49 Best Sights in The Pfalz and Rhine Terrace, Germany

The various collections of the Museum of the State of Rheinland-Pfalz are in the former electors' stables, easily recognized by the statue of a golden stallion over the entrance. Exhibits range from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the highlights are paintings by Dutch masters, artworks from the baroque to art nouveau periods, and collections of porcelain and faience.

This twin-towered Gothic church sits in a vineyard on the northern outskirts of Worms. It's the namesake of the popular, sweet white wine Liebfraumilch (literally, "Milk of Our Lady"). The wine (Blue Nun is the most well-known brand) was originally made from the grapes of the small vineyard surrounding the church, but today it's produced throughout Rheinhessen, the Pfalz, the Nahe, and the Rheingau wine regions.

This monument commemorates Luther's appearance at the Diet of Worms. He ended his speech with these words: "Here I stand. I have no choice. God help me. Amen." The 19th-century monument includes a large statue of Luther ringed by other figures from the Reformation. It's set in a small park on the street named Lutherring.

 The pedestrianized Marktplatz (market place), situated on the north side of the cathedral, is especially colorful on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 7 am to 2 pm, when farmers, butchers, cheesemongers, and florists set up stands to sell their produce. On Saturdays from March to November, join friendly Mainzers in the adjoining Liebfrauenplatz for the legendary Marktfrühstuck (Market Breakfast), where you can sample local wines alongside a traditional local breakfast of Fleischwurst (German bologna sausage) with mustard and a crusty bread roll.

The Marktplatz is the focal point of the Old Town and a hive of activity when farmers come to sell their wares on Tuesday and Saturday, plus Thursday from April to October. The square itself is ringed by baroque and Renaissance buildings (Nos. 1, 4, 8, and 11) and the Gothic Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church), built as a burial church for the Palatinate counts. Summer concerts take place in the church (Saturday 11:30–noon). Before the concert, you can take a guided tour (Saturday at 10) of the southern tower (187 feet) for a bird's-eye view of the town. The world's largest cast-iron bell—weighing more than 17 tons—hangs in the northern tower. Indoors, see the elaborate tombstones near the choir and the fanciful grotesque figures carved into the baldachins and corbels.

Seasonal boat tours depart from just outside the Sea Life Aquarium at noon, 2, and 4. The trip lasts about 1½ hours and offers a unique look at Speyer's old harbor and its fascinating network of rivers.

To find out more about the history of Worms, visit this museum, housed in the cloisters of a Romanesque church in the Andreasstift. The collection includes artifacts from the Roman period (it features one of the largest collections of Roman glass in Germany), all the way up to local art from the 20th century.

The main attractions at this bright, airy museum are the fascinating remains of five 4th-century wooden Roman warships, on display with two full-size replicas. The remains were unearthed in 1981, when the foundation for an expansion to the Hilton hotel was dug. For more than a decade, the wood was injected with a water-and-paraffin mixture to restore its stability. There's also an extensive exhibit dedicated to the history of shipbuilding and an educational area for children. To arrange a tour, contact the service office.

This stunning sight-and-sound exhibition is dedicated to Das Nibelungenlied (Song of the Nibelungs), the epic German poem dating to around 1200. Cleverly installed in two medieval towers and the portion of the Old Town wall between them, the exhibition brings to life the saga of the dragon slayer Siegfried. The architecture of the structure itself is also fascinating, and the rampart provides a wonderful view of the town. There is a choice of two tours: the Song of the Nibelungs, and Wagner's Ring of the Nibelungs. Each tour script (via multimedia guide) is offered in English. Allow two hours for a thorough visit.

The Niersteiner Winzergenossenschaft (Nierstein Wine Cooperative) makes a great starting point to an easy hike or drive to the vineyard heights and the vantage point at the Wartturm (watchtower). When you return to the bottom of the hill, drop in to the Weintreff Nierstein to try some wines, including Silvaner, the typical specialty of the Rhinehessen wine region. In the summer, the Niersteiner Weinwanderung (wine walk) takes place along the Roter Hang, or "red slope," of the vineyards—the soil here has a lot of red clay in it—with food and wine-tasting stands set up along the way. From up there, there's a stunning view of the Rhine.

The impressionist painter Otto Dill (1884–1957), a native of Neustadt, is known for his powerful animal portraits (especially lions, tigers, and horses) and vivid landscapes. The museum dedicated to his work displays some 150 oil paintings and 125 drawings and watercolors from the Manfred Vetter collection.

Enjoy a peaceful tour of the Speyer harbor and its surrounding river network on a ship built for 200 passengers. Homemade cakes and drinks are available on board. Tuesday through Friday, 1½-hour tours depart at 1 and 3, on Saturday at 1:30, 3, and 5 and on Sunday at 1, 3, and 5. The pickup and drop-off point is on the Leinpfad.

The old Rathaus, whose doorway is crowned by a baldachin and baroque dome, is at the Marktplatz. The attractive open staircase leading up to the entrance is the site of the festive Geissbock-Versteigerung (billy-goat auction) every Pentecost Tuesday, followed by a parade and folk dancing. The goat is the tribute neighboring Lambrecht has paid Deidesheim since 1404 for grazing rights. Inside, in addition to a richly appointed Ratssaal (council chamber) is a museum of wine culture, which examines the importance of wine throughout history.

From Schloss Villa Ludwigshöhe you can hike (30 minutes) or ride the Rietburgbahn chairlift (10 minutes) up to the Rietburg ruins for a sweeping view of the Pfalz. During a festive Lampionfahrt in July and August (dates vary each year), the chairlift operates until midnight on Saturday, and the route is lit by dozens of Chinese lanterns. A restaurant, game park, and playground are on the grounds.

Vines, flowers, and fig trees cloak the houses behind St. Ulrich on Heumarktstrasse and its extension, Deichelgasse (nicknamed Feigengasse because of its Feigenbäume—fig trees). To see the workshops and ateliers of  local artists, sculptors, and goldsmiths ask for a list at the local tourist office (see   www.deidesheim.de/galerien-kuenstler.html). Cross the Wine Road to reach the grounds of Schloss Deidesheim, now a pub-restaurant ($$, closed January–February, closed Mon.--Wed., no lunch Thurs. and Fri.). The bishops of Speyer built a moated castle on the site in the 13th century. Twice destroyed and rebuilt, the present castle dates from 1817, and the moats have been converted into gardens.

Now romantic ruins, this castle was originally constructed in the early 13th century and used by the bishops of Speyer; during the 15th to the 19th century, the Knights of Dalberg resided there. You can see Schloss Kropsburg from the hills above St. Martin. It's not open to the public, but if you hike up to the castle's outskirts, you can enjoy a traditional sausage lunch at the charming inn and restaurant Burgschänke an der Kropsburg (closed Tuesday) while admiring the views.

The massive ruins of 13th-century Hardenburg Castle lie 3 km (2 miles) west of Kloster Limburg (via B-37). In its heyday, it was inhabited by more than 200 people, but it burned down in 1794. In the visitor center there's an exhibit about the fascinating history of the castle, and various events are held here throughout the year, including a medieval fair in September.

This casino, which first opened in 1949, opens daily at 11 am for the slot machines, 3 pm for roulette, and 6 pm for poker; jacket and tie are no longer required, but tennis shoes, T-shirts, and shorts are not allowed. Be certain to bring your passport for identification; the minimum age is 18. On a sunny day, take a walk around the pebbled garden and down the steps into the beautiful Kurpark.

If you're in Bad Dürkheim on a Wednesday or Saturday morning, head to the farmers' market for flowers, bread, wine, meats, cheeses, and vinegars.