Ingelheim am Rhein: Imperial Palace, Rhine Floodplains and Wine

Ingelheim am Rhein offers a range of reasons to visit: the Imperial Palace in Nieder-Ingelheim, trails through vineyards and floodplains, and wine-related experiences. If you are looking for a hotel in Ingelheim am Rhein, these highlights can help structure your day. Cultural history, hiking and the Rhine landscape can be easily distinguished by their specific locations and routes.

Imperial Palace and Museum

The Imperial Palace in Nieder-Ingelheim was built by Charlemagne and is associated with Ingelheim’s historical and cultural significance. The Imperial Palace Archaeological Zone is about a 25-minute walk from Ingelheim train station. The Museum at the Imperial Palace is right next door and is part of a visit to the monument. Museum highlights include a gold coin bearing a portrait of Charlemagne.

Ingelheim offers public guided tours and themed tours for individual visitors, couples and small groups. This lets you choose a theme for your visit rather than selecting a type of tour based only on group size.

Hiking trails with different highlights

There are six cycling routes and 14 hiking routes in and around Ingelheim. These are complemented by two Hiwweltour trails and a total of 88.2 kilometres of hiking paths. The Hiwweltour Westerberg is 11.8 kilometres long and connects the Selz Valley, vineyards, Westerhaus Castle and historic sunken lanes.

The Westerberg circular trail offers another hiking option: it is an easy walk with sweeping views and an optional stop for a wine tasting at Westerhaus Castle. The flat Selz Valley circular trail runs from Ober-Ingelheim along the Selz, past old mills, meadows, fields and horse paddocks. These routes offer different landscape experiences side by side, without requiring a stated distance for the Selz Valley circular trail.

Rhine floodplains and discovery trails

The Rhine Floodplains nature reserve lies directly on the Rhine and offers a range of leisure activities. In the floodplains near Ingelheim, the long-distance Rhine Cycle Route runs along the riverbank. The Rhine Floodplains Discovery Trail is a family-friendly circular route through the floodplain near Ingelheim, with three length options. Along the route are interpretive stations, an exercise course and an observation tower.

The trail passes still waters, wetlands, a former branch of the Rhine and remnants of floodplain forest. These landscape features provide habitats for birds, plants and insects. The Jungaue Discovery Trail explores the Rhine and its former channels at 13 stations; eight interactive features present the trail’s themes in a playful way.

Experience wine

The Wine Mile runs through Ingelheim’s vineyards. Information boards explain wine, vineyard sites and winegrowing. The Ingelheim Winzerkeller complements this theme with a multimedia wine exhibition and guided visits exploring the history of the wine cellar. Wine tastings are also available at the wine shop, as are restaurant visits. You can therefore learn about winegrowing through the vineyard landscape as well as through exhibitions, guided tours and tastings.

Getting around locally

Ingelheim train station is a recommended starting and finishing point for local cycling trips. Park-and-ride parking and bicycle parking are nearby. Boat trips around Mariannenaue and the ferry depart from the harbour mole. Check the timetable if you are planning a boat trip or crossing during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Schwabenheim An Der Selz, Essenheim, Trechtingshausen, Eimsheim, Gau-Algesheim, Stadecken-Elsheim, Uelversheim, Sankt Johann.

For the overview of the wider region: Mainz-Bingen.