Wonderful and Relaxing: 7 River Cruises

Numerous cruise operators offer a wide range of itineraries through picturesque river landscapes and to outstanding cultural attractions. VIVA Cruises stands for fascinating cities, excellent cuisine, and one of Europe’s most modern river cruise fleets. Sailing along many of Germany’s most beautiful waterways, the company combines relaxed travel with memorable experiences along the rivers. These river cruises are particularly worth discovering:

All along the Rhine and Moselle: from Cologne via Rüdesheim to Trier

Rüdesheim: Ehrenfels castle ruins with a view over the Rhine ©Rheintouristik Tal der Loreley, St. Goar (Mahlow Media, Winningen)

The grapes for delicious German wines grow on the slopes of the Rhine and Moselle. It's not just beautiful vineyards that you leisurely glide past, however, but also pretty winegrowing villages, exciting castles and interesting towns, as well as the famous Loreley rock. Depending on the time of year and the time of day, the scenery changes and you pass through flowering landscapes and colourful forests and marvel at the beauty of this world in the golden evening light.

Tip: The “Moselle Magic” itinerary takes you from Düsseldorf via Koblenz, Traben-Trarbach, Bernkastel-Kues, Trier, and Cochem to Rüdesheim - a classic journey for anyone wishing to experience the most romantic side of Germany’s river landscapes.

From cosy Passau to modern Frankfurt: the Main-Danube Canal

The confluence of the Ilz, Danube, and Inn rivers in Passau ©Getty Images (Westend61)

Sitting on the sun terrace or snug in an armchair when it rains: the journey from Passau via the Main-Danube Canal to Frankfurt gives you enchanting glimpses of typical Bavarian and Franconian towns. And all this totally relaxed. You can take part in a variety of outings for a change of scenery. The romantic half-timbered town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, for example, is certainly worth a visit, but exploring Würzburg is just as exciting. The culturally rich city of Frankfurt provides plenty of excitement at the end of the trip.

From the trendy capital Berlin to the sea in Stralsund

Stralsund: Harbour with Ozeaneum, the German Seamuseum by Behnisch Architects ©DZT (Francesco Carovillano)

Discovering the capital from the deck of a ship is perfect, because you can easily catch a glimpse of many famous sights as you sail past. It soon becomes more peaceful, nature takes over and we sail along meandering rivers, through perfectly straight canals, discovering tiny bays and picturesque landscapes. At the end, the open sea awaits.

Contrasting and magnificent: from Frankfurt to Miltenberg

View across the Main Valley to the Spessart near Miltenberg am Main ©Getty Images (Raimund Linke)

Unexpected natural areas and diverse wildlife - you can study the nature of Germany's second longest river at your leisure on a river cruise from Frankfurt to Miltenberg. The Main metropolis offers many sights, quaint restaurants and trendy pubs, while medieval half-timbered houses nestled between the hills of Spessart and Odenwald await you in Miltenberg - the ultimate destination. How lovely! Meanwhile, wine is tasted, the Middle Ages in Bamberg come alive and, all in all, unforgettable impressions are collected.

Tip: A river cruise from Frankfurt to Miltenberg is especially rewarding in autumn. The “Main Romance in Late Autumn” itinerary showcases the Franconian countryside and its charming wine towns bathed in the golden colours of the season.

Memorable and Magical: from Potsdam to Dresden

Aerial view of the Glienicker Bridge over the Havel River near Potsdam ©PMSG (Andre Stiebitz)

Historic squares, enchanting gardens, castles and interesting museums: Potsdam offers all this. The river cruise starts here and soon takes you through the picturesque Elbe valley to Dresden, the capital of Saxony, with its unique sights and beautiful Elbe meadows. But it is not just two important cities and their cultural wealth that you can discover. Your soul can relax on this journey: you will leisurely glide through several nature reserves such as the Niederlausitzer Landrücken with its moors, as well as extensive forests or the Elbsandsteingebirge with its bizarre rock formations.

From the Baltic Sea to the Hanseatic City

Hamburg: harbour with cruise liner AIDA on the river Elbe, evening light, aerial view ©Hamburg Tourismus GmbH (Andreas Vallbracht)

This itinerary is a kaleidoscope of natural beauty, history, and fascinating waterways. It begins in Stralsund, the proud Hanseatic city with more than 500 listed monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, before continuing to the island of Rügen, famous for its chalk cliffs and the nostalgic Rasender Roland steam railway. The journey then takes you directly into the heart of the German capital, passing through Berlin’s government district. The magnificent Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam and the Hanseatic city of Hamburg provide the perfect finale to this unforgettable voyage.

Tip: The “From Rügen to Hamburg” itinerary aboard the VIVA RUBY lasts 10 nights, combining the Baltic coast, the Oder, the Elbe, and the Berlin metropolitan region in one unique journey. Thanks to its compact size, the ship can access regions and moorings that are often out of reach for larger vessels.

A romance to be savoured: from Saarbücken to Stuttgart

Trier: Moselle, cathedral and old town ©DZT (Francesco Carovillano)

Enchanting Southern Germany: the leisurely journey from Saarbrücken to Stuttgart along four rivers is perfect if you are looking for romance. Your cruise peacefully sails past idyllic vineyards, picturesque villages, cosy little towns and picturesque castles. In Mainz and Trier, the ancient Romans send their regards, and in Stuttgart, vineyards, countless staircases, restaurants and museums beckon. Heidelberg, Bernkastel-Kues and Saarbrücken also invite you to stroll, eat cake and admire. Slowing down is the way to go.