10 Fairytale Castles To Experience On Germany’s Middle Rhine

Mention the Rhine River in Germany, and it instantly conjures up images of fairytale castles, medieval fortresses, storybook villages, and even a singing siren known to lure sailors to treacherous waters and their resulting demise. Scroll on to view the ten fairytale castles we encountered along the Middle Rhine on our Viking cruise.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

Ehrenfels Castle Ruins

Built in the 13th century, today this fairytale castle is still surrounded by ancient vineyards.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

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Sooneck Castle

Truly an impressive site with the tall tower dominating the landscape, this romantic castle dates back to 1834.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

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Stahleck Castle

This 12th-century castle lay in ruins for 237 years, before it was rebuilt in 1909. Now it is the site of a youth hostel.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

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Pfalzgrafenstein Castle

Also known as “The Pfaltz,” this island castle was built on Falkenau Island, also known as Pfalz Island, in the River Rhine. It served as a toll station in medieval times and is one of the very few Rhine castles that can claim it was never conquered or destroyed.

Photo credit: Karin Pazo

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Castle Gutenfels

This Rhine castle is one of the most beautiful. An old custom says that anyone who comes in peace will be welcomed with doors wide open. Today, it is a guesthouse for travelers from all over the world. Together with the Pfaltzgragenstein Castle and the fortified town of Kaub, it was an effective toll zone for the Holy Roman Emperor.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

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Schonburg Castle

Built in 966 and destroyed by fire when French troops invaded in 1689, the castle is now a well-known hotel and restaurant.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

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The Lorelei

German legend has it that a beautiful siren with golden locks and a heavenly voice lures sailors and fishermen into treacherous waters. Once trapped, they are battered by rocks, the largest known as the Lorelei. The story goes that the young maiden cast herself into the Rhine — all over a lover who went astray.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

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Rheinfels Castle Ruins

Though much of the castle is in ruins, several of the outer buildings that are better preserved serve as a luxury hotel. It’s located on the west bank of the Rhine in Sankt Goar, Germany. Once it was the largest fortress in the Middle Rhine, encompassing an area about five times what it does today.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

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Marksburg Castle

This medieval castle is in pristine condition, considering that it dates back to the 12th century. With a free-standing tower that makes it easily identified, it visually demonstrates life in days of yore. It’s perched above the beautiful town of Braubach and is one of the principal sites of the Rhine Gorge.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of pre-arranged shore excursions by Viking to tour the castle and see what life was really like in medieval times.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

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Stolzenfels Castle

A 13th-century castle, it was rebuilt in the 19th century by a Prussian king.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

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Viking Egdir Longship Rhine River Cruise

For many, a Rhine River cruise is a bucket-list journey: Here you can have a top deck seat to comfortably marvel at medieval castles and gothic architecture. And just maybe, what you see will take you back in your mind to times when knights reigned supreme.

Viking River Cruises offers many itineraries on the Rhine River. The one I chose sailed for one week from Basel, Switzerland, to the Netherlands, crossing four countries (Switzerland, France, Germany, Netherlands) with a plethora of shore excursions. Our castle tour of the Middle Rhine came to an end upon arrival in Cologne, Germany.

Photo credit: Karin Pezo

1. Ehrenfels Castle Ruins
2. Sooneck Castle
3. Stahleck Castle
4. Pfalzgrafenstein Castle
5. Castle Gutenfels
6. Schonburg Castle
7. The Lorelei
8. Rheinfels Castle Ruins
9. Marksburg Castle
10. Stolzenfels Castle