The most beautiful rivers in Europe
From the enchanting Rhône to the delightful Douro, we're blessed with many incredible rivers in Europe
Europe is home to many beautiful rivers, flanked by tranquil vineyards, sweeping valleys and enchanting hilltop villages.
Many of the loveliest rivers in Europe flow through elegant cities, which once relied on these waterways for the trades that allowed them to flourish.
There's the romantic Seine, which meanders through Paris, where you'll spot the iconic Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame cathedral standing proudly on its banks, and the Danube, which winds its way through four magnificent capitals, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade.
Of course, there's plenty of rural beauty to appreciate along the banks of Europe's rivers too, like the sun-kissed hills that sweep up the Douro Valley and the fragrant lavender fields surrounding the Rhône.
If you want to experience these wonderful rivers in all their glory, you might consider taking a river cruise. Just like a train journey, travelling by river is a fantastically peaceful way of seeing an array of exciting landmarks in one trip. And as you sail along the course of one of Europe's pretty rivers you'll be able to soak in the glorious scenery as you go.
It's a fantastic way to see the continent, and there are numerous options available, from the mighty Douro to the romantic Rhine. Be inspired by our round-up of the most beautiful rivers in Europe...
The Rhine
Beginning high up in the snowcapped Swiss Alps and flowing down through Germany and on to the Netherlands, the Rhine travels through some of Europe’s most gorgeous landscapes.
As one of the longest rivers in Europe, there's plenty to see and do along the banks of the Rhine. There's the magical Black Forest, a quintessential German landscape that brings to mind images of oompah bands and timber-clad houses and is the setting for so many of the country's famous fairytales.
It also meanders through some impressive cities. On the banks of the Rhine you'll find Cologne, the fourth largest city in Germany whose hauntingly beautiful Gothic Cathedral is one of the country's most visited attractions.
How to visit: Join Good Housekeeping on a fabulous festive cruise along the Rhine to visit some of Germany's prettiest Christmas markets. You'll sail between Frankfurt, Koblenz, Cologne, and Rüdesheim, soaking in the Christmas spirit in each location before returning to the comfort of your premium ship, where all drinks and meals will be included.
The Dordogne
Running from the Massif du Sancy in Auvergne down to the Gironde estuary near Bordeaux, the Dordogne river and its basin is a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve, due to the wealth of flora and fauna found in its water and along its banks. You might spot eagle owls, red deer, pine martens, or marmots on a visit to the region, and the river itself is home to 39 species of fish.
But there's more to see here than just wildlife. The Dordogne valley is dotted with vineyards and historic wine Chateaux where some of the world's finest Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is produced. There is also an abundance of storybook medieval castles and fortresses for history-lovers to explore.
How to visit: Taste delicious wines from the Dordogne Valley's historic wine estates on Good Housekeeping's eight-day cruise of Bordeaux with top chef Monica Galetti. You'll sail along the Dordogne from Bourg to Libourne, a pretty fortified harbour where you'll visit a local famers' market.
The Douro
Portugal's delightful Douro is a key part of the city's port wine trade, which brought prosperity to the city in the 1600s. Little wooden boats called rabelos brought the wine run from the hillside quintas down the river to Porto's harbour, carrying eight barrels at a time.
You can still see these charming boats bobbing on the river in Porto, although nowadays they're mostly used for sightseeing tours than carrying wine.
While the Douro Valley revolves around its wine, there is more to do and see on its banks. The bustling city of Porto is a joy to explore, with the city's UNESCO-listed medieval Ribeira quarter being a must-see. You could also stop for some deliciously salty sardines in a local bar while you listen to some traditional fado.
How to visit: Good Housekeeping has an excellent eight-day cruise along the Douro River, where you'll get the chance to taste wines at traditional Quintas, spend some time exploring Porto, and even get involved with some grape treading, a traditional part of the wine-making process.
The Rhône
The second longest river in France, the Rhône, begins in the Swiss Alps, where it originates at the glistening Rhône Glacier.
It flows into peaceful Lake Geneva and through some of France's most picturesque landscapes, connecting cities and traditional towns, before winding down to the sunny Mediterranean.
If you appreciate food and spectacular scenery, this could be the river for you. On its banks you'll find Lyon, a true foodie's paradise. It boasts more than 1,500 eateries and thanks to its location surrounded by farms and valleys, you'll enjoy quality regional ingredients.
The Rhône also runs through Burgundy and through the sun-drenched vineyards of Beaune where you'll find many opportunities to sample fine wines.
The Garonne
The history of the city of Bordeaux is closely linked to the Garonne River which runs through it. The river’s strategic location made it ideal for transporting goods, most importantly wine, which has been a staple of the Bordeaux region’s economy for hundreds of years.
Bordeaux is also known for the elegant bridges which straddle the Garonne, including the iconic stone bridge Pont de Pierre, which was built in the early 19th century.
Along the riverbanks, you'll find several intriguing attractions, like the Cite de Vine, a cultural centre and museum celebrating the wine heritage of the Bordeaux region, and Place de la Bourse, a square surrounded by buildings of classical French architecture, which are reflected in the surface of the square's enormous Miroir d'Eau, or water mirror.
How to visit: Sail along the Garonne on Good Housekeeping's eight-day Bordeaux cruise with Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc. You'll visit several traditional wineries and charming châteaux as you sail, and will spend two days in the World Heritage-listed city of Bordeaux.
The Danube
The Danube is one of Europe's greatest rivers, flowing past majestic hillside castles, intriguing medieval towns and historic cities.
It winds through two of the continent's most captivating capitals. There's Vienna, famous for its art, culture, and local patisseries, and the historic city of Budapest, with its magnificent buildings like the imposing Buda Castle.
Then there are the atmospheric old towns of Passau and Linz, the awe-inspiring 900-year-old abbey at Melk, and the incredible natural beauty of the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley.
This river is also famous for its links to music. It passes through Vienna, the capital of classical music and the city Mozart made his home.
The Seine
The truly romantic Seine is easy to fall in love with. It winds through Paris, where along its banks you'll see iconic landmarks like the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
Paris is by far the most famous city along the Seine, but there are other destinations to be found on its alluring route.
The Seine runs through many other wonderfully scenic parts of France, and following its route will take you to the heart of Normandy, past the mysterious ruins of Jumièges Abbey and on to Rouen, the region's capital where you'll find cobblestoned streets lined with medieval timbered houses.
If you're feeling inspired to travel through some of Europe's finest cities and rural landscapes, take a look at Good Housekeeping's selection of luxury river cruises and start planning your trip.
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