Lucerne
Lucerne, a compact city in Switzerland known for its preserv...
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Switzerland enjoys the distinction of being the country in which the Rhine, one of the world’s most famous rivers, begins its journey. From high up in the Swiss Alps, it flows down into the country and forms its border with neighbouring Germany, which you can enjoy on a Germany river cruise, before continuing onward. It’s possible to visit Switzerland on Rhine river cruise itineraries that concern themselves with that particular region of the river and also those that offer an epic voyage from river cruises in Holland along its entire length, or indeed the reverse of this route.
A Switzerland river cruise will offer you the chance to explore both the beautiful Rhine port of Basel and Lucerne, which sits on the shore of the lake of the same name and acts as a gateway to the centre of the country. Make the most of one of Europe river cruises' most beautiful destinations and book your 2024 river cruise now.
Switzerland plays host to some amazing destinations, with amazing port cities to explore and staggering views to see. Taking a Switzerland river cruise is an experience sure to last a lifetime. River cruises in Switzerland make the perfect destination for a mini river cruise.
A Basel river cruise is one of the very few destinations which sits at the point where three nations meet. It’s close to the Swiss, German, and France river cruise borders, making it a contemporary and fascinating city to explore. Basel acts as the port which serves Lucerne, a key first or last destination for a number of Rhine itineraries; you may not have time to explore, depending on the duration of your stay in the city.
If you do find yourself with time for a look around, there are some key architectural attractions well worth seeing, including the strikingly red City Hall and the beautiful Munster, with its colourful tiled roof. Basel is regarded by many as Switzerland's cultural hub and also home to some excellent museums including its Fine Art Museum and distinctly original Paper Mill Museum. Basel makes the perfect destination for a river cruise in Switzerland so book ahead for your 2025 river cruise and enjoy early booking benefits.
Though not a river cruise port, Lucerne is a popular starting or finishing point for a number of Rhine cruises which pass through Switzerland, because as well as being the location of one of the country’s airports, it offers some excellent sight-seeing opportunities. It makes for the perfect destination for a luxury river cruise. In fact, the opportunities begin before you arrive in Lucerne itself, because you’ll be able to enjoy some incredible views of the Swiss countryside if you transfer from Basel.
A stroll through the old town offers the chance to see many traditional homes as well as such key landmarks as the painted covered walkway Chapel Bridge and the beautiful cathedral. Lake Lucerne is of course an attraction in itself, offering some breathtaking vistas, as is the soaring Mount Rigi, which provides a constantly beautiful backdrop. Mount Pilatus meanwhile is a mountain which it’s possible to scale during your visit by none other than the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Certainly, you’ll be rewarded with some truly awesome views when you reach the top.
Make sure to book your river cruise in Switzerland, take a look through our cheap river cruises or snag yourself a bargain with our last minute river cruises.
If you are looking for a Switzerland river cruise and need some help with your booking or just need some travel advice, then be sure to get in touch with us and call our freephone service at 0800 1970854 or email us at [email protected], and one of our friendly and helpful staff will be on hand to assist you with any queries.
04 Apr 2026 - 7 Nights
Lucerne, a compact city in Switzerland known for its preserved medieval architecture, sits amid snowcapped mountains on Lake Lucerne. Its colorful Altstadt (Old Town) is bordered on the north by 870m Museggmauer (Musegg Wall), a 14-century rampart. The covered Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), built in 1333, links the Aldstadt to the Reuss River's right bank.
Basel is a city in northwestern Switzerland on the Swiss, French and German borders. It is located on the bend of the River Rhine and benefits from a Mediterranean climate. It is the third most populated city in Switzerland and has been the commercial hub for Swiss arts and culture since the Renaissance. In 1967 the people of Basel voted to acquire two paintings by Picasso, who was so moved by the Basel people that he donated 3 paintings and a study to the city's Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts). Visit the Augusta Raurica, one of the largest Roman archaeology parks in Switzerland, and enjoy a river crossings over the River Rhine by non-motorised ferries. During the summer months, time is spent outdoors, either swimming in the River Rhine, dining al fresco, enjoying open air concerts, cinema, street parties and festivals. Basel is home to over 20 restaurants that have won GaultMillau or Michelin awards, and boasts Switzerland's largest collection of theatre shows, including modern contemporary dance, touring and puppetry theatre.
The city of Zurich, a global center for banking and finance, lies at the north end of Lake Zurich in northern Switzerland. The picturesque lanes of the central Altstadt (Old Town), on either side of the Limmat River, reflect its pre-medieval history. Waterfront promenades like the Limmatquai follow the river toward the 17th-century Rathaus