Plizio Visual Lab
Gernsheim
ℹ️Practical info — Gernsheim
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Use the Rhine ferry at the harbor to get to the other side of the river quickly and picturesquely.
- The network of cycle paths along the Rhine is excellent; rent a bike for the best way to explore.
- Visit the Peter Schöffer monument at Schöfferplatz to learn about the history of early book printing.
- If you are here in August, you should definitely not miss the traditional Rhenish Fishermen's Festival.
🍽 Food
Try fresh fried fish in the restaurants located right on the banks of the Rhine.
Enjoy a glass of local apple wine ('Ebbelwoi') in a traditional tavern in the region.
In spring, you should definitely order dishes with fresh asparagus from the Hessisches Ried area.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Buy fresh fruit, vegetables, and regional cold cuts at the weekly market in the center.
Look in local delicatessens for wines from the nearby Hessische Bergstraße wine-growing region.
A well-suited place for a quiet walk, especially to watch the sunset over the river.
Sit on a bench here and relax while watching the passing river barges.
Water temperature…
Gernsheim lies directly on the eastern bank of the Rhine River, a setting that has defined its history and daily life for centuries. Known as the "Schöfferstadt," it is the birthplace of Peter Schöffer, an early innovator in typography and the principal associate of Johannes Gutenberg. The town honors him with a prominent monument and the Schöfferhaus museum. Today, the Rhine remains the main draw for visitors. The bustling harbor and the wide river promenade offer great spots to watch the immense cargo ships navigate the busy waterway. Taking the local Rhine ferry across the river to Rhineland-Palatinate is a popular, nostalgic experience for cyclists and day-trippers. The surrounding landscape is part of the Hessian Ried, a flat, fertile plain interspersed with small lakes and nature reserves, well-suited for leisurely biking tours. Every year on the second weekend in September, the town hosts the Rhenish Fishermen's Festival (Rheinische Fischerfest), the largest of its kind along the Rhine, drawing thousands with its amusement rides, fish specialties, and spectacular fireworks over the water.
- Location: Hesse, Germany
- Top sights: Schöffer Square · Peter Schöffer House · Maria Einsiedel Pilgrimage Church
- Nearby: Riedstadt (9 km)
- Population: ~11.006
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 57 | 46 | 47 | 41 | 71 | 59 | 66 | 65 | 46 | 54 | 56 | 64 |
Geography
Facts
- Status: Official Schöfferstadt since 2003
- Port: Handles approx. 1 million tons annually
- Elevation: 89 m above sea level
- Area: 19.75 km²
- Landmark: Peter Schöffer Monument
- Location: 20 km south of Darmstadt
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Gernsheim (5)
Frequently asked questions
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Gernsheim: where is it located?
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