© Unsplash
Stahleck Castle
Burg Stahleck
Germany · Rhineland-Palatinate, Rhine Gorge · Near Koblenz
Built 1135 · Romanesque / Medieval Rhenish
Quick Facts
- Hours
- The castle operates as a youth hostel; access to grounds and tower is generally open during hostel operating hours.
- Tickets from
- Free
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Best time
- April to October
- Nearest city
- Koblenz
Highlights
- ✦Part of the UNESCO Upper Middle Rhine Valley
- ✦One of the most dramatically positioned castles on the Rhine
- ✦Now operates as a youth hostel — you can sleep inside a medieval castle
- ✦Sweeping views over the Rhine gorge, vineyards, and Bacharach
- ✦Medieval tower, curtain walls, and courtyard well-preserved
Skip the queue with a guided tour
Skip-the-line tickets & expert guides
Burg Stahleck commands one of the most striking positions in the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, perched high above the perfectly preserved medieval town of Bacharach and the river gorge below. First documented in 1135, the castle was a Rhenish Palatinate stronghold throughout the medieval period, controlling river traffic through the narrow gorge. Badly damaged in the Thirty Years' War, it was rebuilt in the 1920s–1930s by the German Youth Hostel Association (DJH) and today operates as one of Germany's most spectacular and beloved youth hostels — allowing guests to sleep within authentic medieval walls above the Rhine. The courtyard, tower, and ramparts are freely accessible, offering panoramic views down the gorge.
History
First documented in 1135, the castle was a key Rhenish stronghold controlling Rhine traffic for the Counts Palatine. It was besieged and partially destroyed during the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) and fell into ruin. The German Youth Hostel movement acquired the ruins in 1925 and undertook a restoration, opening it as a hostel in 1926. It has operated continuously as a hostel since, aside from World War II, and was included in the UNESCO Upper Middle Rhine Valley designation in 2002.
How to Visit
Bacharach is on the west bank of the Rhine, 40 km south of Koblenz. Frequent Rhine Valley trains (Koblenz–Mainz) stop at Bacharach. The castle is a 20-minute walk up the hillside from the station through the medieval town walls. Rhine cruise ships also stop at Bacharach in summer — one of the most scenic boat journeys in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — Burg Stahleck youth hostel is open to all ages (youth hostels in Germany are not restricted to young people). Advance booking is strongly recommended.
Location
Burg Stahleck, 55422 Bacharach, Germany
Nearby Castles
Tours & Tickets
Powered by GetYourGuide
Free Entry