Germany's most beautiful river · Discover the Rhine

The Rhine –
a river,
a thousand journeys

From Cologne cathedrals to the Lorelei rocks, from medieval castles to blooming vineyards - discover Europe's most fascinating river on water.

Discover tours Multi-day cruises
865 km Rhine
40+ Castles & Palaces
From 11€ First tour
Explore
🏛️ Cologne Cathedral city on the Rhine 🏰 Koblenz & Castles UNESCO Middle Rhine 🌿 Bonn & Siebengebirge Drachenfels & Königswinter 🪨 Lorelei The rock of the Rhine 💧 Rhine Falls Europe's largest waterfall 🎄 Christmas markets Advent on the water 🔥 Last-minute deals Last minute deals
Rhine river cruise – view of the river with vineyards
Middle Rhine Valley · UNESCO World Heritage since 2002
Across the Rhine

Europe's most legendary river is waiting for you

The Rhine is more than a river – it is a story spanning thousands of years. Over 865 kilometers from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea, it passes over 40 castles, UNESCO World Heritage regions, blooming vineyards and lively cities such as Cologne, Bonn and Koblenz.

A river cruise on the Rhine offers something for everyone: the day tripper enjoys relaxing hours on the water, while the explorer experiences new places every day on a multi-day trip - from the Cologne skyline to the Loreley Rock.

On this page you will find curated tours, honest comparisons and all the information you need for your perfect Rhine cruise - from cheap day trips to luxurious weekly cruises.

7
Rhine regions
40+
Castles & Palaces
1
UNESCO World Heritage
Bestselling tours

The most popular
Rhine cruises

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Cologne Rhine boat trip with Cologne Cathedral
⭐ 4.5 · 758 reviews
Cologne

1-hour Rhine cruise Cologne

Experience Cologne's beauty from the water. Past the world-famous cathedral, the Romanesque old town and the Hohenzollern Bridge - with a running commentary on board.

19€ per person
★★★★★ 4.5
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Cologne evening cruise on the Rhine with Cologne Cathedral at night
🌙 Evening tour
Cologne

Evening cruise on the Rhine

Cologne in the evening light - the city shines on the water. Two hours of enjoyment with the illuminated skyline, the cathedral in the dark and a relaxed atmosphere on deck.

29€ per person
★★★★★ 4.4 · 801
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Koblenz Rhine Valley Castle Tour Middle Rhine
⭐ 4.6 · Bestseller
Koblenz

Rhine Valley boat tour: Castles & Palaces

The UNESCO Middle Rhine Valley on the water - past Rheinstein Castle, Marksburg and the Deutsches Eck. The most beautiful castle trip on the Rhine with panoramic views.

19€ per person
★★★★★ 4.6
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Bonn Königswinter Siebengebirge Rhine cruise
⭐ 4.5 · 110 reviews
Bonn

Bonn: River cruise to Königswinter

Past the former Bonn government district, the Villa Hammerschmidt and the picturesque Königswinter - the Siebengebirge always in view.

20€ per person
★★★★ 4.3 x 54
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Rüdesheim Castles Rhine Valley Boat Tour Loreley
🏰 Loreley route
Rüdesheim am Rhein

Castles in the Rhine Valley from Rüdesheim

This 1.5-hour boat tour takes you through the heart of the Loreley Valley - with views of medieval castles, legendary vineyards and the famous slate rock.

18€ per person
★★★★ 4.1
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Rhine Falls Schaffhausen boat tour Europe's largest waterfall
⭐ 4.8 · Top rated!
Rhine Falls · Schaffhausen

Rhine Falls boat tour – experience it up close

Europe's most powerful waterfall up close - directly at the roaring Rhine Falls by boat. 30 unforgettable minutes. The most exciting tour on the Rhine from just €11.

11€ per person
★★★★★ 4.8
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Travel destinations on the Rhine

Discover the Rhine cities

Every city on the Rhine has its own character - from the metropolis of Cologne to the romantic castles of Koblenz to the wine idyll of Rüdesheim. Choose your starting point.

Koblenz am Rhein – Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
UNESCO Middle Rhine · Castle region
Koblenz
All tours → Koblenz
 Cologne Rhine cruise with cathedral
3 tours available
Cologne
To the Cologne page →
 Siebengebirge and Drachenfels from Königswinter
Siebengebirge · Drachenfels
Bonn
Discover Bonn →
 Loreley rocks on the Rhine Rüdesheim
Rüdesheim · Middle Rhine
Lorelei
Loreley tours →
 Rhine Falls Schaffhausen Switzerland
Schaffhausen · Switzerland
Rhine Falls
To the boat tour →
Experiences

What awaits you on the Rhine?

The Rhine offers a different story for everyone. Choose your experience.

🏰
Castles & Palaces
40+ medieval fortresses in the Middle Rhine Valley
 🌅
Evening trips
Sunset over the Rhine – romantic & unforgettable
 🎄
Christmas markets
Advent on the water – Cologne & Koblenz shine in winter
 ❤️
Romance
For couples – vine-covered banks, quiet evenings, castle panorama
 💎
Luxury cruises
5-star ships, panoramic suites, gourmet cuisine on board
 🍷
Wine & Moselle
Rhine meets Mosel – vineyards, Riesling & castle romance
Provider comparison

The best providers for Rhine cruises

Whether it's a spontaneous day trip or an all-inclusive trip lasting several days - we compare the leading shipping companies and tour operators on the Rhine for you: from GetYourGuide day tours to Viking River Cruises.

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Season & Events

The most beautiful Rhine experiences
at any time of the year

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November – December

Christmas market cruise

Experience Cologne's world-famous cathedral from the water during Advent - the Christmas market season is the most magical time for a Rhine cruise. Hot punch atmosphere on the deck included.

To the Christmas market page →
May – September

Rhine in flames

Five legendary fireworks events along the Rhine from Bonn to Rüdesheim. Experiencing the spectacle from the ship is an unforgettable moment - seats are in high demand.

View all dates →
December 31st

New Year's Eve on the Rhine

Fireworks over the river, champagne on deck, midnight with a view of an illuminated Rhine town. The most exclusive way to welcome the New Year - limited seats available.

New Year's Eve cruises →
May – October · high season

Summer cruise on the Rhine

Warm temperatures, busy, vineyards in bloom on the shore – the summer months are the best time for multi-day cruises. July and August in particular attract long evenings on deck.

Multi-day offers →
Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about Rhine cruises

How much does a river cruise on the Rhine cost?+
Day tours start from €11 per person – for example the spectacular Rhine Falls boat tour. One-hour tours in Cologne or Koblenz cost €18-24. Depending on the provider and cabin type, multi-day all-inclusive cruises start at around €400 per person for 3 nights and go up to over €3,000 for luxury cabins.
Which cities are the best place to start?+
Cologne offers the most day tours and is ideal for spontaneous visitors. Koblenz is the entry point into the UNESCO Middle Rhine Valley with the most beautiful castle tours. Rüdesheim is located directly on the Loreley route. Bonn is ideal for the Siebengebirge route with a view of the Drachenfels.
When is the best time to travel on a Rhine cruise?+
May to September is the high season with warm weather and a full program. October attracts with a vintage atmosphere and fewer tourists. November to December is the time of the Christmas market cruises - magical, but fully booked early. In winter there are only a few day tours.
Are there all-inclusive cruises?+
Yes - multi-day cruises with providers like Viking River Cruises, A-ROSA and Phoenix Reisen are usually all-inclusive. This means: full board, coffee & snacks, and often drinks at dinner. One-day GYG tours, on the other hand, usually do not include meals - snacks and drinks can be purchased on board.
Last minute

Last-minute deals & short-term offers

Popular Rhine cruises are often fully booked weeks in advance. We collect current remaining spaces and last-minute offers from all major providers - sometimes up to 40% cheaper.

View current remaining places →
Can you take a bike on the Rhine?+
Bicycle parking is possible on many multi-day cruises - ideal for cyclists along the Rhine cycle path. It is not common on day tours. Please check the specific offer when booking.
Do cruises also operate at low tide?+
Low water is actually an issue on the Rhine - especially in dry summers. One-day day tours are significantly less affected than large cruise ships. Multi-day cruises may be rerouted or shortened in extreme cases. You can find current water level reports at PEGELONLINE of the WSV.