River Cruises in Bavaria
Explore a wide diversity of river cruises through Bavaria. We have 38 cruises that vary from 5 days to 12 days. With the greatest number of departures in December, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best river cruise Bavaria tours
Compiled by

MelissaBavaria travel expert at TourRadar
- Main River Romance 2026
- Main River Enchanting Christmas Markets 2026
- German Riverscapes from Passau to Trier (Passau - Trier)
- Danube in Depth 2026 - 10 Days (4 destinations)
- Danube Christmas Markets 2026 - 8 Days (from Munich to Budapest)
- Classic Christmas Markets (2026, Frankfurt to Nuremberg)
- Christmastime in the Heart of Germany with 2 Nights in Prague 2026
- Christmastime in the Heart of Germany 2026 (from Frankfurt-am-Main to Nuremberg)
- Cruise through the Heart of Europe from the Rhine to the Danube (port-to-port cruise)
- Classic Christmas Markets (2026, Nuremberg to Frankfurt)
Duration 9 days Destinations Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Ochsenfurt, Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Wertheim, Miltenberg, KoblenzSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, German Ships Amadeus CaraAmadeus Nova River DanubeRhineMainMoselle Operator Lueftner Cruises From $3,714
15% off- US$3,157
Duration 10 days Destinations Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Budapest Age Range Ages 18+ Ship Scenic Jade Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From
15% off- US$6,095
Duration 8 days Destinations Munich, Regensburg, Passau, Budapest Age Range Ages 12+ Ships Scenic Opal Scenic Pearl River Danube Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $6,195
9% off- US$5,618
The S.S. Elisabeth glides along the Main River through Bavaria's Christmas wonderland. The route connects Frankfurt's Altstadt to Nuremberg's grand market square, visiting medieval Wertheim and UNESCO-listed Würzburg Residence. Passengers admire river views of Bamberg's Old Town while sampling regional specialties and glühwein.
Duration 8 days Destinations Frankfurt-am-Main, Wiesbaden, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bamberg, Nuremberg Age Range Ages 16+ River Main Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
9% off- US$5,749
Avalon Visionary takes you along Bavaria's enchanting Main River, featuring Würzburg's baroque Bishop's Residence and Bamberg's UNESCO-listed old town. Traditional Christmas markets, regional wine tastings, and festive entertainment enhance the winter voyage.
Duration 8 days Destinations Prague, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Miltenberg, Frankfurt-am-Main Age Range Ages 8+ Ships Avalon IlluminationAvalon Imagery II River Main Operator Avalon Waterways From
9% off- US$5,045+$165 upfront costs
An enchanting river voyage aboard the Avalon Impression takes you through Bavaria's Main River, featuring stops at UNESCO sites and festive Christmas markets. The itinerary showcases Würzburg's baroque Bishop's Residence, Bamberg's medieval streets, and Nuremberg's renowned Christkindlmarkt, complemented by regional delicacies and unlimited wine selections.
Duration 6 days Destinations Frankfurt-am-Main, Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bamberg, Nuremberg Age Range Ages 8+ River Main Operator Avalon Waterways From
9% off- US$4,356+$165 upfront costs
Duration 10 days Destinations France, Germany, Austria Age Range All Ages Welcome Ships MS VivaldiMS France Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
9% off- US$2,400
The luxurious S.S. Elisabeth sails through Bavaria's winter wonderland, featuring riverview staterooms and gourmet dining. The route from Nuremberg to Frankfurt includes stops at medieval Bamberg and Würzburg's baroque Residence palace. Guests browse traditional Christmas markets in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and join mulled wine demonstrations in historic Wertheim.
Duration 8 days Destinations Nuremberg, Bamberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Frankfurt-am-Main, Wiesbaden Age Range Ages 16+ Ship S.S. Elisabeth River Main Operator Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection From
9% off- US$5,999
Bavaria River Cruise Reviews
- Legends of the Rhine and Bavaria (Amsterdam-Vienna) MS CruceNova 4 Star
The short fall of the bus trip to the tour did not have an English-speaking guide. We were bunched with the Danish group, who had their guide.
What our customers ask about River Cruises in Bavaria
When is the best time of year to take a river cruise through Bavaria?
River cruises in Bavaria are at their best from May through October with pleasant temperatures and less rain. The region sees a spike in visitors during December for the Christmas markets particularly in Nuremberg which features Germany's biggest holiday market. Budget-conscious travelers might consider April or November when prices drop but weather remains suitable for cruising. Summer provides ideal conditions for activities beyond the ship like cycling in Passau or exploring Würzburg's vineyard paths. A TourRadar traveler commented "We took our cruise in September and had perfect weather for exploring the Christmas markets and medieval towns along the Main River."
What types of cabins are available on Bavaria river cruise ships?
Ships cruising Bavaria's rivers offer accommodations from basic river-view rooms to expansive suites. The S.S. Elisabeth sets itself apart with Royal Suites reaching 506 square feet making them Europe's largest river cruise accommodations. The Amadeus Brilliant features French balcony cabins with sliding glass doors while the A-ROSA CLEA provides standard rooms and premium balcony suites with extras like bathrobes. A TourRadar traveler mentioned "Our French balcony cabin on the Amadeus Brilliant was spacious and comfortable with stunning panoramic views of the Bavarian countryside."
Which Bavarian cities are typically included on river cruise itineraries?
River cruises through Bavaria stop at key historical cities including Nuremberg's medieval quarter Bamberg's UNESCO Heritage Site Würzburg along the Romantic Road and Regensburg's preserved medieval center. Routes often include visits to smaller locations such as Miltenberg and Wertheim. A TourRadar traveler shared "Each stop offered something unique - from Bamberg's incredible architecture to the wine tasting in Würzburg's Residenz Palace every day brought new discoveries."
What shore excursions are typically included on Bavaria river cruises?
Shore activities range from urban walking tours to cultural programs. Travelers can join guided walks through Nuremberg's old town explore Würzburg's Residenz Palace or sample wines in Franconia's wine region. For active guests there are bicycle tours along the Danube and trails in the Bavarian Forest National Park. Avalon Waterways organizes excursions in three categories: "Classic" "Discovery" and "Active." As one TourRadar traveler noted "The included walking tour of Regensburg with visits to the Gothic cathedral and historic merchants' houses was fascinating and well-organized."
How many passengers do Bavaria river cruise ships typically accommodate?
River ships in Bavaria carry between 100-200 guests creating a more personal atmosphere. The MS Douce France hosts 160 passengers across 79 cabins while the River Princess accommodates 130 guests in 65 rooms. The S.S. Elisabeth focuses on luxury with fewer but more spacious accommodations. A TourRadar traveler remarked "The smaller size of our Amadeus Brilliant with just 150 passengers meant we could dock right in town centers and enjoy a more personal experience than on larger ocean cruises."
What kind of dining experiences are offered on Bavaria river cruise ships?
Dining on Bavaria's river cruises combines regional dishes with international options. A-ROSA vessels provide à la carte menus with local wine selections included in the fare. Uniworld's River Princess emphasizes farm-fresh ingredients with an all-inclusive beverage program. Ships like the Amadeus Brilliant offer multiple venues from main dining rooms to casual bistros and outdoor seating. A TourRadar traveler shared "The dining on our CroisiEurope cruise was exceptional - we enjoyed traditional Bavarian specialties paired with local wines while taking in views of castles along the river."





















