Sankt Goar

Sankt Goar is a small quaint town in the Middle Rhine Valley near the Loreley in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, with a lovely atmosphere and pretty scenery.

Understand

Although not a very lively town, it gives off a very nice friendly vibe. It is a true German town although orientated towards tourists. This small town is great to experience the spirit and culture of Germany without the hustle and bustle of the big cities.

Get in

By car

The B9 goes through the town and is about half way (30 km) between Bingen and Koblenz. Alternatively 12 km from the A61 exit 42 Emmelshausen.

Fähre Loreley. Car and foot ferry across the Rhine from St. Goarshausen. 

By train

Train station St. Goar of the line Mainz – Koblenz.

By boat

• Bingen-Rüdesheimer cruise boat to/from Bingen and Rüdesheim.
• The Köln-Düsseldorfer Rheinschiffahrt, better known as KD, runs cruises and scheduled services up and down the river between Cologne and Mainz, stopping in Sankt Goar.

Get around

The town sits in a narrow flat section of the valley between the river and the steep hillside. There is effectively only the main street (B9 Heerstraße) and one main retail street (Oberstraße) making it an easy place to walk around. To visit the castle on the hill above either drive to the car park or take the tourist road train up the hill.

See

• 1 Castle Rhinefels (Burg Rheinfels). Looming formidably above Sankt Goar and the Rhine valley, the large and partially ruined fortress of Burg Rhinefels is definitely worth a visit on any trip to the Rhineland. The fortress's first components were built in 1245 by Count Diether von Katzenelnbogen. Other rulers of the region made their own contributions to the construction castle. It was eventually ruined by members of the French Revolutionary Army when they were invading the area. Despite its partially ruined state, the fortress retains a strong sense of dignity and strength. The castle is only one fifth of its size before its destruction by the French Army in 1797. One way to understand the former size of the fortress is to explore the underground tunnels built during the 30 Years War. These tunnels were built under the flat, undefended plain to the West of the castle by the garrison of the castle. The tunnels were filled with gunpowder, and in theory, as an approaching enemy army neared the castle by way of the flat plain, the gunpowder would be ignited and eventually explode, sending the enemy army falling to their death. However this secret weapon was never put to use so the tunnels formerly housing gunpowder can be visited today. It is a tight fit and flashlights are needed.  
• 2 Stiftskirche St. Goar (Evangelical Collegiate Church), Markt 3. Romanesque crypt comes from the late 11th century. Wall paintings from the latter half of the 15th century. Late Gothic gallery. 
• 3 Deutsches Puppen- und Bärenmuseum (German Doll and Bear Museum), Sonnengasse 8, ☏ +49 6741 7270. 

Lorely panoramic view from the left Rhine side

Do

The Rheinburgenweg runs above the town past Schloss Rheinfels.

Events

• Rhein in Flammen: St. Goar - St. Goarshausen: . Firework display, ship parade, and lit-up cruise boats in September. (date needs fixing)

Buy

This is home to many shop catering to tourists and thus one of the best places to buy a beer stein, clogs or cuckoo clocks, non of which are traditional to the region although obviously associated with Germany. They have the biggest range of all three. Wine is obviously the local produce, but probably better to purchase in other villages in and above the valley if you are looking for a bargain.

Eat

There are two restaurants in Schloss Rheinfels offering good food and great views of the Rhine.

• 1 Hotel Restaurant Zur Loreley, Heerstraße 87, ☏ +49 6741 1614. 
• 2 Café und Bäcker St. Goar, Heerstraße 95, ☏ +49 6741 1635. 

Drink

• Philipps-Mühle, Gründelbach 49, 56329 St. Goar. Family-run vineyard with an outdoor restaurant that serves delicious local food. Their wines, along with jams and homemade wine gums, are also available for purchase in their shop (€8-12 a bottle). €10-20. (updated Aug 2018)

Sleep

• 1 Romantik Hotel Schloss Rheinfels, Schloßberg 47, ☏ +49 6741 802-0. Attached to the hotel, through the small shop is a restaurant with an excellent view of the valley. 
• 2 Knab´s Mühlenschenke, Gründelbach 73 (in a quiet side valley just north of the town), ☏ +49 6741 1698. 

Go next

• On the right Rhine side St. Goarshausen with the Burg Katz, Burg Maus and the Loreley
• Oberwesel
• Bacharach
• Bingen
• Boppard
• Koblenz