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.

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.

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.

Do
The Rheinburgenweg runs above the town past Schloss Rheinfels.

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.

Go next

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