Things to do in Alken

Eltz Castle

Eltz Castleis a well-known medieval castle located in Wierschem, Germany. It is one of the better-preserved castles in the Rhineland-Palatinate region on the left bank of the Rhine. From 1965–1992,Eltz Castleappeared on the German 500 Deutsche Mark banknote.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Rhineland-Palatinate

Deutsches Eck (German Corner)

Deutsches Eck (German Corner) is located in the German city of Koblenz, at the confluence of the Moselle and the Rhine River. A famous structure at Deutsches Eck (German Corner) is the equestrian statue of William I, which has a total height of 37 m, with the statue of the knight itself being 14 m high. In 1216, the Archbishop and Elector of Trier, Theoderich von Wied (approx. 1170–March 28, 1242), summoned the Teutonic Knights to Koblenz and, with the intention of protecting the local hospital, gifted them the local church and hospital. The Teutonic Knights established the "Deutschherrenhaus" (German: Deutschherrenhaus) on the territory at the mouth of the Moselle and Rhine River, serving as the Teutonic Knights' residence in Koblenz, and the territory at the river mouth thus became known as "Deutsches Eck (German Corner)". Deutsches Eck (German Corner) has attracted a large number of tourists since the day the equestrian statue of William I was built. The land where the equestrian statue of William I is located is suitable for various large-scale open-air events, frequently hosting concerts, open-air festivals, and fireworks displays on the Rhine River, and has also been the finish line for the annual Middle Rhine River Marathon since 2005.

Thurant Castle

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Rhineland-Palatinate

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, also known as the Fortress of Honor, stands 118m high, towering above the Rhein. A small structure appeared on this site around the year 1000 and was converted into a fortress over the following centuries. It was later destroyed by the French, but the Kingdom of Prussia later hadEhrenbreitstein Fortressfortified. This fortress is one of the fortifications built in Europe after 1815 and remains well-preserved to this day.

Sesselbahn Boppard

Remstecken

Stolzenfels Castle

The palace still retains a considerable part of its original facilities, which is a good example of interpreting the living culture and spirit of that era. In addition to the "Grand Knights Hall", there is also the "Little Knights Hall" worth seeing in the palace.

Geierlay Suspension Bridge

The Geierlay Suspension Bridge is located between Sosberg and Cochem-Zell in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, and is one of Europe's famous pedestrian suspension bridges. The bridge spans dense forests and deep valleys, connecting the villages on both sides and offering visitors a unique natural view. Walking across the bridge, you can enjoy the greenery of the surrounding valleys and the winding river, experiencing a peaceful atmosphere close to nature. The bridge structure is sturdy, combining wooden decking with steel cables, showcasing exquisite engineering design. The surrounding area features walking trails suitable for strolling and photography, offering various vantage points for photography enthusiasts. The Geierlay Suspension Bridge is more than just a passageway; it has become an important attraction for tourists to explore the local scenery, inviting people to relax in nature and enjoy a peaceful walk. The small villages at both ends of the bridge retain their traditional architectural style, which, combined with the natural scenery, makes the entire tour full of character and charm.

Marksburg

Marksburg is a fortress in the town of Braubach, Germany, and is the only undamaged medieval castle in the Middle Rhine River region. Visitors can explore various displays from the age of chivalry within the castle, including the private garden, wine cellar, kitchen, chapel, knight's hall, armory, and more, and can even enjoy a knight's banquet.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is located on Museumplein in Amsterdam and is a national art museum centered on Van Gogh's works, holding more than 200 of his oil paintings, hundreds of drawings, and a large number of letters exchanged between him and his brother Theo, a collection that ranks among the foremost of its kind worldwide. The origin of this collection is itself a story: after Van Gogh's death in 1890, the paintings were kept by his brother Theo; Theo passed away shortly afterward, and his widow, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, devoted her life to organizing and exhibiting these works, which had received little attention during Van Gogh's lifetime, ultimately bringing them together into this museum. The permanent exhibition lays out a clear viewing route in chronological order of creation: from the dark-toned "The Potato Eaters" of the Nuenen period in the Netherlands, to the numerous self-portraits of the Paris period, then to "The Yellow House," "The Bedroom," and "Sunflowers" of the Arles period, and finally to "Almond Blossom" and "Wheatfield with Crows" created in the last stage of his life in Saint-Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise, making Van Gogh's creative trajectory over a brief ten years clear at a glance. In addition to his own works, the museum also displays paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists such as Monet, Gauguin, and Rodin, many of which were personally collected by Van Gogh and Theo at the time; in Gauguin's "The Painter of Sunflowers," the protagonist is none other than Van Gogh, the painter of sunflowers. The building itself is also worth a closer look: the main building was designed by the Dutch De Stijl architect Rietveld and opened in 1973, with exhibition galleries unfolding layer by layer around an open atrium; the oval wing designed by the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa was completed in 1999 and is dedicated to large-scale temporary exhibitions; and the all-glass entrance building opened in 2015 connects the old and new wings into one. The museum is consistently popular, with dense crowds during peak hours, so if you plan to take a close look at the permanent collection, it is recommended to allow ample visiting time.