongst the little town.
Accommodation is limited in the heart of the old town of Bernkastel, so I recommend booking well in advance, especially if planning a visit during peak times like summer, wine fest, and Christmas market season.
Some of the highest-rated Bernkastel hotels and vacation rentals are:
- Hotel Doctor Weinstube: A quaint guesthouse with an onsite wine bar and a pretty courtyard area with lush trees.
- Deinhard’s: A modern hotel in the heart of Bernkastel featuring a terrace, restaurant, and private parking for guests.
- Ferienwohnung Bella Vista: A bright and airy vacation rental with a bird’s eye view of the area, that’s highly rated on Airbnb.
- Gästehaus am Schlossberg: A traditional German guesthouse with old-world charm and a classic German breakfast served daily.
14 Best Things to Do in Bernkastel-Kues, Germany
Without further ado, here are some of the best things to do in Bernkastel!
1. Snap photos of the iconic landmarks in Bernkastel Kues and get lost in the old town.
As a small, medieval town, some of the best things to do are simply to wander around the winding cobblestone streets admiring the half-timber frame homes and unique landmarks.
Some of the best things to see in Bernkastel include the:
- Marktplatz: The main city square that marks the central ongoings of Bernkastel.
- Spitzhäuschen: An iconic timber frame home that’s exceptionally narrow and leans at an angle, creating quite a sight! It houses a local wine bar.
- Rathaus: The town’s historic town hall with an ornate exterior
- Graachertor: An old gate built in the 1300s that houses a museum.
- Der Bärenbrunnen (bear fountain): Originally built in 1899 but reconstructed in the ‘60s, the bear fountain features cute bear sculptures that represent the town’s mascot.
2. Sample local Bernkastel Kues Rieslings with a tasting at a cellar, winery, or wine bar.
One of the best things to do in Bernkastel is to sit and sip a locally produced Riesling. You can do so at any of the restaurants or wine bars (Weinstuben) in town, but I recommend making a pit stop at one of Bernkastel’s best wineries.
The best Weingüter in Bernkastel Kues (wineries) are often considered:
- St. Nikolaus Hospital: A historic winery in an old monastery part of the wine museum.
- Weingut Dr Loosen: Often considered one of the best wineries in the Mosel region, this winery is a 15-minute walk away from the city, surrounded by vineyards.
- Weingut Dr. H. Thanisch: A winery housed in a beautiful old mansion located a ten-minute walk across the river from the old town center.
- Weingut Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler: A traditional wine cellar in downtown Bernkastel where you can sit for tastings and purchase bottles from their gift shop.
3. Embark on a Mosel River cruise from Bernkastel.
Moselle Tours offers short cruises that leave and return to Bernkastel, offering a panoramic view of the scenic Mosel Valley from the river. The cruises run four times a day seasonally between Easter and the end of October.
The boat has snacks and drinks like wine available for purchase onboard. Departure times are 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:30 pm.
You can buy tickets in advance online or in person at the small ticket office located near the boat launch. The round-trip tickets to and from Bernkastel start around €16 for adults.
4. Visit the famous Landshut Castle surrounded by lush vineyards.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Bernkastel is the Landshut Castle, ancient ruins that sit atop a hill overlooking the river and town below. The castle dates back to 1276, built on the even older ruins of a fort dated to the 4th or 5th century.
Today, visitors can witness the still-standing ruins and surrounding rolling vineyards, and you can’t beat the panoramic views of the charming town and passing river below. Those ambitious enough can hike to and from the castle from the old town, or you can take the seasonal Burg Landshut Express, a shuttle service from downtown.
There’s also a parking lot a short walk from the castle for those driving to Bernkastel.
5. Stay for a nice dinner in Landshut Castle.
Not many people realize this, but the ruins of Landshut Castle feature a restaurant inside! Behind the panels of glass that stand out amongst the ruins, is a cozy restaurant dubbed Restaurant Burg Landshut. Here you can nosh and sip local wine while enjoying the epic view from your table.
The restaurant is only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and reservations are highly recommended to nab a table.
6. Shop for noteworthy souvenirs from Germany and the Mosel Valley.
As a popular place to visit in Germany, even though it’s small, there are quite a few souvenir shops where you can buy memorable souvenirs. The shops here sell gifts that range from classic German souvenirs to Bernkastel and Mosel-specific items.
This is also a great place to buy local bottles of Riesling wine to bring home.
»Read more: Best Things to Buy in Germany
7. Plan your visit during the Bernkastel Kues wine festival.
Germans love a good festival, so naturally, as a wine-growing town, there is a lovely wine fest every year in the late summer. The festival hosts a variety of attractions, including wine stands, live music and performances, a parade, street food, and more.
And you can enjoy it all with a glass of fresh Riesling in your hand! The festival is usually held at the end of August, but you can check out the details on the official Wine Festival of Bernkastel homepage.
8. Enjoy a stroll and a panoramic view from the Skywalk Bernkastel Kues.
If you enjoy idyllic strolls and visit when the weather is nice, I recommend going on a walk to this small observation deck. The route is a fairly easy 25-minute walk from the old town center, offering a beautiful vantage point.
The path takes you through the vineyards so you can get up close and personal with the vast wine-growing tradition of the region. From the top, a mini sky-walk platform makes for a fun photo spot where you can see the curve of the river, the town below, and even the castle!
9. Sit on a terrace and enjoy German fare at one of the best Bernkastel Kues Restaurants.
The restaurants in Bernkastel Kues ooze old-world charm and are excellent places for traditional German fare. I’m talkin’ schnitzel, apple strudel, potatoes of all varieties, etc.
Some of the best restaurants in Bernkastel include:
- Restaurant Alt Bernkastel: A popular restaurant along the main street serving classic German food.
- Restaurant Cafe Thiesen: A German tavern with schnitzel, potatoes, and more.
- Schützenhaus: A German restaurant that requires a climb to reach but offers excellent bird’s eye views of the town from the open-air terrace.
- Restaurant Tajmahal: A delicious Indian restaurant for those who need a break from German fare.
10. Learn more about the region’s vast wine tradition at the wine museum Vinotheque Bernkastel.
Across the bridge from the historic old town center, you’ll find the Vinotheque Bernkastel. Here, you can see various exhibits dedicated to sharing the wine-growing history in Germany.
Visitors can also take advantage of the wine bar onsite, where 160 different local wines and sparkling wines are available for sampling. Once you’ve found your favorite new wine, you can purchase a bottle or two at the onsite shop.
Entry to the exhibits is free, but taking part in the tastings costs €18 per person during peak season, and €10,00 – €12,00 for a shortened tasting in the winter.
11. Pay a visit to the historic candy maker, Bonbon Willi.
If you have a sweet tooth or are looking for a unique gift, be sure to pop by the Historische Bonbonmacherei (historic candy factory). This cute shop continues to make hard candies in the traditional style, which, if you’re lucky, you may see a demo for free if your visit is timed well!
You can learn more on their official website Bonbon Willi, which is all in German but can be translated using your browser’s translation feature.
12. Go back in time on a tour with the town’s night watchman, the “Doctor of Bernkastel-Kues.”
Playing along with the town’s medieval history, a unique thing to do in Bernkastel is to go on the night watchman tour.
Hosted by a tour guide dressed as the old guards that once watched the streets at night, you’ll be led around and told stories of old. From Bernkastel’s past to modern times, you’ll get a history lesson delivered in a fun and authentic way.
The general tour is in German, costs €10 per person, and is free for children under 14. However, you can book private groups in English, Flemish, Dutch, and French.
The general tour meets at Karlsbader Platz every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm.
13. Get your heart pumping and plan to embark on some of the best hiking trails in Bernkastel Kues.
The Mosel Valley is home to many scenic hikes, and Bernkastel is no exception. The Moselsteig Trail is one of the most famous trails that stretches the length of the river through vineyards, cutting through Bernkastel in the process.
However, there are many other hiking trails in Bernkastel for my fellow nature lovers.
14. Soak up Christmas cheer at the Bernkastel Kues Christmas market.
The Bernkastel Kues Christmas Market is one of the most magical in Germany, and it looks pulled from a Hallmark movie. The red timber-frame buildings, narrow market squares, glittering Christmas lights, and 40+ wooden huts selling Christmas goodies and gifts are truly a sight to see.
The Bernkastel market is extra special because it features one of Germany’s most extensive Advent calendars, set up on a building in the Marktplatz. Every day leading up to Christmas starting on December 1st, visitors can witness the opening of a new day’s door and the telling of a traditional Christmas song, poem, or story at 5:30 pm.