"weekends in Mainz" Top 5 Page for this destination Mainz by brendareed

Mainz Travel Guide: 320 reviews and 712 photos

Mainz is the first place we stayed when arriving in Germany – it was our home for the first month while we waited for our house. So full of history and things to do that we were never bored and we still return to the city often since some of our favorite restaurants and sights are there!

Mainz dates back to the Roman times and there are plenty of Roman ruins around town if you are interested in that part of history.

Mainz was the home of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the movable type printing press. There is a museum dedicated to Gutenberg and his work as well as a statue in the middle of town honoring their favorite son.

Mainz is dominating by the Dom - St. Martin's Cathedral, one of three Romanesque imperial cathedrals in the area. But this is not the only church in Mainz as there are 12 churches in the city.

Situated on the 50th parallel, Mainz has the line drawn to mark it near the statue of Gutenberg.

Mainz has a beautiful Altstadt (Old Town) with half-timbered buildings full of shops, eateries, and ice cream.

Fastnacht - carnival in Mainz

Mainz is famous for its spring Carnival – known as “Fastnacht.” Each year, beginning in November, the parties begin and continue until the climax of the massive parade in March. The city is known for its love of carnival and has a unique statue in the Schillerplatz honoring this annual festivity.

Be sure to visit my two travelogues - Carnival Part 1 and Part 2 - for photos of the many unique floats and people that come to Mainz for Fastnacht!

Another festival - celebration in Mainz is the annual Christmas Market which is located next to the Dom in the Marktplatz from late November until just before Christmas. This wonderful event has food, wine, shopping, lights, and lots of Christmas spirit. I have added a Travelogue for the Christmas market that has additional photos from this festive annual event.

In the summer, there are four opportunities to view fireworks along the Rhein River during an event called Rhein in Flammen. While many people view this from the middle of the river on cruise ships, many others head up to the towns along the Rhein and watch from the shores. Closest to Mainz is the Bingen display which is in the early summer.

Altstadt in Mainz

Anything you could want to eat can be found in Mainz – German, Mexican, Thai, Italian, American, fast food, beer, wine, you name it!

There are lots of places to walk in Mainz – one of my favorites in the “Three Bridges Walk” which takes you across the Theodor Heuss Bridge, the railroad bridge and the bridge between Gustavsburg and Mainz-Kostheim. It takes about 2 hours and you get some wonderful views of the river along the way as you go down one side and up the other, crossing the Rhine twice on bridges.

Have a look around Mainz - come back often - there is so much to see!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Mainz has it all - history, architecture, food, fun!
In a nutshell:Come often - you can't see it all in just a couple days

Last visit to Mainz: Oct 2011
Intro Updated Apr 19, 2012
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (37)

Heunesäulen: column in the Domplatz - Mainz

Heunesäulen: column in the Domplatz Things to Do (21)

In the center of the Domplatz, or the market place by the cathedral, is a tall, thick column sitting within a bronze... more travel advice

Heilig Geist Restaurant Restaurants (9)

This is a very unique restaurant whose name translates to “Holy Spirit” – built in a former hospital church that was... more travel advice

Changing trains in Mainz Transportation (2)

Typically I drive into Mainz when visiting; however, recently I had the opportunity to use the train station. I was on a... more travel advice

Federweißer time in Mainz Things to Do (21)

September is Federweißer time in the German wine regions. Time for the new wine - freshly pressed grapes with added... more travel advice

Hotels (3)
See All in the center of town

Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Fun little (and not so little) statues...

Travelogues (3)

1 - 3 of 3

Comments (4)

Reply
- Report abuse
breughel Jul 28, 2012 at 7:57 AM

Belgian beer even in Mainz! Grimbergen abdij is near Brussels. The abbey was destroyed under the French Revolution (rebuild later) but the receipts from clear to dark abdijbier with 6,5 - 10 % alcohol/vol. are now brewed in large amounts and exported everywhere by an international group (Carlsberg).
(Info for Tom!).
Reply
- Report abuse
Trekki Jul 10, 2012 at 10:56 AM

Oh magic!!! Can you believe that I was in Mainz only once (!!!) since I live here?? Well, except the visits to the central bank, but that does not count. So magic, even in winter! Marc Chagall's church is high on my wishlist! And the Chsistmas Market now as well!!! And then some Flammkuchen. They look very delicious on the photos, better than any I have eaten so far.
Oh, and you can see me rolling on the floor (in between typing) because now I know where the Clone Army is being produced.... that statue reminds me so much of a Clone Trooper......
Reply
- Report abuse
CatherineReichardt Dec 13, 2011 at 10:29 PM

Hi Brenda
I'm seeing Mainz in a whole new perspective through your 'virtual' eyes. All this history and jollification AND good Tex Mex to boot ... I'm hooked!
Regards
Cathy
Reply
- Report abuse
hunterV Dec 2, 2011 at 8:43 AM

Brenda, ich habe auch Mainz besucht und meinen Aufenthalt dort geniessen...Thanks for your great description full of nice details!