Blink and you’ll miss quaint Hattenheim am Rhein as you travel through Germany’s Rheingau region! This small commune on the bank of the Rhine River is one of the most relaxing places to sample the local wines. You can order a glass for just a couple of Euros and sip it right next to the water! Here’s what you should know before visiting this little slice of Heaven.
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When I say that Hattenheim am Rhein is small, I mean it’s a suuuuper small community on the banks of the Rhine River (it’s technically part of the greater Eltville am Rhein area).
Hattenheim was first mentioned in 954 AD, and wine-producing vineyards have been in this area for more than 800 years. And yet most visitors to the Rheingau who are traveling by train or car often overlook this hidden gem, so as such it stays darn near empty even during peak season!
To be fair, there’s little to do here except walk through the charming town center (and I really do mean just walk through it — there aren’t even shops to pop into) and down to the waterfront to enjoy the best Riesling of your life directly by the Rhine River.
In this guide, I’m sharing a little walk you can enjoy from the train station to reach wine paradise in Hattenheim am Rhein.
Happy sipping! ~Claire
A Walk Around Hattenheim am Rhein
Claire’s Tip: Since Hattenheim am Rhein is so small, I suggest ending your day here. Begin at either Rüdesheim am Rhein or Eltville am Rhein, then take the train or drive to Hattenheim to unwind.
I typically travel by train, and my trip to Hattenheim was no exception. From the central train station — it has just two small platforms outside — walk down the Hauptstraße (and I do mean “down,” as the main street slopes gently down towards the river) until you reach the Church of St. Vincentius.
A Catholic church has stood on this site since the mid-1200s but the current building was completed in 1740. It was built in the Baroque style, and the ceiling frescoes are the real highlight of the church.
Since Hattenheim is so small, it wasn’t a target in WWII (unlike nearby Frankfurt am Main) so the interior of the church is almost all original. I love when I stumble across unexpected gems like this on my travels — Hattenheim itself is already fairly off the beaten path within the Rheingau region, and this church is even more so!
Keep following the Hauptstraße until you reach the Market Square (Marktplatz). Like the rest of Hattenheim, there’s nothing “to do” at the Market Square besides admire the architecture.
The square is surrounded by half-timbered buildings, the prettiest of which houses Zum Krug. It opened as a tavern in 1720 and has operated as a joint hotel and restaurant since 1948. I didn’t get a chance to dine here when I was last in Hattenheim, but I’d love to return one day to do so!
Now that you’ve seen the main attractions in Hattenheim (hardy har), follow the Hauptstraße a little further until you reach Schlossergasse. Turn right onto Schlossergasse until you reach a very busy road — that’s the B42 and you do NOT want to walk across it because it’s very busy.
Instead, look for a helpful sign depicting a set of stairs and an arrow. There’s a walkway that takes you under the road and pops out on the other side.
There are two places where you can sip wine on the banks of the Rhine in Hattenheim, and they’re about 2 minutes’ walk from each other:
Option 1: Hattenheim’s wine tasting stand — Here’s the website for the wine stand, which provides up-to-date opening hours. The wine tasting stand only opens from 5pm on weekdays, 3pm on Saturdays, and 11am on Sundays. It’s a charming, rustic spot that serves wines from 13 different Hattenheim wineries on a rotating basis. This place is impossible to miss because the wine stand operates out of giant wine barrels!
Option 2: RheinSchänke (my top pick) — With standard business hours, this riverside restaurant has a massive terrace right on the water and lots of comfy chairs for relaxing. You can buy just a glass of wine or order a full meal if you’re peckish. When I visited last summer, a nearly overflowing glass of the local Riesling cost just 5.50 Euros!
Final Thoughts: Is Hattenheim am Rhein Worth Visiting?
If you’re planning a bike trip through the Rheingau (how very German of you!), are trying to visit lesser known places, or simply want a good evening destination to drink your wine in peace, Hattenheim am Rhein won’t disappoint.
Keep in mind that this town is teensy, so it’s best paired with a visit to nearby Eltville am Rhein, Rüdesheim, or even Eberbach Abbey (which is where Riesling wine was created).
Hattenheim is a fantastic place to sample the local wines! The prices are very cheap and it’s incredibly peaceful. Let me know if you have any questions or comments!
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