As early as the end of the 19th century, Eltville, the oldest town in the Rheingau region, gained worldwide renown as a rose town. This fame was established in 1871 by Carl Schmitt, whose rose nursery cultivated over half a million plants annually and even supplied the Russian Tsar's court in St. Petersburg. After a quieter period in the post-war era, it was city gardener Reinhard Pusch who brought the splendor of roses back to the streets and the banks of the Rhine in the 1960s.

Today, over 20,000 rose bushes and hundreds of varieties transform the town into a fragrant sea of ​​blossoms every year. Thanks to the mild Rheingau climate, the main flowering season usually begins as early as the beginning of June. Special emphasis is now placed on sustainability: The rose garden is managed entirely organically. Susceptible plants are carefully replaced with resistant varieties, without endangering the preservation of the historically valuable rarities.

The Electoral Castle forms the heart of the grounds. From the Upper Courtyard, the path leads to the Rose Terrace, which offers a spectacular view over the park-like garden. In the historic tower, visitors will find the Eltville Tourist Information Center, which offers tips and regional souvenirs. The rampart walk leads to the Administrative Garden, where shady linden trees and the famous "Rose Rosette" invite visitors to linger by the Rhine. A short descent leads into the castle moat and finally directly onto the beautiful, car-free Rhine promenade.