Bacharach’s cobbled streets and half-timbered houses already feel like a step back in time. But once every two years, the banks of the Rhine in Bacharach transform with a spectacular event that embraces the city’s medieval roots: the Bacharach Medieval Market!
The first time we went to Bacharach in 2023, we missed the market by a week but we saw the remnants – posters and signs, and marked our calendar two years ahead so we’d be sure to make it in 2025. We pulled it off, and it was so worth it!
The Bacharach Medieval Market is held in a picturesque riverside park between the historic Rhine River and the vine-covered hills overlooked by Stahleck Castle. This immersive festival draws visitors from across the region for a weekend of indulging your historic imagination. Think armored knights, lute-playing minstrels, crackling fire shows, rustic meats and baked goods, all set against one of the most beautiful backdrops in the Rhine Valley.
In this post, I’ll take you inside the Bacharach Medieval Market, share insider tips for attending, how to get there, where to park, where to stay, and show you why this lesser-known festival should absolutely be on your European travel radar.
What Is the Bacharach Medieval Market?
- This special festival takes place only for two days, every other year.
- This is not a Disney-fied event! There are no “sexy witches,” and no dragons or sparkly unicorns. You’ll find a whole group of people here who love actual historical reenactment and relish in playing the part.
- You’ll tend to find regional tourists here, but not in huge numbers. Locals are the bulk of the attendees which gives the whole place a hidden gem vibe that it’s hard to describe.
- Dates for 2027 have not been released, but in 2025 the market happened on the second weekend in May.
The Setting
- The park that acts as the fairground for the Bacharach medieval market is absolutely *chef’s kiss*. On one side you’ll see the sparkling blue Rhine River with boats gliding past, and on the other side the medieval city walls with the Marktturm gate, and Stahleck castle towering high on a hill overhead.
- Daytime is glorious, but at night the real magic starts. They really try to have next to no electric lights, and there are lots of actual torches, and flickering lanterns to set the mood.
What You’ll Experience at the Bacharach Medieval Market
- Market Stalls & Artisans – Handmade wares, blacksmith and spinning demos, woodwork, leather goods, herbal concoctions, jewelry and amulets, weaponry, and authentic costumes. We walked out with a drinking horn, and my husband got a pair of medieval pants!
- Performers & Demonstrations – Jesters, jugglers, swordplay, traditional dancing, historical reenactments, and a parade!
- Musicians – Lutes and flutes! Drummers, singers, bagpipes, and medieval folk bands.
- Authentic Costumes – Many attendees (and all of the vendors and performers) come in full medieval dress, adding to the festive atmosphere
- Food & Drink – You’ll find mead and beer, sausages, roast meats, flatbreads, regional specialties, and local wine. There was even a felafel stand for the veggie crew.
- The Fire Show Finale – This high-energy night-time spectacle has fire jugglers (and swallowers!) and music. A perfect way to end the day.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Medieval Market
🗓️ When: The 2025 Bacharach Medieval Market was the second weekend in May, so expect the next one around the same time in 2027. The market lasts two days – Saturday and Sunday.
📍 Where: You can’t miss it! The market takes up the beautiful green space between the road and the Rhine. There will be ticket sellers at the entrance by the large public parking lot.
🎟️ Tickets: €15 per adult
🐶 Dog-Friendly: Yes, dogs are permitted in the market! There were even a couple watering stations set up called “Dog Taverns.” We saw several pups enjoying the day. Sadly ours is not “commotion friendly” so she napped at the hotel.
🛡️ What to Wear: You can wear street clothes, or even better, bust out your best authentic medieval attire! If the market inspires you, there are several vendors on site that sell both men’s and women’s medieval garb from hats to shoes and everything in between.
💶 Bring Cash: Most vendors do not accept credit cards, so be sure you have cash for food and goodies!
Best Way to Get to Bacharach
🔍 Here’s the exact Google coordinate of the market (Vierthälermarkt)
🚗 Bacharach By Car: There is a large parking lot (Parkplatz Rheinufer) across from the Marktturm and right next to the Rhine, and the medieval festival. There is a parking machine that theoretically accepts credit cards, but I’ve never gotten it to work. So learn from me and just bring a handful of coins! €10 in coins should last you for the day.
🚉 Bacharach by Train: The train station in Bacharach is just south of the park where the festival takes place (the red pin on the map above), and you can walk to the market in just a couple minutes.
- How to get to Bacharach by train from Kaiserslautern (2 hours)
- How to get to Bacharach by train from Frankfurt (1 hour 25 minutes)
- How to get to Bacharach by train from Heidelberg (2 hours)
Where to Stay in Bacharach for the Festival
Do you want the absolute best place to stay for convenience to the festival? Or maybe you want to stay in the actual castle? Need a dog-friendly hotel? Want a spot with an indoor pool? I’ve rounded up the best stays in Bacharach for a magical weekend. I spotted the place I wanted to stay 2 years ago and booked it early, but there are several great choices.
Extend Your Visit – More Things to Do in Bacharach
You could make this a fabulous day trip from the Frankfurt, Heidelberg, or Kaiserslautern areas, but why not make a weekend of it?
There are a lot of fascinating things to see in Bacharach. Imagine a wine bar that used to be a mint for gold coins, a 12th century church out of a storybook, a gorgeous castle on a hill, a romantic ruin perfect for photo opps, and an almost fully half-timbered old town waiting to explore…
If you’re just interested in hiking to the castle and learning about its incredible history, you can check that out too.
A Time Machine to the Middle Ages
Whether you’re a medieval festival junkie, a music lover, a history buff, or you’re just looking for an absolutely memorable way to spend the weekend, the Bacharach Medieval market is for you. It will take some advanced preparation, but it’s an adventure you’ll never forget, and is truly one of the best festival experiences we’ve had in Germany!