Germany’s wine capital has it all! A quaint Old Town, a soaring cathedral, two original Gutenberg Bibles, and LOTS of Riesling. Use this detailed Mainz day trip itinerary to make the most of your short visit to this charming city on the banks of the Rhine River.
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Known as “the wine capital of Germany,” Mainz is a beautiful city in western Germany that serves as the gateway to the famous Rheingau wine region, which is where Riesling wine was created.
Since moving to Germany in 2019, I’ve been lucky enough to visit Mainz half a dozen times or more. A good friend of mine lives just across the Rhine River in Wiesbaden, and I make it a point to return to Mainz anytime I’m in the area.
Why do I love Mainz so much? Because it’s beautiful, has a fascinating history that dates back to Roman times, has plenty of things to do, and even though it’s famous throughout Germany for its incredible wines it still flies under most tourist’s radars, which has helped to preserve its local flair.
There are too many fun things to do in Mainz than can realistically be experienced in one day, but this day trip itinerary will help you maximize your schedule so you can see the best that the city has to offer in a short amount of time.
Happy adventuring! ~Claire
Map of All the Attractions
Mainz Day Trip Itinerary
Claire’s Tip: I always like to start my visits to Mainz at the Marktplatz, both because it’s smack in the center of the city and because it’s right next to the tourist information office (address: Markt 17). Even though I’ve been to Mainz half a dozen times by this point, I still like to pop in to see if anything new has cropped up since my last visit and to grab a paper map like the grandma I am!
Stop 1: Central Market Square (Marktplatz)
The central square in Mainz is one of the prettiest in the country, with a colorful row of reconstructed buildings on one side and the Romanesque cathedral on the other.
In the very center of the square is a 16-ton sandstone column that looks like it was sawed off at the top. This column is an archaeological find from Miltenberg (which is clear on the other side of Germany, in Bavaria). It was dug up with 14 other columns that are believed to have been intended for the rebuilding of the cathedral after the original structure burnt down.
The column was placed in its current location in 1975 to celebrate the cathedral turning 1,000 years old and is the focal point of the weekly market that takes place on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 7am to 2pm.
Stop 2: St. Martin’s Cathedral (Dom St. Martin)
The Mainz Cathedral might just be the unluckiest church I’ve visited in all of my travels throughout Germany. Why? Because since being consecrated in 1009 AD, the cathedral has burned down seven times — including on the very day of its consecration!
It’s not all bad though, because the current cathedral is truly a thing of beauty. The Late Gothic cloisters are a highlight of any visit, as are the tombs of the 45 bishops and archbishops of Mainz that are buried within the cathedral.
The cathedral is free to enter, and I suggest giving yourself at least 45 minutes to explore it fully. Since you’re in Mainz for just one day, I suggest skipping the Cathedral Museum to save some time.
Stop 3: Nail Column (Nagelsäule)
After exploring the inside of the cathedral, head back out the main entrance and pause to look at the Nail Column (Nagelsäule) that’s located on Liebfrauenplatz.
The unique column was erected during World War I as part of a “war nailing” fundraiser campaign. In exchange for a monetary donation to the war efforts, citizens were allowed to hammer one nail into the oak column (per a design that had been pre-approved by the mayor).
The elaborately decorated Nail Column is surrounded by three smaller limestone pillars. The pillars are topped by allegorical representations of Bravery, Unity, and Charity. This is a lesser-known attraction in Mainz that always catches my eye!
Stop 4: Kirschgarten
If you’ve done any level of research on Mainz before reading this day trip itinerary, you’ve likely seen a photo of the Kirschgarten without realizing it.
The Kirschgarten is one of the most easily recognizable places in Mainz, and all of the friends I’ve taken here have wanted to stop to take photos of this small square with a picturesque sandstone fountain in the middle and half-timbered buildings lining the sides.
The one half-timbered building you absolutely cannot miss is “Haus zum Aschaffenberg,” located at Kirschgarten 28. Dating back to the 15th century, it’s the oldest building in Mainz!
Stop 5: Old Town (Augustinerstraße)
After admiring the half-timbered haven that is the Kirschgarten, continue walking down Augustinerstraße to see the rest of the Old Town.
Mainz’s Old Town is pretty much just this one long street, so there’s not lots to “do” here besides window shop, take photos, and look at all the pretty buildings.
I strongly suggest popping into St. Augustine’s Church (Augustinerkirche; shown above) as you make your way through the Old Town. First built in the Gothic style in the 13th century, the current opulent Rococo interior is thanks to a redesign in the late 1700s. Today the church serves as a seminary and is open to visitors Monday to Saturday.
Stop 6: Lunch (+ My Restaurant Recommendations)
At this point in the day, you’ll be smack in the middle of Mainz, so the world’s your oyster when it comes to lunch options. Here are my top suggestions:
- Go back to the Marktplatz — There’s a great market here on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays that stays open until 2pm. You can grab a bratwurst, some fresh fruit and / or veggies, and relax in the shade of the cathedral while you nibble on your budget-friendly lunch. (Note: you’ll need cash for this!)
- Augustinerkeller (Augustinerstraße 26) — If you’re craving hearty German fare, this is a great option for lunch in the Old Town.
- Oma Else (Jakobsbergstraße 12) — Just a short walk from the Old Town is this local gem that focuses on regional, (mostly) organic ingredients. They have a seating area outside that’s absolutely dreamy in the spring and summer, and their menu features a good mix of heavier dishes and smaller bites.
- Noodle Fusion 1990 (Grebenstraße 18) — This is a solid Vietnamese restaurant that’s about 5 minutes’ walk from the Old Town.
Stop 7: Rhine Promenade
Claire’s Tip: To walk from the Old Town to the Rhine Promenade, follow Holzstraße due East until you hit the water (you’ll know you’re heading the right way if you pass the 6-story painted Gothic Holzturm tower). Then, head North along the River towards the Gutenberg Museum. I’ve numbered all of the Mainz highlights mentioned on this itinerary in the Google Map above — save it to your phone for easy reference as you’re walking 🙂
If the weather is good, skip walking through the city center again (even though it’s very nice!) and make your way to the Gutenberg Museum via the Rhine Promenade instead.
It’s a lovely path that runs parallel to the Rhine River, with fountains, monuments, and viewpoints scattered along the way.
I know the path along the Rhine Promenade looks long, but you’ll only be walking for 10 to 15 minutes, so feel free to stop to take photos, rest your feet, or generally just take in those gorgeous river views.
Stop 8: Gutenberg Museum
Heads up! The Gunteberg Museum has temporarily moved from its historic location across from the Mainz Cathedral. The original museum space that’s been used since the 1920s is being renovated, which is expected to take until 2029. Until the original location reopens, you can visit its new temporary location at Reichklarastraße 1 to see its exhibit “Gutenberg-Museum MOVED.” (Don’t worry, the Bibles are still on display!) I’ve reordered the stops along this Mainz itinerary to reflect the new location.
The Gutenberg Museum is a compact museum that explains the history of bookmaking and printing, with Johannes Gutenberg’s legacy and work the focal point.
The key attraction within the museum is the treasure vault that holds two original Gutenberg bibles (for reference, there are only 48 left in the entire world, so this is a BIG deal).
The bibles can be seen as part of the permanent exhibition within the museum, but if you want a closer look at them and more detailed information on Gutenberg’s process, I suggest signing up for a 1-hour guided tour of the museum.
Stop 9: Evening Wine Tasting
Now that you’ve seen all of the top attractions in Mainz, it’s time to get drunk! KIDDING.
But you really should do some kind of wine tasting to learn more about the city’s long and fascinating history of winemaking — as well as try the exceptional Riesling and Spätburgunder wines that are produced in the region!
Mainz is the wine capital of Germany, so as you can imagine there are a variety of excellent wine tours and tastings to participate in. My top recommendation is to book a wine tasting with BottleStops. I’ve met the owner of the tour company, Jerome, and his knowledge of the region and its history translates to one of the best tasting experiences I’ve taken part in.
What I particularly love about the BottleStops wine tastings is that they cap their groups at a small number, which makes the entire experience feel more luxurious (and like you can actually ask questions and talk to the people around you!).
Claire’s Tip: I also went on a day tour of the region with Bottlestops the last time I was in Mainz. If you’re looking for more things to do in Mainz and will be in the city for more than a day, consider booking a day tour instead of an evening wine tasting. You can read my full review of Bottlestops’ day tour here.
Is One Day in Mainz Enough Time?
I’ve now visited Mainz a couple of times, so I can confidently say that one day in Mainz is plenty of time to see the main attractions. Obviously you won’t be able to go into every single museum and church or participate in multiple tours, but you can definitely explore the bulk of the city center on foot. (For reference, I arrived in Mainz around 11am and left at 7pm on my first ever day trip).
If you’ll be staying for more than a day, consider booking a guided day tour to (safely) drink your way through the surrounding wine region, or utilize Germany’s extensive train network to take a day trip from Mainz.
🚂 The Best Places to Visit Near Mainz (Easy Day Trips by Train) 🇩🇪
Enjoy Your Day Trip to Mainz!
If you have any questions about what to do in Mainz for a day or need help finalizing your itinerary, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below. I love helping my readers plan their trips to Germany!
And — one last thing! — be sure to read my guide to the Mainz Christmas market if you’ll be visiting during Advent.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!
More Places to Visit in Germany’s Wine Region
Thank you to BottleStops for gifting me a wine tasting and winery tour. All opinions are 100% my own.
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