Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!
When you dream of visiting Germany, perhaps you you imagine romantic fairy tale castles perched high up in the mountains or perhaps you imagine towns with endless half-timbered houses that are hundreds of years old, walking down alley after alley of picturesque cobbled-stoned roads and a charm that transports you to another time.
For me, I dream of both. I dream of a world where small towns and villages transport me to a time and place before technology, when life was slower and more relaxed and people were more concerned with the simple things in life.
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Like many half-timbered towns that lie along the romantic Rhine river, Bacharach is brimming with colorful houses, allies of cobbled-stones and adorable little corners to have a romantic moment in and endless vineyards on the hills surrounding the small town and is therefore one of the top towns to visit along the Rhein River!
Bacharach lies along the 67-km UNESCO World Heritage segment of the Rhine River that stretches from the towns of Bingen and Rüdesheim north to the city of Koblenz where the Rhine and Mosel Rivers merge, making for one of the best day trips from Frankfurt! It’s just spewling with that Disney-esque charm we all look for when traveling through Germany and makes my list of stupid pretty towns in Europe!
From its early days, Bacharach was an important stop along the Rhine for trading wood and wine, as well as collecting customs duties, all of which made the town one of the wealthiest in the region, which can clearly be seen in its exuberantly beautiful buildings. But clearly, the town managed to keep it’s original size and appeal and was never modernized in terms of big buildings.
There aren’t many things to do in Bacharach, so you won’t need a full day here, although you could easily slow travel your way through the town by stopping to smell the roses, or in our case, eat some Rose Scented ice cream and of course a Riesling ice cream! 
Like most historically, picture perfect towns in Germany, you won’t find any of those big name chain restaurants like McDonald’s, Burger King or Subway. Here you’ll find traditional mom-and-pop restaurants and taverns cooking home cooked meals offering a more authentic experience. 
So, if you’re wondering where to eat in Bacharach, we stopped to eat at one of the quaintest, smallest restaurants ever called Restaurant Rusticana next to the Post Office, which offered a cozy feeling. The owners were incredibly nice and you could tell they enjoyed having guests come to their restaurant.
There are many amazing, perfectly preserved half-timbered houses throughout the town, offering a plethora of picture perfect snaps and my photographer senses were on high alert. Click, click, click!
Probably the most famous sight to see in Bacharach is the Alte Haus (Old House) located on the market square which dates back to 1568 with its stunning red painted wood frames. 
You’ll find that each and every building, from the Rathaus (City Hall) to the Post Office has its own special character, adding to the beauty of the town. 
As you’re walking around you’ll see the beautiful white and pink St. Peter’s Church, as well as the ruins of the Gothic Werner Chapel, one of Bacharach’s main attractions. 
Just beyond St. Peter’s Church is the most picturesque corner of the entire town, called Im Malerwinkel. It seems that this corner is actually a hotel and boarding house. A small stream flows through this part of the town and there are fairy tale like little bridges leading over the stream. 
Perhced high above the town is Burg Stahleck, a castle which has over looked the town since the 12th century, but during the Thirty Year’s War the castle was destroyed by French troops only to be left sitting in ruins until the Rhineland Association restored it between 1925-27, transforming this castle into a modern day Youth Hostel.
We even enjoyed playing between two half-timbered houses through a walkway barely big enough for one person. It was fun backing up and schooching over to let people pass by. I couldn’t resist a photo op!
To reach the castle you can either hike up 10-15 minutes or drive up, but to visit the castle only the inner courtyard and the front of the castle is open to the public. While it was beginning to rain on us, we skipped out. Plus, having already stayed there during an exchange program when I was a tween was enough.
If you’re interested in staying longer and exploring more of the town, here are some ideas you should check out:
- Walk the town fortifications
- Southern end of the town was transformed into a Capuchin monastery
- Enjoy a leisurely visit to a winery
- Hike the vineyard paths leading to Burg Stahleck
- The district of Steeg 1 (1 km away from Bacharach)
Overall, we found Bacharach to be less touristy than Rüdesheim, and way more beautiful with a plethora of half-timbered houses. While I’m sure Bacharach can also get busy during peak season, it was kind of nice that the weather wasn’t so perfect as that usually keeps the tourists away.
As we would be visiting both Rüdesheim am Rhine and Bacharach, we opted to stay in the middle of both at the cute little B&B Altes Rathaus ⭐⭐⭐ in Aßmannshausen. The hotel is actually an old city hall building directly located along the Rhine River!
If you’re interested in visiting Germany and are looking for more information, I highly recommend using the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide! Without these guides, I would be lost! This is my travel Bible!
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!
Other posts related to the Rhine Valley:
The Darling Storybook Town of Rüdesheim
Schloss Johannisberg – The World’s First Riesling Winery
Further Ahead & Worth The Visit:
Cochem & the Reichsburg Castle
5 Quick Things to do in Frankfurt
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I’ve never heard of this town before, but I’m pretty sure I’m now obsessed with it haha. Sooo beautiful, I’ll never get over those half-timbered houses!
I can’t get enough of it either! I’ll be writing a post soon of all the adorable half timbered towns in Germany!
Looks great! And not far away from where we live either!! That Youth Hostel will be getting a call from us sometime in the very near future ;o) Thanks for the inspiration.
So glad to hear that! Hope you enjoy it!
Everything about Bacharach is the reason why I wanted to visit Germany! All of the houses are so beautiful, and it just has that quaint German feel to it! I officially want to visit!
So glad to hear that! Germany is a pretty amazing country!
Ah Germany how I love travelling through you. Heading back for my 6th visit in December/January
Be sure to stop in Bacharach!! It’s amazing!!
might have to put in on our list
Oh totally! It’s well worth a visit!!
You’ve introduced me to dozens small charming German towns that I’ve never heard of before!:) #farawayfiles
So glad to hear that! Everyone only knows about the big cities, but its the small ones that show you the history of its people!
Bacharach looks enchanting! The half-timbered houses are wonderful and I love the skeletal remains of the church. Another Geman stop I need to check out. #WanderfulWednesday
Most definitely! You’ll love it!
What a wonderful looking town – you’re so brilliant at unearthing these German gems. This town looks just like some of the buildings from my children’s Playmobil sets. I love the fact that it’s quieter and more out-of-the-way than some of the other towns. Thanks so much for linking up with #FarawayFiles
I’m obsessed with the small half-timbered towns no one talks about! It’s the best part of Germany! 🙂
What a stunning place, I love those storybook buildings
You had me at the Riesling icecream!
#farawayfiles
Bacharach seems so quaint and lovely. I love reading about all your recommendations. You’ve given me a long list of places to check out when we finally make it to Germany.
Yet another gem of a town from you Lolo and this one complete with Riesling ice cream. I’m there. Your photos are amazing as always. Thanks for sharing this pretty find with us on #FarawayFiles
Aw thank you so much! I’m in the process of combining all of these half – timbered towns into one blog post so you’ll have them all at your fingertips! 🙂
Yes! A little map with driving times would be useful too ?
They’re quite spread out but yes I’ll include that!
Your photo of the Gothic Werner chapel is awesome especially as the sky in the background and the reflection in the glass windows seem to merge, as if it were 2D both in the photo and reality.
Thank you! I hadn’t realized! 🙂
I do not know what to say other than: “This place is gorgeous.” I think it is more than one can image. I would definitely stop by if I visit the area. Plus, rose and Riesling ice cream? That sounds delicious.
SOLD! That is seriously chock full of charm. Bacharach will no longer conjure Burt in my head. Did you visit on a Rhine cruise? Is there one you recommend? Thanks for linking and engaging with #FarawayFiles – cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
We didn’t go with a cruise as we live here in Germany so we just drove, however I have heard positive things about Viking River Cruises 🙂
We like Vikings! Cheers, thanks!
Brings back some great memories of our time here.
So pretty, it looks exactly like what I imagine when I think of Germany. Would love to visit! My Germany wishlist is soooo long, haha. I follow way too many bloggers based in Germany 😛
Try living here! My list is absolutely ennnndless! Haha you definitely need to come!
Wow. How adorably picturesque is Bacharach? It looks like the setting of a fairytale! #WeekendWanderlust
We visited a lot of these amazing German towns last year and found something unique about each of them. We never made it here but I will be adding it to the list if we get to do another German road trip.
I love all the half timbered houses… so much character.
What a lovely city! Beautiful architecture
We loved it there and your photographs have reminded me just how pretty the place is. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my!! this place is ridiculously beautiful!!! As I was going down reading and seeing your pictures I couldn’t stop myself.. I am already planning a trip there, I don’t care, I’m in love! haha
I have been to Cologne, and soon going to Berlin.. and I can say i will never get tired of Germany, I would love to do a road trip there.
Lovely post! I saw this place on the cover of the guide book but I could not figure out where it is. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’m not surprised this town is in a world heritage area – it’s impossibly picturesque. And riesling ice cream! I’d neer heard of it, but I want some now…. #MondayEscapes
such beautiful buildings, I’ve never visited Germany, but this looks quite magical #mondayescapes
Oh my, this place is beautiful. We visited Rudesheim about ten years ago but I don’t remember it being as wonderful as this. Thanks for the tour! And thank you for linking with #MondayEscapes
Ya Rüdesheim is pretty but Bacharach is definitely more beautiful!
I’m going crazy from looking at all your photos of these picturesque towns in Germany. I would actually have been highly amused if there was a Starbucks or McDonald’s housed in one of these half-timbered houses in the market square. #MondayEscapes
Ooh that would just ruin the atmosphere! Thank god there isn’t one!
Bacharach looks like my kind of town: timbered houses and cobbled streets, I love that. No wonder this town is in a world heritage area. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Great to see this post! I thought we were the only ones to have ever been (back in 2008) and even when I speak to Germans they’ll shake their head in confusion when I asked if they had heard of Bacharach.
Nice photos and good to see the Alte Haus – it’s where I proposed to Spanky during that 2008 trip. Bacharach still one of our favorite German towns.
Frank (bbqboy)
How adorably romantic! Such a beautiful town to propose!
Bacharach? That’s so unpronounceable, isn’t it?! 😀 Gorgeous little town though!!
Oh I love Bacharach, it is a very touristy village but we stayed overnight at the castle so it was especially nice to explore in the morning and evenings. A lot of German school groups stay at the castle. Very beautiful 😉
Ya I stayed there too when I did a study abroad trip there! Definitely one of my favorite towns!!
Love the town in the summer would go and view the people river and sip some wine. Was station 10 miles away. Looking for info of the crystal store that was located in the downtown .