Bacharach
Bacharach is a charming 900 year old town with half timbered houses decorated red or brown, and stone watchtowers of the medieval walls are beautifully preserved. In the Middle Ages, Bacharach was a wine trading and toll collection city, the noble family lived in Stahleck Castle (Burg Stahleck).
Old City (Altstadt) -
A short fun walk through the old city, start on Mainzer Strasse near the Rathaus (Town Hall) decorated with Bacharach coat of arms, and walk north, some of the houses were built in the 15th century. There are cafes along the street, stop in for an apple strudel snack or cold drinks.
Mainzer Strasse turns into Oberstrasse, at St. Peter's church (Peterskirche), turn right on Marktstrasse. Walk down one block to see the 14th century Marktturm, one of the watchtowers in the medieval city walls.
Turn left on Langstrasse, walk two blocks to see another watchtower, Munzturm.
Tip: To go inside and climb up a watchtower, take the path to the Postenturm, north of the old city.
Bacharach Town Wall Walk (Stadtmauer Rundweg) - For a longer walk, at St. Peter's church take the path up the hill to Burg Stahleck, a castle on the hill, stop for a snack, and follow the path back down, passing by the old city wall and towers, to Mainzer Strasse.
All the details of this walk on our blog post "Day Trip on the Rhine"
River cruises - Pick up daily river cruises going up the Rhine (direction Bingen, Rudesheim), or down the river (direction Koblenz).
Playground (Kinderspielplatz) - In the grassy area along the river is a small playground with toddler swings, slide and climbing structures. Also, kids will have fun watching all the different boats go by - barges carrying coal, container ships, river cruise boats.
Stay in a castle - Stahleck Castle is today the Bacharach Youth Hostel. Available are comfy family rooms with up to six bunk beds, some with attached bathroom, meals can be included also.
