Rivers form the backbone of any civilization and thus the oldest and greatest of the cities exist on the banks of rivers…both big and small.
For example, Cairo is on the banks of river Nile, Baghdad on Tigris, London is on the banks of river Thames, Paris on banks of Seine, and New York on river Hudson.
Anything to do with rivers can be very romantic – can be a resort on the banks of a river or it can be a cruise.
There are all kinds of rivers in the world, but this article is about the most beautiful rivers of the World – after all it is these rivers, which create opportunities for romantic holidays.
Most of the rivers mentioned below have river cruises and if you don’t find any, a resort on the banks of these rivers can be equally good.
Amazon, flows through South America
When we talk in terms of water discharge, Amazon is the largest river in the world.
There are a lot of things to explore, which needs a long planned vacation.
Some of the best things you can do: white-water rafting (it is one of the best in the world), trek through the jungle, or glide through the canopy which is super awesome.
Staying at an eco-lodge near the Amazon is also an experience in itself.
Thames, United Kingdom
It is no coincidence that all of the World’s best cities are situated on the banks of beautiful rivers.
Thames River flows through central London and gives a stunning background to most of the city attractions.
Every day you can find one or the other event going on or next to the river.
Along the river you there is a line of world-class restaurants to cater to all kinds of palette.
If speed is your opium, you can opt for high speed rides on the Thames. Best things to do in London
Nile, Egypt
Nile is the World’s largest and one of the most beautiful rivers in the world.
While exploring Nile don’t forget the stunning temples and tombs i.e. Luxor, Karnak, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Valley of Kings and the Valley of queens.
There are various cruises which give you an exploratory tour of Nile.
Best time for Nile river cruise is between October to April.
Mississippi, USA
Mississippi is America’s largest river and the World’s fourth largest.
This beautiful river has many attractions alongside, which are a must visit.
The old chain of Rock Bridges, The Great River Road also known as Blue Highway, is an awesome road for long drive and there are a lot of attractions on this route which you’d hate to miss.
Vicksburg National Military Park, the Windsor Ruins, and the Delta Blues Museum are few of them
Hudson, New York
Surrounded by mountains and natural beauty in abundance, Hudson River Valley is a great escape from the stressed life of New York City.
Listed among the most beautiful rivers of the world, Hudson River has thousands of attractions, events and attractions that you must visit.
Playland Amusement Park, United States Military Academy, Mohonk Mountain House, Kaaterskill Falls are some of them. Other things to do in New York City
Loire, France
The valley through which the Loire river flows through is known as the “Garden of France”
Some extravagant castles and fortresses, palaces and playhouses, some very fine wine and 1000 years of rich architectural and artistic treasure adorn the banks of France’s largest River Loire.
Counted as one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, Loire Valley is also known as ‘Garden of France’.
Yangtze, China
There is a common saying in China, “If you haven’t been up the Yangtze, then you haven’t been anywhere”.
This beautiful river is also claimed to be the most interesting river in the world, with great historical, cultural and economically significance for China.
It is the third largest river in the world which flows across eleven provinces and cities along with a wide range of tourist attractions and amazing scenery on the sides.
Ganges, India
There is an Indian saying: “A dip in the Ganges can make you as innocent as a baby.”
One of the sacred rivers for Hindus, Ganges is not just a river but a great waterway of different tributaries.
Originating from the western Himalayas, the river gives a great scenic view till it reaches the Bay of Bengal.
Kumbh Mela in some cities and Ganga Aarti on the banks of river Ganges, are some of the attractions that would compel you to check out this river.
Spree, Germany
Flowing through the Saxony, Brandenburg and Berlin states of Germany, Spree River showcases on its banks the beautiful medieval architecture.
In the final stretch Spree passes through the city of Berlin.
If you are in Germany for a holiday, we highly recommend the River Cruise “Trip on the Spree River.”
Kenai, Alaska
This beautiful river is famous for rafting and fishing.
Once you witness this river first hand, you will realize why this is nicknamed as “Playground of Alaska.”
Wildlife, fishing, bird watching, gourmet dining, shopping, rafting are just few of the attractions which can tempt you to this river.
Cano Cristales, Colombia
Cano Cristales is amazingly beautiful river whose colorful underwater plants give it a magnificent look and feel.
From blaze reds to deep greens, to dark orange all mingle with the river’s deep blue water creating a magic on water which attracts tourist from all over the world.
Best time to visit this river is June to mid December.
Recommended Reading: Best travel movies for inspiration
The Douro, Portugal
If you get a chance, do go on the river cruise on Douro river. It is an amazing experience.
One of the most beautiful rivers of the world, Douro is quite an underrated river of Europe.
Still spending some time on cruising the river will leave you awestruck by its hidden beauty and charm.
Wine houses, bridges, historic architecture and hill top villages are just some of the sights to be seen along the Douro river.
The Irrawaddy, Burma
Sometimes also known as the Ayeyarwady river by the Burmese, this breathtaking river flows from north to south through Myanmar.
It starts from the confluence of the N’mai and Mali rivers and flows south through the Irrawaddy Delta into the Andaman Sea.
Famed poet Rudyard Kipling had spent a few years on the Irrawaddy river and once he was back in England, he penned a poem on it called ‘Mandalay’.
The Rhine, flows through Europe
The most picturesque river of Europe flows through six countries – Austria, Germany, France, Liechtenstein, Netherlands and Switzerland.
Thanks to its beautiful waterways there are numerous cruise companies offering various kinds of cruises to showcase the beauty and history lined up on the banks of river Rhine.
This river eventually empties itself in the North Sea in the Netherlands. Self drive holidays in Europe
The Danube, flows through Europe
The beautiful Danube is celebrated as one of Europe’s greatest rivers.
As it flows along the sides are rolling hillsides, lush vineyards and medieval castles which add to the charm of the Danube.
It isn’t without reason that this European river has been an inspiration for music, novels and poems.
Centuries-old towns along the banks of this beauty add to the allure of Danube, which flows through nine European countries.
The Mekong, South-East Asia
The Mekong river is one of the larges rivers in Asia. It flows through six countries including China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam before flowing into the East Sea.
The beauty of this river has been attracting people for ages – earlier it used to be creative folks looking for inspiration and now-a-days it is the tourists who want a piece of Mekong memory and hence book the Mekong delta cruises.
Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, and Ho Chi Minh city are some of the popular stops along this gorgeous river. Cheap family holidays in Asia
The Neretva, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
Neretva is the largest river of the eastern part of Adriatic basin and is known for its natural beauty and diversity of landscape.
This river with its emerald green water is one of the coldest rivers in the region.
This river is at its dazzling best at the city of Mostar, where a 16th century white stone bridge cuts the river into two.
The Brahmaputra, India
Brahmaputra is a trans-boundary river and the world’s third largest in terms of volume.
Its beauty emerges from the fact that it originates in the young Himalayan range through the Tibet and India and winds its way through Bangladesh and merges with the sea.
Before it gets into the sea, it opens its streams like that of a huge Banyan tree. River cruises in India for families and kids
The Chobe, Africa
This bewitching river rises in the Angolan highlands, twists along geological fault lines for along distance and then enters the Zambezi River.
Along the way the Chobe is flanked by forests, floodplains and open woodlands – so much so that only a few kilometers of the riverfront is accessible to normal folks.
The Chobe is popular as a river safari destination to view Africa’s greatest concentration of elephants.
The Seine, France
The beautiful river Seine which flows through France has fascinating riverside attractions.
Lyons la Forêt, Rouen, Honfleur and Paris are some of the popular destinations through which Seine flows.
Seine divides Paris into two, which are connected to each other by the 37 bridges which have been built over the centuries on this river.
Each of these bridges offer a mesmerizing view of the water body. Best things to do in Paris
The Volga, Russia
The breathtaking Volga is the largest river in Europe.
Volga is so big that one-third of the Russian population – 50 million people – live in its basin.
Rising from the Valdai Hills northwest of Moscow, the river flows down as an arc for more than 3500 Kms before emptying itself in the Caspian Sea.
Volga is huge and a storehouse of wildlife.
If Volga’s wildlife doesn’t get you, the bewitching views of this Russian river will hypnotize you.
The Tigris, Turkey & Iraq
The Tigris starts south from the mountains of south eastern Turkey through Iraq and eventually falls into the Persian Gulf.
Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, stands on the banks of the Tigris.
This river provides a heady mix of atmospheric ancient sites and bustling Middle-East-style towns for anybody willing to tame it.
