8 Amazing Countries to Explore on the Danube River
Published Monday, August 8th 2022 - Updated Friday, October 11th 2024
In Eastern and Central Europe, you’ll find some of the most spectacular architecture—castles, cathedrals, and war memorials—and the world’s most inviting cultures. But what is the best way to see it all? The answer: a European river cruise down the Danube River. Here are eight amazing countries you’ll explore as you sail along a Danube River Cruise.
Germany
The journey begins with a morning walk around the quaint village of Vilshofen. Then the river cruise continues as you sail to lower Bavaria’s city of Passau. Take a walking tour along cobblestone streets and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture. You can hike up to the Veste Oberhaus Fortress. Or take a bike ride along the Danube River, cross a footbridge into Austria, and then back over a dam into Passau again. You can brag that you cycled in two European countries before lunchtime!
Austria
The river cruise ship arrives in Linz, where you can join a morning walking tour through the old city center by the Mozart House or a bike tour of the city’s famed “Cultural Mile.” During the afternoon, you may visit the charming town of Český Krumlov, located just over the Czech-Austrian border. Alternatively, you can take a full-day excursion to Salzburg to tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square, and the Old Market. Back onboard, take in the panoramic views from the deck as you unwind with a scenic cruise through the UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley.
After reaching Weissenkirchen village, you have a choice of several excursions. Walk through Dürnstein’s cobblestone streets to the famed Baroque church tower, Stiftskirche. Or hike the trail up to the Dürnstein Fortress ruins, where Richard the Lionheart was held captive, for spectacular views of the valley, the Danube River, and the village below. You can also bike through the Wachau Valley or, for a more culinary-focused experience, sample unique apricot treats from a local boutique. Then enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner in the evening as you sail through the vineyards of the Wachau Valley.
And no trip to Austria is complete without a stop in Vienna, “The City of Waltzes.” A city tour of Vienna showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the historic city center. For an active exploration, take a guided bike ride through Vienna to Klosterneuburg Monastery.
Slovakia
As host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian Kings and Queens, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of the Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. For an active adventure, hike up to the Bratislava Castle, which offers magnificent views of the city. Or you may join a special ‘Tastes of Slovakia’ tour.
Hungary
The capital city of Budapest is known as the “Queen of the Danube.” Typically, tours begin with a visit to the Great Market Hall and then take you to explore both the Buda (hilly) and the Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Alternatively, you may opt to hike up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views of the city. Then cap the day off with an illumination cruise.
Continue your river cruise through Hungary with a stop in Puszta, known as the Great Hungarian Plain. You can tour a genuine Hungarian csárda (farm) run by world-champion carriage drivers. Afterward, you enjoy an unforgettable performance of horsemanship along with a traditional lunch complete with authentic goulash.
From Puszta, you sail toward Mohács as you enjoy a scenic morning cruise past a town with magnificent churches. Next, you cruise to Pécs. An ancient city founded more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans. Here you find historic architecture, including the UNESCO-designated Christian Necropolis; St. Peter’s Basilica, the city’s main Catholic cathedral and catacombs; and Széchenyi Square, the heart of Old Town Pécs. For wine connoisseurs, visit the Szekszárd wine region, one of the oldest red-wine-growing areas in Hungary, established over 2,000 years ago.
Croatia
A tour of the beautiful Croatian city of Vukovar showcases the Ovcara Memorial and Eltz Castle. Or you can choose wine tasting in Ilok, a center of wine production since Roman times, where you sample its famous Grasevina, Traminac, and Frankovka wines.
Serbia
Back on board, you cruise to Novi Sad, where you can discover Dunavski Park and the Old Town center of Stari Grad on a walking tour. If you prefer a more active excursion, join a guided biking tour or hike through Fruska Gora National Park. During the evening, visit Petrovaradin Fortress.
In Serbia’s capital of Belgrade, explore the Kalemegdan Fortress and the Serbian Orthodox Temple of St. Sava on a city tour. Later, visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Karađorđević Royal Family, and then tour the House of Flowers, better known as the memorial center for former Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito. For those wishing for a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour. Or enjoy sampling Serbian plum brandy, Šlivovitz, at the local Quburich Distillery.
Visit Golubac Fortress, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe, before cruising through the Iron Gates, where the Danube River narrows as it winds through a series of gorges between the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains.
Bulgaria
Explore one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, Vidin, and the surrounding area with a choice of excursions. Discover Baba Vida Fortress, the only fully-preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria. Continue to Belogradchik, one of Bulgaria’s natural wonders, where you can hike around its spectacular rock formations. Instead, you may choose to bike through Vidin and to the castle. Or another option is to visit a local home for a cooking demonstration of traditional Bulgarian yogurt and Banitsa, a pastry you learn to make.
Romania
Next, you travel through the Romanian countryside to the capital of Bucharest, known as the “Little Paris of the East.” Here you can enjoy a tour of the historic city center and its elegant architecture, followed by a visit to the Palace of Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world.
If you’d love to experience all of these countries on a grand Danube River cruise, I will be honored to help you.
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