canal tours of strasbourg

Batorama, boat-tours on the river Ill

BATORAMA, Strasbourg's boat trip provider, offers 70-minute city tours all year round. Discover the must-sees of the Alsatian capital, such as the Petite France district, the Neustadt (the imperial quarter), as well as the European institutions. The ships are either covered and heated or cooled, or else opened up in fine weather. Using the individual headphones, you can listen to commentaries in 12 languages, with a children's commentary available in 4 languages. For the attention of coach drivers and group transport professionals: Drop your passengers off at Parc de l’Etoile and have them embark on one of our ships less than 100 metres away to reach the city centre and enjoy a comprehensive visit. Price: € 17.20 (reduced rate: € 10.70). Procedure: with advance booking, every day at 9:45 am (except July, August and December), arrival at Palais des Rohan 1 hour 45 minutes after departure.

• Pets allowed : yes

Congés/fermeture annuels : 02>26/01 ; 02>09/07 ; période de Noël

Fermeture hebdomadaire : Lundi, Dimanche, Dimanche soir

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Discover strasbourg on a boat trip on the ill river.

Batorama provides interesting boat trips through Strasbourg: "Strasbourg: 20 centuries of history", "Strasbourg, grande île", ʺStrasbourg, l’Européenneʺ, ʺStrasbourg, les bâtisseurs“ and ʺEuropean parliament: Visit the european parliament!ʺ

During those boat trips on the river Ill, you can listen to audioguides in twelve different languages:

The ticket office and tour beginning is at the Place de la Cathédrale about 60 metres from Strasbourg Cathedral.

1st boat trip: "Strasbourg, 20 centuries of history" (Duration: 1h15) This boat trip shows the different architecture of Strasbourg, you will see buildings like The Ancienne Douane, the covered bridges, the European Parliament and lots more.

Rates: Full rate: 13,00€ Reduced rate age 4-12: 7,50€ Free for children under 4 years

Depature times:

OKTOBER 9.30h, 9.45h 16-20 tours (workdays) from 9.45h 17-20 tours (weekend)

NOVEMBER 9.45h, 10.15h, 10.45h, 11.00h, 11.30h, 14.15h 4-20 tours (workdays) 9.45h, 10.15h, 10.30h, 11.00h, 11.30h 8-23 tours (weekend)

DEZEMBER 9.45h to 17.00h 19 tours (workdays) from 9.45h 23-24 tours (weekend) Attention: the last tours on 24th and 31st take place at 5 pm

2nd boat trip: "Strasbourg, grande ile" (Duration: 45 minutes) The Petite France district and the historic city center of Strasbourg are in the focus of this boat trip.

Rates: Full rate: 9,90 € Reduced rate age 4-12: 6,00 € Free for children under 4 years

OKTOBER 11.30h, 12.45h 1-2 tours (workdays) 11.30h one tour (weekend) Attention: There is no tour on the 31st   

NOVEMBER Attention:  the tour is sold out from the 1st to the 19th of November and on the 21st of November 10.30h, 11.00h, 11.45h 1-2 tours (workday 20.11, 27.11-30.11.2017) 11.00h one tour (weekend den 25. and 26.11.2017)

DEZEMBER 11.00h one tour (workdays) 11.00h one tour (weekend)

3rd boat trip: "Strasbourg, l`Europeenne" (Duration: 45 minutes) The tour offers a wonderful view on the magnificent buildings of the eastern city and also includes a visit of the European institutions.

Rates: Full rate: 9,90€ Reduced rate age 4-12: 6,00€ Free for children under age 4

4th boat trip: "Strasbourg, les batisseurs" Rates: Full rate: 13,00€ Reduced rate age 4-12: 7,50€ Free for children under 4 years

5th boat trip: "European parliament: Visit the european parliament" (Duration:50 minutes + visit) The tour is divided into two episodes: The first episode is a boat trip around the grand ile which ends in front of the european parliament. In the second part of the tour you have the chance to visit the parliament.

Rates: Full rate: 15,60€ Reduced rate age 4-12: 9,05€ Free for children under 4

More information:

The boats used for these trips are covered and heated in winter, air-conditioned in summer.

If you book before, you can book a boat suitable for wheelchairs - it takes up to four wheelchairs.

You can't bring any animal on board, except for guide dogs with their masters.

Only bags and objects that are not unwieldy can be brought on board. No suitcases or bicycles. Prams are allowed.

There are toilets on all boats.

- all information is given without guarantee -

Online Booking: https://www.batorama.com/en

Image source: Aline Tittelbach, Webmanager GmbH

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Current weather

• Temperature: 14 °C
• Wind: NE (40°), 22.2 km/h
• Pressure: 1018 hPa
• Rel. Humidity: 47 %
• Visibility: 10 km
• Sunrise: 07:51
• Sunset: 18:39

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Batorama: Visit Strasbourg with a boat tour

Strasbourg is an aquatic city. Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , is an island surrounded by the Ill, a river that has shaped its identity. And what better way to discover this city than to sail on its waters? That's what Batorama offers, a unique experience that gives you a whole new perspective on Strasbourg . Ready to discover the city as you've never seen it before? Follow me!

Batorama, a unique way to discover Strasbourg

It's no coincidence that Batorama is the region's number 1 tourist attraction . It's not just a simple boat trip. It's a real plunge into Strasbourg's history, a unique opportunity to discover its hidden treasures, an adventure that takes you back in time. Since the 19th century, Batorama has been taking the curious on a journey down the Ill, revealing the charms of the Alsatian capital from a unique angle.

Every time I board a Batorama boat, it's like rediscovering my city. Entering the picturesque Petite France district, passing through the locks, visiting the European Parliament... It's an experience I never tire of, and one I'm always delighted to share with my friends when they come to visit.

Why visiting Strasbourg by river boat?

Whether you're a regular visitor to Strasbourg or just passing through, Batorama is an experience not to be missed. Here are just a few reasons why:

• A different perspective : Sailing on the River Ill, you'll have the chance to admire the monuments and historic districts from a whole new angle, as the water flows by.
• A relaxing environment : Unlike city traffic, a river boat trip offers a peaceful and relaxing environment. Ideal for unwinding after a long day's sightseeing!
• An activity for everyone : No need to walk. A Batorama cruise is suitable for all ages, especially young children.

The different tours offered by Batorama

Batorama offers 5 cruises , each offering a different perspective on Strasbourg:

Strasbourg, 20 centuries of history

This is the most popular tour and the one I highly recommend . It lasts around 1 hour 10 minutes and takes you through three of Strasbourg's most emblematic districts : the Grande Île, the Neustadt and the European District. You'll discover buildings of exceptional architecture, witnesses to imperial German town planning and symbols of unity and European integration.

The journey begins in the picturesque Petite France district , with its half-timbered houses, notably the tanners' house. Take a moment to admire the river as you cross the first lock and then the swing bridge. The tour continues on to the Vauban dam, offering a breathtaking view of the Ponts Couverts and the ENA.

You then head up the quays towards the European District , passing the headquarters of the Franco-German television channel Arte. The last stop on the cruise is the European Parliament , a powerful symbol of the European Union. All along the way, you'll enjoy highly informative audio commentaries with lots of amusing historical anecdotes .

Strasbourg Grande Île

This 45-minute tour takes you through Strasbourg's city centre, a veritable island in the heart of the city. You'll see half-timbered houses, medieval architecture and mansions from the modern era. Notre-Dame Cathedral , whose millennium was celebrated in 2014, stands proudly.

Strasbourg, the European

This 45-minute tour will show you Strasbourg from a European perspective. You'll see the city's most emblematic European institutions, including the European Parliament, the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe.

Strasbourg-sur-Mer

This 2-hour tour is a little different. It takes you to the Port Autonome de Strasbourg, France's 2nd largest river port. You'll learn how the port works and how important its activity is to the daily lives of the people of Strasbourg.

Strasbourg, les bâtisseurs

On this 1 hour 10 minute tour, you'll discover Alsace's capital through its architecture. You'll see the buildings that bear witness to Strasbourg's rich history, and you'll notice that half your cruise takes place in the middle of a green corridor.

Batorama at Christmas, a journey through time

Christmas in Strasbourg is a magical time . The city is decked out in a thousand lights, Christmas markets are set up in the streets and a festive atmosphere pervades the city. And Batorama is no exception.

During the Christmas period, Batorama offers a special cruise: the "Christmas Cruise of yesteryear" . This one-hour cruise takes you back in time and immerses you in memories of Christmas in another era. Jeanne Loesch takes the helm and, above all, speaks for this unique visit.

She tells you all about the Christmases of her childhood, Alsatian traditions, the making of bredele, decorating the Christmas tree, the Christkindel and Hans Trapp (the Alsatian bogeyman). It's a moment of sharing and nostalgia that lets you see Strasbourg and Christmas from a different angle.

My opinion of Batorama

For me, Batorama is a must-see in Strasbourg . I particularly enjoy seeing the city from a different angle, on board the boat. You discover things that you don't usually see on foot or by bike. The audio guide commentary is interesting (in 11 languages included english, german and italian), informative and fun. Going through the locks is always a special moment, an experience that children particularly enjoy .

The "Strasbourg, 20 centuries of history" tour is my favourite . It's complete and allows you to discover the city's history in a fun and instructive way. I also like the pace of the cruise. It's calm and relaxing. You can choose between a covered, air-conditioned boat or an open-air boat , which means you can adapt to the weather.

Practical information about the Batorama boat trip

Where to catch batorama in strasbourg.

The departure point for the boat trips is near Notre-Dame cathedral, beneath the Palais Rohan and the city's historical museum. Make sure you get there a little early to collect your tickets and take a seat on board.

Ticket prices vary according to the tour chosen. For the "Strasbourg, 20 centuries of history" tour, the most comprehensive, the price is €14.90 for an adult, €7.50 for a child aged 4 to 12 and free for children under 4. Reduced rates are available with the Pass Alsace (€5 with the Batorama option) or the Strasbourg City Card (€11.90 instead of €14.90).

Pass Alsace : The Best of Alsace in your Pocket

Enjoy free entry to over 60 tourist sites, including Batorama, fortified castles, museums, and more fun activities and discounts in Alsace.

Strasbourg City Card - 7-Day City Pass

Explore Strasbourg with a 7-day city pass that offers discounted rates for attractions and activities. Climb up the Strasbourg Cathedral, take a guided walking tour, or enjoy Batorama. 

To avoid long queues and guarantee your place on board, I recommend you book your tickets online . That way you can choose the date and time that suits you best.

A final tip: don't forget your camera. Your river boat trip will give you an original viewpoint and, above all, a great overview of the city.

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Home > Guided tours > Guided tour by boat

Guided Tour by boat around Strasbourg

We invite you to visit Strasbourg by boat (small electric boats), which can accommodate up to 11 people (guide included). This is the opportunity to discover Strasbourg from another angle, a river angle! and believe us, Strasbourg is a city of water. For larger groups, we can use the Batorama fleet (up to 120 people on a boat!)

Starting from the picturesque Petite France, we can go meet the fauna and flora of Strasbourg and take a peek at our (almost) wild nature. Let us embark on our famous ship for a ride on the Ill river, with its parks, ponds and castles. This is certainly the best version of a 100% eco-friendly and lush Strasbourg!

Or, on the contrary, we can navigate through modern Strasbourg, towards the Danube eco-district with its positive energy tower (the first of its kind in France!), then the Rhine Port which has made Strasbourg renowned and rich, and which remains a witness of its industrial history. Our itinerary can even take us to the heart of the European Institutions with the European Parliament or the European Court of Human Rights!

Our private tours are available in English, French, German, Spanish and even in Alsatian!  Contact us  for further information!

• From 1 to 10 persons: 54€/h

These rates do not include the electric boat rental which reamains the responsibility of the customer. For more information or for bigger groups, please contact us .

A little overview of the possibilities: (you can also see it in  PDF version )

Boat tour of Strasbourg

Set off for the pier in downtown Strasbourg where you will board a panoramic boat which will take you to the famous district of the Petite France. Its canals, charming houses with colored, half-timbered walls and narrow alleyways will enchant you. You will glide past the Tanners Quarter , the Covered Bridges (Ponts Couverts) and the Panoramic Terrace on the Vauban Dam . Our cruise will continue through the German Quarter. Following the French defeat in 1870, Germany planned to make Strasbourg the capital of the Reichsland or Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine. This district, referred to as the "new town", represented a new form of urban planning, featuring wide roads, monumental administrative and cultural buildings, and luxurious private homes. Landscaping also played a key role in this impressive urban planning scheme. Then you will get the chance to see the European Parliament Building, completed in 1999, which was designed to host monthly sessions of the European Parliament. The architecture of the building is based on a combination of circles and ellipses, with the building laid out and organized into several clearly identified areas. Finally you'll discover the Human Rights Building where the European Court of Human Rights is located. Return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended for this excursion.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Cruise on the Marne-Rhine Canal from Strasbourg to Lagarde (port-to-port cruise)

STRASBOURG - WALTENHEIM - SAVERNE - LUTZELBOURG - XOUAXANGE - LAGARDE - Strasbourg(1)

From Strasbourg to Lagarde, embark on an authentic and traditional cruise in the heart of Alsace and Moselle. You will cruise on the Marne-Rhine Canal where you will discover a colorful heritage and monuments that reflect its history through exciting tours. Explore the Hops Trail, the Haut Barr and Lutzelbourg castles or the Chagall trail and be astonished by the richness of this captivating cruise.

The Marne-Rhine Canal - From Lagarde to Strasbourg (port-to-port cruise)

Strasbourg(1) - LAGARDE - XOUAXANGE - LUTZELBOURG - SAVERNE - WALTENHEIM - STRASBOURG

From Lagarde to Strasbourg, embark on an authentic and traditional cruise in the heart of Alsace and Moselle. You will cruise on the Marne-Rhine Canal where you will discover a colorful heritage and monuments that reflect its history through exciting tours. Explore the Hops Trail, the Haut Barr and Lutzelbourg castles or the Chagall trail and be astonished by the richness of this captivating cruise.

Canals and cathedrals: Things to do in Strasbourg, France

Posted on Last updated: March 10, 2023

Nestled along the border with Germany, the Alsace is one of France’s most unique regions. When I was planning a European rail trip , the region’s capital Strasbourg seemed like the perfect place to start. Strasbourg has a beautiful riverside setting, buildings straight out of a fairytale and that unusual mix of French and German influences. It’s small enough to be able to walk around but big enough to have plenty of places to eat and drink – and come winter it goes totally over-the-top as a Christmas wonderland. So here are my favourite things to do in Strasbourg.

Read more: Colmar, Alsace: A guide to France’s fairytale town

The best things to do in Strasbourg

Half-timbered houses in Strasbourg’s historic Petite-France district

Wander the streets of Petite-France

The Petite-France district is Strasbourg’s historic heart – with its narrow streets of half-timbered houses lining the canalside, decked out with colourful baskets of flowers. Originally the houses here were built for tanners, fishermen and millers, but today you’re more likely to find restaurants, hotels and gift shops. Despite being busy it’s still a really charming place to wander around the backstreets or stop for a drink along the waterfront.

One of the best views of Petite-France is from the terrace on top of the Barrage Vaubin, a 17th-century weir. From there you get a great view of the covered bridges – which slightly confusingly haven’t been covered for the last 300 years. There are also four square stone towers, which are all that’s left of the 14th-century ramparts built to protect the city.

An audioguide walking tour * is a great way to learn about Strasbourg’s thousand-year history and its fascinating legends as you explore.

The covered bridges from the top of Barrage Vaubin

Take a boat tour around the canals

Strasbourg’s old town is an island – the Grande Ile – encircled by canals and the River Ill. So one of the best things to do in Strasbourg is get a view from the water on a sightseeing boat tour (€13.50 for adults, runs up to 35 times a day and takes 70 mins). Some boats are open-top for sunny days and there’s a commentary in 12 languages so you know what you’re looking at.

The route starts in Petite-France, stopping at two locks because this area has a higher water level, then carries on through the tanners’ quarter, under the covered bridges, past the Barrage Vauban and the Neustadt Imperial Quarter. It also travels up the river to the modern buildings housing the European Quarter, European Court of Human Rights and Council of Europe.

A Strasbourg boat trip along the canals

Look out from Strasbourg cathedral

Gothic Strasbourg cathedral towers over the city – for over 200 years until 1874 it was the world’s tallest building. It was supposed to have two spires but only one was ever built, which you can see from over 30 miles away. You can’t climb to the top of the spire, but you can climb 320 steps to the cathedral’s viewing platform. You need a head for heights though as the spiral staircases run up the corners of the building so you can see right down to the ground.

From the top you can see as far as the Black Forest over the border in Germany on a clear day as well as having a bird’s eye view of the red roofs of the old city below. Back on ground level it’s worth popping inside the cathedral, especially on a sunny day when the light shines through the stained-glass windows. It also has one of the world’s largest astronomical clocks which strikes ‘noon’ (at 12.30pm!) with animated figures of the 12 Apostles parading in front of Jesus.

Views down to Strasbourg from the cathedral

Watch a light show

During the summer nights, Strasbourg’s cathedral and Barrage Vaubin are transformed into giant canvases for a sound and light show (shows last 10 mins and run several times a night from July to September). Each year the show is slightly different. This year the barrage transformed into everything from a train to a sea monster, all reflected in the water below.

Lights above, inside and under the arches help make it seem like the building has come to life. And at the cathedral the architecture was used really cleverly to make it seem like it was on fire or had demons crawling out through the stained glass windows. I’d never seen anything like it – but you can get an idea from this video of a previous show at the Barrage .

Illuminations at the Barrage Vaubin

Visit the European Parliament

With its ultra-modern towering glass and steel buildings, Strasbourg’s European District is a complete contrast to the history-filled cobbled streets of Petite-France. The city is the official seat of the European Parliament , with MEPs meeting here 12 times a year for plenary sessions in the impressive hemicycle – a 800-seat semicircular debating chamber. The Parliament building covers 220,000 square metres and is set around a central courtyard, 60 metres high.

Visitors can take a look around the building during normal opening hours (1pm–5pm Monday to Saturday plus 9.30am–12pm on Saturdays). The tour includes the parlamentarium, a 360-degree cinema with interactive displays explaining the role of the European Parliament. And if your visit coincides with one of the plenary sessions you can watch parliament in action.

The European Parliament

Try some Alsace specialities

The Alsace region is famous for its beer and wine – and Strasbourg is a great place to try some. Its dry Reislings are the most well-known but there are also other white wines like Gewürztraminer and sparkling Crémant d’Alsace. You can take a half-day tour of the Alsace wine region from Strasbourg to find out more. The Alsace is also France’s biggest beer producing region, and there are microbreweries in Strasbourg like Kohler-Rehm and Lanterne.

Soak up the alcohol with some traditional Alsatian traditional dishes. Try tarte flambée (a thin pizza covered with crème fraîche, onions and lardons), choucroute garnie (picked cabbage served with boiled potatoes and sausages) or bäckeoffe (a casserole made from beef, pork and lamb). And in winter fill up on bredele biscuits and vin chaud at the Christmas markets.

A Strasbourg winstub

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This article contains affiliate links, where I get a small commission at no extra cost to you, thanks.

Monday 6th of January 2020

Very romantic !

"How fair doth Nature Appear again! How bright the sunbeams! How smiles the plain! The flow'rs are bursting From ev'ry bough, And thousand voices Each bush yields now..."

Janine Marsh

Saturday 4th of May 2019

Thanks for the inspiration in this post - fabulous!

Tuesday 14th of May 2019

You're very welcome!

Stuart Forster

Thursday 2nd of May 2019

The region's Cremant can be very good! I'd love to be sitting at a cafe looking at some of those gorgeous half-timbered houses sipping a glass now.

Love Cremant – and it's great value too!

You'll also get lovely views of Strasbourg's beautiful architecture—houses, churches, public buildings, parks—as you circle the island.

You'll pass through the Imperial District , with its monumental buildings from the late 19th century.

The tour then continues toward the Rhine and the European District , home of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the Human Rights Building.

Buy your tickets at the small floating ticket booth near the Rohan landing stage. Be aware that during the season many boats fill up, so you may want to get your tickets early in the day for a later sailing. Times and status of boats are regularly posted on an electronic sign board, so you can see where space is available.

The river boat trip is included on the Strasbourg Pass (with some time restrictions). At an individual cost of almost 10€ for the boat trip, you don't need to do much more to get your money's worth from the Pass .

Batorama 1, Rue de Rohan 67000 Strasbourg, France +33 (0)3 88 84 13 13

Above , Step right up and buy your tickets for a river boat tour of Strasbourg. Below , Then board your boat and enjoy the sights!

 Our covered boats are heated or refreshed, depending on the weather    -     Our boat specially equipped to accommodate wheelchair users is unavailable due to annual maintenance work    -      The toilets are temporarily closed     -     Batorama does not work with GET YOUR GUIDE, VIATOR, or any online platform outside of its own booking website     -

Strasbourg Grande Île

Duration 0h45

Distance 4 km

The true heart of Strasbourg, founded on the site of the ancient Roman camp of Argentoratum, the downtown area is a mixture of timbered houses, mediaeval architecture and mansion houses from the modern era. Notre Dame cathedral, which has just reached its millennium, sits there proudly.

A World Heritage Site

Declared a World Heritage Site in 1988, Grande Ile is the perfect example of a mediaeval city on the Rhine that has survived through the ages to become anchored in the contemporary era. This accolade was awarded by UNESCO due to the exceptional architectural quality of all the buildings in this relatively small area.

Historic Museum of Strasbourg and pier

Historical monuments

Ideally located 150 metres from the cathedral of Strasbourg, your visit begins at our piers between Palais Rohan and Ancienne Boucherie, today the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg. No sooner have the moorings been cast than you discover Ancienne Douane and the Finkwiller district just outside Petite France. The first lock leads you into the heart of this neighbourhood of timbered houses under the spell of which it is impossible not to fall. Further on, you'll see the Ponts Couverts and the Barrage Vauban, the remains of the fortifications of the city under Louis XIV. Before passing through the second lock, you walk along the walls of the Commanderie Saint-Jean, whose renovated buildings have, since 1991, housed ENA (Ecole Nationale d’Administration).

Pontonniers high school

Spend 45 minutes allowing yourself to be enchanted by the magic of the place and a unique view of the city.

Your cruise continues to the outer limits of the Neustadt, or "New Town", district, developed during the annexation of Alsace-Moselle (1871-1918) to transform Strasbourg into a capital worthy of the new Reichsland (imperial territory) and to welcome there its new emperors (no less than three Kaisers succeeded the throne during this brief period: William I, Frederick III and William II). The Saint Pierre Le Jeune church, the Palais du Rhin, the National University Library, the National Theatre or even the Church of St. Paul are characteristic buildings showcasing German architecture from this era.

Discover the promenade in pictures

For the little sailors

Captain Hans Trapp and his parrot Coco are at the helm, so that you shipmates can discover the treasures of the river Ill. The audio guide in French, German, English and Italian provides your children with rich and playful commentaries and an age-appropriate story.

Audioguides

Audioguides broadcasting the commentary of the visit are available in 12 languages :

Strasbourg River Cruises

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• Explore the Stolzenfels Castle
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• Experience the Black Forest
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European Classic Cruise - Alsace & Lorraine

• Tour Strasbourg
• Explore Route des Vins d'Alsace
• Visit the Meteor Brewery
• Tour Sarrebourg

Rhine Christmas Markets

• Enjoy Amsterdam’s canals
• Visit Cologne
• Discover Koblenz
• Stroll through Strasbourg

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Why Travel With Adventure Life

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approx. 2 hours

OR AMADEUS Taste: Rüdesheim wine tasting & Drosselgasse

AMADEUS Taste: Rüdesheim wine tasting & Drosselgasse

Enjoy an unforgettable tram ride on the “Winzerexpress“ and discover the beauty of the Rhine Valley. Stroll along the famous ‚Drosselgasse‘, which is a narrow cobblestone street lined with some of the city’s best entertainment venues, first mentioned in the 15th century as an alley used by the Rhine boatmen to reach their homes. Here you can still find numerous half-timbered wine houses, restaurants and shops. During your tour you will visit three different wineries where you can taste a selection of the typical wines of the region before returning to the ship.

Stay Koblenz

Arrival at 3:30pm

Koblenz walking tour with Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

Discover Koblenz, one of the most beautiful and oldest cities in Germany with more than 2,000 years of history. During a walking tour in the romantic side streets between the Basilica of St. Kastor and the Church of Our Lady, view the most important sights of Koblenz.  Continue your excursion by cable car, built for the International Garden Show, high above the Rhine to the impressively situated Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress is the second largest preserved fortress in Europe. The fortress dates back to 1000 AD and evolved to its present form between 1817 and 1828. Today, the fortress houses the Koblenz State Museum with its diverse exhibitions including the history of the fortress, the Army Memorial and a youth hostel. 

approx. 3 hours

Level 5: Considerable walk with longer distances. This may include uneven surfaces and some stairs.

from $ ###price###

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Suites & Staterooms 

• Luxury accommodation in an outside river-view stateroom of your choice: Spacious Mozart Suites with a walk-out balcony, stateroom cabins on Mozart and Strauss Decks with drop-down Panorama Retractable Windows offering a wide-open view (except Amadeus Brilliant)
• Individual climate control and in-room safe 
• Choice of bed configuration in all categories (double or twin bedding)
• Bottled water in every stateroom 

Gourmet Dining

• Gourmet dining featuring breakfast, multi-course lunches and dinners with menu choices (including vegetarian options), afternoon tea and late-night snack
• Free-flowing hand-selected wines from the best wine regions, draft beer, soda as well as coffee and tea with every lunch and dinner 
• Coffee and tea available 24 hours a day in the Amadeus Club
• Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner

An Array of Amenities 

• Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
• Onboard fitness center open 24 hours a day
• All gratuities on board are included in your cruise fare

Voyage of Discovery

• Personalized service of an experienced, multilingual AMADEUS Cruise Director 
• AMADEUS digital audio system for all guided excursions 
• Variety of enriching onboard programs, including fascinating lectures, cooking demonstrations, local cultural performances, and music by our onboard musicians 
• Complimentary use of onboard bicycles for independent exploration 
• All port taxes, embarkation, disembarkation and lock fees included in your cruise fare 

Excursions and excursion packages

Cruise your way and choose from a carefully curated selection of immersive and inspiring excursions and adventures! Select one of our packages offered at a discounted rate when purchased in advance or book individual shore excursions at regular rates on board your cruise.

Package A | for only $ 332 per person

Enjoy a package of these pre-selected excursions for a discounted rate when purchased in advance.

Package B | for only $ 471 per person

Package c | for only $ 566 per person.

Basel – Amsterdam

Prices per person if excursions are purchased on board.

You're in good hands with us from the start: Let us book you a transfer from the airport or train station to the ship port and back. The following prices apply per person per transfer:

Basel (Switzerland)

Train Station - Port $ 77

Airport - Port $ 77

Amsterdam (Netherlands)

Port - Train Station $ 62

Port - Airport $ 73

Vessels on this route

Amadeus cara.

Discover an extraordinary way to see Europe as we combine elegance with outstanding innovation.  

Bruges Canal Tours: Everything You Need To Know

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During our recent family trip to Europe, Abby and I took a  day trip from Brussels to Bruges , a beautiful town in Belgium. We both wanted to go on one of the legendary Bruges canal tours. I’m so glad we did! This fairytale European city needs to be on your bucket list! 

Where is Bruges?

Bruges is a serene small Flemish town just northwest of  Brussels . Visiting Bruges is a perfect day trip from Brussels and is easily accessible by train.

Bruges is known as an idyllic small European city steeped in historical charm. It’s home to gorgeous canals and many fascinating landmarks. Furthermore, The city also has many great restaurants, pubs, and street-side vendors.

Visiting Bruges, Belgium

If you are visiting Brussels for a few days, taking an extra day to go to Bruges is well worth the time. Its gorgeous canals winding along against ancient stone buildings have led Bruges to be called the “Venice of the North.” 

In this blog post, I want to provide information about taking a Bruges canal tour, highlight the city’s history, and discuss some landmarks you’ll likely see on these Bruges canal tours.

Getting to Bruges from Brussels

From Bruges, you just need to hop on the Belgium intercity train. You can board directly from one of the main Brussels train stations, including Bruxelles-Nord (Brussels North), Bruxelles-Central (Brussels Central), and Bruxelles-Midi (Brussels South).

The Brussels to Bruges train runs all day, and the ride is just over an hour.  

The Belgium train website has a  dedicated page for the Brussels to Bruges train route , which is a great resource. You can buy tickets from that page as well. 

The route trip Brussels to Bruges train tickets are a standard € 32.00 for adults. However, there are a lot of discounted ticket options listed as well, and most are € 17.50 or less. 

The Bruges Canal Tours

Once you arrive in Bruges, you should have a game plan for your canal tour. It’s helpful to know a little bit about the city's layout. 

Bruges rests within a mesh of several canals that penetrate and encircle the city. These canals ultimately allow boat access to the North Sea, located about 20 kilometers north of the city. The town’s access to the North Sea made Bruges a vital shipping hub for centuries. 

The canals lining the town are relatively inaccessible as they are flanked everywhere by houses and other structures. Because of this, there are only a few places, other than bridges, where you can see the canals.  

Therefore, the best way to see these picturesque canals is on a boat tour!

Planning Bruges Canal Tours

There are five landing stages along the canals. These are the only places you can embark on a canal tour. The routes and prices are generally the same across the different tour operators. There are several canal tour operators, each with their own open-air boats.  They pretty much all follow the same route, so in my opinion, the best Bruges canal tour is the one with the shortest line.

Bruges Canal Tour Boarding Locations

Boarding takes place at the following locations. Each tour operator will leave from a different location, so be sure to check their website.

•  Michielssens, Huidenvettersplein 13
•  Coudenys, Rozenhoedkaai
•  De Meulemeester, Wollestraat 32
•  Gruuthuse, Nieuwstraat 11
•  Stael, Katelijnestraat 4

Scroll around the above map of Bruges to get a lay of the land!

The Bruges Canal Tour boat trip takes around 30 minutes. The boats typically operate between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, with 5:30 often being the last tour. Tours generally operate most of the year, except in January and early February.  

However, tour availability will vary by operator and may change based on events like municipal construction projects, canal restoration initiatives, and severe weather.

Bruges Canal Tours Tickets

Unlike the  canal tours in Amsterdam  and the  Seine River cruises in Paris , you cannot book Bruges canal tour tickets in advance. You buy your tickets directly from the tour companies at the landing stages. As of writing this, the Bruges Canal Tour price for adult tickets is € 12.00, and children’s tickets are € 7.00.

You may need to wait in line at the landing stages to purchase tickets. The canal tours are very popular and will get busy. Bruges has an active cruise ship industry (Norwegian, Holland America, Windstar, Celebrity), and the town will fill up with  cruise  passengers on day excursions.  

The extra traffic means lines for the canal tours will get longer after about 11 am. Before 11 am is the best time to ensure you have shorter lines. It also gives you the rest of the day to explore Bruges.  

TIP: Get in line for your canal tour as early as possible in Bruges. 

Private canal tours are also available. Several companies offer tours with different types of boats. Contact the companies directly to find out more.

There are a couple of great s mall-group Bruges canal tours available through Get Your Guide . They also include a Bruges walking tour. These are a great option if you want to be able to buy Bruges canal tour tickets in advance.

Other Things to Consider

During the canal tour, the boat guide will comment on the significant landmarks and history of the area. During our  day trip to Bruges , our canal tour guide did a great job narrating the tour and pointing out interesting areas, landmarks, and historical sights. Most guides can speak multiple languages and will do their best to tailor the language to the passengers’ needs. 

The boats are cash-only. Be sure to bring a few Euros to tip your tour guide.

If you want to take pictures, try to be at the front, back, or side of the boat. Most of the boats have a line of seats down the middle, but people may block your pictures if you sit there.  

The boats are open-air and uncovered, so be sure to wear your sunscreen! Also, the tours can get pretty chilly, depending on the time of year, so bring a jacket. We love the  Amazon Essentials packable jackets  for our travels.

It’s always helpful to know the history and significance of a city prior to visiting. So, I want to take some time here to talk more in-depth about Bruges and, of course, the canals. Then, I will share some of the incredible landmarks that you will see from your Bruges canal tour. 

The History Of Bruges And Its Canals

Bruges has witnessed a remarkable evolution over the centuries. Its history encapsulates the ebb and flow of urban development, from its Viking origins to a flourishing medieval center, economic decline, and eventual modern-day revival.  

The city’s tremendous ability to adapt to changing circumstances and preserve its cultural heritage is a testament to the strength and perseverance of the Danish people across time.

Origins of Bruges, Belgium

The origin of Bruges can be traced to the 9th century when Vikings established a fortress on the banks of the Reie River. The name “Bruges” is believed to be derived from the Old Dutch word “Burg,” meaning fortress. The city gradually developed into a bustling medieval trade center due to its strategic location and access to the North Sea.

The Golden Era of Bruges

Bruges experienced its golden era during the late medieval period, particularly in the 14th and 15th centuries. The city became a major commercial and cultural hub, attracting merchants, artists, and scholars across Europe.  

Bruges's thriving wool and textile industry and sophisticated network of canals contributed to its prosperity. It was home to the influential Bourse, one of the earliest stock exchanges in the world.

Bruges Economic Decline

Despite its flourishing period, Bruges faced economic challenges in the 16th century. The silting of the Zwin, a vital waterway for trade, led to a decline in maritime activity, impacting Bruges’ economy.  

Additionally, geopolitical shifts and the rise of other European trading centers contributed to the city's gradual decline in prominence.

Modern Times and Revival of Bruges

For several centuries, Bruges endured a period of relative obscurity. However, in the 19th century, efforts were made to preserve its medieval architecture, and the city gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.  

The 20th century saw a revival in Bruges’ fortunes, with tourism becoming a key driver of its economy. The city’s well-preserved medieval structures, including the Belfry of Bruges and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, attract millions of visitors annually.

What Do You See on the Bruges Canal Tours?

During the Bruges canal tours, your tour guide will highlight many fascinating landmarks. Each place gives you a window into the long history of this amazing city.  

Like many European cities, it’s steeped in lore that spans epochs, and seemingly every bridge or building has a colorful and long legacy.  

Here is a list of many sites you will probably see on the Bruges canal tours. 

Founded in 1245, the Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde boasts serene white-colored house fronts and a tranquil convent garden.  

This UNESCO World Heritage site was once the residence of beguines—emancipated laywomen leading pious and celibate lives. Today, the beguinage is home to the Order of St. Benedict nuns.

Saint John’s Hospital

With an eight-hundred-year history, Saint John’s Hospital has cared for pilgrims, travelers, the poor, and the sick. Explore the medieval wards where nuns and monks practiced mercy, the chapel, and a remarkable collection of archives, artworks, medical instruments, and six paintings by Hans Memling.  

Church of Our Lady

The Church of Our Lady showcases Bruges’ artisans’ craftsmanship through its 115.5 meters high brick tower. The church has valuable art, including Michelangelo’s renowned Madonna and Child, numerous paintings, 13th-century painted crypts, and the tombs of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold. Abby and I visited after our canal tour, and it was incredible! 

Groeninge Museum

Offering a diverse overview of Belgian plastic arts history, the Groeninge Museum features Flemish Primitives, 18th and 19th-century neoclassical pieces, Flemish Expressionism masterpieces, and post-war modern art.

Ambachtshuis Huidevetters

Built by hide tanners, this craft house near Rozenhoedkaai has two wings. The north wing, demolished in 1629, was replaced in 1630 under the guidance of Bruges architect Jan De Smet. The building was restored in 1912. It has been used as a fishmonger and stockfish farm since the mid-19th century.

Belfry & Carillon

Bruges’ tallest tower, the Belfry, standing 83 meters tall, houses a melodic carillon with 47 bells. Climbing its 366 steps rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view of Bruges and its surroundings.

Fish Market

Originally located at Markt Square, the fish market was moved here in the 18th century due to complaints about the stench. Since the Middle Ages, buyers and sellers have come together at the Bruges fish market. Fresh saltwater fish, once a luxury, is still sold every morning from Wednesday to Saturday.

These small whitewashed almshouses, dating back to the 14th century, are scattered around Bruges. Wealthy townspeople or guilds established almshouses to house poor older adults or widows. Over 46 blocks have been preserved, with 43 still occupied.

Burghers’ Lodge

Situated on Jan Van Eyckplein, the Poortersloge (Burgher’s Lodge) served as a meeting spot for the Society of the White Bear in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Later, it became the city’s Academy of Arts (1720-1890) and the State Archives (1912-2012).

Visiting Bruges: The “Venice of the North”

Visiting Bruges to take one of the Bruges canal tours is a fantastic way to add something special to your trip to Belgium. Its quaint stone houses, romantic canals, cobbled streets, cookies, waffles, and chocolate make it a bucket-list destination to take friends and family of any age.  

The iconic canals are a dream for photographers. Travel to and around the city is simple and inexpensive. And as you can tell by this post, Bruges canal tours should be on your list. I recommend this trip to everyone!  

Visit the European Travel section of my blog for more adventures in Europe, and you may also enjoy the related posts below.

Our Magical Brussels To Bruges Day Trip

2 Days in Brussels: What We Did

Hotel Indigo Brussels City

European Travel Essentials

How To Plan A Trip To Europe For Your Family 

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Strasbourg for Book Lovers

Bibliophiles will find plenty of centuries-old tomes, graphic novels, modern works and more in this French city, which also happens to be this year’s UNESCO World Book Capital.

By Seth Sherwood

Attention, bibliophiles: Put Strasbourg, the largest city in eastern France, on your radar. Once home to the godfather of publishing — the 15th-century printing-press pioneer Johannes Gutenberg — the city is the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2024. Through next April, more than 200 events and activities will take place in and around Strasbourg, a polyglot city on the German border whose half-timbered gingerbread houses, gabled roofs, picturesque canals and church spires seem to have sprung from a storybook of their own.

Among the events are exhibitions devoted to Gustave Doré — a Strasbourg native and perhaps the 19th-century’s most celebrated illustrator of literary works — and Julie Doucet , a groundbreaking Quebec graphic novelist and visual artist. The annual Fête des Imprimeurs on June 29 and 30 in Place Gutenberg will showcase all of the trades involved in bookmaking, including through interactive workshops.

But the UNESCO events aren’t the only reasons to visit. Strasbourg has many spots for the literary-minded that are permanent fixtures, from comic shops and indie book emporiums to historical libraries and antiquarian specialists . Here are six favorites.

Place Gutenberg: The story begins

A native of Mainz, Germany (about 100 miles away), Gutenberg lived in Strasbourg in the 1430s and 1440s, developing the initial plans for his revolutionary moveable-type printing press, which would come to fruition in Mainz in the 1450s.

To honor him, Strasbourg in 1840 erected a statue in a square near the city’s red sandstone cathedral, whose Gothic design another German visitor, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, famously rhapsodized about. (The future literary star studied in Strasbourg in the early 1770s, living nearby at 36 rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons.)

The stone statue shows Gutenberg, bearded and solemn, holding a page bearing the French words “Et la lumière fut”—“And there was light” — a reference both to his famous Bibles and to the enlightenment of humankind made possible by the spread of printed matter.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, some of the fruits of Gutenberg’s invention — used books and historical prints — go on sale nearby during the open-air book market along rue des Hallebardes, just across the street.

Fairy tales and fountain pens

The smells of leather, parchment and dust suffuse La Jument Verte , an antiquarian book shop along rue des Juifs, one of the streets near the cathedral where some of Europe’s earliest print shops once operated.

Sun-filled and cheerful, the store has extensive holdings in French-language works of history, science and medicine, including an 1863 Paris travel guide (€80, or about $87) and an 1870 surgical primer (€200). Literary works are another specialty. If you don’t have €50,000 for the first six volumes of the original 1668 edition of La Fontaine’s fables, a pillar of French literature, a six-volume set of “The Divine Comedy,” with illustrations by Salvador Dalí, costs a mere €5,800.

If you feel inspired to do some sketching or scrawling afterward, the city’s most elegant stationery store is steps away: Monogram . Don’t miss the display cases filled with handcrafted Namiki-brand fountain pens from Japan. Each is an individual artwork embellished with gold dust and lacquer (€1,580 to €2,850). Less extravagant items also abound, including rustic leather-bound notebooks by Lamali (65 euros) and scads of greeting cards, wrapping paper and bookmarks.

Surrealism, satire and more

An extensive collection of historical works can be perused — for free — in the soaring, airy library of the Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art , a repository of about 140,000 books, magazines, museum catalogs and other materials.

Want to flip through the original proclamations of the Dadaist movement? Just ask. Published in 1918 in the Zurich-based group’s Dada magazine, the poet Tristan Tzara’s so-called Dada Manifesto (written in French) still amazes with its absurdist tone, nonsensical language, inventive syntax and gleeful vulgarity as it mocks literature, art, language and authority.

The periodicals archive includes famous titles related to Surrealism (Minotaure), German art (Deutsche Kunst und Dekoration), French satire (Le Charivari) and photography (Nouvelle Vision). A maze of shelves packed with mostly French books on a gamut of subjects — from art history and architecture to ceramics and graphic design — rounds out the offerings.

If you’re looking for something to take home, the museum bookshop down the hall contains a smattering of English-language gems, from “Dan Graham’s New Jersey” (€45) to “Young, Gifted and Black: A New Generation of Artists” (€50).

A stream of words

The award for homiest bookshop goes to L’Oiseau Rare (the Rare Bird), a small, cozy hangout in a half-timbered yellow house from the 1600s. It’s one of a trio of bookstores along Quai des Bateliers, a lovely, tree-lined canalside walkway that could easily be renamed Readers’ Row.

Outfitted with a three-table cafe and hung with paintings by a co-owner, Diane Albisser — whose scenes of dance halls and boxing rings take inspiration from African American history — the shop specializes in French literary works and socially activist nonfiction, particularly on feminism, race and the environment. You can walk in for a café au lait (€3.80) and stroll out with novels by Françoise Sagan, a dual-language edition of Maya Angelou’s poetry, and tracts by Mary Shelley translated into the language of Molière.

Down the quay, in another half-timbered house, Le Tigre bursts with French-language comics, manga, graphic novels and other illustrated works. Wordless treats also abound, from pop-culture figurines (the Notorious B.I.G., Grandpa Munster; €25) to vintage vinyl albums (€15 to €20) by David Bowie, Bud Powell and other heavyweights of rock and jazz.

Things suddenly get dark inside La Tache Noire (The Black Stain), a shrine for worshipers of crime novels from China, India, Iceland, Mexico, Belgium, France and other far-flung nations. Nearly everything is in French, though a section of American and British Hall-of-Famers, from Raymond Chandler to James Ellroy, caters to Anglophones.

Central Vapeur: Postcards from the fringe

The location of Central Vapeur , an arts organization devoted to alternative illustration, graphics and comics, is apt. Occupying a warehouse in a semi-blighted industrial zone, the group’s headquarters sits on the geographical edge of Strasbourg, and its tiny bookstore is similarly filled with visions and voices from the fringe.

Within, a pipe-smoking cartoon elephant in striped trousers looks on from a tote bag (€8). A pink-eyed skull covered with birthday candles peers from a tiny round lapel button (€1.50). Donald Trump, biting into a drippy scoop of ice cream resembling Earth, grimaces at the world from a wall poster (€40). Offbeat drawings, postcards and prints also decorate the shop.

In addition to graphic novels from local authors, the store’s offerings include dual-language French-English design magazines like Cercle (published in Strasbourg; €22) and Back Office (a periodical based in Paris; €20).

And if you’re up for a festival, the organization hosts Format(s) , which celebrates French and international graphic design.

Place Kléber: A multilingual mecca

Even if Strasbourg’s grandest, liveliest square didn’t have a thrice-weekly vintage book market (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), an emporium of Japanese comics ( Le Camphrier ), or a megastore of French-language books ( Librarie Kléber ), it would still be an obligatory stop thanks to the globe-spinning Librarie du Monde Entier . Poetic translation: The Whole Earth Bookstore.

Desperate to find a guide to conversation in Basque? Look no further. A Danish edition of “The Handmaid’s Tale”? Ditto. Urdu dictionaries, contemporary Turkish novels, Russian storybooks for kids — all in their original language? They’re all here. Dual-language books also abound, from Italian-English versions of Machiavelli’s “The Prince” to French-English editions of the experimental French classic “Zazie dans le Métro.”

The most robust offerings are in English-language fiction, history, biography and current affairs. You might even find a remaindered edition (€6) of “84, Charing Cross Road,” Helene Hanff’s charming collection of letters about the book trade. As she writes, “Buying a book you’ve never read is like buying a dress you’ve never tried on.” So always take the time to browse.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Ljubljana, Slovenia:  Stroll along the river, explore a contemporary art scene and admire panoramic views in this scenic Central European capital .

Cities With Great Beaches:  Already been to Miami, Honolulu and Sydney? These five other coastal destinations  are vibrant on land and on the water.

Southern France:  The Canal du Midi traverses the Occitanie region and gives cyclists of all skill levels  access to parts of France that are rich in lore .

Port Antonio, Jamaica:  The D.J. and music producer Diplo recommends spots in a city he loves  on Jamaica’s northeast coast. A dance party makes the cut.

New Mexico:  Visiting the vast and remote Gila Wilderness, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, is both inspiring and demanding .