What Are the Best Shore Excursions on a Rhine Cruise?

1. Cologne Cathedral Germany's Most Visited Monument

Cologne's Gothic Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the single most visited monument in Germany and one of the great Gothic buildings in the world. Construction began in 1248 and was only completed in 1880, 632 years of continuous building. The twin spires reach 157 metres; the interior contains the Shrine of the Three Kings (the largest medieval reliquary in existence) and extraordinary medieval stained glass alongside a remarkable contemporary Gerhard Richter pixel window installed in 2007.

The cathedral is visible from the ship long before docking an unmistakable silhouette above the Rhine. The CroisiEurope guided tour provides context that transforms the visit from impressive to genuinely illuminating.

Duration: 2-3 hours guided. Free time in Cologne's old town and along the Rhine promenade.

2. Strasbourg Alsace's Extraordinary Capital

CroisiEurope's home city is one of the most architecturally distinctive cities in Europe half-French, half-German, with its Grande Île UNESCO Heritage old town, Petite France (the former tanners' quarter, with its canal reflections and half-timbered houses), and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg (the tallest building in the world from 1647 to 1874).

The guided walking tour covers the Cathedral exterior and interior (the 13th-century astronomical clock is extraordinary), Petite France, and the Place Kléber. The tour is typically 2 hours after which the tarte flambée and Alsatian Riesling at a Petite France restaurant is the obvious continuation.

3. Rüdesheim and the Rhine Gorge Wine Tasting

Rüdesheim am Rhein is the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Gorge and home to the Drosselgasse, a narrow lane of wine taverns that has been pouring Riesling since the 19th century. The CroisiEurope excursion here typically includes a wine tasting at a Rheingau estate producers like Schloss Johannisberg (producing wine since 1100 AD) or Georg Breuer in Rüdesheim itself.

The cable car to the Niederwald Monument above the town provides panoramic views over the Rhine and the beginning of the Gorge the best aerial perspective on the landscape you'll spend the afternoon sailing through.

4. Heidelberg Germany's Most Romantic City

Heidelberg is not a Rhine river port it sits on the Neckar River, a Rhine tributary but it is accessible by coach excursion from several Rhine ports (typically from Mannheim or Speyer). The ruined castle above the river, the oldest university in Germany (established 1386), the baroque old town, and the Philosophers' Walk along the opposite hillside make Heidelberg the most visited inland city in Germany for a reason.

Note: This is a coach excursion, typically 4 5 hours. Worth the investment.

5. Keukenhof Gardens (Netherlands, Spring Only)

If your Rhine cruise departs or arrives in the Netherlands in April or early May, a Keukenhof Gardens excursion is available the world's largest flower garden, with 7 million bulbs flowering simultaneously. In peak tulip season, this is one of the most spectacular horticultural experiences in the world. The excursion is extremely popular book immediately on boarding.

Season: Late March to mid-May only. Outside this window, the gardens are closed.

6. Alsatian Village Tour

Several Rhine itineraries include an excursion through the Alsatian wine route villages Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Kaysersberg, Eguisheim. These are among the most perfectly preserved medieval villages in France: half-timbered houses in pink and ochre, stork nests on church spires, Riesling and Gewürztraminer at every cellar door. A morning excursion through 3-4 of these villages, with a wine tasting stop, is genuinely one of the most charming experiences in French travel.

Enquire with CroisiEurope Australia

For bookings, brochures, or any questions about CroisiEurope itineraries, contact our dedicated Australian team.

Phone: 1300 739 652 | Email: contact@croisicruises.com

Website: www.croisieuroperivercruises.com.au | Tweet World Travel, 544 Magill Road, Magill SA 5072

2027 departures are open for booking now.