Marksburg Castle sits on a hill above the town of Braubach in the Middle Rhine valley and is the only one of roughly forty hilltop castles between Bingen and Koblenz that was never destroyed and survives fully intact. Having escaped the French demolitions of 1688–97, it preserves the authentic layout of a medieval fortress and is a flagship site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. Bought in 1900 by the German Castles Association (Deutsche Burgenvereinigung), it has served as the association's headquarters since 1931 and, as of 2026, can still only be visited on a guided tour. It pairs naturally with a Rhine cruise and a castle-hopping day trip.
The steep rampart walk up to the keep, with sweeping views over the Rhine and the town of Braubach
Authentically furnished interiors including the medieval kitchen, chapel and living quarters
The armoury collection tracing the history of arms and armour, plus the cannon battery
The medieval herb garden and the defensive walls and gatehouses along the approach
Tower rooms and the dungeon, accessible only as part of the guided tour
Good to know
RulesThe interior can only be seen on a guided tour of about 50 minutes. Individual visitors buy tickets on-site at the souvenir shop without booking, but groups and special tours (children's, evening flashlight tours, etc.) must be reserved in advance.
SeasonHours differ by season: roughly 10:00–17:00 in summer (March–October) and 11:00–16:00 in winter (November–February), closed 24–25 December. English tours typically run at 1 p.m. in summer, so confirm the latest tour times on the official site before you go.
SafetyThe climb to the castle and the passages inside are on uneven, often slippery stone with many stairs and narrow corridors. Sturdy flat shoes are essential, and the site is difficult for strollers, wheelchairs and anyone with limited mobility.
MannersStay with your guide and do not wander off during the tour. Photography may be restricted in some rooms, so follow the staff's instructions and move quietly in the tight spaces out of consideration for other visitors.
CautionBuying your ticket at the castle's own box office is the safest option; be wary of heavily marked-up resale listings online, and watch for pickpockets at busy spots such as Braubach station and the Rhine cruise landings.
SeasonBraubach lies on the right bank of the Rhine, reached by river cruise or the right-bank railway (Koblenz–Wiesbaden). Tours can back up on summer weekends, so arriving early in the day usually means shorter waits.
Practical info
By train, alight at Braubach station and walk about 25–30 minutes uphill through the old town to the castle; you can also park below the hill and walk up. Visits are by guided tour only (about 50 minutes) with tickets sold on-site, so check the official website for the latest opening hours, tour times and prices before visiting.
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