Rüdesheim to Mainz

As you travel from Rüdesheim to Mainz, you will come across what is known as the 'Island Rhine'. It marks the transition from the narrow, dramatic Rhine Gorge to the wider, calmer waters of the Upper Rhine Plain.

River Islands: The stretch is named for its islands, which form a braided river system of channels and backwaters. These islands are a mixture of natural and man-made formations.

On this section the Rheingau accompanies you along the right bank of the Rhine. It is one of Germany's most famous wine regions and lies between Wiesbaden and Rüdesheim am Rhein. It's a picturesque area known for its Riesling wines, charming villages and stunning landscapes that blend history, culture and nature.

On the left bank of the river are rolling hills covered in vineyards that form part of the famous Rheinhessen wine region. This area is renowned for producing high quality Riesling and Silvaner wines. Here, too, the vineyards are interspersed with small villages that add charm to the riverside landscape.

While it doesn't have the dramatic castles of the Middle Rhine Gorge to the south, it has a gentler charm and is perfect for enjoying the natural and cultural riches of the Rhine Valley.

Some highlights are:

Schloss Johanisberg, known as the birthplace of the Spätlese, is a historic estate surrounded by vineyards and offering stunning views of the Rhine.
Eltville, known as the "City of Wine and Roses", has the beautiful Kurfürstliche Burg and blooming rose gardens.
Ingelheim is known as the "red wine town" for its production of high-quality Pinot Noir. The town was an imperial residence in the Middle Ages and remains of Charlemagne's imperial palace can be found here.
Sailing past Wiesbaden, the capital of the German state of Hesse, you can see a combination of historical and scenic landmarks. While Wiesbaden itself is not directly on the Rhine, its districts extend to the riverbank and offer views of notable features such as the bright ochre-coloured Biebrich Palace, built in the 18th century as the residence of the Dukes of Nassau.
After Wiesbaden, you reach Mainz, which boasts several historic buildings, including the imposing Mainz Cathedral (Dom St. Martin), a Romanesque masterpiece with Gothic and Baroque elements. The remains of the city's fortifications and old walls can be seen near the river. The church of St Stephen, perched on a hill, is famous for its architecture and stained glass windows by Chagall. In the Zollhafen area, repurposed industrial structures such as cranes and warehouses retain their historic charm. These buildings reflect Mainz's rich history and blend seamlessly with its modern developments.