A river cruise in Germany may seem like a unique way to explore the country for your next vacation. And I can guarantee you that it is! If you have been searching for something different for future vacations, a Christmas river cruise in Germany may be just what you need. The ship will take you from port to port during the most incredible time of the year. You can explore the city streets at each port. Plus, since you are visiting during the holidays, you can even wander through a few Christmas markets. Your options are practically endless when it comes to this type of vacation in Germany.

Best Cities to Explore During a Christmas River Cruise in Germany

Nuremberg

The city of Nuremberg is vibrant. There is always something going on and the locals are quite energetic with everything they do. The ambiance of the city only intensifies during the holiday season when the Christmas market pops up.

One of the first things you will want to do during your time in Nuremberg is visit the Nuremberg Christkindlemarkt. It is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Germany.

Once you have seen the Christmas market, you can start to check other items off your itinerary. If you didn’t do enough shopping at the Christmas market, I recommend checking out Handwerkerhof Market. And if you don’t need to shop anymore, simply walk along Weißgerbergasse. There are so many cafés there to grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat.

The Gothic church of Lorenzkirche is a must-see attraction. The most exciting thing to do in Nuremberg though is walking along the City Walls. These walls encompass the old city. It is best to start on the western side of Old Town. From there head towards the south where Fürther Tor is located.

Bamberg

Bamberg is still considered a medieval town. This is a traveler’s dream destination. You can easily explore Bamberg in one single day. But honestly, you need more than one day to fully appreciate the beauty and history of the town.

One of the first things you will see when arriving in Bamberg is the Bamberg Cathedral. It has four towers, medieval architecture, and gorgeous works of art. The highlight of the cathedral though is the tomb of Henry II and his wife Kunigunde, as well as the tomb of Pope Clement II.

The flowers won’t be in bloom at the Rosengarten during your Christmas river cruise in Germany. That shouldn’t stop you from visiting this beautiful garden though. The statues and fountain are just as amazing in the middle of winter.

The Michaelsberg Abbey is another fascinating sight to see in Bamberg. The most important thing for you to do while visiting Bamberg though is drinking some of its local beer. There are a few breweries in the city. Each one has created their own smoky beer. The smokiness is from the malt being roasted over beech wood fires. The two most popular beers are Schlenkerla and Spezial.

Würzburg

Art and architecture are at the top of the list for people traveling to Würzburg. If that doesn’t interest you, the fine wines and lively nightlife might. Before you head out for a night on the town, you may want to at least pay attention to the two incredible palaces alongside the Main River.

The Würzburg Residence can be found directly behind Old Town. That palace is where the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg live. On the other side of the river is the Marienburg Fortress. The fortress is where the same Prince-Bishops lived prior to the 18^th century.

One of the best places to see gorgeous views of the city is from the Alte Mainbrücke. This pedestrian bridge used to be the only way to cross over the river until 1886. The bridge will allow you to cross over to the old fishermen’s quarter to wander around. But if you stand on the bridge, you can see the palaces, St. Kilian Cathedral, and the Alstadt.

There are numerous churches in Würzburg. I recommend starting with Käppele. You must walk up 352 steps to this pilgrimage church. From there you can go to Kollegiatstift Neumünster, Marienkapelle, and Hofkirche.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is quite a large city. It is the main hub for businesses. Those businesses bring in thousands of travelers each year. Then you have those people traveling for fun who want to experience the sights, sounds, and food of this exhilarating city.

If you love history and exploring museums, you must head over to Museumsufer. There are twelve different museums in this area on the River Main. You can definitely find a museum you are interested in wandering through during your vacation in Germany.

The Main Tower is the only attraction in Frankfurt that offers panoramic views of the entire city. I love going up to the platform later in the day to see the city all lit up at night.

Old Sachsenhausen is an excellent place to grab a glass of cider or a bite to eat. You can even walk along the cobblestone streets, as you do a little people watching. Hauptwache is another area perfect for immersing yourself into the lives of the locals. This is also the best place to do a little shopping.

Car lovers will want to catch a train to Klassikstadt. That is where you can see all types of cars like BMWs, Mercedes, Jaguars, Porches, and Lamborghinis.

These are the best cities to explore during a Christmas river cruise in Germany. As a travel advisor, I can help you determine what should be at the top of your itinerary in each destination. Then I can plan your entire vacation in Germany, so you can simply relax and enjoy yourself.

So, are you ready to check out any of these cities during a Christmas river cruise in Germany?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

If you would like to learn more about a special opportunity to travel the Christmas Markets in December of 2023, CLICK HERE.

And if you are not ready to take a Christmas river cruise in Germany to visit theses cities, you can always sign up for my newsletters here. This will ensure you continue to receive all the travel information I share.