10-Day Rhine Cruises

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Rhine itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaRhine travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days Rhine River Cruise, incl. Amsterdam and Basel

  A grand 10-day tour visits 9 cities across 4 countries, with 3 days in Amsterdam featuring Rijksmuseum and Keukenhof Gardens. The route includes historic Cologne Gardens, UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, and Strasbourg's Neustadt District. Savor 22 meals aboard Emerald Sun, with guided tours in every port from Düsseldorf to Basel.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Amsterdam

    Get an early start at the Rijksmuseum before 9 AM to avoid crowds. You can see the main Dutch masterpieces in 2-3 hours. The I Amsterdam City Card is worth getting it includes museum entry and public transport.

    
  • Day 3

    Amsterdam Embarkation

    Your river ship boarding starts in the afternoon, about 20 minutes from central Amsterdam. Pack a small bag with essentials since your main luggage might take some time to reach your cabin.

    
  • Day 4

    Keukenhof Gardens

    Visit these sprawling 32-hectare gardens between mid-March and mid-May. Get there at 8 AM to see the tulips in perfect morning light before the tour groups arrive. You'll do plenty of walking, so wear good shoes and bring layers for the cool spring weather.

    
  • Day 5

    Düsseldorf & Cologne

    Start your morning in Düsseldorf's Japanese Gardens, then sail to Cologne. Visit the Gothic Cathedral early if you want to climb its 533 steps for Rhine Valley views. The Cologne Gardens offer a quiet break from the busy tourist spots.

    
  • Day 6

    Koblenz

    This ancient Roman settlement sits at the meeting point of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, called "Deutsches Eck." Take the cable car to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for great views. After Koblenz comes the most scenic part of the Rhine Gorge. Find a good spot on deck to watch the castles go by.

    
  • Day 7

    Germersheim

    Visit Schwetzingen Palace and its beautiful gardens with over 100 sculptures. If you prefer something active, try the vineyard hike in Bad-Dürkheim. The paths can be rough, so wear proper hiking shoes.

    
  • Day 8

    Strasbourg

    A quick 15-minute transfer takes you from Kehl to Strasbourg. Spend time in the UNESCO old town and Petite France area, known for its beautiful canals and historic houses. Take a peaceful walk through Orangerie Park to see the city like a local.

    
  • Day 9

    Breisach & Freiburg

    You can easily walk around Freiburg's historic center. Visit the botanical gardens to see Black Forest plants. Cyclists can take the 15km Breisach bike tour for views of the Rhine and medieval buildings. The route is mostly level.

  • Day 10

    Basel

    The cruise ends here. Schedule flights after 10 AM to have enough time for departure and the airport transfer. Basel has 40 museums, more than any other European city per capita. Consider staying an extra day to explore them.

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• 10 Day Rhine River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Amsterdam and Lucerne

  The Rhine beckons on this 10-day adventure covering 500 miles through 11 cities. Marvel at Dutch Ijsselmeer, Middle Rhine castles, Strasbourg's canals, and ascend Mount Pilatus. Includes 7 nights cruising plus 2 nights in Lucerne.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Amsterdam & Utrecht, Netherlands

    Check-in starts at 4 PM in Amsterdam. Take a canal cruise through Amsterdam's historic waterways the next morning at 8:30 AM to avoid the crowds. The boat leaves Utrecht around 1 PM for Germany. Bring a light jacket for the morning canal cruise when it's cooler on the water.

    
  • Day 3

    Cologne, Germany

    You'll reach Cologne at 10:30 AM. Join the walking tour to visit the impressive Gothic cathedral. Get your best cathedral photos from the riverside early morning before the tour groups show up. Make time to sample the local Kölsch beer served in traditional 200ml glasses that keep it perfectly cold.

    
  • Day 4

    Cochem & Moselle Valley

    The ship winds through the Moselle River to reach Cochem by 2 PM. You can visit Reichsburg Castle above the town but be ready for a steep 20-minute climb. In the evening you'll taste local Rieslings in a traditional wine cellar.

    
  • Day 5

    Middle Rhine Valley

    This is the most picture-perfect day on the water. You'll cruise through the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley with castles on both sides. Between Koblenz and Rüdesheim you'll see about 40 castles and the famous Lorelei Rock. The top deck offers the best views but brings a warm layer as it gets windy.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Mannheim to Strasbourg

    Stop at Heidelberg Castle from Mannheim before exploring medieval Speyer. In Strasbourg take a morning boat ride through the Petite France district when the half-timbered houses look their best in early light. Watch the cathedral's astronomical clock strike at 12:30 PM.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Switzerland (Basel & Lucerne)

    From Basel it's a 2-hour coach ride to Lucerne. Take the steep cogwheel train up Mount Pilatus in early afternoon for clear views and smaller crowds. Visit the Chapel Bridge at sunset when the lights reflect beautifully on Lake Lucerne.

    

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• 10 Day Rhine River Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Rotterdam

  A 10-day voyage visits 9 cities across 3 countries, featuring UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral and Strasbourg's medieval quarter. Take in Rüdesheim's famous Drosselgasse, Rotterdam's modern architecture, and cruise the scenic Loreley Valley. Daily stops of 7-12 hours allow thorough exploration.

  

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  • Day 1

    Cologne, Germany

    Start in historic Cologne. Get to the Gothic Cathedral (Kölner Dom) early at 6 AM before the crowds arrive. You'll need good walking shoes for the 533 steps up the cathedral tower. The Altstadt is best in late afternoon when most tourists have left. Plan to board your river ship by 16:00 for an 18:00 departure.

    
  • Day 2

    Rüdesheim (11:00-18:00)

    Visit the narrow Drosselgasse lane in the morning before tour groups fill the streets. Try the local Rüdesheimer Kaffee, made with flambéed Asbach brandy. The cable car ride to Niederwald Monument offers great Rhine views. Check operating hours as they can vary in off-season.

    
  • Day 3

    Speyer (08:00-19:00)

    Get to the UNESCO Romanesque cathedral at 9:00 to climb the tower before it gets hot. The Technical Museum is worth seeing but it's big. If you're short on time, focus on the aerospace exhibits. Stop for lunch in the historic Judengasse to see its preserved medieval Jewish heritage.

    
  • Day 4

    Strasbourg (07:00-18:00)

    Take the tram from Kehl to central Strasbourg instead of walking. Visit the cathedral platform before 11:00 to avoid long lines. Spend 2-3 hours in the Petite France district looking at the half-timbered houses. Skip a sit-down lunch and try Alsatian food at the covered market instead.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Mainz, Loreley Valley & Koblenz

    Visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz during the quiet morning hours. When sailing through the Loreley Valley after lunch, go to the sun deck for the best Rhine views. Take the cable car up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in Koblenz to watch the sunset where the Rhine and Moselle meet.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Rotterdam & Harbor Tour

    Take an early harbor tour to see Rotterdam's modern architecture without crowds. Have lunch at the Markthal food hall. See the Cube Houses in the afternoon light. Spend the next morning in the historic Delfshaven area before your afternoon harbor cruise.

    
  • Day 9

    Emmerich (09:00-15:00)

    Walk the Rhine promenade to see Germany's longest suspension bridge. Get your best photos of the 'Red Bridge' from the western bank in morning light. The riverside cafes are good spots for lunch and less busy than restaurants in the main square.

    
  • Day 10

    Return to Cologne (06:00)

    Back in Cologne early morning. If you're leaving later, store your bags at the central station and walk along the Rhine promenade. The Chocolate Museum opens at 10:00 and makes a nice final stop.

    

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