Plizio Visual Lab
Loreley
The Loreley is a prominent 132-meter-high slate rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine near Sankt Goarshausen. It is located at the narrowest and deepest point of the Rhine within the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Due to strong currents and numerous rocks beneath the water's surface, this passage was considered one of the most dangerous for shipping for centuries. The rock became world-famous through the legend of a siren whose singing distracted sailors and led them to disaster, a myth culturally anchored primarily by Heinrich Heine's 1824 poem. Today, the Loreley plateau is a major tourist destination featuring a visitor center and an open-air stage that regularly hosts international concerts. The viewpoints offer a spectacular gaze over the Rhine and the surrounding castles. The nautical significance of the spot remains relevant today, which is why shipping here is regulated by light signals. The rock is a symbol of Rhine Romanticism and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world annually.
- Location: Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Top sights: Loreleyblick Maria Ruh · Loreleyblick · Lorelei
- Nearby: Boppard (14 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 51 | 52 | 44 | 70 | 65 | 67 | 71 | 52 | 57 | 61 | 69 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The Loreley rock is 132 meters high.
- At this point, the Rhine is only about 113 meters wide.
- The water depth of the Rhine reaches up to 25 meters here.
- The famous Loreley song by Heinrich Heine was written in 1824.
- The Loreley open-air stage opened in 1939 and holds up to 15,000 spectators.
- The bronze Loreley statue on the harbor mole was erected in 1983.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Loreley (10)
R(h)einblick St. Goarshausen
Nice view into the Rhine valley towards the Loreley rock.
Ein Stück vom Paradies
Rest or viewpoint area with Rhine view near the Loreley.
Freilichtbühne Loreley
Open-air theatre in St. Goarshausen used for concerts and festivals.
Besucherzentrum Loreley🏛 museum
Visitor centre for the Loreley region with exhibitions.
Sommerrodelbahn Loreley-Bob
Summer toboggan run at the Loreley rock.
Evangelische Kirche⛪ church
Protestant church in St. Goarshausen.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Loreley located?
What is the legend of the Loreley?
Can you drive up to the Loreley plateau?
Is there a visitor center at the Loreley?
What is the Loreley Open Air Stage?
Loreley: where is it located?
Loreley: what is there to see?
Loreley: when is the best time to visit?
Loreley: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
