Gothic Cologne is the cultural hub of western Germany, boasting a beautifully reconstructed old town and the famous twin-spired Cologne Cathedral. If you’re feeling fit, climb over 500 steps in the south tower to witness a well-deserved view of the city’s 12 different Romanesque churches, medieval townhouses, dozens of museums and galleries and the Hohenzollern Bridge covered in lovers’ padlocks, which crosses the wide Rhine River. Set at the junction of the Rhine River and the Moselle River, the ancient city of Koblenz is a picturesque place to wander. Explore the city’s little squares and flower-filled parks or the labyrinthine rooms of Marksburg Castle, built in 1117, and the only Rhine castle that has never been destroyed.
Laid out like a chessboard, Mannheim is constructed on the site of an old fortress and is where many of Germany’s industrial companies are based. The city’s university is housed in an 18th-century place, and Mannheim’s civic symbol is a 60-metre Romanesque water tower, set in a beautiful park that many city students visit on a sunny day. The small medieval town of Miltenberg in Bavaria boasts stunning half-timbered houses and Faust Brewery, one of the oldest in the country. As your river cruise approaches the town, you’ll notice Miltenberg Castle, perched high up on a hill. The castle provides great views of the town and even holds a modern art gallery.
Rüdesheim am Rhein is so well known for its winemaking that the town’s medieval Brömserburg Castle also houses a wine museum. Equally historic is Drosselgasse, a cobbled street filled with beautiful narrow half-timbered houses, shops and restaurants. Rococo and baroque architecture adorns the narrow streets of scenic Würzburg and spills over at The Residenz, a UNESCO-protected place with 360 rooms decorated with frescoes, paintings, gilt work and mirrors. In WWII, 90% of the city centre was destroyed but extensive restoration has transformed Würzburg to nearly pre-war grandeur.
The wonderfully historic capital of The Netherlands is equally famous for its 17th-century buildings and snaking canals as it is for its Red Light District. In Amsterdam’s museum district, you can check out the Rijksmuseum’s Vermeer and Rembrandt collections, as well as visit the world-renowned Van Gogh Museum. Once you’ve paid a visit to the humbling museum at Anne Frank’s house on the Prinsengracht canal, wander the floating Bloemenmarkt for some tulips or hop on a bike to explore the city like a local.
Basel is a beautiful medieval city in northwest Switzerland that centres around the Markplatz and features stunning examples of the old and new architecture. Of particular interest is the 12th-century Gothic cathedral which holds the tomb of the Dutch scholar Erasmus.
Which cruise lines sail along the Rhine River?
