Six of the best: German river-cruise ports including Koblenz, Nuremburg and Cologne

KOBLENZ

The milky-grey Rhine and pretty blue Moselle rivers merge at Koblenz at a spot called Deutsches Eck (Germany's Corner), overlooked by a rocky crag topped by one of Europe's mightiest military fortifications, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Cruise ships dock right in the centre of town: follow promenades downriver along the Rhine and you can have kilometres of lovely walks. The city is packed with history – it was founded by the Romans and was a powerful medieval trading port – but its bar-filled old town has a lively, lived-in feel. Watch out for the Spitting Boy, a trick fountain near the town hall. See koblenz-tourism.com.

NUREMBURG

This ancient city is a fixture on the shore excursions of cruises heading along the interconnected Rhine-Main-Danube rivers. If you only know it for its Nazi rallies reputation you're in for a surprise. Once you've visited the depressing but interesting Nazi rally grounds and WWII Documentation Centre, you'll discover another of Germany's wonderful old towns. Renaissance-era buildings, venerable chapels and a twisted, multi-tiered Gothic fountain are topped by a 900-year-old castle. The streets are lively with fresh-food markets. It's especially lovely on a December cruise, when the town is filled with Christmas markets, carousels and twinkling lights. See tourismus.nuernberg.de.

COCHEM

The Romans usually had a fine eye for a useful location and delightful landscape; no surprise that they founded Cochem on a graceful bend in the Moselle River, cupped between forest hills. They added to the amenities by planting vineyards that continue to produce notable wines. The town today is a ridiculous yet inevitably seductive stereotype of medieval romance, complete with leaning houses painted in pastel hues and a hilltop castle dotted with pepper-pot chimneys. Swans paddle on the river and bakeries smell of gingerbread. This is one of the loveliest spots on any river in Europe. See cochem.de.

COLOGNE

With its million-strong population, Cologne is one of the biggest ports on a German river cruise, and an invigorating change of pace from country towns. It has a lively atmosphere, large student population and vibrant arts scene. Three of its art museums (the Wallraf-Richartz, Ludwig and Schnutgen) are world-class. Yet Cologne is also Germany's oldest town, dominated by a whopping cathedral, one of Europe's most famous, and embedded with Roman remains. The Romans laid out Hohe Strasse, now the city's main shopping street. Save time to stroll the riverside promenades, where you'll find taverns serving local beer. See cologne-tourism.com.