Photo opportunities in and around Koblenz

[Rafael]

I am off to Koblenz for a conference at the beginning of August. Afterwards, I will probably have two full days to myself to explore and take photographs. I can't wait!

To any of you who either live in the area or who have visited it, do you have any suggestions of places to photograph? My primary interest right now is street photography. I am thinking of heading up to Cologne. But apart from that, my plans are still completely up in the air.

Also, do you know of any must-visit camera stores in the area? Hey, I have to feed both the GAS and the artistic sides of my personality!

 

[quizzard87]

the inner city of koblenz is pretty nice...so are the smaller villages down the Rhein like Bacharach, Boppard, Bingen...

 

[Joerg]

Both suggestions sounds like fun.
You cant go wrong with Cologne.
On the other hand traveling up the Rhine river towards Wiesbaden and or frankfurt will be great too
It can be a decision between wine and beer too.

Ciao

Joerg

 

[Rafael]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. My free days will be Friday and Saturday. So Roland, I would love to see a soccer match if there is one on the Saturday. The conference organizers have arranged a trip to Marksburg Castle. But I would love to see more castles if I have the time. And as for the wine tasting, sign me up! (wouldn't say no to a few pints either) It's a shame that this trip will have to be so short.

 

[quizzard87]

jep, for more castles and good vine you definitely have to go south!

 

[lubitel]

There was a nice photo store in Cologne, that I visited once, but I dont remember where it was, it was pretty central though on one of the large squares, so I am sure you will run into it. May be someone here will be able to help. Cologne will be great for street photography, a very nice and lively city.

In Koblenz I was only very shortly and cant say much about it. It seemed like a nice city though, so I am sure you will have plenty of photo opportunities.

PS: Just searched in internet it may have been
Foto Gregor at Neumarkt 32 - 34

 

[jaapv]

THIS, Foto Gregor, is one of the major general photo stores of Europe, in Köln (that is the real name of Cologne)In the centre you'll find one or two others as well.It is a great city for street photography, you'd need two months, not two days, but if you get fed up, the smaller nearby city of Maastricht in the Netherlands is very beautiful and one of the oldest towns on the continent, with a kind French atmosphere.

 

[rxmd]

Photo stores and recommendations:

- in Cologne: Foto Gregor has already been mentioned, I heartily second the recommendation, they're one of the best photo stores I've ever seen. Then there's Foto Brell, located very conveniently right outside the main railway station, with some second hand gear. BTW the station and the adjacent cathedral procide for some excellent photographic opportunities if you're either into street photography, architecture or into trains; I would definitely spend some time there to take some pictures. Two subway stops or fifteen minutes walk from Foto Gregor, too. Cologne is definitely a recommendation. Bring a wideangle.

- in Bonn, if you want to stop on the way for an hour, there's City Foto Center about two minutes walk from the central train station. Very large second hand selection with some rather exotic gear, unfortunately most of it significantly overpriced, but still there might be something for you. Not on the scale of Foto Gregor in Cologne, though. Bonn has some nice photographic opportunities, too (I've lived there the last seven years until recently), but you probably won't have the time.

Philipp

 

[Sonnar2]

Festung Ehrenbreitstein at Lahnstein.
cheers Frank

 

[BJ Bignell]

I can also recommend Cologne. As Jaap said, you'll need more than two days to explore it properly and get enough. The further you move from the tourist areas, the more little alleyways and interesting places you find. Also, there is the chocolate museum with an awesome store. And, if it's your thing, the Roman-Germanic museam next to the Dom is truly impressive.

For street shooting: Hauptbanhof, Dom, Roncalliplatz, Hohestr, Schildergasse, Neumarkt, Breitestr/Ehrenstr (all the way to the Ring), Friesenplatz, Rudolfplatz, Mittelstr, Neumarkt, and Frankenwerft (riverside walkway). For something less touristy, try Marzellenstr all the way up to Eigelsteintor/Ebertplatz.

If you want good food and beer, head towards Friesenplatz for Päffgen Brauhaus. If you want to stay more in the tourist district, Sion Brauhaus (you must eat the bratwurst here) and Brauhaus zum Pfaffen (go to the patio in the back) are also good. You can find a list of these and other brauhaeuser here: http://www.cologneweb.com/brauerei.htm

One thing to understand in Cologne: One does not generally purchase 'pints', unless there is a 500ml bottle of a specific beer that you would like (such as Hefeweizen). In Koeln, you should drink the Koelsch, a bright, refreshing, and easy to drink beer. It's served in 200ml glasses, and let me tell you, it's very easy to drink 10 of those. Every brauhaus serves their own brand, so go exploring a little!

 

[jaapv]

One thing to understand in Cologne: One does not generally purchase 'pints', unless there is a 500ml bottle of a specific beer that you would like (such as Hefeweizen). In Koeln, you should drink the Koelsch, a bright, refreshing, and easy to drink beer. It's served in 200ml glasses, and let me tell you, it's very easy to drink 10 of those. Every brauhaus serves their own brand, so go exploring a little!

Really, BJ, have you never had a Stiefel of beer? I won't tell you the trick of emptying it without spilling beer all over you. You'll have to figure that one out yourself 😉 It is just two litres (half a gallon) in a boot-shaped glass. Don't drive after having it!

 

[rxmd]

Hi Frank,

to be honest, I think Castle Ehrenbreitstein - link - is rather boring, given that what you can look at now is really a big, but very dull 19th century fortress. I spent about a week up there (there's a hostel in the castle) and it was less than impressive.

Castle Eltz is an entirely different league, an entirely preserved medieval castle in an astounding environment. If I had two days in Koblenz to spend for photographing, I'd spend half a day on Burg Eltz (link - I've been there three times, without exaggeration it's one of the most magnificient castles in all of Germany, easily on par with more famous castles like Neuschwanstein and not half as kitschy and 19th-century, and surprisingly few tourists), half a day in Koblenz and go to Cologne for the other day to do some street photography, see one of Germany's largest and liveliest cities and visit Foto-Gregor.

(If I had the option between hanging around a second day around Koblenz or in Cologne for photographing I'd go to Cologne any day, and beer is better, too. My favourite, for the record, is Mühlen-Kölsch - link - the website is horrible, but the beer is rich and malty - for a Kölsch, anyway 😉)

Soccer season only starts again on August 11. Unfortunately the teams from all of the three major soccer cities in the near vicinity (Cologne, Kaiserslautern and, as of this year, Koblenz) play 2nd league now. On August 11, there's Kaiserslautern vs. Essen, starting at 6 PM in Kaiserslautern. If that's not too late for you. In the first league, there's Mainz vs. Bochum in Mainz on August 12 at 3.30 PM.

Philipp

 

[BJ Bignell]

Ahhh yes, Muehlen! Mmmmmmmm.... 😀

//edit: Ehrenbreitstein is nice, but not too exciting. Good shots can be had of Deutsches Eck from there, and the DJH youth hostel in the fortress makes for a cool place to stay!

If you stay in Koblenz, Deutsches Eck is a must. It's hard to appreciate the scale until you get close, and then it's almost frightening...

 

[Rafael]

Wow, you guys are so helpful. I will definitely try to get to Burg Eltz. The photographs that Roland posted are wonderful. And it sounds as though I will have to make a trip tp Foto Gregor (just have to make sure I can afford to get home!!).

The conference that I will be attending runs Monday through Thursday in Koblenz. I am hoping that I will be able to sneak away for some photographic (and beer) explorations during the week. That way, I will be able to spend most of my two free days in Cologne. I have never travelled to Europe for such a short time before. My past trips have all been much longer. So I am sure that I will be a bit frustrated to only have two days. However, I will certainly try to make the most of them.

 

[jaapv]

There is nothing wrong with Koblenz either... A lovely city in a beautiful countryside.

 

[Rafael]

Roland, I've sent you a PM about the Bundesliga schedule. Thanks.

 

[quizzard87]

well then have fun! and don't forget to show us the pics afterwards ;-)

 

[Rafael]

Thanks Quizzard87. I will definitely post photos when I get back. I wish I had the time to head south from Koblenz as you suggested. But my time is so limited on this trip.

 

[Sonnar2]

Of course, Burg Eltz is a "must-have seen" for any tourists (specially Japanese...) and looks huge more "picturesque" than grim Ehrenbreitstein (which was build 17/18th not 19th century)

 

[rxmd]

grim Ehrenbreitstein (which was build 17/18th not 19th century)

Actually the first fortress there was built at least in the 11th century. There was a baroque-era fortress there which the French blew up in 1801, and a new fortress was built by the Prussians between 1817 and 1828 in the present form. It enjoyed military use well into the 20th century. There's not much left of the older structures.

Philipp