At its upper end, a Moselle river cruise reaches one of Germany’s oldest cities and the edge of Luxembourg.
Trier
Founded by the Romans, Trier became one of the great cities of the Roman Empire in the West. The Porta Nigra, a massive gate of dark sandstone, still stands at the edge of the old town, and the Aula Palatina (Constantine’s basilica), the imperial baths and the amphitheater survive nearby. Trier’s Roman monuments, cathedral and Church of Our Lady are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also the birthplace of Karl Marx; his family home is now a museum. Trier tourist information lists opening hours.
Luxembourg’s Moselle
Above Trier the Moselle forms the border between Germany and Luxembourg. Luxembourg’s bank is lined with wine villages such as Grevenmacher and Remich. In the village of Schengen, the agreement that eventually removed passport checks between many European countries was signed in 1985 aboard a riverboat on the Moselle; a small museum tells the story.
Many itineraries add an excursion to Luxembourg City, whose old quarters and fortifications sit on rocky cliffs above the Alzette and Pétrusse valleys. See Visit Luxembourg for ideas.
A Day in Trier, Planned
| Time | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Morning | Guided walk from the Porta Nigra along the main street to the market square |
| Late morning | Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady, side by side |
| Lunch | A café on the Hauptmarkt or a wine bar in the old town |
| Afternoon | Constantine’s basilica, the palace gardens and the imperial baths |
| Optional | The Karl Marx House museum, or a riverside walk back to the ship |
Trier is compact, but the Roman sites are spread across the center, so comfortable shoes help. Some ships moor a short distance from the old town and run a shuttle; ask how your line handles the Trier call. For the rest of the river, see the Moselle river cruise map.
Getting Between the River and Luxembourg City
River ships do not reach Luxembourg City itself, which stands on the Alzette rather than the Moselle. Lines that include it run a coach excursion from a mooring on the border stretch, and the drive through rolling farmland is short. In the capital, the casemates — tunnels cut into the rock beneath the old fortress — and the views down into the Grund quarter are the usual highlights. Some itineraries instead begin or end near Luxembourg, which makes Luxembourg City a convenient place for a hotel night before or after the cruise.
Add Trier and Luxembourg
Some Moselle sailings reach Trier and the Luxembourg border; others do not. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will find the ones that do, with free quotes.
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