Linz am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Known as Die Bunte Stadt am Rhein — 'The Colorful Town on the Rhine' — Linz enchants with a medieval Altstadt painted in reds, greens, and golds, all reachable in minutes from the dock.
Known as Die Bunte Stadt am Rhein — 'The Colorful Town on the Rhine' — Linz enchants with a medieval Altstadt painted in reds, greens, and golds, all reachable in minutes from the dock.
Ships dock directly on the Rhine embankment — just walk off the gangway, cross the promenade, and pass under the railway line through the 14th-century Rheintor to reach the Altstadt.
💡 Pro move: Shops are closed on Sundays; restaurants, cafes, and the castle workshops typically remain open for tourists.
River cruise ships berth directly on the Rhine embankment at the town center — access is immediate and easy.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most river cruise lines (Viking, Avalon, Scenic, AmaWaterways, etc.) | Rhine embankment promenade, town center📍 | Docked |
With only a few hours in port, Linz rewards independent explorers — the castle, old town, and a riverside wine stop are all within easy walking distance.
Built in 1365 by the Archbishop of Cologne, Burg Linz houses artisan craft shops, a Roman-style glassblowing workshop, and a small medieval torture chamber. Watch master glassblowers create handmade pieces using ancient techniques.
Find Linz am Rhein castle tours →Stroll Rheinstraße and the Buttermarkt past brilliantly painted 15th- and 16th-century Fachwerk houses. End at the Marktplatz to see the 1517 Rathaus — the oldest town hall in Rhineland-Palatinate still serving its original purpose — and wait for the Glockenspiel at 12:15 pm or 3:15 pm.
Find Linz am Rhein walking tours →Begun in 1206, this hilltop church preserves exceptional 13th- through 15th-century wall paintings rarely seen outside major museums. The short uphill walk rewards with a rooftop view over the slate tiles of the Altstadt.
Find Linz am Rhein church tours →Linz sits in the Middle Rhine wine region. Seek out a Weinstube in the Altstadt for a glass of local Riesling or Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) with a slice of Apfelkuchen.
Find Rhine Valley wine tours →Linz am Rhein's compact Altstadt is ideally suited to a self-guided loop — pier to Rheintor, up to Marktplatz, across to the castle, then back down.
From the Rhine pier, pass through the Rheintor gate, walk up Rheinstraße to Marktplatz to see the half-timbered Rathaus and (if timed right) the Glockenspiel. Continue to Burg Linz for the glassblowing workshop. Return downhill through the narrow lanes to the pier.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →From Marktplatz, follow the signposted lane up to St. Martin's Church for medieval frescoes and a view over the town's rooftops. Return the same way.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Linz am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F / 6°C | 35°F / 2°C | 17 | 8:25 AM | 4:55 PM |
| Feb | 46°F / 8°C | 35°F / 2°C | 13 | 7:42 AM | 5:48 PM |
| Mar | 52°F / 11°C | 37°F / 3°C | 13 | 6:44 AM | 6:35 PM |
| Apr | 59°F / 15°C | 42°F / 6°C | 11 | 6:36 AM | 8:25 PM |
| May | 65°F / 18°C | 49°F / 9°C | 13 | 5:42 AM | 9:12 PM |
| Jun | 74°F / 23°C | 57°F / 14°C | 12 | 5:18 AM | 9:44 PM |
| Jul | 76°F / 24°C | 60°F / 16°C | 13 | 5:36 AM | 9:36 PM |
| Aug | 76°F / 24°C | 60°F / 16°C | 13 | 6:19 AM | 8:50 PM |
| Sep | 69°F / 21°C | 54°F / 12°C | 9 | 7:06 AM | 7:44 PM |
| Oct | 60°F / 16°C | 48°F / 9°C | 14 | 7:54 AM | 6:38 PM |
| Nov | 50°F / 10°C | 41°F / 5°C | 14 | 7:46 AM | 4:44 PM |
| Dec | 45°F / 7°C | 37°F / 3°C | 16 | 8:25 AM | 4:26 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Linz am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
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