A Couple of Days Along the Moselle: Your Perfect Itinerary from Luxembourg to Koblenz
- Jon Holden-Makings
- Jul 21
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 27
Vineyards, castles, and riverside charm—plan your unforgettable Moselle Valley journey with this detailed, tried-and-tested route.
There's something quietly magical about following the course of a river and the Moselle is no exception. It doesn't rush but it meanders slowly, from it's tributaries in Luxembourg to the storybook castles and vineyard-cloaked hills of Germany, before emptying into the Rhine at the grand Deutsches Eck monument in Koblenz. We first stumbled upon this route by accident, trying to piece together a circuitous route of the Low Countries, but we're sure glad we did. So whether you're driving, riding the train, or even cycling and taking things slowly, you'll not be disappointed, whether that's with the quiet elegance of Luxembourg City, the faded imperial grandeur of Trier, or Cochem and beyond - offering you the perfect couple of days exploration, good food, and picture-perfect views.
Itinerary Overview:
This 3-day itinerary, with the option to extend to a relaxed four or five days, takes in the best of Luxembourg City before hitting the Moselle valley proper at Trier, Germany's oldest city, and following it's route through the fairytale town of Cochem, before arriving at the end of the river in Koblenz, in a flourish of historic charm.
Day 1: Luxembourg City - Trier
Day 2: Trier - Cochem
Day 3 (optional): Day trip to Beilstein
Day 4 (optional): Day trip to Burg Eltz
Final Stop: Cochem - Koblenz
Stop-by-stop Guide:
Stop 1: Luxembourg City
Where is it?
The Capital City of the small country of Luxembourg packs a punch despite it's diminutive size and reputation for being a bit bland. It's progressive politics and free-public transport mean that arriving in the airport and exploring the city can be done with comfort and no expense, and given it's small size, it's a super simple hop across the border to the German section of the Moselle Valley just beyond the hills.
Why is it worth visiting?
Despite the reputation, Luxembourg City is beautiful with a small and walkable Old City dissected by the deep Alzette Gorge, meaning there are plentiful places with showstopping views. We loved walking along the Chemin de Corniche - Europe's most beautiful balcony - overlooking the Ville Basse deep in the valley beneath us, and exploring the deep, cool tunnels of the Bock Casemates. Luxembourg's inclusive outlook meant we could enjoy all of this arm-in-arm with total comfort.
What to see and do?
Bock Casemates - Miles and miles of defensive tunnels carved straight into the rock.
Chemin de Corniche - 'Europe's most beautiful balcony' with beautiful vies of the Ville Basse
Grund - A quiet riverside district with awesome views up to the Old City.
Pont Adolph - High bridge across the valley with vertigo inducing views of both old and new towns.
Grand Ducal Palace - Luxembourg's royal palace is much like the city itself, quietly classy and understated.
Where to eat and drink?
La Boucherie - Fine French inspired food on the Place d'Armes in the centre of the Old Town. We enjoyed an absolutely enormous Steak Tartare here (it wouldn't be a holiday without one) as well as some lovely local wines. Book in advance.
Chambelland Luxembourg - 100% gluten-free boulangerie and patisserie on the Place des Martyrs just across the Pont Adolph from the Old Town. Perfect for Breakfasts or a slow and stress-free Lunch. The Pain de Sucre is the only correct way to start a day here.
Bazaar Bar & Restaurant - Perpetually busy Lebanese mezze restaurant and bar, serving incredibly innovative cocktails and knockout food, right on the corner of the Place Guillaume II within sight of the Grand Ducal Palace. The Baba Ghanoush was unbelievably smooth and smoky and the gluten-free Chickpea bread mopped it up perfectly.
Top Tip
Make sure to book timed tickets to the Bock Casemates in advance, the access to the tunnels are limited to stop overcrowding and controlled with admission windows every 15 minutes. Make sure to arrive before your ticketed time to avoid being turned away.
How to Get There?
Flights to Luxembourg City are available from most larger European airports and - public transport being free since 2020 throughout Luxembourg - both buses or the super efficient tram can whisk you from the airport to the city centre in no time at all.
Stop 2: Trier
Where is it?
Trier is your first view of the Moselle Valley proper, nestled in the deep valley just across the border from Luxembourg. It's Germany's oldest city, wearing it's title proudly with its Roman history front and centre, with several impressive ancient remains scattered between historic squares and wine lodges.
Why is it worth visiting
Trier is a history lover's dream without being a museum. The vibe is relaxed and the local population of students from the prestigious university keep the city open-minded and cool. It's a great place to stretch your legs, grab a glass of Riesling, and take in over 2,000 years of history. You'll find a more laid-back vibe here than in some of Germany's bigger cities - which is perfect for all travellers trying to find some quiet charm and relaxation.
What to see and do?
Trier Cathedral - Germany's oldest church and the oldest church north of the Alps, home to some jaw-dropping relics.
Porta Nigra - An enormous Roman city gate and Trier's most iconic landmark.
Constantine's Basilica - An ancient Roman throne room turned church.
Karl Marx's House - Birthplace of Karl Max and thoughtful museum into his impact.
Where to eat and drink?
Zuppa - Soup house near the Hauptmarkt and the cathedral and perfect for a inexpensive lunch with great gluten-free options.
Weinwirstchaft Friedrich-Wilhelm - An excellent spot for regional wines and hearty German cuisine with a rotating menu of seasonal favourites
If you fancy your first sip of a Moselle Valley wine, there are plenty of relaxed riverside taverns that welcome all.
Top Tip
You can climb to the top of the Porta Nigra for panoramic views, but go early to beat tour groups. If you're into photography the view from here to the Hauptmarkt is incredible.
How to Get There?
Trier is about 45 minutes by train or car from Luxembourg City. The drive follows the Moselle River and is beautiful with the sun reflecting off of the river. If you're using public transport, trains depart from Gare Luxembourg and are every half an hour, plus Trier's compact size makes it easy to explore on foot from the central station.
Stop 3: Cochem
Where is it?
Set along a dreamy bend of the Moselle River, Cochem is a picture-perfect town nestled among the steep vineyards, and topped with a showstopping castle. It's roughly 90 minutes from Trier by car - or 40 minutes by train - and it's where the Moselle River really starts to narrow and take the imagination!
Why is it worth visiting?
Cochem has that old-world German charm, and time it right and you might have it nearly to yourself as well. Think colourful half-timbered houses, riverside strolls, and a castle that looks like it was thought up by Disney. It's a welcoming, unhurried place to sip Riesling and soak up the charming atmosphere - ideal for LGBTQ+ travellers wanting something equal parts relaxing and romantic.
What to see and do?
Reichsburg Castle - This castle is the crown jewel here, perched on a hill high over the river with insane views at every angle.
Altstadt - Cobbled streets, boutiques, and Weinstube galore, make sure you grab some local wines while you're here.
Bundesbankbunker - Weird yet fascinating Cold War era secret bunker, built to protect billions of Deutschmarks from the 60s to the 90s.
Where to eat and drink?
Historic Mustard Museum - Try mustard to your hearts content at this historic mill, and walk away with a giant bratwurst to snack on.
Gaststatte Noss - Traditional Gaststatte on the Moselle Promenade with hearty German fayre.
Hotel Hegenbarths - Great gluten free options in this hotel perched high on the bank overlooking Cochem, try the Schnitzel!
Weinstube Hieronimi - Great wine flights and friendly vibes with a large shaded garden with great views.
Top Tip
If you're staying the night, try to catch the castle illuminated at dusk - it's pure magic. And if you're lucky enough to stay at a vineyard hotel like Evelina's, take the time to chat with the owners - they're often full of incredible stories and tasting tips.
How to Get There?
From Trier, Cochem is less than an hour by train. If you're driving it's a scenic journey with rolling vineyards and river views. Definitely worth pulling over for a few snaps on route.
Optional Day Trip: Beilstein
Where is it?
Just a 15-minute drive or boat trip away from Cochem, Beilstein is often called the Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle. And honestly? That's not an exaggeration!
Why is it worth visiting?
This tiny village is like stepping onto a film set. It's peaceful, picturesque, and practically untouched by time. It's not a place for big attractions, but for slowing down, holding hands by the river, and soaking in storybook vibes. Climb up to the castle, wander the medieval streets with vine-covered courtyards, and try wines in millennia-old wine cellars before heading back to Cochem for the evening.
Top Tip
Time your visit early morning or late afternoon - midday tour groups can make the tiny village feel a little bit tight for space. It's pure magic when it's quiet.
How to Get There?
It's an easy drive or bus ride from Cochem, but for a longer trip why not hire a bike and cycle along the well-equipped and mostly flat cycle routes, or take the more peaceful option of a day boat trip from Cochem itself to glide by the vineyards in style.
Optional Day Trip: Burg Eltz
Where is it?
Tucked into a forest valley about 35 minutes by car from Cochem, Burg Eltz is one of Germany's most iconic castles - and remarkably, it's still family-owned after 850+ years.
Why is it worth visiting?
This castle is the real deal: turrets, timberwork, hidden staircases, and misty woodlands straight out of a roman'tasy novel. There's something genuinely enchanting and inclusive about being welcomed into a place that's stood the test of time virtually unchanged for hundreds of years.
Top Tip
Arrive early! Burg Eltz is popular with coach tours and Insta crowds. Morning light + fewer people mean it's perfection.
How to Get There?
It's a 35 minute drive up the river to the main castle car park, but park near Moselkern and walk up the forest trail through the valley for the most amazing slow welcome to this incredible castle.
Final Stop: Koblenz
Where is it?
Koblenz sits at the dramatic confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers, it's the perfect final stop of this scenic adventure before heading to the transit hubs of Cologne or Frankfurt. It's bigger and busier than the Moselle's sleepy wine town but it's still full of charm and languid riverside calm.
Why is it worth visiting?
As a gateway between the Moselle and Rhine, Koblenz is where past meets present - Roman ruins rub shoulders with contemporary sculpture, and riverside cafes sit beneath the medieval
What to see and do?
Deutsches Eck (German Corner) - The dramatic spot where the Moselle meets the Rhine, with sweeping views and a towering statue rebuilt after the war.
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress - Take the cable car across the river and glimpse out along the start of the UNESCO-protected Middle Rhine Gorge, before hitting the humongous fortress.
Altstadt - Wander through it's squares and fountains before wandering the Rhine and Moselle promenades to watch the boats passing by.
Where to eat and drink?
Restaurant Adaccio - Great Italian restaurant in the heart of the Altstadt serving lots of Gluten free options.
Frittenwerk - Get your currywurst fix quickly without gluten-stress. Cheap, quick, and delicious.
Top Tip
Don't skip the cable car at sunset - it's pure magic seeing the two rivers glow gold as the day winds down.
How to Get There?
Koblenz is well connected by train to major cities and is the terminus of the Moselle Valley line, linking easily to cities like Cologne, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and beyond. If you've got time, tack on an extra night at any one of these to unwind.
Final Thoughts: A River Journey to Remember
From Roman ruins in Trier to hilltop castles and riverside Rieslings, the Moselle Valley is one of those rare places that feels both untouched yet alive with history and stories. Whether you're soaked in the medieval magic of Cochem, wandered the fairytale lanes of Beilstein, or watched the Rhine and Moselle converge in Koblenz, this journey offers more than just scenery and excellent wine - it offers a good bit of German soul as well.
This itinerary might be packed with the highlights, but it also leaves room for what makes slow travel so much fun: pausing in a vineyard, finding an ancient castle-topped village, or finding that little side street café that somehow feels like your own.
If this itinerary has sparked your wanderlust, save this post for your next trip - and don't forget to subscribe to @BigGayWorldTravel for more detailed itineraries, city guides, and personal travel stories from around the world.
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