Rhine River Cruise Destinations

Every Rhine itinerary is a chain of walkable, castle-crowned stops linked by the most scenic sailing in Germany. Here is what waits in each.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

The usual northern gateway: canal cruising, the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh, and in spring the Keukenhof gardens and bulb fields a short drive away.

Cologne, Germany

Home to the soaring twin-spired Gothic cathedral (a UNESCO site), riverfront old town, and the local Kölsch beer halls — the ship docks right below the Kölner Dom.

The Rhine Gorge & Lorelei

The scenic centerpiece — 40+ castles, vineyards and the Lorelei rock between Koblenz and Rüdesheim, best enjoyed with a glass of Riesling on the top deck.

Rüdesheim, Germany

A wine village of narrow lanes (the famous Drosselgasse), a cable car over the vineyards and mechanical-music museum — a favorite afternoon stop.

Strasbourg, France

The Alsatian capital: the pink-sandstone cathedral and the canal-laced, half-timbered Petite France quarter, blending French and German culture.

Breisach & the Black Forest

Gateway to the Black Forest and to Colmar in Alsace — cuckoo clocks, forest drives and one of France’s prettiest old towns.

Basel, Switzerland

The southern terminus, an art-rich city at the meeting of Switzerland, France and Germany and the gateway to the Alps.

Starting or ending your Rhine voyage in the Netherlands? Book a night or two in the city with RoomsCheap.com’s Amsterdam hotel guide.

An afternoon in Alsace rarely feels long enough; if the cathedral and the half-timbered lanes leave you wanting more, stay over with Strasbourg hotels near Petite France.

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