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.
⚓ Docked (riverside pier)🕒 Typical call: 3-5 hrs💶 Euro (€)🗣️ German
Docking
Alongside on the Rhine promenade — no tender required
Walk to center
~200-300 m (3-5 min) through the historic Rheintor gate
Best For
Medieval architecture, local wine, and leisurely strolling
Don't Miss
Burg Linz glassblowing and the half-timbered Rathaus on Marktplatz
📄 Take this port with you
A printable port guide — key info, things to do & tips. Includes an editable “My Day in Port” box for your ship times & booked excursions.
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.
Getting Ashore in Linz am Rhein
1
Walk off the pierShips tie up on the flat Rhine promenade. No tenders, no buses — simply cross the quay to the gateway entrance (~3 min).
2
Enter through the RheintorThe historic Rhine Gate (14th century) marks the start of the Altstadt. Look for flood-level marks carved into the stone wall.
3
Explore on footThe entire old town is compact and mostly flat. Cobblestone streets lead up a gentle slope to Marktplatz and Burg Linz. Wear comfortable shoes.
💡 Pro move: Shops are closed on Sundays; restaurants, cafes, and the castle workshops typically remain open for tourists.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
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.)
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.
History
Burg Linz Castle & Glassblowing Workshop
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.
⏱ 1-1.5 hrs🚶 Easy 5-min walk from pier🎨 Hands-on demo
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.
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.
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.
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.
Altstadt & Burg Linz Loop
1.5 km · 45-60 min · Easy (cobblestones)
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.
Climate 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)
Insider Tips
👟
Wear sturdy shoes. The Altstadt is entirely on cobblestones and slopes uphill toward the castle and church — heels are not practical.
💶
Carry cash. Small cafes, bakeries, and souvenir stalls may not accept card payments for small amounts; keep a few euros handy for coffee and public toilets.
🔔
Time the Glockenspiel. The Town Hall carillon plays at 12:15 pm, 3:15 pm, and 6:15 pm — plan your Marktplatz visit around one of those times.
🛍️
Sunday trading laws. Retail shops are closed on Sundays in Germany. However, the castle glassworks, restaurants, and cafes are generally open for visitors.
🍷
Local wine to try: Riesling is the signature varietal of the Middle Rhine — crisp and mineral. Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) is the top local red.
🚽
Restrooms are available near the Rheintor and inside Burg Linz. Keep €0.50-1.00 coins handy for coin-operated facilities.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ✅ Uber, FREE NOWUber operates in Linz am Rhein via local taxi hailing. FREE NOW also connects to local taxis. Neither Lyft nor Bolt serve this town.🚍 Hop-on hop-off: ❌ No HOHO bus
🚶 Walk
Free
The KD landing stage is only a few hundred meters from the old town center. Almost everything in Linz am Rhein is within easy walking distance of the pier.
🚕 Taxi
€8–12
Taxis are available at the pier. District of Neuwied rates apply: ~€3.80 base fare plus ~€2.40/km. The short distance to the center means most rides are under €10.
📱 Uber / FREE NOW
€8–12
Uber is confirmed available in Linz am Rhein and hails local licensed taxis with upfront pricing. FREE NOW is another app-based option for local taxis.
🚂 Train (DB)
€5–15
Linz (Rhein) station connects to Remagen, Koblenz, Bonn, and Cologne on the Rhine Valley rail line. Useful for day trips to larger cities.
🚌 Linz City Express
~€8
A small tourist train runs guided city tours of Linz am Rhein's historic old town. Not a hop-on hop-off service, but a great overview of the town's highlights.
Cruises Calling Here
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.
MS Swiss Crystal
Scylla Cruises
Round-trip from Cologne
⚓ Calls 01 Aug 20:00 - 02 Aug 05:00 20267 nights12 portsDeparts 2026 Jul 26
View itinerary · 12 ports
7 days, round-trip Rhine
26 Jul - 15:30Departing from Cologne, Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
26 Jul 18:30 - 27 Jul 06:00Bonn, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
27 JulLoreley Rock, Germany Rhine Gorge
27 Jul 14:30 - 23:30Rudesheim am Rhein, Germany Hesse
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.
