As the second-longest river in Europe, the Danube meanders through Germany, Austria, Hungary and seven other countries all the way to the Black Sea. Along its banks lie great cities, medieval trading towns, cathedrals, palaces, and spectacular gorges fringed by mountain ranges.
Quick Search Search 5,946 river cruise Departures along the Danube
The Danube starts in the Black Forest region of Germany, where the Breg and Brigach rivers join. It flows through Central and Eastern Europe and ultimately empties into the Black Sea, forming the Danube Delta in Romania and Ukraine.
Europe's Second Longest River
The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, after the Volga. It spans approximately 2,850 km's (1,770 miles) and flows through ten countries - more than any other river in the world.
Historic Cities
From Vienna's musical history to Budapest's thermal baths, the Danube provides access to some of Europe's most iconic cities. These ports of call offer rich history, vibrant culture, and world-class cuisine right at the river's edge.
Danube Delta Wonders
The Danube Delta is Europe's second-largest delta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to hundreds of species of birds and fish, it's an eco-lover's paradise and an excellent spot for bird-watching and fishing excursions.
Popular starting ports for cruising the Danube
Vienna, Budapest, Passau, Nuremberg and Bucharest serve as logistical starting ports for your Danube river cruise and also offer you the opportunity to enhance your trip by adding a few extra days prior to your cruise departure to explore these cultural and historical cities.
It's not all blue
Despite the famous waltz "The Blue Danube" by Johann Strauss II suggesting otherwise, the Danube is not always blue and can appear green, grey, or even brown depending on weather conditions, water flow, and sediment levels.
FEATURED RIVER CRUISE OPERATORSFeatured OperatorsView all
A Viking river cruise is the discerning traveller’s dream. Whether you choose to visit Egypt, Asia, Europe or the Mississippi, our itineraries are designed...more to immerse you in the history and culture of each destination. With us, you could be exploring a local food market with our head chef one day and experiencing an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a world-famous museum the next. Our state-of-the-art ships take you right into the heart of each destination, and you won’t find any kids or ‘nickel and diming’ on board. In fact, our fares include everything you need - from meals, beverages and Wi-Fi to a culturally enriching shore excursion at every port of call. This unique combination of features has become affectionately known as ‘the Viking difference’. Viking has 70 award-winning river ships sailing all over the world, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board to discover the Viking difference for yourself.
From the moment you step aboard AmaWaterways award-winning ships you'll be welcomed by a dedicated crew committed to making your voyage unforgettable....more Sail through the heart of Europe, Asia, or Africa and explore enchanting destinations while indulging in exquisite, locally inspired cuisine and world-class amenities. AmaWaterways thoughtfully designed excursions immerse you in the rich culture and history of each port with every detail of your itinerary crafted to exceed your expectations and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Life-enriching, relaxing and unique – an APT river cruise is the ultimate holiday experience. Discover unforgettable destinations as you travel in total...more comfort and style. From Europe to Africa and the mighty Mekong River, APT has a diverse range of river cruises, and you’ll wake up most mornings in a new location, ready to explore fresh and exciting sights. Timeless luxury, exclusive experiences, life enriching moments and true personalisation. APT offers all-inclusive holidays so everything is taken care of. We invite you to join us; you won’t be disappointed.
Birthplace of Mozart and UNESCO World Heritage site, explore the sights of Salzburg's "Old Town" and marvel at Baroque architecture. If you're feeling nostalgic, why not tour the filming locations of The Sound of Music.
Český Krumlov
Step into a fairy-tale with a visit to the Czech town of Český Krumlov. Surrounded by the Vltava River, you'll stroll cobblestone streets, encounter countless "pinch-me" vistas or visit the largest castle in Central Europe.
Schönbrunn Palace
Drawing millions of visitors each year, Schönbrunn Palace once served as the Habsburg rulers' main summer residence. With 1,441 rooms and expansive gardens, this significant cultural and historical monument is worth visiting.
Fisherman's Bastion
An iconic landmark in Budapest, Fisherman's Bastion offers stunning panoramic views of the city. With the original walls built in 1700s, it is said to have been protected by a guild of fishermen during the Middles Ages.
The Iron Gates
If cruising the Lower Danube, you'll likely pass through the narrow Iron Gates, a picturesque gorge that forms a natural boundary between Serbia and Romania. It also gains its name from the two hydroelectric plants the Danube powers!
Latest Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys along the Danube
Xmas cruise on the river Danube Francene , NSW, Australia, Dec 2024
I had a wonderful magical white Xmas sailing the river Danube on ship Amadeus Cara during December Xmas time. The ship was beautifully decorated for Xmas and thoroughly enjoyed the history and culture of each town we visited. I also wandered through the Xmas markets at each town we visited, the smells and atmosphere of Christmas was abundant. I sailed ...read more through Passau, Linz, Salzburg, durnstein, Vienna and Bratislava. The food and drinks onboard the ship was plentiful and beautifully presented with 3-4 course meals for each breakfast, lunch and dinner with themed cocktails for each country.
The tour guides were wonderful and the crew on board were excellent and all spoke fluent English. The 160 guests were wonderful and met English, Canadian, American, Australians on board. The shore excursions were excellent and a wealth of so much history and knowledge dating back to 1200 centuries. It was such a fantastic time. Thank you so much Georgie for booking this trip for me and going out of your way for making it a perfect Xmas holiday. I would definitely recommend the Xmas market cruise and I will definitely be booking future trips with Georgie again.
Advent cruise on Danube Michelle , WA, Australia, Dec 2024
Fantastic cruise along Danube - we were a group of 10 and loved the modern ship- excellent food and service - could not fault this. Off shore excursions were planned we did some but enjoyed looking around on our own. Could not fault this - will definitely cruise with this company again.
Budapest to Amsterdam George and Denise, VIC, Australia, Dec 2024
This was our first river cruise and will definitely not be the last . Travel Marvel was exceptional prior to our trip keeping us informed about any changes and were very informative about any queries we had . The trip was next level in every aspect from the crew to the rooms to the dining experiences. Plenty of excursions and experiences to keep you ...read more constantly occupied. Will definitely recommend to anyone thinking of doing a river cruise. All aspects of our time on the cruise was at 5 star rating,absolutely brilliant.
Jewels of Europe - Spectacular river cruise Kymm, WA, Australia, Nov 2024
Wow, what an amazing river cruise! Scenic have again exceeded all expectations. Every crew member on board Scenic Crystal had a smile and a 'Good morning' every day. No request was too much trouble. Also of course was the amazing food, drinks, fantastic entertainment, stunning scenery and a vast choice of optional tours at every port, all of which ...read more are included in the price! This was my second river cruise with Scenic this year and I have another booked to Northern France in April 2026 and I cannot wait! I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Hannah Campbell of Global Journeys for organising these trips. Her unwavering assistance has been invaluable. Despite the time difference between our States, Hannah has always answered my queries promptly. I would highly recommend both Global Journeys and Scenic to anyone considering river cruising.
