Trier on the Moselle: Zurlauben City Harbour and shore excursions

Trier is a Moselle stop with a strong connection to the water: the Tourist Information Office lists Trier-Zurlauben City Harbour as the departure point for the MS Princesse Marie-Astrid on its journey to Schengen and back. Moselle sightseeing cruises also depart from the district. The exact berth for a booked river cruise is shown in the travel documents. The riverside promenade and historic houses define this neighbourhood on the river.

Zurlauben between river and city

Access to the ship landing stages is on Zurlaubener Ufer, between Kaiser-Wilhelm Bridge and the rowing club. Bicycle parking by the landing stages marks the riverside area; the Moselle initially flows north there, then bends northeast. From the riverbank, the view stretches inland towards Trier city centre. The Porta Nigra lies southeast of the riverside district and is a prominent landmark on the way to the historic centre.

Zurlauben is more than a landing stage. According to Trier Tourist Information, its settlement dates back to the seventh century, to St Symphorian’s Monastery. A fishing village sprang up here in the 17th century; the surviving street of fishermen’s houses, many of them dating from the 18th century, recalls this history. The riverside promenade, old houses and boat traffic sit close together, giving this stretch of the Moselle a distinctive blend of urban history and life on the river.

Shipping and the history of the Moselle

The Moselle was already an important trading route for Trier in antiquity. The Neumagen wine ship, the tomb of a Roman wine merchant, can now be seen at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum; the Tourist Information Office also describes the Stella Noviomagi as a full-scale replica. On panoramic cruises, the basalt pillars of the Roman Bridge are among the sights highlighted. Full-day excursions can take in other places in the valley: Saarburg’s waterfall is right in the middle of the old town, Bernkastel-Kues is known for its Spitzhäuschen, and in Traben-Trarbach, a path climbs to Grevenburg Castle, with views over the Moselle.

Trier as a stop on a Moselle journey

On the river, Trier is part of a wider Moselle region. The Moselle overview shows how itineraries link Trier with other places in the valley; depending on the route, the Rhine may also be included. For help finding your way between embarkation and shore excursions, consult the port directory, while the overview of cruise destinations and regions puts river and sea cruises into context. The Moselle cruise page features routes and destinations along the river.