The Rhine is one of the major European rivers and passes or crosses 6 countries: Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and France.
The charming cities along the river are home to castles, palaces, museums, and other interesting attractions. Check out our list of 20 popular destinations to visit along the Rhine.
Suggested Cities on the Rhine River to Visit
1. Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany
Photo Credit: Tjaard Krusch
Rüdesheim am Rhein is located along the Rhine 66 km (41 miles) from Frankfurt.
The city is home to attractions such as the Sankt Jakobus Kirche church, the Rüdesheimer Seilbahn cable car, the Rossel Castle observation deck, the Ehrenfels Castle, the Niederwaldtempel and the Weingut GEORG BREUER and Weingut August Kesseler wineries.
In the surrounding area is the Johannisberg Castle, a castle with vineyards, home to one of the best wineries in Europe.
2. Bingen am Rhein, Germany
Bingen am Rhein is located on the left bank of the Rhine opposite the city of Rüdesheim am Rhein.
Highlights attractions in Bingen include the Klopp Castle, the Chapel of St. Roch and the Museum am Strom.
And in Trechtingshausen, just a short distance from Bingen, it is possible to stay in a castle on the banks of the Rhine.
3. Bonn, Germany
Cities on the Rhine River to Visit – Photo Credit: Karolina Nichitin
Bonn is known as the birthplace of Beethoven and has a charming historic center and interesting attractions.
Highlights of a visit include the Poppelsdorf Palace, the Beethoven-Haus Bonn Museum, the Bonner Münster, and the Rheinaue Park.
4. Königswinter, Germany
Photo Credit: Hannes Wermuth
Königswinter is a city located near Bonn, known for its castle.The Schloss Drachenburg is a medieval castle offering beautiful views of the Rhine Valley.
5. Cologne, Germany
Cologne is one of the most popular destinations to visit in Germany.
The city is home to attractions such as its famous cathedral, the Cologne Chocolate Museum, the Roman-Germanic Museum, and the Rhein-Seilbahn cable car.
The city is located between Bonn and Düsseldorf, making it a great destination option for an itinerary through the cities of the Rhine of Germany.
6. Düsseldorf, Germany
Cities on the Rhine River to Visit – Photo Credit: Deniz Fuchidzhiev
Düsseldorf is known for its fashion industry in Germany, highlighting its Königsallee area.
The city has a beautiful historic center and is home to attractions and sights such as the Rheinuferpromenade Düsseldorf, the Rhine Tower, and the Schloss Benrath.
7. Koblenz, Germany
Cities on the Rhine River to Visit – Photo Credit: Frank Köster-Düpree
Located at the junction of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, Koblenz is a charming city to visit in Germany.
Koblenz’s highlighted attractions include the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, the Deutsches Eck, the Schloss Koblenz and the Stolzenfels Castle.
8. Konstanz, Germany
Konstanz is a city located along Konstanz Lake (Bodensee).
The city has a preserved medieval historic center and is home to elegant hotels along the lake. It is an excellent destination to relax and to combine with a Swiss itinerary.
9. Karlsruhe, Germany
Cities on the Rhine River to Visit – Photo Credit: Paul Cuad
Karlsruhe is located just a short train ride from Stuttgart and Baden-Baden.
Karlsruhe Palace, State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe, and Europabad are the main attractions of the city.
10. Mannheim, Germany
Cities on the Rhine River to Visit – Photo Credit: Recorder MA
Located between the Rhine and Neckar rivers, Mannheim is known for its square area and Baroque palace.
The city is also home to good museum options such as the Kunsthalle Mannheim with an impressive art collection.
11. Wiesbaden, Germany
Photo Credit: Lena Denk
Wiesbaden is a city located just a short train ride away from Frankfurt.
The city is home to attractions such as the Museum Wiesbaden, the Neroberg hill with seasonal cable car, and the Biebrich Palace near the banks of the Rhine.
12. Mainz, Germany
Mainz is located on the opposite side of Wiesbaden separated by the Rhine.
Highlights of a visit to Mainz include the Mainz Citadel, the Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Kurfürstliches Schloss.
13. Speyer, Germany
Photo Credit: Udo Tirolf
Speyer is located on the left bank of the Rhine at 28 km (17.4 miles) from Mannheim.
The city is home to attractions such as the Technic Museum Speyer, the Historical Museum of the Palatinate, the Speyer Cathedral, and a Beer Garden by the river.
14. Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Photo Credit: Mircea X
Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein, located on the Rhine near the Swiss border.
The city’s postcard is its beautiful castle, the Vaduz Castle. The city also has a charming pedestrian area and is home to two important museums: the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein National Museum.
15. Basel, Switzerland
Photo Credit: Chris Boese
Basel is a Swiss city located near the borders of Germany and France.
The city has a medieval center with attractions such as the Basel Minster, the Basel Town Hall, the Middle Bridge, and museums such as the Museum of Natural History Basel and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
16. Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland
Photo Credit: Sven Masuhr
Neuhausen am Rheinfall is located 50.5 km (31.4 miles) from Zurich.The Rhine Falls is Europe’s largest waterfalls and the main attraction in the region.
There are several tours available to the Rhine Falls from Zurich.
17. Chur, Switzerland
Photo Credit: Travel Suisse
Chur is a Swiss city located on the Rhine at 40.6 km (25.2 miles) from Vaduz.
Its historic center is home to attractions such as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, the St. Martin’s Church -Chur, and the Bündner Kunstmuseum.
And the highest railway in the Alps (Bernina Express) crossing bridges and offering spectacular views is also a popular attraction departing from Chur.
18. Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
Photo Credit: Pascal Debrunner
Located on Konstanz Lake (Bodensee) on the Swiss side near the German border, Kreuzlingen is home to attractions such as the Schwimmbad Hörnli swimming pool and the beautiful Seeburgpark.
19. Strasbourg, France
Photo Credit: Stefan K
Strasbourg is a city in France located in the Alsace region near the German border.
The city enchants with its Petite-France historic center, with half-timbered homes and canals.
In addition to world-class museums and a beautiful cathedral, the city also offers excellent options for boulangerie, cafes, and restaurants.
20. Arnhem, Netherlands
Photo Credit: Martijn Baudoin
Arnhem is a Dutch city located 96.6 km (60 miles) from Amsterdam.
The city is home to attractions such as the Museum Arnhem, the Park Sonsbeek, and the Eusebius Arnhem Foundation.
Rhine River on Map
Featured Photo Credit: Phillip Glickman
Itineraries
- Bonn Germany: 1-day Itinerary
- Cologne Germany: 2-day Itinerary
- Düsseldorf Germany: 2-day Itinerary
- Mannheim Germany: 1-day Itinerary
- Koblenz Germany: 2-day Itinerary
- Konstanz Germany: 1-day Itinerary
- Wiesbaden Germany: 1-day Itinerary
- Mainz Germany: 1-day Itinerary
Book Your Trip
Book Your Accommodation
Book your hotel with Booking.com as they consistently provide the cheapest and lowest rates.
Book Your Flight
Find cheap flights to Germany by using Momondo. Momondo is a flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers.
Book a Train Ticket
Check the train routes and schedules with Omio. Omio is an authorized Deutsche Bahn ticket seller, which compares and combines transport options for complete flexibility.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, and cancellations. It’s a protection in case anything goes wrong. You can book your travel insurance with Travelexinsurance.com.
See also
40 Popular Train Routes in Germany
10 Best Palace & Castle Hotels on Rhine River Germany
