When you’re looking for beautiful cities in Germany, you’ll undoubtedly be drawn towards the Rhine River. Along this winding waterway, medieval towns, well-preserved castles and sweeping vineyards are welcome stopping points for curious travelers – and you’ll see it all on our Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam River Cruise.
Serving as the border between Germany and France, the Rhine River then flows from Strasbourg straight through western Germany, and onto Amsterdam. Germany’s section of the river includes the Upper Middle Rhine Valley between Koblenz and Rüdesheim (more on those cities below), 65km (40mi) of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This stretch of river isn’t just picture-perfect – it’s just as stunning in real life, dotted with castles, historic towns and vineyards.
On board your ship, the Trafalgar Verity, you can sit back and relax as Germany’s scenic riverside unfolds outside your window. Here are five of the most beautiful cities in Germany that you’ll see for yourself when you River Cruise with Trafalgar.
1. Koblenz
Koblenz is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, as well as one of its oldest. It’s famous as the place where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet, marked at the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) – when the Romans first settled here it was called Castellum apud Confluentes, meaning ‘fort at the confluence’.
Wandering its cobbled streets, you’ll come across quaint shops, historic monuments and grand churches. On the banks of the river stands the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, the second largest preserved fortress in Europe built between 1817 and 1828 (though its history dates back to the year 1000). It isn’t just magnificent to look at, but offers spectacular views across the valley. The best way to get to the fortress? By cable car!
On your Rhine River Cruise with Trafalgar, you’ll cruise through the fairytale Middle Rhine and past Koblenz’s German Corner. When you step off your ship, you’ll join a Local Specialist to go and stand at German Corner and see the 37-metre-high Kaiser Wilhelm Monument, before wandering through the Old Town where you’ll pass historic churches, lively squares and Romanesque architecture.
2. Braubach
Known as a half-timbered heaven, passing through Braubach is like taking a trip back into the medieval era. When you sail with Trafalgar you’ll pass by Braubach, found between Rudesheim and Koblenz. It’s often defined by Marksburg castle; the grand fortification sits above the town, and as the oldest intact castle on the Rhine River and a UNESCO World Heritage Site it’s a key site along the Rhine. However, the town of Braubach is also well worth visiting. Like the castle it’s incredibly well-preserved, with narrow streets and old timber-framed houses creating a cosy, romantic atmosphere.
3. Rüdesheim
The Rhine is a dream destination for wine lovers, but Rüdesheim is a particular must-see for those who appreciate the Riesling grape. After you’ve sailed through the beautiful Middle Rhine Gorge, your River Cruise arrives in Rüdesheim.
While in quaint Rüdesheim with Trafalgar, you’ll get your bearings with a ride on its Winzerexpress, a mini train that takes you through the town while learning about the country, its people and, of course, the vineyards. With a free afternoon here you’ll have plenty of time to discover the town through your own eyes – head to the old town to wander Drosselgasse, a small but charming street that’s just two meters wide, packed with lively restaurants, cafes, wine taverns and local sellers.
Look out for local delicacies like Rüdesheimer Kaffee, an alcoholic coffee mixed with a local brandy called Asbach Uralt, and wiebelkuchen, a savory onion cake made with onions, bacon, cream, and caraway seeds.
Alternatively, when you travel with us you have the chance to join an Optional Experience to the vineyards of Rüdesheim, where you’ll walk the Wine Trail past historic buildings and monuments (and vineyards, of course). Take in unforgettable views all while learning about the region’s rich winemaking heritage from your Local Specialist.
4. Speyer
Speyer is another of Germany’s oldest cities, founded by the Romans in 10 BCE as a military camp. Its skyline is characterized by the magnificent cathedral; the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest Romanesque church in the world, with its two tallest towers stretching 71 meters (232 feet) high. The red sandstone cathedral makes a wonderful sight, and offers incredible views from the top.
Back on the ground, Speyer’s famous Maximilian Street is the heart of the city. Once laid out by Roman soldiers, it’s now a bustling pedestrianized promenade with restored Baroque houses lining the street which connects the cathedral with the Old City Gate. Take a leisurely stroll down the street, stopping at local shops and cafes before you reach the Old City Gate – it dates back to 1230 and stands at 54 meters (180 feet) tall, making it a major a landmark of the city.
With Trafalgar, you’ll step ashore in Speyer to join a Local Specialist for a walking tour along Maximilian Street, learning more about this Medieval city. In the Middle Ages, Speyer was home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the Holy Roman Empire; you’ll also uncover the remains of the city’s 11th-century Jewish community, including its ritual baths.
5. Heidelberg
Heidelberg has to be one of the most romantic cities along the German Rhine. Picturesque views are around every corner of the city, which is set against a lush backdrop of the Odenwald forest. One of its most photographed spots is the Alte Brücke (Old Bridge), also known as Karl Theodor Bridge, completed in 1788. Though the town itself escaped the World War II mostly unscathed, in March 1945 German soldiers blew up this pedestrian bridge during the final days of the war. Citizens rallied together to raise donations and began rebuilding Alte Brücke the next year.
While ashore in Speyer with Trafalgar, you’ll have the opportunity to take an Optional Experience to Heidelberg and see its beauty for yourself as you wander its charming Baroque old town, passing the Holy Spirit Church. You’ll also visit the Student Prison, where students were incarcerated for ‘offences against the public order’ between 1823 to 1914, as well as Germany’s longest pedestrian street, the ‘Hauptstrasse’, lined with shops and cafes. Onto the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, the epitome of German Romanticism perched on the Königstuhl hillside above this historic city – see why the castle inspired Mark Twain and countless other artists.
See the most beautiful cities in Germany on our Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam River Cruise.