With the Palatinate Forest in the background and acres of vineyard surrounding it, Neustadt an der Weinstraße is a heaven of good times and great scenic beauty. The stunning views of the Rhine valley below give a perpetual sense of serenity well in keeping with the general ambience of this placid town.
Not for nothing has it a well deserved reputation as the Secret Wine Capital of Germany.
You can’t miss the Stiftskirche — the awesome historic landmark whose towering Gothic presence sets the tone for things to come. Enjoy the view of the Old Town from the South Tower and take a good look at the Kaiserglocke or the cast iron church bell in the North Tower; it’s one of the last of its kind.
Soak in the ambience at the local restaurants or wine taverns in the Market place (Marktplatz). The area has considerable historic significance as the locals will only be too happy to point out to you. The tale of Kunigund Kirchner is something they love to repeat often; all you have to do is bring it up.
The Town Hall and the Scheffelhaus are other specimens of impressive historic architecture in the area.
In the bye lanes of the Old Town you’ll discover the essence of the real Neustadt an der Weinstraße. Get acquainted at your own pace, for there is no hurry here to reach anywhere.
Lose yourself in the Metzgergasse and Kunigundenstraße — medieval alleyways that lead from the old quarter to the market place. As you stroll along you come face to face with tidbits of history in the form of old residences and buildings that bear witness to a grand past.
A number of museums with an amazing range of exhibits will surely answer a lot of your questions while giving you new things to ponder. The Villa Bohm or the Town Museum, the Otto Dill Museum, and the House of Wine will all enrich your holiday in Neustadt an der Weinstraße tremendously.
Lastly (it’s common to bring up the best at last, right?), take a stroll up to the historically significant Hambach Castle in the Hambach district. Built in the 11th century, the Hambacher Schloss stands for a symbol of German democracy due to the Hambacher Fest that occurred here in 1832.
