One of Germany's most intact Baroque towns, Rastatt was built from scratch in 1700 to rival Versailles — and its grand palace, flat grid streets, and position at the Black Forest's edge still deliver that ambition.
Ships dock at Plittersdorf on the Rhine bank — a rural quay with no facilities — and the historic center requires a short transfer.
💡 Pro move: If your line offers a Baden-Baden excursion, this is the region for it — about 15 km from Rastatt by bus.
Rastatt calls dock at the Plittersdorf pier on the Rhine; no tendering is used anywhere in this stretch of the river.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most river cruise lines (Viking, Phoenix Reisen, etc.) | Plittersdorf quay, Rhine KM ~340📍 | Docked |
| Some itineraries (Karlsruhe-based calls) | Karlsruhe commercial port (~25 km north)📍 | Docked |
Rastatt pairs naturally with the thermal spa town of Baden-Baden nearby, and the Baroque palaces reward on-foot exploration without any tour required.
Germany's oldest Baroque residence on the Upper Rhine, built 1697–1707 and modeled on Versailles. Guided tours cover the Ancestral Hall, state apartments, and the Military History Museum inside.
Book palace tours →A short drive from the center, this Baroque pleasure palace houses one of Europe's finest collections of Asian and European porcelain — over 1,400 pieces accumulated by Margravine Sibylla Augusta.
Find Schloss Favorite tours →Just 15 km away, Baden-Baden is Germany's most glamorous spa town — Caracalla Therme or the Roman-Irish Baths at Friedrichsbad offer thermal bathing in the grand tradition.
Find Baden-Baden excursions →Rastatt sits at the western foot of the Black Forest. Short guided hikes into the hills above Baden-Baden reveal fragrant pine forest, viewpoints over the Rhine plain, and traditional farmhouses.
Find Black Forest hiking tours →The Baden wine region surrounds Rastatt; a guided tasting introduces local Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) wines alongside Flammkuchen — the region's thin-crust answer to pizza.
Find wine tasting tours →The historic center is flat, compact, and entirely walkable — the main palace and market square are a five-minute stroll apart once you're in town.
Walk from Rastatt train station straight up the main axis to the Residenzschloss, then circle back through the Schlossgarten to the Marktplatz and St. Alexander's Church. The grid layout means you're never lost.
Rastatt was also a federal fortress in the 19th century. Circle the surviving earthwork ramparts and pass the historic Karlsruher Tor gate — a free glimpse of the town's military past.
Climate normals for Rastatt, Baden-Württemberg, 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 | 42°F / 6°C | 33°F / 1°C | 17 | 8:15 AM | 4:58 PM |
| Feb | 47°F / 8°C | 34°F / 1°C | 13 | 7:35 AM | 5:47 PM |
| Mar | 53°F / 12°C | 37°F / 3°C | 13 | 6:40 AM | 6:32 PM |
| Apr | 60°F / 16°C | 42°F / 6°C | 12 | 6:36 AM | 8:18 PM |
| May | 66°F / 19°C | 50°F / 10°C | 14 | 5:45 AM | 9:02 PM |
| Jun | 76°F / 24°C | 59°F / 15°C | 12 | 5:23 AM | 9:32 PM |
| Jul | 78°F / 26°C | 62°F / 17°C | 12 | 5:40 AM | 9:25 PM |
| Aug | 77°F / 25°C | 61°F / 16°C | 12 | 6:20 AM | 8:41 PM |
| Sep | 70°F / 21°C | 55°F / 13°C | 10 | 7:04 AM | 7:39 PM |
| Oct | 61°F / 16°C | 48°F / 9°C | 13 | 7:47 AM | 6:36 PM |
| Nov | 50°F / 10°C | 40°F / 4°C | 14 | 7:36 AM | 4:46 PM |
| Dec | 45°F / 7°C | 36°F / 2°C | 15 | 8:14 AM | 4:30 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Taxis available from the Plittersdorf dock to Rastatt city center (~5 km). Standard fare starts at €4.00 with ~€2.20 per km; fixed-price transfers also available via Kiwitaxi and BetterTaxi.
Uber is available in Rastatt via the standard app. An average 17-minute UberX ride costs approximately €26 with upfront pricing shown before booking.
Regional S-Bahn lines S7, S71, and S81 connect Rastatt with the main train station and city center. The most economical option, though schedules may not align with ship departure times.
The Plittersdorf dock is roughly 4–5 km from Rastatt's historic center — too far to walk comfortably with limited time, but the city itself is compact and walkable once you arrive.
Upcoming cruises that call at Rastatt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.