Destinations

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Danube Destinations

Explore stunning cities and scenic routes along the majestic Danube River.

A large river cruise ship named Royal Emerald is sailing along a wide river, with a white swan floating in the foreground. In the background, a bridge is visible spanning across the river, shaded trees, and a small building are situated on the riverbank.
A large white cruise ship travels along a wide river with a wake trailing behind it. The river is flanked by steep rocky cliffs topped with colorful buildings and greenery. A prominent yellow bridge spans across the river in the background, and the scene is bathed in warm sunlight.
A river cruise ship is anchored along the waterfront, with historic buildings and a church set on a hill in the background. The scene is enveloped in a light mist, adding a soft, ethereal quality.
A scenic view featuring an ornate baroque building with a prominent dome and spires, set along a riverbank. Several river cruise ships are docked in the foreground. A large leafy tree branch frames the upper part of the image, and the sky is clear and blue.
A river cruise boat sails along a calm waterway, reflecting the late afternoon sunlight. To the left, a stone bridge spans the river, with its large arches mirrored on the water's surface. On the banks, tall, lush trees provide shade and frame the scene with vibrant greenery. Historic buildings with warm-colored facades stand in the background, casting a golden glow.

The Danube stretches across ten countries — no other river cruise route in Europe covers so much ground. Depending on your itinerary, you might stick to the Upper Danube (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary) or head further into the Lower Danube (Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria).

Classic Upper Danube Stops

  • Vienna, Austria — Imperial palaces, opera houses, and coffee culture.
  • Budapest, Hungary — Parliament, thermal baths, ruin pubs. A highlight on any route.
  • Passau, Germany — The “City of Three Rivers,” with a huge baroque cathedral.
  • Bratislava, Slovakia — Small but charming, with a hilltop castle and cobbled Old Town.
  • Regensburg, Germany — UNESCO medieval streets and the iconic Stone Bridge.

Lower Danube Highlights

  • Belgrade, Serbia — Fortress views, lively nightlife, Balkan flavors.
  • Iron Gates Gorge — Sheer cliffs, eagle sightings, one of the most dramatic river landscapes in Europe.
  • Bucharest, Romania — Reached by transfer from Oltenita. Grand boulevards, the massive Parliament Palace, and quirky “Little Paris” architecture.

Why It Matters

Every stretch has its own character. The Upper Danube is polished, full of Mozart concerts and Wachau wines. The Lower Danube feels wilder, rawer — fortress ruins, fishing villages, and landscapes that surprise most first-timers. Together, they make the Danube the most varied river cruise in Europe.

Danube Cruise Insights