The Rhine River

About the Rhine
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Sail down the Rhine River visiting exciting ports like Koblenz

Ports-of-Call on the Rhine River

Here you can find a list of some of the more common river cruise ports along the Rhine River as it flows north through Germany to The Netherlands.  These may be the most common, but there may be others that can be found on select river cruises.  Your River Cruise Artist can provide you with the full itinerary and all ports for any river cruise that you may be interested in, on any river cruise operator. Explore the Rhine River further and learn more about it’s ports-of-call.

Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Amsterdam, often the embarkation or disembarkation point for Rhine River cruises, is the capital of the Netherlands with more than one million residents. It is the country’s largest city as well as its financial, cultural, and artistic center. Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in Europe attracting over seven million travelers each year. Amsterdam is colloquially known as Venice of the North because of its enchanting canals that crisscross the city, its historic architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. Visit popular museums like the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and the famous Anne Frank Museum. Take a boat ride through the canals that encircle the city center. Stroll parks for some green or wander the narrow streets of the famed Red-Light District.

Basel

Switzerland

One of Switzerland’s most underrated destinations, Basel has a beautiful medieval old town center, a vibrant Carnival festival, and several world class art museums built by architects like Renzo Piano, Mario Botta and Herzog & De Meuron. Basel is also rich in architecture old and new, with a Romanesque Münster cathedral and a Renaissance Rathaus or town hall. The town of Basel lies in the northwestern corner of Switzerland at the point in the Rhine River where many river cruise ships end or begin their journeys. The town shares borders with France and Germany and is the heart of the tri-national region called the Dreiländereck. Most of the ‘old town’ attractions in Basel are in a walkable area between the Basel Zoo and the banks of the Rhine. Many Rhine River cruisers will plan a day or two extras to spend in Basel before or after their cruise.

Boppard

Germany

Boppard lies on the banks of the upper Middle Rhine, often known as the Rhine Gorge. This narrow river valley arose from downward erosion of the Rhine’s riverbed. A 10-mile stretch of the Rhine forms the town’s eastern border. Directly north of Boppard, the Rhine River takes its sharpest bend. This bend in the river is called the Bopparder Hamm, although this name is more commonly associated with the vineyards found throughout. Boppard is a quaint small river town along the Rhine that is popular with river cruise operators to give their travelers a unique small-town experience where they can easily walk the cobblestone streets and explore the ancient architecture.

Breisach

Germany

Originally settled in Celtic times and withstanding many historical transitions, the Rhine River town of Breisach is nestled among the vineyards. Although Breisach is on the edge of the famous Black Forest of Germany to its east, it shares a culinary culture with France, its neighbors across the river in Alsace. The town’s most notable historic landmark is St. Stephen Cathedral easily seen as you cruise up to port. Also enjoy pastel-hued buildings, half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, which together create an old-world charm that makes Breisach a favorite of river cruisers. Although the town was all but destroyed in World War II, it has been remarkably restored to its historic glory.

Colmar

France

Colmar is a historic town in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, near the border with Germany, and along the Rhine River. Its old town center features cobblestone streets that are lined with half-timbered medieval and early Renaissance buildings – reminiscent of its German influence over the centuries. The Gothic 13th century Eglise Saint-Martin church stands on the central Place de la Cathédrale. The city is on the Alsace Wine Route, and local vineyards specialize in Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines, and are pleased to offer tours of their wineries and shops to Rhine River cruise guests that are fortunate to port in Colmar.

Cologne

Germany

Cologne has one of Europe’s best collections of museums and galleries for a city of its size. As well as world class museums of art and archaeology, there is also an ethnographic museum, a chocolate museum, the German Sport Museum and an abundance of Roman ruins that make up many of the attractions of this quintessential German city. As your river cruise on the Rhine gets closer to Cologne you will surely notice the skyline that is marked by the spires of the breathtaking Cologne Cathedral. If you have extra time in Cologne stroll the cobblestone streets of the city old town center for great shopping and dining options.

Heidelberg

Germany

Heidelberg is truly a jewel among German travel destinations and a top three favorite of Rhine River cruise guests. Heidelberg is at the mouth of the Neckar river valley right where the legend-rich Odenwald opens to the plains of the Rhine River Valley. Heidelberg is also home to the oldest university in Germany established in 1386 today with more than 25,000 students. During World War II, Heidelberg was almost completely spared allied bombings which destroyed many of Germany’s larger inner cities. As a result, Heidelberg has retained its baroque charm of narrow streets, picturesque half-timbered houses and of course its world-famous Schloss castle ruins that look down on the city from a hilltop with amazing views of the region. After your excursion to visit the castle ruins, you will want to explore the old town center for shopping and dining treasures.

Kinderdijk

The Netherlands

Kinderdijk lies in the Alblasserwaard in The Netherlands, at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers. Problems with water became in the 13th century requiring the digging of large canals, called “weteringen”, to get rid of the excess water for homes and farming. As water levels continued to rise over the centuries, a series of windmills were built to pump water into the nearby river. Although some of the windmills are still used, the main water works are provided by two diesel pumping stations near one of the entrances of the windmills site. As you sail by Kinderdijk you will see the majestic appearing windmills in a line along the shore. If you are fortunate to be on a river cruise that stops at Kinderdijk, you will have the opportunity to explore these ancient industrial marvels.

Koblenz

Germany

At the famous point where the Moselle River flows into the mighty Rhine River on its journey north, you will find Koblenz! A quintessential German historical town whose history revolves of course around the rivers that meet there. The imposing monument to German Emperor William I of Germany, mounted on a 45-foot-high horse, was inaugurated at the confluence of the rivers by his grandson Wilhelm II. Enjoy a ride on the cable car that connects the town to the hilltop Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which hosts museums and cultural events. Further south along the Rhine River is the neo-Gothic Stolzenfels Castle with its enchanting gardens. Whatever your taste Koblenz is the perfect opportunity to explore.

Mainz

Germany

The origins of Mainz date back to around 38 BC, when the Romans built a citadel in the location of modern-day Mainz. The city’s location at the confluence of the Rhine and Main Rivers has always been ideal for trade lending to an incredible history that is reflected by the artifacts kept in the Landesmuseum. These artifacts show that there have been settlements at this location since as early as 300,000 BC. The most logical starting point in exploring Mainz on your Rhine River cruise excursion is by visiting the Dom, or the Cathedral of St Martin and St Stephan, especially on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, when the farmers’ market is open. Although the cathedral was actually started in 975, most of what is seen today was built from the 11th to the 13th centuries. At the Dom und Diözesanmuseum in the cathedral cloisters, you can bear witness to the opulence and wealth of the Church in Mainz.

Rüdesheim

Germany

The quaint river front town of Rüdesheim am Rhine lies on the banks of the Rhine River and is a popular cruise port for travelers looking to explore a quaint, German town of half-timbered houses featuring shops and cafés to please every appetite. Rüdesheim is home to the Drosselgasse, a very pretty strip of restaurants in the heart of Rüdesheim. In or near Rüdesheim you can explore Brömserburg Castle, Boosenburg Castle, and Ehrenfels ruined Castle. Enjoy a quick visit to historic Saint James’s Parish Church. Rüdesheim is also home to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet or Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett, the first German museum for data-storage musical instruments as well as a museum of Medieval torture techniques.

Speyer

Germany

Speyer is a small historic city in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany along the Rhine River. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany and has a beautiful restored old town to explore. Speyer has been a diocesan town since 346 and its first churches and monasteries were built in the 6th and 7th centuries. The foundation stone of the imperial cathedral was laid in 1030 by Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor and the first of the Salian dynasty. Kaiser und Mariendom or the Dom zu Unserer lieben Frau in the center of Speyer (the Speyer Cathedral or the Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen) is a Romanesque imperial cathedral with an underground crypt of the Salian Emperors. The cathedral is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Strasbourg

France

Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region of France and is most widely known for hosting a number of important European institutions such as the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights. It is also famous for its beautiful historical center or the Grande Île, which was the first city center to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Strasbourg has a rich history as it has had many overseers from the Romans to the Alemanni to the Protestants, and in more recent times having traded allegiances between Germany and France multiple times. In Strasbourg don’t miss visiting the old town city center with its impressive Cathédrale Notre-Dame that is home to the highest cathedral spire in France, and a beautiful work of art – the astronomic clock. Strasbourg is also a canal city and you can hop on a canal tour that circles the city and learn more about the history that unfolds in front of you.

Worms

Germany

Worms is considered the oldest city in Germany and has played a prominent role in German history as a result. Worms of today was founded by Charlemagne, and the city’s history dates back to the 4th century. The town is famous for the Diet of Worms, to which Martin Luther was summoned in 1521 to Emperor Charles V. He refused to recant his beliefs, saying the famous words “Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.” He was banned to the outer reaches of the empire as a result. There are still many portions of the old city walls today, particularly the Torturmplatz and the Karolingerstrasse. The Dom of St. Peter and St Paul, which was completed in 1325 survived the destruction of World War II. The city also has a rich Jewish history and is a favorite for Rhine River cruise travelers seeking a look deep into history.

Your Rhine River Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Rhine River Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.