Germany River Cruise Destinations

Germany’s rivers reach its finest cathedrals, castles, wine villages and Christmas markets. Here is what waits along each.

Cologne

The soaring twin-spired Gothic cathedral, riverfront old town and Kölsch beer halls — the ship docks below the Kölner Dom.

The Rhine Gorge

The UNESCO-listed run of 40+ castles, vineyards and the Lorelei rock — the scenic centerpiece of any Rhine cruise.

The Moselle (Cochem & Bernkastel)

Fairy-tale wine villages beneath castles and the steepest vineyards in Europe — a serene, pretty detour off the Rhine.

Würzburg & Bamberg

Baroque Würzburg’s Residenz and UNESCO Bamberg’s medieval old town, on the Main through Franconia.

Nuremberg

Medieval walls, the Imperial Castle and, in December, one of the world’s most famous Christkindlesmarkt — often the eastern end of Main cruises.

Dresden & Meissen

Baroque Dresden’s rebuilt splendor and the porcelain town of Meissen on the Elbe, with Prague a common extension.

If your cruise begins or ends at the cathedral city, RoomsCheap.com’s Cologne hotel page makes it easy to add an evening in the old town.

Want more of the Moselle? Stay a few nights beneath Cochem’s Reichsburg castle — RoomsCheap.com lists Cochem hotels.

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