Best things to do in Bad Kreuznach

Owned by the same family who began its construction nearly 850 years ago, Eltz Castle is one of the best-preserved castles in Germany. The ornate, fairy tale-like fortress sits atop a 70 m (230 ft) rock outcropping. It's built of imposing stone walls and topped with colorful, spire-like roofs. You can explore more than 100 different rooms and courtyards, including the family quarters still used today. Climb to the other sections of the structure to see sweeping views of the forested hills and river valleys. Check the website for special events and guided tours.

The castle-like architecture mixes many different styles. Note the vaulted interior and ceiling, as well as the intricate stucco ceiling in the western end. Stop by the tombs of the Archbishops of Trier buried on the grounds. Don't miss the skull of St. Helena, the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine, in the crypt. The cloister courtyard offers striking views of the tower, covered halls, and inner garden. Check the website for times of services. You can attend Roman Catholic mass or vespers, but tourists cannot explore the cathedral during a service.

Right where the Moselle river joins the Rhine, Deutsches Eck (German Corner) memorializes the long path to postwar German unity. You can explore the Koblenz park's site of the 13th-century settlement of Teutonic Knights. Then look for the imposing monument to Kaiser Wilhelm I. It was recreated and placed here in 1993 as a symbol of the desire for German reunification. The 37 m (121 ft) tall structure is decorated with the crests and shields of each German federal state. Pay a visit to the pleasant green space and riverside outcropping. You'll find plenty of places watch the riverboats and water traffic.

Tour Porta Nigra, one of the most well-preserved Roman structures in Germany. That's amazing, given that it dates back to the second century. Built of large, gray, sandstone slabs, this is the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps. Admire the impressive architecture as you learn more about the area's Roman heritage. You can explore the interior of the gate before heading to the top to enjoy the city views. Jump back in time with an informational tour led by a Roman centurion-clad guide.

Embark on a scenic cable car ride over the River Rhine with Cablecar Koblenz. Your trip begins near the Basilica of St. Castor and ends 112 m (367 ft) higher in Ehrenbreitstein. The brief journey provides camera-ready views of Koblenz, the Rhine, the Moselle, and the verdant surrounding area. At the top, plan time to visit the large fortress, Festung Ehrenbreitstein, which includes museums and restaurants. The castle's courtyard beer garden boasts superb views, too.

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, home to the State Museum of Koblenz, features an impressive collection of antiques and archeological finds. It sits high upon a mountain of the same name. Europe's second largest preserved fortress, it was last reconstructed between 1817 and 1828. Stop for a bite to eat or a beer in one of the several restaurants and cafes on the mountain.

Soak up the atmosphere at Hauptmarkt, a colorful, bustling square that's been an important part of Trier since medieval times. Visit the market cross, a Hauptmarkt landmark, which was commissioned by Archbishop Henry I in 958 CE. (Due to its age, the original cross is protected in the municipal museum; this is a replica.) The market fountain from 1595 shows St. Peter, the patron saint of the city, surrounded by the four cardinal virtues of a good city government: justice, strength, temperance, and wisdom. Ponder the meaning of the monsters and monkeys that also surround the saint. Pop into the shops and restaurants that line the square.

The oldest Gothic church in Germany, Liebfrauenkirche, Trier, along with Trier's cathedral and Roman monuments, is a UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site. Built in the 13th century, the church is notable for its atypical cruciform floor plan as a round church resembling a 12-petal rose. In the 12 supporting columns, you'll find paintings of the 12 apostles, as well as the 12 articles of the Apostle's Creed. Due to damage during World War II, the church has been painstakingly restored with modern stained-glass windows that flood the vast hall with light and color on a sunny day.

A Roman amphitheater built in Rome's German province, Trier Amphitheater is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes St. Peter's Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady in Trier. The amphitheater's center ring with stone walls is completely excavated. Pay small entrance fee to you can walk into the center and play the part of a gladiator. The seating is still covered with earth and grass, so consider bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy just outside of the ring. Check out the space beneath the ring, which once held the animals and people who took part in the entertainment.