Main River Cruises
Winding between Mainz and Bamberg, the Main passes through 34 locks—16 more connect it to the Danube via the Main-Danube Canal. While this engineering feat enables river travel across the entire length of Europe, it also unlocks a trove of unspoiled landscapes and historic towns.
Highlights of Main River Cruises
The scenic Main River seems to take its time on its circuitous route to the Rhine, twisting and arcing its way at a leisurely pace through Germany’s scenic landscapes. Throughout its past, it has served as a geographic and cultural divide, separating languages, cuisines and religions. Today, this lazy waterway is a source of pride for all Germans, lined with picturesque preserved forestland, sprawling vineyards and some of the nation’s most beloved cultural and historic landmarks. Here is a sample of what you may experience during a Viking Main river cruise:
- The wide, undulating loops of the scenic Main River
- Charming half-timbered houses in Miltenberg
- The glassblowing tradition of Spessart
- The enormous and ornate Bishops’ Residenz of Würzbrug
- Picturesque Bamberg and its Town Hall built on a river’s bridge
- Distinctive rauchbier, the local smoke-flavored beer
- Toy-making heritage of Nuremberg
- Nuremberg’s scenic Old Town and Market Square
