In the south of the Mainz-Bingen district, the rolling hills of Rheinhessen, specialty crops of fruit and vegetables—including asparagus—and extensive vineyards producing Rheinhessen wine shape the landscape. The district includes Rheinhessen, which spans 26,300 hectares of vineyards and is Germany’s largest wine-growing region. In the south, hills, specialty crops and winegrowing are tangible features of the landscape; Rheinhessen’s vineyard area provides the broader regional context.
Wine Country in the South, Routes Along the Rhine
The approximately 75-kilometer Rheinterrassenweg trail runs from Worms to Mainz. Oppenheim and Bodenheim are stages in the valley that make it easy to access the Rhine Terrace. This makes it possible to explore the region on a longer hiking route, with two towns named as points along the way. For cycling, the Rhine Cycle Route in the Rheinhessen region offers a different perspective: it runs from Bingen am Rhein to the Nibelungenstadt Worms, a distance of around 90 kilometers. The two routes differ in length and mode of transport, offering various ways to discover the Rhine region.
A shorter circular route follows the 4.5-kilometer adventure trail through Bingen Forest. Its length and circular layout make it a clearly defined option for a hike, while the Rheinterrassenweg describes a longer route between Worms and Mainz. If you want to plan your outing around your preferred distance, these two routes offer distinctly different options—with no claim made about difficulty or walking time.
History in Ingelheim and Bingen
In Ingelheim, the Imperial Palace spans a broad sweep of history. Its ground plan, unique for the Early Middle Ages, incorporates elements of Roman villa and palace architecture. The Museum at the Imperial Palace features a permanent exhibition spanning the Stone Age to the High Middle Ages. A signposted self-guided tour, with an accompanying booklet, also leads to places of historical interest at the Imperial Palace. Architectural features and an exhibition that looks far beyond a single era complement one another.
From Ingelheim station, you can reach the museum on bus routes 611 and 620, or on foot in about 20 minutes. Check the current timetable before setting off. The Imperial Palace app also offers audio commentary, image galleries and digital reconstructions of the Imperial Palace in Ingelheim; it is available free of charge on Google Play and the App Store. As digital features may change, it is worth checking the information again before your trip.
The Museum am Strom in Bingen has a permanent exhibition dedicated to the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen. Also on display is the 66-piece Bingen physician’s instrument set: the tools of a Roman doctor from the 2nd century. The two subjects offer different perspectives—Hildegard’s life and work on the one hand, and a specific find from Roman times on the other.
History can also be read in various buildings beyond the museums. The Bingen Crane on the banks of the Rhine was built in 1487 and is the oldest datable land crane on the Rhine between Mainz and Cologne. The Rochus Chapel is a pilgrimage church built in the late 19th century and part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. Klopp Castle is considered a landmark of Bingen; its panoramic view of the Binger Loch attracted numerous writers and artists during the Rhine Romantic period. The Bingen Mouse Tower stands on a small island in the Rhine in front of Bingen. Guided tours explore its legends and the island’s history.
Discover more destinations: Heidesheim am Rhein, Nierstein, Bacharach, Ingelheim Am Rhein, Ockenheim, Oberheimbach, Nieder-Olm, Münster-Sarmsheim, Bingen Am Rhein, Appenheim, Aspisheim, Badenheim, Mommenheim, Ober-Hilbersheim, Engelstadt, Gau-Algesheim, Gensingen, Stadecken-Elsheim, Weiler Bei Bingen, Grolsheim, Oppenheim, Wolfsheim, Lörzweiler, Sprendlingen, Essenheim, Sankt Johann, Dolgesheim, Waldalgesheim, Genheim, Schwabenheim An Der Selz, Budenheim, Bodenheim, Trechtingshausen, Nackenheim, Dienheim, Uelversheim, Wintersheim, Eimsheim, Weinolsheim, Manubach, Ludwigshöhe, Niederheimbach, Guntersblum, Hahnheim, Ober-Olm, Oberdiebach, Undenheim, Dorn-Dürkheim.
For the broader travel overview: Rhineland-Palatinate.
