Königswinter

Königswinter is a historically rooted town in Rhein-Sieg district, stretching along the eastern Rhine shore beneath the wooded ridge of the Siebengebirge range. The townscape displays a mix of historical timber-frame houses, newer residential quarters, and riverside promenades extending over several kilometers.

The settlement received town rights in 1211 and developed from a community belonging to Heisterbach Abbey. In the 19th century, it grew into a popular excursion destination through the arrival of the railway and romantic enthusiasm for the Rhine landscape.

The name derives from the medieval fishing village that grew around a royal court. Visitors today experience a townscape nestled between riverbanks and forested slopes, serving as a starting point for walks into the hills.

Travelers reach the town by regional trains running along the right Rhine bank or by passenger ferries connecting the western shore to the town center. Most of the urban area sits on flat ground by the river and is easy to walk.

A rack railway, the oldest of its kind in Germany, has connected the riverbank to the Drachenfels plateau since 1883, climbing nearly 200 meters (656 feet) of elevation. Those who ride early in the morning often share the carriages only with hikers and hotel guests from the summit.