Attractions Worth Visiting During a River Cruise in Germany

Have you always wanted to explore the country of Germany without the need of switching hotel rooms all the time? I understand how traveling with your family can become overwhelming when unpacking and packing the suitcases for hotel switches. This is why I love taking river cruises with my family. There is just something amazing about boarding a boat that we will call home for the duration of our family vacation. Of course, knowing our meals will be prepared for us is a big bonus! However, the best part of taking a river cruise in Germany is all the fabulous attractions you can see along the way.

Attractions Worth Visiting During a River Cruise in Germany

Baroque St. Stephan’s Cathedral

The Baroque St. Stephan’s Cathedral can be found in the city of Passau. This church is beautiful. It was constructed back in 1688. There are eight large bells in the north and south towers. However, the highlight of your visit will be seeing the pipe organ. It is the largest pipe organ in Europe. The organ contains 17,774 pipes and sounds amazing when played.

Passauer Glass Museum

This glass museum is also in the city of Passau. You will be near this attraction whenever you take a river cruise on the Danube. The glass in this museum dates from 1650 until 1950. The types of glass featured the most include Bohemian, Jugendstil, Loetz, and Hofstötter.

Bamberg

Bamberg is a city in Germany. It is also an attraction thanks to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, while there are hundreds of different attractions in this city, you simply must explore it all during your river cruise in Germany. One attraction within this city that must be on your list is the Bamberg Cathedral. It is where Pope Clement II was laid to rest.

Heidelberg Castle

The Heidelberg Castle is in the city of Heidelberg. This castle has not had a fairy tale story over the years. Parts of the castle are still in ruins from the demolition that took place back in the 17th and 18th centuries. There is one section of the castle that is still used as a residence today though.

When you choose to visit this castle when taking a river cruise in Germany, you will find yourself looking down at the beautiful city below. A highlight of your visit will be checking out the castle’s cellar. There is a massive wine barrel down there.

The Spitting Boy

The Spitting Boy, or Das Schängelchen, can be found behind City Hall in Koblenz. This is an infamous statue that was designed to honor all the children within the city.

Marksburg Castle

Marksburg Castle is the only castle on the Rhine that has never been destroyed or ruined. In fact, it looks just like it did back in medieval times. You must take a tour to see this castle. The tours are fifty minutes in length. Your guide will share intricate details about medieval history, as well as what life was like inside the castle.

Stone Bridge

Stone Bridge is the oldest bridge in Germany. You will find this bridge in Regensburg. The bridge was constructed back in the 12th century. It crosses the Danube and at one time was the only bridge that crossed the river.

Stone Bridge has sixteen arches. At the southern end, there is an arch and pier that were incorporated into a store back in the 1600s. The Regensburg Salt Store is no longer there, but the arch and pier remain in place under the road to the bridge.

Royal Palace in Dresden

The Royal Palace in Dresden has been destroyed a couple times in the past. The most recent reconstruction took place in 1985. It was at that time when a museum complex was added to the site. Numerous museums have opened in the palace since then.

The English Stairway was also reconstructed. The staircase is now accessible, and people use it to reach the museums. As you walk up those stairs during your visit, you may feel like you are stepping back in time. That feeling won’t last long though. It will be replaced by a feeling of overwhelm when you see the 41-carat green diamond inside the Green Vault.

Speyer Cathedral

The Speyer Cathedral has been a German UNESCO site since 1981. This cathedral dates back to 1030. It is currently one of the largest Romanesque churches in the entire world. You will find the graves of numerous emperors and kings at this cathedral in Germany.

Abbey of Lorsch

The Abbey of Lorsch is currently in ruins. However, that shouldn’t stop your family from visiting during your river cruise in Germany. The highlight of your visit will be seeing the gate hall. Although, no one is really sure what that building was actually used for back in the Middle Ages.

St. Peter’s Cathedral

Trier is the oldest city in Germany. It is where you will find St. Peter’s Cathedral. This is the oldest cathedral in the country. The cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times over the years. The most recent restoration was completed between 1960 and 1974.

Basilica of Constantine

The Basilica of Constantine can also be found in Trier. It was constructed to be used as a Roman throne room. However, it is currently used as a Protestant church. Despite being a one-room structure, it has been carefully preserved over the years.

Aachen Cathedral

The Aachen Cathedral was the very first attraction to be named a German UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. This cathedral was constructed back in 790. There are many relics from the time Charlemagne was in charge. Inside the cathedral you will find his throne, as well as a shrine to the Virgin Mary. Charlemagne’s grave is also located here.

These are some of the attractions worth visiting during a river cruise in Germany. There are multiple river cruises to choose from in Germany and throughout other parts of the world. One of my favorite river cruises in Germany is held during the holiday season. During a holiday cruise, you are able to visit many of the local Christmas markets in addition to the different attractions.

So, are you ready to book an amazing river cruise?

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