I’ve written before about the top rivers on which you can enjoy a cruise, so today I want to give you my views on the best cities that you could visit as part of those river cruises. Most of these cities have already been mentioned or discussed in length in our posts, but this is now my ordered list, so I’m hoping you’ll argue and debate and tell me why I’m wrong, so the comments section is waiting.

#1 St Petersburg

I know, I keep raving about St Petersburg, but for me you can’t beat the amazing mix of incredible palaces, museums, churches and more, as well as canal network that adds an real air of beauty throughout.

#2 Ho Chi Minh City

Cruise on the Mekong and you can see Ho Chi Minh in all its glory, not only giving you a fascinating insight into modern Vietnamese life but also displaying the famed history of the Vietnam War, through memorials and museums.

#3 Vienna

There’s tons to see in Vienna, hence why it’s made my top 3. It’s the incredible architecture of even the normal streets that swings it for me, but if that’s not enough then Schonbrunn Palace, the Ringstrasse, the Hofburg Theater and St Stephan’s Cathedral will surely win you over.

#4 Amsterdam

The Dutch capital city often acts as the embarkation city for river cruises, and during your visit you can wander along the banks of the renowned canal network, see famous artworks in the many galleries, and of course visit the Anne Frank House.

#5 Shanghai

This incredible city combines the history of China, through monuments and museums, with the natural beauty of various landscaped gardens. Then there’s the modern side of Shanghai – one of the most visually stunning sprawls of skyscrapers you could see anywhere.

#6 Paris

The city of romance could arguably be higher in this list, with the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and so much more to see, as well as the modern attractions of one of the most popular shopping cities in the whole world.

#7 Budapest

I love Budapest, with loads in the city to see and do. My favourite area is of course the Castle District in Buda but for one standout landmark, my vote goes to the Chain Bridge over the river.

#8 Porto

Home of the Port wine, Porto is a pretty city on the Douro River, home to many wine caves and bars where you can sample this fine local product, and that’s earned it a spot on this list alone.

#9 Odessa

The reason I’ve included Odessa, a Ukrainian city that lies on the Dnieper River, is purely for the beauty of the buildings, churches and palaces. These sights alone make the whole river cruise worthwhile.

#10 Cologne

Cologne is a classic river cruise port. Probably most famous for the Cathedral, which attracts visitors from across the world, there are also some sights from the Second World War to experience.

By Ian Lewis
Google