Mainz Car Hire

Guide to Mainz

Geography

Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate state capital and largest city, Mainz is located in the western centre of Rhineland-Palatinate. It is located on the Rhine's left bank, across from Wiesbaden and the Main River's mouth.

Climate in Mainz

The weather in Mainz is influenced by the ocean. Summers are hot and sunny with few clouds, while winters are cold and windy with lots of snow. Temperatures seldom drop below freezing or reach over a scorching 40°C.

Culture

In the 1st century BC, the Romans built the city of Mainz, which grew to prominence in the 8th century AD as a member of the Holy Roman Empire. It is well-known for being the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the man who invented the movable-type printing press. Most of the city's historic structures were destroyed during World War II, leaving it severely devastated. Now it's well-known for its winemaking and restored old structures. Many publishing firms, radio stations, and television studios are located here as well, making Mainz an important media hub.

Things to do in Mainz

Admire a spectacular cathedral

A must-see in Mainz is St. Martin’s Cathedral, the magnificently shaped six-towered sandstone cathedral located in the middle of the city. Saint Martin and St. Stephen are commemorated in the Mainzer Dom. The cathedral's 1000-year-old bronze doors will captivate you as you enter. There are some Gothic and Baroque elements in the chapels and the roof, but most of the building is Romanesque. Its interior features the greatest collection of Prince-Archbishop funeral monuments from the old Holy Roman Empire. The Cathedral Museum is home to a remarkable collection of antiques and religious documents tracing the cathedral's long and eventful history in the city of Chicago. Visitors are still welcome to attend regular mass services, even today.

Discover a fascinating museum

Explore the Gutenberg Museum, the world's oldest and biggest printing museum, which was opened in 1900 as a homage to Johannes Gutenberg, the Mainz-born inventor of the printing press. The Gutenberg Bible, Gutenberg's first published book, is one of the many highlights of this museum. There are only 29 copies left in the world. You may try your hand at conventional typesetting using the printing equipment and supplies available, as well as an exact replica of the original printing house. In addition to the main attractions, there are self-guided English audio tours and a gift store located on site.

Trek to the city’s highest point

Experience the splendour of the Stephanskirche, a 14th-century Gothic Collegiate Church of St. Stephan on the city's highest point. In AD 990, it was constructed, and in the 15th century, a beautiful Gothic cloister was erected, with magnificent vaults on the south side. The church's Baroque front was destroyed in a fire in 1857, and it was severely damaged again during World War II. Artist Marc Chagall rebuilt the choir windows, which now include stained glass depictions of events from the Old Testament. You'll be mesmerised by the beautiful effect created when the light blue glass reflects off the light sandstone. The church also boasts a 14th-century altar table and a massive early 16th-century tabernacle.

Eating out in Mainz

Cheese is the gourmet speciality of Mainz. If you go to a tavern or beer restaurant in the city, you must sample the Handkase or Soundekase cheeses. Some of the best restaurants we recommend for a special night out include the following:

In terms of European cuisine, one of our favourites is Zur Kanzel, which serves seasonal delicacies like grilled fish with Riesling and sage sauce, garlic coated rack of lamb with wilted spinach, and rump steak with herb butter. Zur Kanzel combines German and French cuisines. The magnificent ambience of Bellpepper, an upmarket restaurant on the Rhine, is sure to delight. Show-stopping dishes like a pike-perch fillet with roasted blood sausage and kraut and champagne nougat dust hazelnut crème brulee are prepared here in the open kitchen. Reservations are required at El Chico, which offers some of best steaks in Mainz.

Mainz Transport

Airport

It takes around 20 minutes to drive from Mainz to Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), also known as RheinMain Airport, which is roughly 19.5 kilometres away.

Getting around Mainz

The MVG-operated public transportation system in Mainz, in collaboration with other local operators, is excellent. There are a limited number of tram routes operated by MVG, but the company's buses cover the majority of the city with ease and efficiency. Route S8 between Frankfurt, the airport, and Mainz also runs every hour by the regional S-Bahn.

Hire cars are also a popular option among those looking for a little bit of extra comfort and flexibility, and some of the most reliable hire car agencies in Mainz are Enterprise, Europcar, and Avis.