Rhine Cruises & Boat Tours in Düsseldorf

A boat trip on the Rhine is one of the best ways to see Düsseldorf from an angle you cannot get on foot. From the water the city's famous skyline lines up in a single view: the slender Rheinturm (the Rhine Tower), the striking architecture of the MedienHafen (the Media Harbour) with its curving Frank Gehry buildings, and the low, tightly packed row of houses that makes up the Altstadt (the Old Town). Most departures are right at the Rheinuferpromenade (the Rhine riverside promenade) near Burgplatz (Castle Square), so you are never far from the center.

Key takeaways

• Panorama sightseeing cruises cover the Rheinturm, the MedienHafen and the Old Town skyline in one trip.
• Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) is the most established Rhine cruise operator on this stretch of river.
• Evening lights cruises turn the illuminated skyline into the main attraction.
• The central piers sit on the Rhine promenade around Burgplatz.
• Longer scheduled sailings connect Düsseldorf downstream with Kaiserswerth and Zons.

Panorama sightseeing cruises on the Rhine

The classic sightseeing trip on the water runs roughly 60 to 90 minutes depending on the operator and takes you both upstream and downstream past the main landmarks. Boats cast off from the Rhine promenade and first glide past Burgplatz with the Schlossturm (the Castle Tower, the surviving tower of the old ducal palace) before the view opens up onto the modern harbor architecture. Seen from the water, the contrast between the historic Old Town and the mirrored glass facades of the MedienHafen is at its most dramatic.

Views of the Rheinturm, MedienHafen and Old Town

Few cities on the Lower Rhine present their architecture as compactly from the river. The Rheinturm, at 240.5 meters or about 790 feet the tallest structure in Düsseldorf, rises above the state parliament building with its famous light sculpture running up the shaft. Next to it, the three so-called dancing Gehry buildings in the MedienHafen set their own unmistakable accent. Downstream the closed silhouette of the Old Town takes over, topped by the tower of the basilica of St. Lambertus with its characteristically twisted spire.

The KD fleet

Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt, known simply as KD, is the most tradition-rich operator on the river and has been sailing the Rhine since the 19th century. Besides sightseeing loops, KD runs scheduled sailings that connect Düsseldorf downstream with Zons and Cologne. If you like, take the boat one way and the train back, a relaxed way to cover the region along the river. Our travel planner has tips on getting around and on how to fit a sailing into a day.

Evening lights cruises

The evening lights cruises are the most atmospheric option. Once the sun goes down and the skyline is lit, the city on the water takes on a character all its own: the Rheinturm glows, the promenade fills with people, and the glass buildings of the MedienHafen are mirrored in the dark water. Many operators add music, drinks or a light evening buffet on board. Lights cruises run mainly in the summer months and around big events such as the Rheinkirmes, the huge riverside funfair held on the Oberkassel meadows (a Kirmes is a German traveling fair with rides, beer tents and food stalls).

The piers on the Rhine promenade

The central landing stages are on the Rheinuferpromenade between Burgplatz and the Oberkasseler Brücke (the Oberkassel Bridge). From there it is only a short walk into the Old Town with its brewhouses and lanes. The promenade itself became one of the city's favorite strolling routes after the riverside road was buried in a tunnel in the 1990s, and it makes an easy meeting point before or after a boat tour. If you want to eat afterwards, there are plenty of places around Burgplatz; a selection is collected in our overview of restaurants in Düsseldorf.

Downstream to Kaiserswerth and Zons

With more time you can sail downstream to Kaiserswerth, where the ruin of the Kaiserpfalz Barbarossa (the imperial palace of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa) sits right on the riverbank. The route passes the Nordpark and the wide Rhine meadows of Oberkassel. The medieval small town of Zons is another popular destination on the water. These routes combine a river trip with a walk on land and easily fill a full day.

Charter trips for groups and celebrations

Whole boats can be chartered for company outings, family celebrations or team events. Routes, departure times and catering on board are arranged individually, from a simple snack to a full buffet. A charter on the Rhine combines the city experience with a sociable setting and is as popular with Düsseldorf companies as with private groups. If your guests are traveling in, it is worth checking our overview of hotels in Düsseldorf in advance.

Planning tips

Most sightseeing cruises run from April through October, with evening lights cruises concentrated in high summer. On sunny weekends and during major events, book ahead. If you want to photograph the Old Town skyline, pick a late-afternoon sailing when the light sets the facades glowing. More ideas for time spent by the water are collected in the Rhine & Promenade category.

Conclusion

A boat tour on the Rhine is one of the finest things you can do in Düsseldorf. Whether it is the classic panorama loop past the Rheinturm, the MedienHafen and the Old Town, an evening lights cruise, or a longer sailing all the way to Kaiserswerth, the river shows the city at its most impressive. Because the piers sit right on the Rhine promenade, the trip is easy to combine with a wander through the Old Town.

Related on düsseldorf-interaktiv

• Rhine & Promenade - every destination and experience along the river
• Rheinuferpromenade - the riverside walk with the central piers
• MedienHafen - the curving Gehry buildings seen from the water
• Rheinturm - the landmark tower with its famous light sculpture
• Unterbilk & MedienHafen - the lively quarter around the harbor

Frequently asked questions

Where do the boats leave from in Düsseldorf?
The main piers are on the Rheinuferpromenade near Burgplatz, right in the middle of the Old Town.

What do you see on a panorama sightseeing cruise?
Among other things the Rheinturm, the Gehry buildings in the MedienHafen, the Old Town skyline and the tower of St. Lambertus.

Are there evening cruises?
Yes. In summer especially, operators run lights cruises that put the illuminated skyline center stage.

Who operates the Rhine cruises out of Düsseldorf?
The best known operator is Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD); other companies also run sightseeing trips and charters.

Can you continue downstream?
Yes. Scheduled sailings run downstream to Kaiserswerth and Zons, and on toward Cologne.