At a glance
- The Moselle is one of Europe’s lesser-known rivers and is often featured on itineraries sailing the German regions around the Rhine
- Shoulder season (the best time to find value-for-money offers) tends to fall at the beginning of April and early November
- The most attractive – and priciest – months to visit are July, August and September
- The Moselle is commonly considered Germany’s oldest wine region; Autumn is a fun time to visit the region thanks to the annual harvest of white Riesling grapes, much of which is still done by hand
- Winter is mostly off-season on the Moselle, though there are a few Christmas market cruises in November and December that feature it
Spring
In spring, vineyard terraces wake from winter on the banks of the Moselle River.
Very early spring, particularly April, marks the start of the Moselle cruise season. If you don’t mind the cooler temperatures, then this short shoulder season often offers better-value itineraries with fewer crowds.
While the weather can be a little unreliable, average highs in April reach around 14 °C, perhaps reaching 17 °C by May. With a couple of layers (and perhaps a waterproof jacket kept handy), early spring is a good choice for active days of sightseeing.
By late spring, the crowds start to build as temperatures rise, and that means prices tend to follow suit. It’s around this time that towns like Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues start buzzing with local spring festivals. It's also a beautiful time to cruise the Moselle: grapevines begin to leaf, the riverside meadows are green and fruit trees blossom in the valleys. It’s an ideal moment for vineyard walks and riverside cycling before summer ramps up the heat.
Summer
Once we get to July, temperatures start to steadily rise along the Moselle River through to the end of August.
In early summer, average highs sit around 21 or 22 °C, so we’re not typically talking about sweltering heat – a summer cruise along the Moselle River is a haven for cycling, walking, or relaxing while the river drifts by.
Towns along the Moselle come alive with wine festivals and outdoor markets. Cochem, Traben-Trarbach and Zell, among others, host local wine fairs and outdoor concerts throughout the summer. Heading along to join one of these community events is an excellent opportunity to sample regional young wines while munching on a bratwurst on a stick, with the accompaniment of a live brass band.
As we reach August, the Moselle basks in long sunny days, with temperatures reaching around 25 °C. Even with the good weather, however, you can find late July offers some surprising last-minute deals as some travellers are looking to avoid the heat and expected crowds.
Of course, onboard your river cruise ship – whether that’s with Riviera Travel, Avalon Waterways, Scenic, or another line – you’ll enjoy the use of an open-air sun deck for sunbathing with a view, and the pleasure of comfortably air-conditioned indoor venues to cool down and relax, while still enjoying the panoramic views of vineyards and castles through the window.
Autumn
For many, September and early October are the best times to cruise the Moselle and the accompanying Rhine. The summer heat has eased, and daytime temperatures typically range from 18 to 20 °C in September, dipping another five degrees in October – ideal temperatures to be out in the vineyards, sampling Riesling at the cellar door.
The landscape, of course, also transforms with the season – golden yellows, russet reds and copper tones ripple through the hillsides, particularly where steep terraces of Riesling grapes cling to the valley slopes.
It’s a spectacular sight, especially in famously scenic stretches, like the Cochemer Krampen and near Bernkastel-Kues.
This is harvest season – known locally as the Weinlese – and the Moselle’s grape harvest is largely done by hand, often on slopes so steep that machinery would be impractical.
One of the highlights of autumn is the Middle Moselle Wine Festival, held in Bernkastel-Kues in September.
By late October into early November, the crowds thin and the air cools. Some cruises continue into the first couple of weeks of November, perfect for you if you want a slower pace, quieter towns and off-season pricing – but with shorter days and fewer local activities to enjoy, a late-autumn-early-winter jaunt along the Moselle River is certainly a more subdued experience.
Winter
In early winter, as the festive season ramps up, you’ll find a small selection of multi-river Christmas market cruises that include the Moselle. The river is often paired with routes along the Rhine or Main.
While it may not be as well known for its festivities as major rivers like the Danube, it’s still worth visiting during this period. Trier hosts a particularly charming Christmas market, renowned for its regional white mulled wine and handcrafted goods. Cochem, too, has a fairytale-esque take on yuletide celebrations, with wooden stalls serving traditional German Christmas bread.
That said, late winter sees few, if any, sailings on the Moselle due to the chilly weather.
Book your Moselle River cruise
Once you’ve decided that a voyage into Germany’s oldest wine region is just what the sommelier ordered, it’s time to see what cruise in particular suits you.
We’ve got handy guides to help you make the right choice for you.
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