Travel

Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, is one of the oldest cities in Germany and is picturesquely situated on the banks of the Rhine.

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Founded by the Romans, the city’s long history is reflected in many of its buildings and attractions. Mainz is best known as the home of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press, whose legacy is honored in the Gutenberg Museum. The imposing Mainz Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, dominates the cityscape and is one of its landmarks.

Photo: WikimediaImages via Pixabay
Photo: lapping via Pixabay

The beautiful old town with its half-timbered houses, the Augustinian Church and the Romano-Germanic Central Museum are also worth a visit. Those interested in culture will appreciate the State Theater and the annual “Mainzer Johannesfest” (in June).

The area around Mainz also has a lot to offer: Rheinhessen and Rheingau wine regions are known for their excellent wines, and along the Rhine, charming wine villages such as Rüdesheim or the castles of the Middle Rhine Valley invite you to take a trip. Wiesbaden, the state capital of Hessen, is just across the river, and the proximity to Frankfurt makes Mainz an ideal base for those who love skyscrapers and big city life.

Photo: Jonny_Joka via Pixabay
Photo: lapping via Pixabay
Photo: Organizing Committee ECVP 2025
  1. Mainz Cathedral (St. Martin’s Cathedral): An impressive example of Romanesque architecture, the city’s landmark. The cathedral is over 1,000 years old and offers a fascinating insight into the history of the region.
  2. Mainz Old Town: The picturesque Old Town of Mainz with its narrow streets, half-timbered houses and cozy squares invites you to take a stroll. The Augustinian Church and the Kirschgarten quarter are especially worth seeing.
  3. Roman-Germanic Central Museum: An important archaeological museum with finds from Roman and Germanic history. There are exciting exhibitions about life in Roman times.
  4. Mainz Carnival Fountain: An ornate fountain on Schillerplatz that symbolizes the centuries-old Mainz carnival. It is a popular attraction during the carnival season.
  5. Rhine promenade: The Rhine promenade is a beautiful place to walk, bike or just relax. Many events take place here, especially in summer.
  1. Kurhaus (Wiesbaden): A grand historic spa and entertainment complex, known for its stunning architecture and lush surrounding gardens. Built in the mid-19th century, it has served as a symbol of the city’s rich thermal bath heritage and is a popular venue for concerts, events, and conventions.
  2. Rheingau and Eberbach Abbey: One of Germany’s most famous wine regions. Eberbach Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery, has beautiful architecture and is famous as a filming location for “The Name of the Rose”.
  3. Middle Rhine Valley and Loreley: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with spectacular castles and palaces along the Rhine. The Loreley, a famous rock, is particularly picturesque.
  4. Rüdesheim on the Rhine: A charming wine town in the Rheingau, famous for the Drosselgasse, wine tasting and the Niederwalddenkmal with panoramic views over the Rhine.
  5. Frankfurt am Main: A vibrant metropolis known for its striking skyline, Frankfurt combines modern architecture with rich history, offering top attractions, as well as a vibrant nightlife.
Photo: lapping via Pixabay
Photo: Organizing Committee ECVP 2025

Do you want to know more about Mainz? Visit the city homepage for more information.

Clicking on the image below will take you to our map on OpenStreetMap, where you can activate the “Sights” layer.

Data by OpenStreetMap

Mainz is easily accessible from several international airports. The closest major airport is Frankfurt Airport (FRA), which is also the largest airport in Germany, located approximately 30 kilometers from Mainz.

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For more information on flights and destinations, please visit the Frankfurt Airport website. Upon arrival at Frankfurt Airport, please note that there are two train stations: the regional train station and the long-distance train station. Be sure to take a train from the regional station to “Mainz Hauptbahnhof” for the most direct connection. There are a number of different options, including the regional trains “S8”, “RE2”, and “RE3“.

Mainz has excellent rail connections to major cities in Germany and central Europe.

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Mainz Hauptbahnhof is well connected to the German rail network, allowing easy travel from various locations. For schedules and to book tickets, visit the Deutsche Bahn website.

Mainz is easily accessible by car via the A60 highway (from the west) and the A63 highway (from the north and south).

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Both will take you directly into the city center. Mainz is also very close to the A3 (one of the central east-west routes in Germany) and the A5 (one of the central north-south routes in Germany). Both intersect near Frankfurt International Airport, and Mainz can be reached by taking the A67 and then the A60 directly into the city center. Mainz is about a 1 hour drive from Frankfurt (30 minutes from the airport) and only a 6 hour drive from Paris or Amsterdam.

Mainz offers a wide range of accommodations with over 4,000 hotel beds in Mainz itself and numerous alternatives in the vicinity. We have reserved a block of hotel rooms exclusively for ECVP participants.