Before you go

Your trip to Bernkastel-Kues.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Bernkastel-Kues – Renânia-Palatinado Destination Vale do Mosela

How to get there

Flughafen Frankfurt am Main (FRA) Frankfurt am Main · 135 km
Wittlich Hbf Wittlich · 14 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

The town has no train station. From Koblenz or Trier, take the regional train to Wittlich Hbf (main station) and continue on bus 300 to Kues, about half an hour. From Trier there is also a direct regional bus, slower. From Frankfurt, the train-and-bus journey takes over three hours. Check before booking.

How many days

One day is enough for the market square, the climb to Burg Landshut and the St.-Nikolaus-Hospital. One night in town allows you to enjoy the wine taverns unhurriedly and walk among the vineyards the next morning.

When to go

From May to October, with excursion boats on the river and the slopes green or golden. The wine festival of the Middle Mosela usually takes place on the first weekend of September, with a parade and fireworks. The Christmas market typically runs from late November until close to Christmas.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Doesn't stop in the town: everything is done on foot, and Burg Landshut has a trail and a tourist bus in the summer season. A car helps to stop in the wine villages along the river, where public transport is less frequent.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Bernkastel-Kues

Morning
Bernkastel market square
Start at the Marktplatz, with the 1608 town hall, Saint Michael's fountain and the Spitzhäuschen. Walk through the half-timbered lanes of the old town.
Afternoon
Ascent to Burg Landshut
Walk up along the path between the vineyards or take the tourist bus in season to the ruin of Burg Landshut. From the tower, the view covers the bend of the Mosela.
Late afternoon
St.-Nikolaus-Hospital in Kues
Cross the bridge to Kues and visit the chapel and cloister of St.-Nikolaus-Hospital, founded by Nicolau de Cusa in the 15th century.
Evening
Wine night in Bernkastel
Return to Bernkastel's bank and have dinner in an old-town tavern, with regional Riesling served in small glasses for tasting.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get to Bernkastel-Kues without a car?

By train to Wittlich Hbf and from there by bus 300 to Kues, about half an hour. From Trier there is also a direct regional bus.

Are Bernkastel and Kues different towns?

They used to be, and today form a single municipality. Bernkastel, with the market square and Burg Landshut, is on the right bank of the Mosela; Kues, with St.-Nikolaus-Hospital, is on the left bank. A bridge connects the two.

Can you visit Bernkastel-Kues as a day trip from Trier?

Yes. It's about 35 km; by car it takes around 30 minutes and by public transport between one and two hours, depending on the train and bus connections.

When is the Bernkastel-Kues wine festival?

The Middle Mosela wine festival usually takes place on the first weekend of September, with a parade and fireworks. The town gets crowded: book accommodation in advance.

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