What is the Best Month to Take a European River Cruise?

We frequently get asked the question: “what is the best time of year for a European cruise?” The short answer is that it depends. While the actual river cruising season starts in March and ends around December, the optimal time of year to visit mostly depends on your own preferences. Things like weather, events, foliage, and cities are all factors that make the time of year you choose to cruise important. Depending on the time of year you choose for your European river cruise, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a sunny summer or cozy winter, each with their own great reasons to visit. Read on to learn more about the best times of year to cruise Europe’s rivers. 

Best rivers for Spring cruises

During Springtime, Main River cruises, Rhine River cruises, and Danube River cruises are the best cruises. Essentially, this time of year is the best for visiting Northern Europe, in places like Amsterdam, Netherlands and Vienna, Austria. This region of Europe is known for beautiful Spring flowers, which you’ll be able to see lining the river on your river cruise. Several festivals exist paying homage to the flowers, like the Floralia Brussels you can see on Brussels, Belgium river cruises.

Whether you visit in March, April, or May, you’ll have the benefit of temperatures just cool enough. The only downside to this time of year is the frequent rain, prevalent across much of North Europe. As long as you’re prepared -- or if your ship provides rain gear -- you’re bound to have a great time.

Spring river cruise takes travelers to a flower festival in Brussels, Belgium

Best rivers for Summer cruises

Not limited to Springtime, the Danube offers some of our favorite summertime river cruises. In addition, Douro River cruises through Portugal are at their best this time of year. Regardless of the river, this time of year affords cruisers warm, sunny weather and plenty of time outdoors.

The Danube River, traveling across a very large portion of Europe, visits the great cities of Budapest, Hungary and Bucharest, Romania. These two are especially fun to visit during the summer, when the cities have long days filled with light and beaches are just a hop away.

Fall Rhine River cruises through Avignon, France

Best rivers for Fall cruises

Possibly our overall favorite time of year to cruise, visiting in the Fall affords you the opportunity to see trees changing colors, wineries in harvest season, and a host of great festivities. The best river cruises during this time are Rhône River cruises, Elbe River cruises, and Seine River cruises.

Traveling the Rhône, you’ll have the chance to see a large portion of France and Switzerland. In the Rhône Wine Region, you’ll glimpse -- and possibly tour -- vineyards being harvested, learning the processes behind the famed wine region’s production. The Rhône will also take you to the cities of Avignon and Lyon, the unofficial food capital of France, which is especially beautiful during the Fall. 

Along Elbe cruises, you’ll get to see some of Europe’s best Fall foliage while cruising through Germany and the Czech Republic’s tree-lined mountains. 

 With Fall Seine cruises, you’ll be cruising right into Paris at the perfect time of year. The city’s crowds have usually tapered off somewhat, and the daytime weather tends to hover in the 60s. Along with fewer visitors and inviting weather, September cruisers may catch glimpses of the ever-popular Paris Fashion Week.

Lastly, the city of Munich -- a commonly included excursion on Danube cruises, features it’s world famous Oktoberfest during the month of October. It’s the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the world, seeing approximately 6 million visitors each year.

Best cruises for Winter cruises

European Winter cruises aren’t always the most popular of river cruises, but they most definitely have their own benefits. Along these, you’ll see fewer other tourists on your excursions and get to see Europe around the holidays. 

The Danube and Rhine offer the best Winter cruises, where you’ll get to visit Christmas markets in several of the two rivers’ cities. Stops like Budapest, Bratislava, Basel, and Koblenz are sure to become favorites when you see how much work they put into the holidays.

Budapest cruise visits Christmas holiday market in Winter

European river cruise questions?

​If you have trouble deciding which time of year is best for you, or just want to learn more about European river cruises, contact one of our cruising experts today. We’ve done it all -- and are excited to share it with you.