Things to Do in Cochem: Fun Activities On Your Visit

Last updated on August 14th, 2024 at 06:11 am

Cochem is a beautiful historic town in the Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, near Koblenz and Trier, Germany’s oldest city.

About Cochem

Cochem lies along the left bank of the Mosel River and is the biggest town in the Cochem-Zell district. It’s a tourist village and very picturesque with its half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets, a city gate that dates back to 1332, a romantic castle, quaint cafés, and a stunning view of the Mosel.

It also makes a great base when exploring the areas in the Mosel and Rhine since it lies near many points of interest in the region. For instance, a trip from Cochem to Trier is one of the best day trips from Cochem you can take.

Cochem Attractions

While Cochem is small, there are many activities that one can engage in while there. Ranging from historical and educational to fun outdoor types, these activities are bound to make your Cochem visit a memorable one and will leave you wanting to go back to this charming little village. Here are 10 of them.

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1. Visit Reichsburg (Cochem Castle)

Cochem is known for Reichsburg Cochem (Cochem Imperial Castle), undoubtedly the most popular landmark in town. It’s over 1000 years old and majestically stands on a hill overlooking the town and the Moselle River. Much of the original castle was destroyed by the French in 1688, but in 1868 it was bought by a wealthy businessman and restored to its former glory, if not more. The castle offers panoramic views of the neighboring areas and is open to the public by guided tours, each tour lasting about an hour.

2. Explore the Market Square

While it may sometimes get crowded, Cochem’s Market Square is definitely worth a look and one of the best free things to do in Cochem. In it you’ll find the pretty St. Martin fountain and the baroque Rathaus (Town Hall) from 1739. It’s also brimming with interesting shops selling different wares, where you can grab a souvenir or two. If you’re not up for some window shopping, sampling the many culinary delights in one of the quaint restaurants is fabulous too. Better yet, get an outdoor table so that you can people-watch at the same time.

3. Taste Some Wines

Wine Tastings are abundant in Cochem all throughout the year. There’s the Mosel Wine Week in the middle of June, where more than 300 wines are being offered for tasting at twelve wine stands. During September and October, wine tasting is everywhere too. If you’ll be visiting Cochem in months other than these, however, you can always go wine tasting at H.H. Hieronimi, Stadionstraße 2. Wine cellar tours are available daily at 11.00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

4. Visit the Christmas Market

If you happen to be in Cochem during the months of November and December, be sure to visit the Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt). It’s a small enough gig to be contained in a single tent, but it’s charming and magical, nevertheless.

5. Visit Senfmühle

Aside from Reichsburg, another must-see in Cochem is the historical mustard mill of Senfmühle. Built around 1810, it is one of the oldest mustard mills in Europe and the last one of its kind on the continent. Mustard miller Wolfgang Steffens makes assorted kinds of exceptional gourmet mustards following time-honored recipes and select ingredients.

6. Take the Seselbahn to the Pinnerkreuz Mountain

Get an outstanding view of the town, the Mosel Valley, and its exquisite surroundings by taking a ride in the Seselbahn to Pinnerkreuz Mountain. The chairlift (something like a cable car) is available from Easter to the middle of November from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Tickets are priced at €4 for one-way and €5.50 for a return trip at Endertstrasse 44.

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7. Ride The Mosel-Wein-Express

Get an enjoyable tour of Cochem with the Mosel-Wein-Express. This small street train is loaded with lots of information about the town, yet it’s cheaper—a great way indeed to get up close and personal with Cochem. The ride takes about 30 minutes and takes you through the Old Town, past the Enderttor (city gate), to a viewpoint overlooking Cochem and the castle, along vineyards, and more. It costs €4 for adults and only €2 for children. The tour starts regularly at the center.

8. Stroll along the Mosel Promenade

Enjoy the beautiful scenery by taking a nice stroll at the flower-arrayed Moselle promenade. It is dotted with benches here and there, which is perfect if you simply want to sit back, relax and take in the view.

9. Bike Around

Biking around the Mosel is a great way to take in all the sights at a faster rate. Bike paths are aplenty in the Mosel and if you don’t have a bike of your own, you can simply rent one. Rental for a day costs €8, with a €20 deposit for every bicycle. Just present a valid ID.

10. Go Hiking

If you’re more of a hiker or would love to get some exercise, a hike is an excellent way to see Cochem and the surrounding areas of the Mosel. In fact, a lot of hiking enthusiasts visit Cochem just for Mosel’s world-famous gorgeous hiking trails that wound past scenic vineyards, pretty and quaint villages, and stunning vistas. It’s truly a hiker’s dream.  While you’re at it, don’t miss stopping by these vineyards and villages. It is something wonderful to add to your travel experience.

Where to Stay in Cochem

Pension Hendriks is a wonderful place to stay when in Cochem. During our first Cochem trip, we had the most satisfying stay in this cute and quaint family-run bed and breakfast. Lovely rooms, amazing breakfast, friendly service with a personal touch—we were lucky to have booked there!

Wrap Up

Cochem is a lovely traditional German town that is worth visiting. Three days spent in this picturesque borough is a good enough time to experience the best things it has to offer. So bookmark this post or grab a pen and jot down these activities that make your Cochem trip a memorable experience!

For a more comprehensive travel guide on visiting Cochem, see Cochem: A Travel Guide.

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