What is the Best Time of Year to Take a Rhine River Cruise?

The Rhine River offers one of Europe’s most sought after river cruise experiences. Throughout the entire year, traveling the river on a luxurious cruise ship is the best way to experience the Rhine and all the wonderful things it has to offer. 

The river is one of Europe’s most historic rivers as well. Traditionally used as a trade route for ancient Romans, the Rhine today features a host of UNESCO world heritage sites that your cruise can stop at. In addition to its historic beauty, the river is known for the beautiful flowers that bloom along its banks. If you’re lucky, your Rhine River cruise may stop in a city hosting one of the many flower festivals.

A Uniworld Rhine River cruise in Spring

Our favorite time of year for Rhine cruises

Tulips at Floralia Brussels, Belgium

While the Rhine River has pleasurable cruises year round, our favorite time of the year is during the Spring. The river is simply stunning this time of year. Flowers line the banks and plants and trees are green, giving any European river cruise on the Rhine a surreal feel. Along the river, travelers can visit Brussels, Belgium via the Rhine’s tributaries, and have the chance to see the festivals like Floralia Brussels. Other great cities you’ll be able to visit on a Rhine cruise include:

• ​Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Paris, France
• Zurich, Switzerland

Reasons to cruise the Rhine in the Spring

​River cruises along Europe’s famed Rhine River are a favorite among our team. The river seems to come alive during this time. As Winters through Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries touched by the Rhine can be quite cold and snow-filled, it’s a welcome relief to see Spring. 

On a Springtime Rhine cruise, cruisers will have the chance to enjoy the warming weather before it gets too hot. Though Spring does see more rain, it’s often sunny out. Sitting out on your ship's sun deck is incredibly enjoyable during the day, especially when there’s a light breeze.

We’ve mentioned them once, and we’ll mention them again. The Rhine’s festivals are incomparable. Not just flower festivals in the Spring, there are also wine, food, and music festivals in the Rhine’s riverside cities. In Würzburg, a city along the Rhine’s Main River tributary, visitors can check out the Weindorf Wine Festival or an annual Mozart Festival. The world’s largest wine festival, Wurstmarkt, takes place just a stone's throw away from Heidelberg, another commonly visited tributary city along Rhine cruises. 

For those interested, a number of Easter markets exist around the holiday, where great food, unique gifts, and -- of course -- colorful eggs can be found.

The Rhine isn’t just great in Springtime

Fall Rhine River cruise with Viking River Cruises

Though our team’s favorite time for Rhine River cruises is in the Spring, there are quite a few reasons to visit throughout the rest of the year too. In Summer, the river is a welcome respite from the heat. Everyone is out and about by this time, so you’ll be able to get a great glimpse of the daily life of Rhine residents.

In the Fall, you’ll have the opportunity to catch the Rhine in Flames Festival. During this time, the trees have changed to eye-catching shades of red, orange, and yellow. At night on the Rhine, towns shoot off fireworks as part of the festival. 

​Whichever time of year you end up choosing for your European river cruise on the Rhine, it’s sure to be memorable. To learn more about Rhine River cruises, or for help planning the time of year that works best for you, contact one of our river cruising specialists today!