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Main River Cruises
Experience beautiful Bavarian scenery and medieval towns on a Main River cruise
The longest tributary of the Rhine, the Main River rises in the Fichtel Mountains in northeastern Bavaria and flows through the heart of Germany to meet the Rhine near the town of Mainz.
To make the river more navigable the Main has a series of 34 locks and weirs along its course.
Meandering through the vineyards and forests of Bavarian Germany the Main River is sprinkled with towns and cities steeped in tradition, culture and history. From the spring and autumn folk festivals of Nuremberg to the famous Bavarian Oktoberfest and Christmas markets of Bamberg and Würzburg, this beautiful region has plenty to offer.
2025/2026 Main river cruises
Medieval towns and cultural cities of the Main River
Cruise the Main River through the heart of Germany and visit the attractive towns and cities that grace its banks.
Bamberg
Bamberg was, like Rome, built on seven hills and because of its mixture of imposing architectural styles and baroque town houses is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Imperial Cathedral is set on Cathedral Hill and Altenburg Castle is located at the town's highest point. Highlights include the Cathedral square, the 17th-century New Residence and the Rose Garden.
See all Bamberg cruisesFrankfurt
One of the largest cities on the Main, Frankfurt is a modern city with a medieval heart. Its reconstructed old town features half-timbered buildings, welcoming boutiques and quaint apple-wine taverns. The central square, Römerberg, is home to the Old St Nicholas church and the medieval Römer complex with their distinctive stepped gables. Frankfurt is the birthplace of famed writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose former home is now the Goethe House Museum.
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Although set on the Rhine River, Mainz sits opposite the mouth of the Main River. Mainz is known for its medieval market square, half-timbered houses, Romanesque sandstone cathedral and St Stephen’s church, which features stained glass windows by artist Marc Chagall. Behind the cathedral in Gutenberg square is a statue of the father of modern printing Johannes Gutenberg, who was born in Mainz in the 14th century.
See all Mainz cruisesMiltenberg
Miltenberg is set in the attractive Main valley, between the Odenwald and the Spessart Mountains. The oldest part of the city lies on the left bank of the Main below a steep wooded hill, crowned by a 13th-century castle. The old town, enclosed within ancient walls and gates, is home to picturesque streets of half-timbered houses and old wine taverns.
See all Miltenberg cruisesNuremberg
The Imperial Castle, Kaiserburg, dominates the skyline of this medieval city, which has undergone a great deal of restoration since it was heavily bombed in World War Two. In 1935 the Nazis built a stadium here in which they held their rallies and, later, Nazi war criminals were tried in Nuremberg by the Allies. The artist Albrecht Durer lived here from 1509 to 1528 and his house is now a museum, while the main square, the Hauptmarkt, hosts a renowned Christmas market.
See all Nuremberg cruisesWertheim
Set at the confluence of the rivers Tauber and Main, the charming town of Wertheim was once famous for glass production. It has a medieval market square lined with colourful half-timbered buildings and is overlooked by Wertheim Castle. Other sights include the intricately carved Angel’s Fountain, 13th-century Pointed Tower and Kittstein Gate.
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An important city in the Middle Ages, Würzburg features numerous baroque buildings erected by the prince-bishops of the Schönborn family in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Residence Palace, one of Europe’s most renowned baroque castles, was built here between 1720 and 1724 for the prince-bishop Johann Philipp Franz, who commissioned master builder Balthasar Neumann to create the 'palace of all palaces'.
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Included nationwide chauffeur service
A return shared nationwide chauffeur service from your home to your UK departure point
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Cruise the River Main aboard Spirit of the Moselle
The newest edition to our river cruise fleet, Spirit of the Moselle, offers a selection of river cruises on the Main.
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