7-Day Rhine Cruises

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Rhine itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaRhine travel expert at TourRadar

• 6 Day Rhine River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Cologne and Amsterdam

  A 6-day river cruise links 4 major cities across Germany and Netherlands, featuring 21m² balcony cabins on A-ROSA SENA. Full days explore Rotterdam's maritime port, Amsterdam's historic district with 7,500 listed buildings, and Utrecht's cathedral views and canal houses.

  

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  • Day 1

    Cologne, Germany

    Arrive early to explore Cologne before the 5:00 PM departure. Visit the Gothic Cathedral (Kölner Dom) right when it opens at 6:00 AM to avoid crowds. The dome viewing platform is best visited before 10:00 AM for shorter lines and better city views. You can store your luggage on the ship while exploring since most hotels have late check-in times.

    
  • Day 2

    Rotterdam, Netherlands

    You'll cruise the Rhine all morning and reach Rotterdam at noon with almost 12 hours to explore Europe's largest port city. Take a water taxi from the cruise dock to see the Cube Houses and Markthal food hall. Stay until evening departure to see Rotterdam's light art collection light up the Erasmus Bridge.

    
  • Day 3

    Amsterdam

    You'll have a full day in Amsterdam after arriving in the morning. Book Anne Frank House tickets online 2-3 months ahead since they sell out fast. Some ships dock in Lelystad instead, so plan for a 1-hour shuttle ride to central Amsterdam if needed. Skip Dam Square between 11 AM-4 PM when it gets packed with tour groups.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Utrecht

    Utrecht deserves the two-day stop. Take the first Dom Tower tour at 10 AM for the best city views without crowds. The canals here have unique wharf cellars and feel more local than Amsterdam's waterways. Just remember that local shops close early on Mondays.

    
  • Day 6

    Return to Cologne

    You'll arrive in Cologne around 4 AM. Planning to explore more? Store your bags at the Hauptbahnhof lockers (€5-8) and visit the chocolate museum when it opens at 10 AM for a nice end to your trip.

    

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• Christmas Cruise on the Rhine (Cologne - Cologne)

  

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  • Cologne Germany

    48 mi

  • Koblenz Germany

    81 mi

  • Speyer Germany

    59 mi

  • Strasbourg France

    99 mi

  • Mainz Germany

    86 mi

  • Cologne Germany

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• Rhine Enchanting Christmas Markets 2025

  A 6-day festive cruise stops at 6 destinations across Germany and France. Your route includes Cologne's Cathedral Market, Rüdesheim's famous Drosselgasse, and Strasbourg's Petite France quarter. A-ROSA SILVA sails through the scenic Loreley Valley.

  

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  • Cologne Germany

    78 mi

  • Rudesheim am Rhein Germany

    55 mi

  • Germersheim Germany

    52 mi

  • Strasbourg France

    99 mi

  • Mainz Germany

    38 mi

  • Koblenz Germany

    48 mi

  • Cologne Germany

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