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Free excursions on the Middle Rhine
Family vacations can be fun without breaking the bank. The good news: around Bonn and along the Middle Rhine, eight completely free adventures await little explorers and big companions – all within a 40-minute drive of your Oberwinter vacation apartment. With our overview of “Free excursions on the Middle Rhine”, you can plan spontaneous day trips, make children’s eyes light up in record time and still remain flexible. Fancy some free experiences? Then grab your rucksack, picnic blanket and let yourself be enchanted by the beautiful region.
1st Federal Garden Show legacy: Rheinaue Bonn leisure park
The 160-hectare Rheinaue has been the green heart of Bonn since the BUGA 1979. A labyrinth of playgrounds, a Japanese garden and countless barbecue meadows make the park a year-round hit with families. The covered giant playground at the Auensee is particularly popular, offering dry fun even in drizzly weather. Insider tip: Every first Sunday of the month, volunteers organize a free nature rally for children. How to get there: From Oberwinter 22 minutes by regional train to “Bonn UN Campus”, then five minutes on foot.
2nd Arboretum Park Härle: Giant trees you can touch
The enchanted private park in Bonn-Oberkassel opens its gates free of charge on selected weekends. Over 800 tree species – from sequoias to Himalayan cedars – transform the walk into a botanical journey around the world. On the children’s discovery trail, little explorers can spot woodpecker nests, wild bee hotels and hidden tree lotteries. Picnics are expressly permitted; benches with panoramic views over the Rhine invite you to take a family photo. Current opening dates can be found at Aboretum-haerle.de.
3rd panoramic hike to the Rolandsbogen
The 30-minute forest tour starts directly behind the parish church of Rolandseck (10 minutes from Oberwinter) and leads to the legendary Rolandsbogen. A free viewing balcony with a cinematic view of the Siebengebirge awaits at the top. Children love the legend of Ritter Roland, which is explained in a child-friendly way on information boards. Tip: Combine the hike with a detour along the barrier-free “RheinSteig-Pfad”.
4th Apollinariskirche Remagen & Rhine promenade
Neo-Gothic frescoes, free admission and a panoramic elevator make the Apollinaris Church an underrated family hotspot. Directly below is the car-free Rhine promenade with a surface suitable for inline skating and a new pump track. In summer, local clubs organize free children’s flea markets every Friday – pocket money alarm guaranteed!
5th Erpeler Ley: rock adventure with a view
Just 12 km south of Oberwinter is the Erpeler Ley, a basalt rock that is considered a natural climbing playground. The climb up the serpentine path takes 20 minutes; at the top, an XXL picnic table rewards you with a 180-degree view of the Rhine. Kids can experience hands-on geology here for free – basalt columns, bat caves and information boards about the volcanic cone in the Siebengebirge.
6th Loreley Landscape Park: Legends & Playgrounds
Since the 2029 State Garden Show, the newly designed landscape park on the Loreley plateau no longer charges admission. Between the sound lounger, water playground and viewing platforms, families can discover the famous slate mermaid via an augmented reality app – also free of charge. If you arrive early, you can get one of the hammocks with a view of the narrowest bend in the Rhine.
7th Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Park, Koblenz
The fortress itself is subject to a charge, but the fortress park in front of it remains freely accessible and boasts an adventure playground, walk-in bear statue and picnic terraces. It is a five-minute walk from the cable car valley station. Highlight 2025: the free open-air exhibition “Romans on the Rhine” (June-October).
8th Andernach Rhine facilities & Alter Krahnen
Andernach advertises itself as an “edible town”: fruit, vegetable and herb beds can be harvested by visitors free of charge. Children can pick peaches while parents marvel at the 16-metre-high medieval harbour crane. At the new water playground next to the Rhine Gate, youngsters can splash around in real Rhine water – don’t forget your towel!
Conclusion: zero euros, pure family happiness
Between Bonn and Koblenz, there are an unexpected number of free attractions that will make your family vacation on the Middle Rhine even more relaxing. Pack a change of clothes, snacks and a good mood – the region provides everything else for free.
