Highlights of a Rhine river cruise

MUST-SEE SIGHTS

These are the big-hitting landmarks that you can’t miss on a cruise along the Rhine…

Kolner Dom, Cologne

Once the tallest building in Europe, this jaw-dropping cathedral is Germany’s largest. Its huge spires pierce Cologne’s skyline at 515 feet tall.

Beethoven House, Bonn

This was the birthplace of famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven. These days, the house is packed-full of artefacts and rare recordings. Next door, a chamber music hall puts on concerts.

Deutsches Eck, Koblenz

Technically, Koblenz sits on both the Rhine and Moselle rivers. And, at the Deutsches Eck, you can see the two rivers meet. The place is marked with a giant statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I – Germany’s first emperor. What’s more, just across the river, cable cars whisk tourists up to the massive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

See Koblenz on our Rhine Gems itinerary

HIDDEN GEMS

You might not have heard of these under-the-radar places, but you won’t want to miss them…

Boppard, Germany

As well as textbook-German half-timbered houses, this little town has a spectacular setting on one of the Rhine’s horseshoe bends. You can hike up one of the hills for a better look.

Breisach, Germany

Looking round at this cute town’s pastel-coloured buildings and cobbled streets, you’d never guess it was almost completely destroyed in World War Two. That’s because it’s been carefully reconstructed to resemble its former glory. You can learn all about the town’s 4,000-year past at its museum.

Tick off Boppard and Breisach on our Rhine: Chateaux & Gateaux itinerary

FOODIE FIND

Your taste buds will thank you for a trip here…

The Chocolate Line, Antwerp

The master chocolatier here is often dubbed a shock-o-latier. He’ll give your taste buds the run around, with chocs filled with chilli, bacon, saffron, gin, and everything in between.

PERFECT PICTURES

Make sure to snap a photo for the album at this scenic spots…

Niederwald Monument, Rudesheim

Take the cable car or chair lift up to this hilltop monument, which marks the founding of the German Empire in 1871. At the top, you’ll get sweeping panoramas over the Rhine Valley. Once you’re back at river level, a stroll along the Drosselgasse is a must. It’s back to back with centuries-old pubs and wine taverns.

Petite France, Strasbourg

Make a beeline for Strasbourg’s Petite France area. This historic quarter is a Disneyland-like mix of crooked, half-timbered houses, canals and cobblestone streets. The riverside stretch is arguably the prettiest patch, with a seam of pastel-painted houses built along the water’s edge.

Our Rhine Explorer itinerary calls in at Rudesheim and Strasbourg

TOP TIPS

Prepare for your trip with these tips, so you can make the most of your holiday…

Some of our Rhine itineraries start or end in Amsterdam. So, if you want to see Holland’s multi-coloured tulips in full bloom, make sure to plan your Rhine river cruise around April.

Visit Strasbourg’s Notre Dame Cathedral at noon to watch the astronomical clock show. It starts at half 12, but the queues form before that.

Make sure to order a glass of Riesling or Pinot Noir in Boppard – they’ve been growing the grapes here for centuries.

RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES

Our Rhine Explorer itinerary ticks off a trio of countries – the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the Rhine Gems itinerary focuses its attentions on Germany’s UNESCO-rated Rhine Valley, with stops in historic cities like Koblenz, Rastatt and Mainz. Alternatively, Rhine: Chateaux & Gateaux is one for wine lovers, docking in vineyard-backed towns like Rudesheim and Breisach.

Ready for a river adventure?

Take a look at our full range of river cruises on the Rhine, Moselle, Main, Danube, and Dutch & Belgian Waterways. Plus, get some more inspiration with our round-up of the best European river cruises.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

Annabel Langley