Cochem

Cochem is known for its gorgeous, well-preserved castle on the hill. This river town is nestled in the Mosel Valley and was the perfect place for us to stay for a a few nights to relax and explore the city and its neighboring villages. The Mosel Valley is known for its sweet wine. It’s a great place to do some tastings or bike/walk/run through the vineyards.

The river is a great place for morning runs or evening strolls after dinner.

Take a river cruise to Beilstein nearby (less than an hour each way, through very cool locks and gorgeous river towns).

Zom Stüffje is one of the best restaurants in town. Definitely make a point of coming here during your stay for an authentic taste of German cuisine in a gorgeous dark wooded structure. You can make a reservation over the phone or stop by in person on your first day.

Cafe Rathaus is a fantastic place to grab a seat on the street and people watch with a delicious piece of apple strudel and espresso.

Imbiss is a cute little outdoor hole-in-the-wall if you’re looking for a cheap snack (try the currywurst!) on your way to an activity.

Hotel Am Hafen is another fantastic place for dinner. We actually came here twice in our short stay because of how much we liked it. The food was good, the waiters were nice, and the view of the castle in Cochem was phenomenal.

Go up to Reichsburg Cochem castle for a gorgeous view of the river valley. The tour of the castle is also well-worth the time and money. On your way back, you can wind around the point at the top of the hill through a residential area for additional vantage points.

Alte Gutsschänke we walked by this place on our last day and I really wish we had tried it. Looks like a super cute place with a dining room in the stone cellar!

Also check out the Historische Senfmühle Dehren (Mustard museum) for a unique look into real mustard production. Make sure to sample the dozens (yes! that many!) of flavors and bring one or two back home with you.

We stayed at Boutique Hotel Lohspeicher Garni, which was clean, centrally located, and cute. The apartment suite on the top floor is particularly spacious with 2 bedrooms and a great view of the castle. The breakfast every morning was also delicious!

It’s worth noting that parking in Cochem is generally very difficult. We parked our car in a garage and left it there the entire duration of our stay, which I think was a wise move. The parking garage is not too far from the hotel, but very difficult to find your first time in the city.