Bringing you to the lively capital of Germany, each Berlin river cruise is an experience you'll never forget. The city is both historic and creative -- making use of both aspects to pay homage to its culture and continue its growth. Berlin is located on the forefront of all kinds of technological advancement too -- ensuring that it's full of fantastic architecture, world-class dining venues, eclectic nightlife, and one of the world's top fashion and shopping scenes.

Berlin is located along the Spree River, a tributary of the Havel River, which is itself a tributary of the larger Elbe River. Because of its proximity, the city is commonly featured along our luxury cruise lines' Elbe River cruises. Alternatively, several other European river cruise itineraries feature Berlin as a non-cruise excursion, where you'll either fly, drive, or take the train into the city. Regardless of how you get to Berlin, the city has near limitless possibilities, making it a favorite among Authentic Voyages travelers.

Look Forward with Berlin

As it goes, Germany has had a tumultuous, often tragic, past. The city of Berlin was at the epicenter over the centuries, initially being settled in the late 1100s. Though the city has hundreds of years of history, it's best known today for being the headquarters to the Nazi party's SS and Gestapo forces shortly before and during World War II. While this was once a tragic locale for the 20th century, today the city has transformed into a diverse and innovative place that welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. The Berlin of today pays homage to its past still, with countless museums and the creative re-use of several World War II-era buildings. This is a city for history lovers, futurists, artists, and more.

Berlin Cruise Ships

If you cruise in on the Berlin river, the Spree, you'll have the luxury of staying on one of our cruise lines' ships. Our Authentic Voyages' experts consider and evaluate each cruise company regularly to ensure we're only offering you the best European river cruises to Berlin and beyond. On board your ship, you'll have the comforts of a top of the line hotel, along with a host of restaurants, dining venues, bars, and educational and entertainment opportunities to choose from.

Top Attractions for Berlin River Cruises

Upon arriving in Berlin, you'll be faced with countless attractions to choose from. Typically, when you river cruise Berlin, you'll only be visiting for a day with a potential overnight stay. Visiting for only a day, most cruisers hope to maximize their time in Berlin by visiting the must-see attractions. Here, we've listed our experts' top Berlin attraction recommendations for when you only have a day to see the city.

• East Side Gallery. Paying homage to the oppressive Berlin Wall, felled in 1989, Berlin's artists gathered to turn its remains into something entirely new. Now an open-air gallery featuring street art that tackles a number of social issues, the East Side Gallery is absolutely worth it.
• Museum Island. Those hoping to make the most of museums and German historical artifacts in the city need look no further than this important complex. Museum Island is actually located on Spree Island, right in the middle of the river. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the complex consists of the Altes Museum, the Neues Museum, the Alte Nationalgalerie, the Bode-Museum and the Pergamonmuseum.
• Holocaust Memorial. The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a tribute to the horrific events that happened across Europe in the first half of the 20th century. This tragic memorial is an experience that invites you to reflect on the past, putting things into perspective to see how far Germany -- and the world -- have come. Just nearby, you'll also find the Brandenburg Gate, in case you have additional time.
• Checkpoint Charlie Museum. The last feature on our list, Checkpoint Charlie once stood as the crossing point between the Berlin Wall-ed East and West halves of the city. The checkpoint itself is fun to see, but we think the museum is essential for truly understanding the historical significance. Around Checkpoint Charlie, you'll also find numerous shops and places to eat.

Sailing from Berlin, Germany

Setting sail from Berlin, you'll have access to a number of other fantastic German river cruises and destinations. Nearby river cruises that visit Berlin include the Rhine and the Danube, in addition to the Elbe. Many opt to river cruise Berlin to Prague, choosing the chance to explore the beautiful Czech Republic and its culture. Whichever river cruise brings you to Berlin, they each feature locales full of history, architecture, art, life, and more. To learn more about our German river cruises, take a look at the link below.

German River Cruises