River Canal Cruises in Kaliningrad.

One of the things that we have missed out on during our stay in Kaliningrad were the River Canal Cruises. So many times we have walked around the area of the Old City and the Cathedral, commenting on the cruises, but never got round to booking one.

River Canal Cruises to the historical parts of the city.

It is a very scenic route, riding past the Cathedral, parts of the old city, Museum of the World`s Ocean and the Immanuel Kant museum on the Kneiphof island.

History about the Pregolya River and Kaliningrad.

Unless you have a map of the city, you don`t really notice that a river runs through it. Kaliningrad is located at the mouth of the navigable Pregolya (Pregel) River. The river empties into the Vistula lagoon, an inlet of the Baltic Sea.

It is interesting that until around 1900 ships actually came into town. The only requirement was that they couldn`t draw more than 2 meters of water. In that case they had to anchor at the Baltiysk where merchandise were moved onto smaller boats.

In those days Kaliningrad was still called Königsberg and in 1901 a ship canal was completed between Pillau and Königsberg. It cost 13 million German marks and vessels of 6.5 meters draught could moor at the Port. It is now called the Kaliningrad Sea Commercial Port.

Where to book a river canal cruise in Kaliningrad?

I am not sure where you will be able to book a cruise but I don`t think it is too difficult. While we were walking I saw the river boat dock at what looked like a passenger pick-up point. I am sure you could pay directly with the skipper or the other alternative is to enquire at a travel agency. If you are scared of the Russian language then I guess the easiest is to ask for information at your Hotel or Hostel.