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Most beautiful rivers of the World – 22 of the best rivers with photos

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Rivers form the backbone of any civilization, and thus the oldest and greatest of the cities exist on the banks of waterways, both big and small.

For example, Cairo is on the banks of the river Nile, Baghdad is on the Tigris, London is on the banks of the river Thames, Paris is on the banks of the Seine, and New York is on the river Hudson.

Anything to do with rivers can be very romantic – it can be a resort on a river’s banks or 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, these rivers create opportunities for romantic holidays.

Most of the rivers mentioned below have river cruises; 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 many things to explore which need a long-planned vacation.

Some of the best things you can do are white-water rafting (one of the best in the world), trekking through the jungle, or gliding through the super awesome canopy.

Staying at an eco-lodge near the Amazon is also an experience in itself.

Thames, United Kingdom

Most beautiful rivers of the World
It is no coincidence that all of the World’s best cities are situated on the banks of beautiful rivers.

The Thames River flows through central London, giving a stunning background to most city attractions.

Every day you can find one or the other event going on or next to the river.

Along the river, there is a line of world-class restaurants catering to all palettes.

If speed is your opium, you can opt for high-speed rides on the Thames. Best things to do in London

Nile, Egypt

The Nile is the largest and one of the most beautiful rivers in the World.

While exploring the Nile, don’t forget the stunning temples and tombs, i.e., Luxor, Karnak, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Valley of Kings, and the Valley of queens.

Various cruises give you an exploratory tour of the Nile.

The best time for a Nile river cruise is between October to April.

Mississippi, USA

Beautiful Mississippi River USA
Mississippi River in USA is one of the most exciting rivers in the country.

Mississippi is America’s largest river and the World’s fourth largest.

This beautiful river has many attractions, 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 a long drive, and there are a lot of attractions on this route that you’d hate to miss.

Vicksburg National Military Park, the Windsor Ruins, and the Delta Blues Museum are a few of them.

Hudson, New York

Surrounded by mountains and abundant natural beauty, the Hudson River Valley is a great escape from the stressful life of New York City.

Listed among the World’s most beautiful rivers, the Hudson River has thousands of attractions, events, and attractions you must visit.

Playland Amusement Park, United States Military Academy, Mohonk Mountain House, and Kaaterskill Falls are some of them. Other things to do in New York City

Loire, France

Beautiful Loire River 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, fine wine, and 1000 years of rich architectural and artistic treasure adorn the banks of France’s largest River Loire.

One of the most beautiful rivers in the world, Loire Valley, is also known as the ‘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 one in the world, with great historical, cultural, and economic 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

Beautiful Ganges River India
This beautiful river flowing from the western Himalayas is considered to be very sacred for the Hindus.

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 the river Ganges are attractions that would compel you to check out this river.

Spree, Germany

Spree River showcases the beautiful medieval architecture by flowing through the Saxony, Brandenburg, and Berlin states of Germany.

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

Beautiful Kenai River Alaska
This stunning river is also known as the “Playground of Alaska.”

This beautiful river is famous for rafting and fishing.

Once you witness this river firsthand, you will realize why this is nicknamed the “Playground of Alaska.”

Wildlife, fishing, bird watching, gourmet dining, shopping, and rafting are just a few of the attractions which can tempt you to this river.

Cano Cristales, Colombia

Most beautiful river in the World Cano Cristales
Image: Youtube.com

Cano Cristales is an 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 magic on water that attracts tourists worldwide.

The best time to visit this river is June to mid-December.

Recommended Reading: Best travel movies for inspiration

The Douro, Portugal

Beautiful Douro river in Portugal
If you get a chance, do go on the river cruise on Douro river. It is an amazing experience.

The Douro is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, an underrated river in Europe.

Still, cruising the river will awaken you with its hidden beauty and charm.

Wine houses, bridges, historic architecture, and hilltop villages are just some 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 called ‘Mandalay’.

The Rhine, flows through Europe

The most picturesque river in Europe flows through six countries – Austria, Germany, France, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Thanks to its beautiful waterways, numerous cruise companies offer various kinds of cruises to showcase the beauty and history lined up on the banks of the 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 this beauty’s banks add to the Danube’s allure, which flows through nine European countries.

The Mekong, South-East Asia

The Mekong river is one of the largest 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 nowadays, 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 in the eastern part of the Adriatic basin and is known for its natural beauty and diversity of landscape.

With its emerald-green water, this river is one of the coldest rivers in the region.

This river dazzles the city of Mostar, where a 16th-century white stone bridge cuts the river into two.

The Brahmaputra, India

The Brahmaputra is a transboundary 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 Tibet and India, 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 enchanting river rises in the Angolan highlands, twists along geological fault lines for a long 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 popular destinations through which the Seine flows.

The Seine divides Paris into two, connected by the 37 bridges built over the centuries on this river.

Each of these bridges offers a mesmerizing view of the water body. Best things to do in Paris

The Volga, Russia

Most beautiful rivers in the World Volga
Image: Twitter.com

The breathtaking Volga is the largest river in Europe.

The 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 enchanting views of this Russian river will hypnotize you.

The Tigris, Turkey & Iraq

The Tigris starts south from the mountains of southeastern 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 ancient atmospheric sites and bustling Middle-East-style towns for anybody willing to tame it.

Recommended Reading
1. Best honeymoon places in the World
2. 15 most romantic places to take your girlfriend or wife
3. Fishing holidays in Netherlands

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This article was researched & written by

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

2 thoughts on “Most beautiful rivers of the World – 22 of the best rivers with photos”

  1. Ganges is a disgusting river and to put it on a list of “most beautiful rivers” proves you really are absolutely no idea what beautiful really means.
    Also, Thames, Brahmaputra, Nile and Spree are really not synonym for beautiful.
    Try googling Soca River in Slovenia, or Tara River to get a hint what beautiful is.

    Reply

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