At a glance
- The Rhine River begins in Switzerland and straddles the border along Liechtenstein, before weaving through Austria, Germany, France and finally the Netherlands
- Popular ports of call include Cologne, Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Rudesheim and Strasbourg
- No other river features so many famous cities along its banks, from Strasbourg with its European Parliament building, to Cologne and its Gothic cathedral
- Late spring and early Autumn seasons are often considered the best times to embark on a Rhine River Cruise. The weather is still favourable, but the crowds are fewer and prices are a little lower
- Consider adding an extra day or two pre- or post-cruise to allow you to better experience the cities at either end
Where is the Rhine River?
The 800-mile river, the second longest (after the Danube) in Europe, flows through six countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Its many tributaries include the Moselle River, the Neckar and the Main. The venerable grandfather of Europe's rivers is also connected to several other European rivers through a network of canals, most notably the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal.
What makes the Rhine River cruise-worthy?
Medieval towns, storybook castles, vineyard-clad valleys, dramatic gorges, and iconic cities... there’s a lot to love about a Rhine River cruise. However, for most river cruisers, it’s the medieval castles that line the craggy cliffs of the 40-mile stretch of the Unesco-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley that are the big draw.
While gliding down the fabled river, you’ll be able to see all these sights and more while only unpacking once, and each day, you can look out from your stateroom window at a different view.
When is the best time to cruise the Rhine River?
The cruising season on the Rhine River typically runs from early April through to late December, with each season offering travellers something different. Spring (April and May) is a great time to set sail if you’re after favourable weather but also fewer crowds.
Summer (June to August) is warm, and when festivals and open-air concerts are in full swing, while Autumn (September to early October) affords the chance to watch the foliage along the river banks turn a golden hue.
Lastly, while winter on the Rhine can be cold, it’s also, in the run up to Christmas, a magical time to cruise: expect to see wooden stalls selling warming mulled wine and handcrafted traditional gifts, while the smell of gingerbread and cinnamon fills the air.
Popular Rhine River stops and sights
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Dutch capital may be small, but it certainly packs a powerful punch with its cobblestone squares, Golden Age canals and world-class museums.
What are the must-dos?
Art is everywhere in Amsterdam, but it would be remiss not to visit the Rijksmuseum, Holland’s national museum, whose 80 galleries span 800 years of Dutch art.
Prinsengracht 263 – the house where Anne Frank, her family and her famous diary hid for so long from the Nazis during World War Two – is another must. A visit takes you through a labyrinth of small rooms and staircases to the secret annexe where the Franks spent two years; it's one of Amsterdam’s most moving experiences.
When you’re museum-ed out, pull up a stool in one of the city’s celebrated brown cafés - so-called after their traditional wooden interiors and tobacco-smoke-stained walls - to enjoy an authentic taste of Amsterdam.
The best way to get around Amsterdam is either on two wheels – this is a city of cyclists – or on the water (not for nothing is the metropolis, known for its collection of canals, called the Venice of the North).
Don’t overlook… Zandvoort
Formula One fans will want to head 20km north of Amsterdam to Zandvoort, which returned to the race calendar in 2021 after a 36-year hiatus. Take a tour of the circuit that’s known for its tight straights and rollercoaster-like corners. Then relax on Zandvoort aan Zee’s golden sand beach or enjoy a can of Heineken – the beer brand was founded in Amsterdam in 1864 – at a trendy beach club. Standouts include Far Out, Bernie’s Beach Club and Club Nautique.
Cologne, Germany
Germany’s fourth-largest city was one of the most heavily bombed German cities in the Second World War. Only a small section of the old town survived, but the reconstruction has left a thriving centre that rewards a visit.
What are the must-dos?
No visit to Cologne is complete without ticking off the Dom, the city’s enormous 13th-century cathedral that serves as a splendid example of Gothic architecture. The cathedral’s dark, gothic spires, which took 600 years to build and survived 14 direct hits during the war, inspired Goethe, Wordsworth and Warhol. Climb the south tower for a peek at St Peter’s Bell, one of the largest swinging bells in the world, and for the panoramas of the rooftops and river.
When you’ve finished craning your neck at the cathedral, make for one of the city’s many museums. Fans of Warhol won’t want to miss Museum Ludwig, which also houses colourful works by the likes of Dali and Picasso.
And let’s not forget that Cologne is the spiritual home of Kolsch, a tasty local ale served in small yet tall glasses called stange.
Don’t overlook…
Cruise-goers keen to tick off two cities in one hit should make a beeline for neighbouring Bonn, the inviting, one-time capital of West Germany that’s a 30-minute direct train ride away. Here, you can pay a visit to the house where star composer and musician, Beethoven, was born, before diving into recent German history at the Haus der Geschichte.
Düsseldorf, Germany
Often said to occupy the finest stretch of the Rhine, Düsseldorf is known as the fashion capital of Germany, but the stylish German city has several faces.
What are the must-dos?
Classical sightseeing should start in the Altstadt (Old Town), a narrow-laned area that’s home to an array of atmospheric old buildings, including the church of St Andreas, with its cornucopia of frescoes on the ceiling, as well as some 300 bars. The drink to try is Alt, a dark malty brew that’s served in small, quarter-pint glasses. Wunderbar.
For a culture fix, head to Kunstsammlung, one of Europe’s most important art collections. Alternatively, if fashion is more your bag, take a stroll along Königsallee – aka the most exclusive shopping street in Germany – or, for boho styles, seek out the old blue-collar borough of Flingern.
Matching Düsseldorf’s fashion offering is its funky architecture: make for the waterside MedienHafen complex to admire buildings by the likes of Frank Gehry, David Chipperfield and Renzo Piano.
Don’t overlook…
A 15-minute train journey takes you to the tiny village of Neanderthal, which, as the name suggests, was where Neanderthals were first discovered. The town is dominated by a museum that walks visitors through the greatest hits of human evolution.
Rüdesheim, Germany
The chocolate-box charms of Rüdesheim, one of Germany’s foremost wine regions, can be easily explored on a Rhine river cruise.
What are the must-dos?
Rüdesheim’s quirkiest attraction is, inarguably, Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet, a 15th-century knight’s residence that’s home to over 400 self-playing instruments, including mechanical violins, automated dolls, music boxes and early phonographs.
Close by, you’ll find the two-storey, half-timbered Klunkardshof. Built in the 16th century, it's one of Rüdesheim’s oldest buildings. Another famous monument, Niederwald – a giant bronze statue commemorating the German Empire’s unification in 1871 – offers sweeping views over the scenic Rhine valley. The Niederwald lies a little out of town, so let the cable car whisk you there.
Back in town, order a tasty Rheingau wine in one of the quaint wine bars that dot the cobbled lane of Drosselgasse or a cup of Rudesheimer Kaffee, a potent mix of local brandy and coffee that is served flaming.
Don’t overlook…
Several significant castles lie within easy day-tripping distance of Rudesheim, one of which is Rheinstein. Built in the early 14th century and perched dramatically on a rock above the river in the Rhine Gorge, its rose garden and Rapunzel-worthy tower are said to have inspired Lord Byron to pen The Castled Crag of Drachenfels in 1816.
Strasbourg, France
Situated on the French-German border, Strasbourg has bounced between the two countries eight times over the centuries. While France ultimately won the tug-of-war, the town still has Germanic overtones.
What are the must-dos?
Your first port of call should be the stunning Gothic cathedral at the heart of the city. If you’re feeling energetic, climb the 332 steps to the spire’s viewing platform for fabulous views over red-tiled rooftops and, in the distance, the Vosges Mountains and the Black Forest.
Back at ground level, join the crowds queuing to see Strasbourg’s massive astronomical clock, dating from 1838, spring into action at 12.30 sharp. Then, pop over to the romantic-sounding Petite France, surely one of the most photogenic areas of Strasbourg, with its picturesque, half-timbered houses, bridges and canals that hark back to the city’s medieval trades of tanning and dyeing.
Don’t overlook…
The Germans took over Strasbourg in 1871 and gave the area around Place de la République, a German character. It’s a 20-minute walk from the centre, but worth it to see sturdy neo-Renaissance buildings such as the Palais du Rhin (a former imperial palace).
Booking your Rhine River cruise
Ready to set sail on the Rhine? Good shout – now all you need to do is choose who to cruise with. More or less every river cruise outfit under the sun offers a Rhine itinerary, but chances are, your choice will come down to personal preference.
One itinerary may appeal more than another – perhaps you have two weeks to kill and are searching for a longer sailing that pairs the Rhine with another European river like the Main? Or maybe you’re time poor and would prefer a mini cruise (try A-Rosa, Viva, CroisiEurope and Nicko Cruises) that transits through the Rhine Gorge.
Or, if you’re worried about forking out for extra costs, an all-inclusive cruise (here’s looking at Scenic, Viking, Tui River Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Viking, Avalon Waterways and AmaWaterways) that covers flights, transfers, drinks, meals, and tips could be the answer..
Going your own way? You’ll want to opt for cruise lines like Riviera Travel or Saga Cruises, both of which go the extra mile to look after solo travellers.
One thing’s for sure: regardless of when you go and with whom, you won't regret taking a Rhine River Cruise.
Learn more about Rhine River cruises
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