10-Day Rhine Cruises
Have you ever thought about getting a local guide to show you around Amsterdam? How about going to the colorful Keukenhof Gardens or painting traditional Dutch clogs on the ship? Walk through the gardens of Schwetzingen Palace and explore the Neustadt district of Strasbourg. Rhine cruises are the perfect mix of culture and relaxation, and there are many places to visit along the river that are just waiting to be explored.
Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Rhine itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaRhine travel expert at TourRadar
Jewels of the Rhine & Amsterdam 2026 - 10 Days (from Basel to Amsterdam)
The Rhine reveals 9 cities across 4 countries over 10 days, from Basel to Amsterdam. Sailing the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers aboard Emerald Cruises' Star-Ship, guests visit Heidelberg Castle, Cologne's Gothic cathedral, and attend exclusive evening concerts. 7 nights cruising plus 2 nights in Amsterdam, with rates approx. $880 per day including 22 meals.
10 Days Rhine River Cruise, incl. Cologne and Antwerp
Rhine River magic unfolds over 10 days featuring Cologne Cathedral and Emmerich's suspension bridge. Visit 8 ports aboard A-ROSA SILVA, including Wadden Sea cruising and Dutch maritime towns, with comprehensive guided services.
- Day 1
Cologne, Germany
Your cruise departs Cologne at 19:00. Get there early to see the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral and Old Town. Visit the cathedral when it opens at 6:00 AM to beat the crowds. You can store your luggage at the central station for €5 per locker if you arrive before check-in.
- Day 2
Willemstad, Netherlands
Arrive at 11:00 in this fortified Dutch town. The historic center is small and perfect for walking around. Make sure to check out the 1737 windmill and the star-shaped city walls. The best photos of the walls are from the harbor promenade right before sunset.
- Days 3-4
Antwerp & Ghent, Belgium
Morning brings you to Antwerp, the diamond capital of Belgium. It's a quick 15-minute walk from the dock to the historic Grote Markt square. Plan your diamond district visits for the afternoon when the workshops are busiest. The next day takes you to medieval Ghent. Get to the Gravensteen castle when it opens at 10:00 since the spiral staircases get busy quickly.
- Day 5
Dordrecht, Netherlands
You'll reach the Netherlands' oldest city at 07:00. The spot where three rivers meet offers great photos. Go up the 65-meter tower at Grote Kerk church for city views. Wear good walking shoes as the historic center has slippery cobblestones when wet.
- Days 6-7
Lelystad & Wadden Sea
Visit Lelystad, built on land reclaimed from the sea. Stop by the Batavialand maritime museum to learn about Dutch water management. Next day you'll cruise through the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea. Bring binoculars to spot seabirds before arriving in Harlingen in the afternoon.
- Day 8
Markermeer & Hoorn
Spend the morning cruising across Markermeer lake. You'll reach Hoorn by noon, a town famous for its Dutch East India Company history. Plan to see the harbor museum before it closes at 17:00. The restaurants around the town square serve great fresh seafood.
- Day 9
Emmerich, Germany
Morning arrival in Emmerich. The red Rhine Bridge makes for excellent photos. Take a walk on the Rhine promenade but bring a light jacket as it can get windy.
- Day 10
Return to Cologne
You'll return to Cologne early morning, docking near the Hohenzollern Bridge within walking distance of the cathedral and station. Book a late afternoon departure to enjoy your last day fully.
Reflections on the Rhine (Southbound) 2026
Stunning sights fill this 10-day Rhine sailing to Cologne's Gothic Cathedral, Rüdesheim's vineyards, and Strasbourg's La Petite France. The route covers 17 destinations across 4 countries, featuring UNESCO Rhine Gorge and Black Forest traditions.
Amsterdam Netherlands
7 miZaanse Schans Netherlands
61 miNijmegen Netherlands
10 miArnhem Netherlands
85 miCologne Germany
78 miRudesheim am Rhein Germany
16 miRhine Gorge Germany
1 miShow 5 more
Loreley Germany
42 miFrankfurt-am-Main Germany
49 miHeidelberg Germany
11 miSpeyer Germany
59 miStrasbourg France
26 miBlack Forest Germany
27 miFreiburg im Breisgau Germany
23 miColmar France
73 miZurich Switzerland
46 miBasel Switzerland
Rhine 10 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
Jewels of the Rhine & Amsterdam 2026 - 10 Days (from Basel to Amsterdam)
Rhine Experience & the Sea 2027
Reflections on the Rhine (Southbound) 2026
Active & Discovery on the Rhine with 2 Nights in Lucerne (Southbound) 2026
Rhône Route Panorama 2027
From Frankfurt to London GO
Amsterdam & Jewels of the Rhine 2026 - 10 Days (from Amsterdam to Zurich)
SPECTACULAR RHINE, Cologne – Strasbourg-Basel – Cologne
UNDISCOVERED NETHERLANDS, Cologne - Amsterdam - Cologne, MS Vista Rio
Rhine Highlights with Amsterdam 2027 - 10 Days (from Amsterdam to Zurich)
What people love about 10-day Rhine river cruises
- Classical Rhine Cruise (Basel - Amsterdam) (15 destinations)
The cruise itinerary, comfort, facilities and staff attitude was greatly appreciated. The only negatives were the lack of clear information on where to embark the vessel in Basel and some confusion with tours provided.
- UNDISCOVERED NETHERLANDS, Cologne - Amsterdam - Cologne, MS Vista Rio
We are very happy to review this cruise. We would very much recommend this to everyone. The crew the cabins and the food was top shelf. We really liked the crew and guests are international so much great conversations. We have been on other cruise lines Viking and AMA Crucemundo is very comparable. I have only one recommendation charge me more and give me unlimited Wi-Fi. Great job Crucevita
- SPECTACULAR RHINE, Cologne – Strasbourg-Basel – Cologne
The trip was just fantastic!