Are you looking to escape the busy streets of Frankfurt or discover the German wine country?
Just 45 minutes from Frankfurt lies Eltville am Rhein, a medieval town where you'll find roses climbing ancient walls and wine cellars open to visitors all year round. This small riverside town is a great place to spend the day if you want to experience the quieter side of Germany.
Eltville Castle
Eltville is known as the "City of Wine, Sparkling Wine, and Roses," and it offers a genuine glimpse into life in the Rhine Valley. Its 14th-century castle, riverside location, and active wine culture make it a great choice for first-time visitors to Germany who want to venture beyond the major cities.
The town is in the heart of the Rheingau, one of Germany's most important wine regions. Unlike the tourist-heavy towns of the Middle Rhine, Eltville has kept its authentic charm while still offering enough English-language services to make international visitors feel comfortable.
Eltville is located in the state of Hesse, on the north bank of the Rhine river. The town is 12 kilometres west of Wiesbaden and 45 kilometres west of Frankfurt, which puts it right in the heart of the Rheingau wine region.
The location makes Eltville a great place to base yourself for exploring the region. The city of Mainz is right across the river, while the famous wine town of Rüdesheim is 25 kilometres west. Just beyond Eltville, you'll find the start of the Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage site.
Many people use Eltville as a base for day trips along the Rhine, wine touring in the Rheingau, or exploring the wider Rhine-Main region.
The town is also a great base for travellers who want to visit Frankfurt or Wiesbaden but prefer somewhere quieter. Its central location in the Rhine Valley means you can easily get to most of the region's major attractions within an hour.
Frankfurt Airport is the closest international airport to Eltville am Rhein and the busiest airport in Germany is the obvious option for most visitors arriving by plane.
Distance to Frankfurt Airport: 37km
Distance to Frankfurt-Hahn Airport: 94km
Distance to Cologne Bonn Airport: 174km
Frankfurt Hahn Airport, which is actually to the west of Eltville, offers some services from low-cost airlines and Cologne-Bonn has a far more limited range of destinations than the main Frankfurt Airport.
The railway station in Eltville is located a short walk to the north of the town centre. Regional rail services run along the right bank of the Rhine and connect Eltville to major centres such as Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Koblenz.
Eltville has good connections to the regional road network. The B42 main road skirts the town to the west and north and connects to the A66 motorway just outside Wiesbaden. The B42 east is the main route up the right bank of the Rhine.
If you know when you are planning to go but haven't decided on accommodation, then use the map below to get an idea of which properties are available and to compare prices during the period you wish to travel.
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The area around Eltville has been settled since the Stone Age, according to archaeological digs. But the town itself can trace its history back to the era of the Franks.
Excavations show that the Eltville area was settled from the later part of the 5th century AD. The town probably developed around a Frankish royal court, which would have been on the site of the present-day Electoral Castle.
Eltville was the administrative centre of the eastern Rheingau, which passed into the possession of the Archbishops of Mainz in 983.
A biography of Archbishop Bardo from the 11th century tells us that he liked to stay in 'Alta Villa', also known as Eldevile. He and his successors often sought refuge from the quarrelsome citizens of Mainz in the nearby Rheingau.
Eltville flourished in the 14th and 15th century. The small town was home to one of the most important princes of the Middle Ages. The tall, decorated church tower shows how rich and confident the people of Eltville were.
The peasant revolt in 1525 and the wars of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries caused damage and economic decline. The plague of 1666 killed many people and the population fell to about 1,500.
After the Electorate of Mainz was dissolved, Eltville and the Rheingau region came under the rule of the Principality and later Duchy of Nassau. This was incorporated into the Prussian state in 1866.
Archway at a winery in Eltville
The Matheus Müller sparkling wine cellar was founded in the 19th century and lots of wealthy new residents moved to Eltville, building magnificent villas. This led to a major economic boom in the town.
However, the town lost its status as the capital of the Rheingau region to Rüdesheim. Four neighbouring communities were incorporated into Eltville am Rhein in the 1970s and the town now has a population of almost 18,000.
Eltville's main landmark is its 14th-century Electoral Castle, complete with an impressive watchtower.
The castle grounds feature a famous rose garden where over 350 varieties bloom from June through September. Visitors can climb the tower's viewing platform for sweeping views of the Rhine River. The castle also houses the town's tourist information centre and a historical exhibitions.
Eltville Castle and the Rhine river
The Old Town (Altstadt) preserves much of its medieval character with narrow streets and well-maintained half-timbered houses dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. The Gothic St. Peter and Paul's Church stands prominently in the picturesque market square.
A tree-lined promenade along the Rhine offers one of the town's most pleasant experiences. This riverside walkway provides plenty of benches for watching boats pass by, and it's particularly popular at sunset. During the warmer months, river cruises depart from here, and several wine gardens and restaurants offer outdoor seating.
Wine culture defines much of Eltville's attraction. Historic wine estates throughout town offer tastings, while the famous sparkling wine cellars of Henkell and MM welcome visitors.
Summer brings various wine festivals, and small shops selling local Riesling dot the old town. The wine museum, housed in a historic cellar, provides context for the region's wine-making tradition.
Most visitors can explore the main sights on foot in about half a day, leaving plenty of time for wine tasting or relaxing by the river.
The Eltville am Rhein tourist information office is located in the Kurfürstliche Burg (otherwise known as Eltville Castle). It is open every day apart from major public holidays with slightly shorter hours in the winter season.
Website: www.eltville.de