The Main River

About the Main
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Sail the Main River and Canal through the heart of Germany

Ports-of-Call on the Main River

Here you can find a list of some of the more common river cruise ports along the Main River as it flows through Europe.  These may be the most common, but there may be others that can be found on select river cruises.  Your River Cruise Artist can provide you with the full itinerary and all ports for any river cruise that you may be interested in, on any river cruise operator. Explore the Main River further and learn more about it’s ports-of-call.

Aschaffenburg

Germany

The historic town of Aschaffenburg is located on both sides of the Main River in the southwest of Germany, just 25 miles southeast of Frankfurt am Main. The earliest remains of settlements in the area of Aschaffenburg date from the Stone Age. In the Middle Ages the town was known as Ascaffaburc. A stone bridge over the Main River was built by Archbishop Willigis in 989 AD, who also made the town his second residence. The main river cruise excursion attractions in Aschaffenburg are the Schloss Johannisburg, built in the early 17th century; the Pompejanum, a replica of a Roman town house discovered in Pompeii; the St. Peter and Alexander collegiate church, founded in the second half of the 10th century; the Capuchin hospital; several mansions of nobility; and the historical old town. Across the Main River are the Park and Schloss Schönbusch.

Bamberg

Germany

Bamberg is a historic town in the Upper Franconia region in Bavaria, Germany. For its historic architecture and preserved heritage, the whole town of Bamberg is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. When visiting Bamberg on your Main River cruise excursion, walking is the best way to get around the Altstadt, the old city center. A few sights not to miss while in Bamberg include the Bamberg Dom or Cathedral which contains the intriguing Bamberg Rider sculpture; the Altes Rathaus perched in the middle of a bridge above the Regnitz River; the Bamberg Church of Our Lady, the only purely gothic church in town; the Alte Hofhaltung or Old Court, a complex of buildings that once served as the bishop’s residence. You are sure to be impressed by the history and culture you find in Bamberg

Frankfurt

Germany

Frankfurt am Main (on the Main River) is the business and financial center of Germany and the largest city in the German state of Hesse. Frankfurt is known for its futuristic skyline, enchanting old town, and the busiest German airport, likely your arrival point to Germany. Don’t miss the Römerberg or old town center of Frankfurt, with a number of historic buildings dating to the 14th and 15th century. The main Gothic cathedral, or Dom, was constructed in the 14th century. It is the site where 30 elections were held for the Holy Roman Emperor. From 1562 to 1792, 10 emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned in the cathedral. It is possible to ascend the spiral stairs of the 312-foot-high church tower. There are countless museums and attractions in the Frankfurt metropolis to please just about any taste.

Miltenberg

Germany

The historic old town of Miltenberg lies on the Main River’s left bank, and displays a history dating back before Roman Times, from the Neolithic to the Bronze age. The Miltenberg historic town center with the Schnatterloch, the historic market square, is a popular place to explore the more than 150 half-timbered houses within the town. Hotel Zum Riesen is a beautiful example of this architectural style and is one of the oldest inn’s in Germany. Miltenberg is one of those quintessential German river towns that will be a hit for any Main River cruise that is privileged to stop there.

Nuremberg

Germany

What comes to mind when you hear Nuremberg? Perhaps gingerbread, Christmas markets, or the famous Nazi Party Rally Grounds and Nuremberg Trials. Nuremberg is all these and so much more. Nuremberg is littered with half-timbered houses, gothic churches, and the remnants of a medieval city wall, all in the shadow of the towering imperial castle, which was one of the most important residences of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Nuremberg is also a culinary destination with breweries and biergartens featuring its most famous dish, the Nuremberg sausages with Sauerkraut. Nuremberg is a popular Main River cruise port both in summer and winter. The Christmas markets in Nuremberg are a crowd pleaser for sure!

Regensburg

Germany

The Bavarian city of Regensburg, Germany, is one of the country’s oldest towns, founded by the Romans in 179 A.D. Today Regensburg is a prosperous city of about 140,000 residents, three universities and many historical landmarks dating as far back as the Middle. Since July 2006 the old city of Regensburg has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city center is reasonably compact and with mostly pedestrian-only narrow streets to easily explore on foot. The main attraction of Regensburg is its excellently preserved medieval city center with the cathedral and the stone bridge being the highlights.

Rothenburg

Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a quintessential historic walled town located on Germany’s Romantic Road, about half-way between Munich and Frankfurt. This enchanting town on a hill is rich in history and culture and is probably the most recognized German town in photographs. The Market Square or Marktplatz is the square at the center of Rothenburg, which is framed on the west by the Town Hall or Rathaus, on the north by the Councilors’ Tavern or Ratstrinkstube, on the east by shops and cafés, and on the south by St. George’s Fountain. This central cobblestone point is the perfect place to begin your Main River cruise excursion to Rothenburg, a short drive from your river port.

Wertheim

Germany

Wertheim is a historic town in the state of Baden-Württemberg of southwestern Germany. It is not large with about 25,000 residents. Wertheim is located at the confluence of the Tauber and Main Rivers. Burg Wertheim, or Castle, is the towns historic treasure and definitely worth a visit. Wertheim also has a medieval town center with half-timbered houses and small streets that is a joy to explore on foot. The Gothic Stiftskirche or Church was built in 1383 and is today a Protestant parish church. Two clocks are visible on the church clock tower, one with an hour hand only which was for the residents of the castle. The Kilianskapelle, a Gothic chapel, was constructed after 1469, and the Engelsbrunnen or Angels’ well in 1574 are beautiful historic works to visit on your Main River cruise port in Wertheim.

Würzburg

Germany

Founded as early as the 10th century, Würzburg was the home to powerful prince-bishops for many centuries. The town is most known for the Residenz, regarded as one of the finest palaces in Europe and a high point of Baroque art. The Residenz in Würzburg is also UNESCO cultural world heritage site. Würzburg is also home to one of the oldest churches in Germany, built in the 8th century on top of a former pagan shrine. When you dock in Würzburg during your Main River cruise, be sure to join the excursion to town and the Residenz – you won’t be disappointed.

Your Main River Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Main River Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.