RIVER TRIPS · GERMANY RIVER CRUISES

The 15 Germany River Cruises That Earn Their Price

34 tours  ·  from $14 a head

Good germany river cruises fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Berlin: Boat Tour Along the River Spree - Using the audio guide without missing the views
Berlin River Cruises, Germany River Cruises, River Cruises, Spree River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Berlin: Boat Tour Along the River Spree

1.Boat Tour Along the River Spree

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 11,252 reviews · 2h 15m · from $34Our pick

Spend 135 minutes cruising from Friedrichstrasse through central Berlin, past the Reichstag area, Bellevue Palace, Berlin Central Station, Charlottenburg Palace, and working canals. German commentary plays onboard, with handheld audio guides in 12 languages. Food and drinks are available to buy.

“It was exactly as we had hoped for. A two hour tour along the river Spree, and even though the weather was... cold, and wet, we stayed on the upper deck where we could see everything. Absolutely recommendable.”

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Dresden: River Sightseeing Boat Cruise - The three Elbe palaces
Germany River Cruises, River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in Germany, Tour Reviews

Dresden: River Sightseeing Boat Cruise

2.Dresden: River Sightseeing Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 5,323 reviews · 1h 30m · from $31

Spend 90 minutes on Dresden’s Elbe River, passing three riverside palaces, the Loschwitz villa quarter, and four bridges, including the Blue Wonder. Choose an open deck or warm indoor seating, listen to German and English commentary, and buy drinks, snacks, or meals onboard.

“Had a wonderful time! Kid friendly and great service.”

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Frankfurt: River Main Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary - Choosing between Griesheim and Offenbach
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Frankfurt: River Main Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary

3.Frankfurt: River Main Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 5,127 reviews · 50 - 100 minutes · from $18

From Eiserner Steg, choose a 50-minute cruise toward Griesheim or Offenbach, or take the 100-minute round trip for both sides of Frankfurt. You’ll see the financial district, Sachsenhausen, museum embankment, river pubs, and Gerbermühle, with recorded English and German commentary.

“The boat was very clean, the audio was very clear and understandable, and the table services was efficient.”

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Berlin: 3.25-Hour Spree & Landwehrkanal Boat Tour - From Jannowitzbrücke into Berlin by water
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Berlin: 3.25-Hour Spree & Landwehrkanal Boat Tour

4.3.25-Hour Spree & Landwehrkanal Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4,311 reviews · 3h 15m · from $38

Board at Jannowitzbrücke near Alexanderplatz for a 195-minute Stern und Kreisschiffahrt cruise along Berlin’s Spree and Landwehr Canal. You’ll pass more than 40 bridges, Museum Island, Potsdamer Platz, the Government District, and the German Museum of Technology. English and German audio commentary is available.

“Great experience to see Berlin from the canals and a very knowledgeable and interesting guide”

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Cologne: Top Sights Rhine River Cruise - Skyline Tour - From Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer to the Cathedral
Germany River Cruises, Rhine and Moselle River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cologne: Top Sights Rhine River Cruise – Skyline Tour

5.Cologne: Top Sights Rhine River Cruise – Skyline Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,030 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $28

Cruise Cologne’s Rhine waterfront aboard MS Rheinperle or MS Rheinland for 90 minutes. You’ll pass the Cathedral, Old Town, Rheinauhafen’s crane houses, five bridges, and Rodenkirchen, with recorded commentary in English and German. Sit inside or outside, and buy drinks and snacks from attentive onboard staff.

“Lovely cruise however because we had to go in the evening you couldn’t see the sights that well if you sat inside food and drinks very good and not overpriced very attentive staff”

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Düsseldorf: City Sightseeing Cruise on the Rhine - Choosing between the upper deck and the indoor seating
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Düsseldorf: City Sightseeing Cruise on the Rhine

6.Düsseldorf: City Sightseeing Cruise on the Rhine

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 2,954 reviews · 1 hour · from $23

Sail from Düsseldorf’s Rheinuferpromenade for one hour, passing views of the Old Town, riverbanks, city ruins, and areas such as Medienhafen. You’ll hear English and German commentary by loudspeaker, with snacks and drinks available onboard. Arrive early for the best outdoor seats.

“Nice wee cruise did 1 hour sat upstairs with a beer”

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Heidelberg: Neckar River Sightseeing Boat Tour with Drink - The 50-minute route, from pier to river bend
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Heidelberg: Neckar River Sightseeing Boat Tour with Drink

7.Heidelberg: Neckar River Sightseeing Boat Tour with Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,460 reviews · 50 min · from $26

Cruise the Neckar River from pier 5 for 50 minutes, passing beneath Heidelberg’s Old Bridge, viewing the hilltop castle, Philosophenweg, riverside villas, and town hall. German announcements are advertised, though English and French recordings are also available. Your booking includes a drink, with mulled wine in winter.

“The tour was awesome! Ty e kids had a lot of fun. The tour was in German, English, and French. I had over paid and they refunded me when we got there. Closest public parking is by the Kongress building. Short 5 minute walk from the tour.”

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Dresden: Elbe River Cruise to Pillnitz Castle - Boarding beneath Brühlsche Terrasse
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Dresden: Elbe River Cruise to Pillnitz Castle

8.Dresden: Elbe River Cruise to Pillnitz Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,411 reviews · 3 hours · from $37

Take a three-hour round-trip cruise from Dresden’s Terrassenufer to Pillnitz Castle. You’ll pass the three Elbe castles, Loschwitz, four historic bridges, and the Blue Wonder, with German or English audio commentary. The ship pauses for 20 minutes at Pillnitz, but not long enough for a castle visit.

“The boat itself was very beautiful and felt truly luxurious. Everything was spotless, the staff were very kind, and despite the bad weather outside, the vessel was pleasantly warm and comfortable. We went in January, so personally I wasn’t completely captivated by the views – I can imagine it must be much more stunning in summer. (Maybe 3 hours was little bit long.) One funny note: I ordered the soup because I was really hungry, and it turned out to be a traditional Saxon specialty… let’s just say it’s probably something I won’t eat again! 😄”

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Berlin: Spree Boat Tour to Müggelsee - Köpenick brings the route to life
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Berlin: Spree Boat Tour to Müggelsee

9.Spree Boat Tour to Müggelsee

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,973 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $25

Spend 3.5 hours cruising from Treptow Harbor along the Spree to Köpenick and Müggelsee. You will pass Köpenick Palace, see the Captain of Köpenick figure, and view Müggelturm. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, buy snacks and drinks onboard, and enjoy a relaxed German-language commentary.

“Grab a bottle of wine and enjoy a day in the sun. The perfect trip!”

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Koblenz: Rhine Valley Castles and Palaces Boat Tour - Castles and palaces viewed from the river
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Koblenz: Rhine Valley Castles and Palaces Boat Tour

10.Koblenz: Rhine Valley Castles and Palaces Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,824 reviews · 2 hours · from $21

Cruise from Koblenz toward Braubach through the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Valley. See Electoral Palace, Lahneck Castle, Stolzenfels Castle, Marksburg, Deutsches Eck, and the Lahn estuary. Commentary is in German and English, with drinks and snacks served onboard. The 11 a.m. sailing allows a stop at Marksburg Castle.

“Willi was a fantastic tour guide, very informative and liked to tell a joke. Highly recommend!”

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Frankfurt: 1-Hour Panorama Boat Cruise on the river Main - The one-hour route and what you see
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Frankfurt: 1-Hour Panorama Boat Cruise on the river Main

11.Frankfurt: 1-Hour Panorama Boat Cruise on the river Main

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,822 reviews · 1 hour · from $20

Cruise Frankfurt’s Main River for one hour aboard a KD panorama boat. From the old town landing stage, you’ll see the cathedral, Eiserner Steg, modern towers, bridges, and some industrial riverfront while German and English audio commentary plays onboard. Drinks are available to buy, but bring cash.

“It was great experience with not crowded. I like how easy and small groups of people on the boat.”

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Rhine Valley Castles: 1.5-Hour Boat Tour from Rüdesheim - Vineyards, wine towns, and the romance of the river
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Rhine Valley Castles: 1.5-Hour Boat Tour from Rüdesheim

12.Rhine Valley Castles: 1.5-Hour Boat Tour from Rüdesheim

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,390 reviews · from $19

Cruise the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Valley from Rüdesheim for 105 minutes, with views of Rheinstein and Reichenstein castles, Ehrenfels ruins, the Mouse Tower, Bingen, and vineyards. German and English commentary plays onboard. Food is available, but bring cash.

“We very much enjoyed the views of the castles. It was a relaxing experience with very accommodating services.”

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From Frankfurt: Rhine Valley Day Trip - Meeting in central Frankfurt
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From Frankfurt: Rhine Valley Day Trip

13.From Frankfurt: Rhine Valley Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,317 reviews · 8 hours · from $175

From Frankfurt, spend eight hours exploring the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley with an English-speaking guide such as Michael or George. Expect vineyard-covered hills, medieval castles, a 90-minute river cruise, included lunch, Roman-era wine stories, and an optional summer cable car ride.

“It was lovely weather for the middle of June, and because it was a Monday there weren’t any big crowds. I imagine if there are bigger crowds then the waiting time increases and the day isn’t as fluid, but there is lots to do!”

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Rhine Valley Trip from Frankfurt including Rhine River Cruise - Assmannshausen, lunch, and the unusual restaurant
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Rhine Valley Trip from Frankfurt including Rhine River Cruise

14.Rhine Valley Trip from Frankfurt including Rhine River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,179 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $167

Travel from Frankfurt by air-conditioned coach or van into the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Valley. Cruise past castles, vineyards, villages, and Loreley Rock, then enjoy a German meal and a small local wine tasting. Guides such as Michael, Willy, Charles, and William are praised for clear commentary and good humor.

“The cruise up the Rhine River was amazing. There were so many historical buildings and stories that gave a small glimpse of what Germany is all about. Seeing the vineyards and the panoramic view from the grand statue of Lorelei was absolutely breathtaking. Mish was a great tour guide that hit all the hot points and kept things moving smoothly.”

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Berlin: East Side Gallery Spree Cruise in a Solar Catamaran - Under Oberbaumbrücke and Into Berlin’s East
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Berlin: East Side Gallery Spree Cruise in a Solar Catamaran

15.East Side Gallery Spree Cruise in a Solar Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,086 reviews · 2 hours · from $28

Spend two hours on a solar-powered catamaran from Jannowitzbrücke to Treptow Park and back. You’ll see the East Side Gallery from the water, pass Oberbaumbrücke, spot Kater Blau and houseboats, and hear an English audio guide while the German crew handles the cruise.

“Amazing boat, new and everywhere very clean, the traject was also very nice ! We loved it!”

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New in Germany River Cruises

★ 4.4Koblenz: Panoramic Cruise on Moselle River to WinningenFrom $22283 reviews
★ 4.4Dinner Cruise on the Spree with ProseccoFrom $94298 reviews
★ 4.5Koblenz: Old Town Sightseeing Cruise along the RhineFrom $16305 reviews
★ 4.9Leipzig: Floodplain Forest & City River CruiseFrom $37334 reviews
★ 4.1Dresden: Evening River Cruise with DinnerFrom $62369 reviews
★ 4.5From Bonn: Rhine River to Linz Sightseeing Boat TourFrom $30358 reviews
★ 4.5Passau: Floating City Highlights Tour on the Danube and InnFrom $17452 reviews
★ 4.5Dresden: Sunset Paddle Steamer Tour on the Elbe RiverFrom $37472 reviews
★ 4.5Düsseldorf: Rhine Tower Adult EntryFrom $14638 reviews
★ 4.9Laughing Spree Comedy Show on a BoatFrom $15670 reviews
★ 4.3Cologne: Rhine River Winter Cruise with Festive MusicFrom $28676 reviews
★ 4.5Cologne: 1-hour Rhine Cruise in CologneFrom $22677 reviews
★ 4.4Dresden: Elbe River Cruise to MeissenFrom $24765 reviews

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