Main River Cruises

Where does the Main River start & finish?

The Main River originates from two sources: the Red Main and the White Main, which merge near the town of Kulmbach in Germany. The river flows westward, ultimately joining the Rhine River at the city of Mainz. The Main spans a total length of approximately 525 km's (326 miles).

Architectural Timeline

Cruising the Main River offers a journey through architectural history. From the medieval structures in Bamberg to the modern skyscrapers of Frankfurt, you'll witness an evolving skyline as you sail along.

Beer & Smoked Fish

The Main passes through Bamberg, known for its smoked beer (Rauchbier) and smoked fish. Many cruises offer culinary excursions that give you a taste of these local specialities, something some of us might pass on!

Art & Culture in Würzburg

This city along the Main is home to the Würzburg Residenz, a baroque palace with the world's largest ceiling fresco. An excursion here is often a highlight, offering a glimpse into the opulence of 18th-century German nobility.

Popular starting ports for cruising the Main River

Frankfurt and Nuremberg serve as popular points of departure or arrival for a Main River cruise.

From the North Sea to the Black Sea

The Main River is that it is part of the Main-Danube Canal system, which makes it possible to travel by river from the North Sea to the Black Sea. What's surprising is that this ambitious idea dates back to Charlemagne in the early 9th century. The modern canal was only completed in 1992, fulfilling a concept that was over a thousand years in the making.