Luxury Danube River Cruises

Luxury Danube River Cruises

The Danube cuts through Europe’s heart, traveling 1,785 miles southeast from Donaueschingen, Germany in the Black Forest through 10 countries, ending in Sulina, Romania where it empties into the Black Sea. It’s ideal for a river cruise, showcasing more countries than any other river in the world, including four capital cities: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade. Experience first-hand what inspired Strauss to write the “Beautiful Blue Danube,” walk in the footsteps of more music genius in Vienna with its links to everyone from Beethoven to Schubert, and Mozart’s Salzburg.

Just a few of the other highlights include centuries-old wine towns in Austria’s Wachau Valley, the Iron Gates of Serbia, the historic bathhouses, and the neo-Gothic spires of the Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest.

Our Expert Says

“River cruising on the Danube offers a unique way to experience the heart of Europe. I love getting to experience so many different countries and cultures on one cruise, with grand capital cities and historical buildings, to villages and grand abbeys perched on the side of hills on the riverside. Keep your eyes open around every bend as another beautiful town will take you by surprise. The Wachau Valley in the Autumn is a particular highlight of mine.”

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Daniel

European Specialist

The Best Danube River Cruises

Our curated river cruises include multiple shore excursions that ensure a more authentic experience in each destination while providing the ultimate in comforts and mouthwatering cuisine while onboard your elegant ship.

When to go: Feb - Sep
AmaWaterways Cruise

The Beautiful Blue Danube Cruise

Budapest, Bratislava, Wachau Valley, Melk, Linz, Vienna, Budapest
7 Nights
From £2,004 PP
A grand adventure on the beautiful Danube River, you'll discover many gems in the heart of Europe,...

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When to go: Feb - Sep
AmaWaterways Cruise

The Beautiful Blue Danube Cruise & Land

Budapest, Bratislava, Wachau Valley, Melk, Linz, Vienna, Budapest
9 Nights
From £2,399 PP
This memorable cruise on the Danube will bring you through some of the richest history in Europe,...

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When to go: Mar - Dec
AmaWaterways Cruise

Exploring the Danube Cruise (Vilshofen to Budapest)

Munich, Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
7 Nights
From £2,799 PP
Discover the heart of Europe on this cruise along the Danube. Flowing through so many countries,...

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When to go: Mar - Dec
AmaWaterways Cruise

Exploring the Danube Cruise (Budapest to Vilshofen)

Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Linz, Passau, Vilshofen
7 Nights
From £2,849 PP
This Danube River cruise travels through Europe's heart, ideal for those who want to explore the...

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When to go: March - October
Scenic Cruises

The Delightful Danube Cruise (Regensburg to Budapest)

Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Dürnstein, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest
7 Nights
From £3,499 PP
Your cruise begins in picturesque Regensburg, and will reveal countless delights along the way,...

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Why we love Danube River Cruises

Dan

European Specialist

The Danube is aptly hailed as “Europe’s Main Street,” winding through the heart of the continent. We love cruises on the Danube, as this river allows for a wide range of scenic wonders with diverse landscapes, centuries of history, and cultural richness. Enjoy the perks that come with the all-inclusive life on the water, while exploring a new destination every day without having to constantly unpack and pack again. The Danube provides unrivaled passage through many of the delights of Europe while enjoying modern comforts and delectable cuisine onboard. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a mosaic of experiences, from pedaling through charming villages and vineyards in Austria’s Wachau Valley to strolling cobbled streets with Baroque architecture taking in the wonderful aroma wafting from bakeries. Of course, there’s a treasure trove of iconic landmarks to discover as well, from Buda and Bratislava castles to glittering Schönbrunn Palace and beyond.

Cruise Lines

AmaWaterways

Scenic

Best places to visit on a Danube River Cruise

We’ve mentioned a few of the enticing destinations that can be visited on a Danube River cruise, but these are our top six favorites.

Vienna, Austria
One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Vienna boasts world-class museums, grand palaces, and spectacular cathedrals. The Innere Stadt is a walk through time, almost expecting to encounter Mozart around the next corner.
Budapest, Hungary
The “Paris of the East,” Budapest is divided by the Danube while providing a feast for the eyes with everything from Buda Castle with its panoramic view to famous thermal baths.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava boasts a compact center making it easy to explore the medieval quarter’s top attractions, with everything from the Old Town Hall and Classical Primate’s Palace to the neo-Renaissance Opera House.
Melk, Austria
The crown jewel of Melk is the 11th-century Melk Abbey which sits high above the town, with a domed church, a vast library housing medieval manuscripts, and the abbey museum.
Regensburg, Germany
One of Germany’s most well-preserved medieval cities, Regensburg hosts nearly a thousand monuments that sit close together at its center providing a “bridge through time” from the past to the present.
Linz, Austria
Linz is a popular gateway to Salzburg, renowned for its traditional Austrian pastry, the Linzer torte. It also boasts impressive sights, like the Old Town Hall, cathedral, and other Baroque buildings.

Best time of year to cruise the Danube

Danube River boat cruises run between April and September, and November and December with the peak cruising season from May through September. Spring can be a good time to go for avoiding thick crowds, but if rainfall is heavy, parts of the river may flood and some ships won’t be able to pass beneath certain bridges. The fall, particularly late September is ideal, with thinner crowds and often lovely weather. For Danube river cruises 2024, consider December, the perfect time for exploring the region’s famous Christmas markets with holiday décor and endless twinkling lights.

Esztergom, Hungary’s Massive Basilica

Located in one of Hungary’s most scenic areas, the Danube Bend, Esztergom hosts a huge cliff-top basilica. A monumental example of Neoclassical architecture, it’s free to tour with the stunning Backócz Chapel, a red-marble room disassembled and reinstalled piece by piece, originally commissioned for the old church once standing here, a highlight.

The Wachau Valley, Austria

Discover the Beautiful Blue Danube at its best in the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, a favorite among river cruises. You’ll want to be on deck after reaching this storied section between the towns of Krems and Melk, where you’ll see picturesque vineyards, castles, and the historic Melk Abbey.

Visit the famous Bailoni Distillery in Krems to sample or buy Brandy Coffee

The Bailoni distillery in Krems, Austria is a hidden gem providing exclusive tours that will bring you on a journey through apricot distillation. It includes a tasting of unique brandy flavors like apricot and the chance to buy a tasty beverage like Brandy Coffee.

Bucharest, Romania and the Christmas Market

Bucharest is one of the best destinations on Danube River Cruises during the holidays. It offers an outstanding Christmas market in Constitution Square in front of the Palace of Parliament, featuring unique, locally-made gifts. A decked-out Christmas tree marks its iconic Santa’s House attraction with elves, deer, and Santa himself.

Cowboy Culture in Puszta, Hungary

Reminiscent of U.S. cowboy culture with horsemen celebrated, in Puszta you can experience the unique cultural landscape on the Great Hungarian Plain. It preserves the area’s over 2,000-year-old traditional pastoral use, including the grazing of domestic animals like Nonius horses, buffalo, Racka sheep, and Hungarian grey cattle.

Passau, Austria: The Romantic Meeting of the Three Rivers

Located in southeastern Bavaria where three rivers meet, Passau’s skyline is dominated by Italian Baroque churches and hosts winding, cobblestone streets that make it especially enticing to explore. Don’t forget your camera, with the streetscape filled with Borque and Gothic buildings with bridges and squares adding to its romantic allure.

Dürnstein, Austria

Just passing Dürnstein in Lower Austria, is sure to be memorable with the majestic ruins of its 12th-century stone castle set atop a hill overlooking the postcard-perfect town. It’s also renowned for its wineries, with the Reisling of particular note, highly prized for its high quality.

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