Danube River cruises - right through the new Europe on one of the continent's longest waterways
It is not for nothing that the Danube is the most popular waterway for European river cruises. Year on year countless cruise ships plough up and down the Danube, passing cities and places rich in history right down to the Danube Delta at the Black Sea.
Experience the fascination of the Danube and let the new European Union states work their magic on you.
Danube River Cruises - where they take place and when to go
Not only is the Danube Europe's second longest river, it also flows through more countries than any other river on the continent. Take a Danube Cruise and discovered the Danube cities of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia and Romania, all within a few days.
The best time for a cruise on the Danube is between April and October, although the Christmas season is also a good time to go to explore beautifully decorated cities and their Christmas markets.
Danube River Cruises - cities and tourist attractions
The starting point for your Danube Cruise is the lower Bavarian city of Passau. The city of the three rivers (Danube, Inn and Ilz) boasts a picturesque old city in the Mediterranean style with many beautiful houses and churches. Foremost among these is the Cathedral of St. Stephen, the seat of the Bishop of Passau. The 14th century City Hall, Veste Oberhaus and the museum of modern art are all also worth a visit.
The city of Melk in Lower Austria has become famous due to its Benedictine monastery, the Stift Melk. This landmark of the Wachau Valley is part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage portfolio: the history of the Abbey goes right back to the very beginning of the 11th century.
Vienna, the capital city of Austria, offers its visitors countless sites of interest and other attractions. The many attractive coffee shops, renowned museums and fantastic architecture all combine to banish boredom from Austria's biggest city. The Old Town belongs to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage portfolio and is the perfect place to hang out. Schönbrunn Castle, the Prater, the Museum of Art History, the Austrian Galerie Belvedere and the Danube Tower are just a few of the attractions of Vienna that you really should see.
In the capital of Hungary, Budapest, there is a great deal to see, almost all of which can be found on the banks of the Danube. The parliament building, the National Theatre, the great synagogue, the large market hall and the numerous bridges all lend Budapest unrivalled charm, and some of them have found their way onto UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list. The city has yet more to offer, including for example some fantastically beautiful and historical thermal baths.
Belgrade, one-time capital of the former Yugoslavia and the present-day capital of Serbia, is best known for the fortress complex of Kalemegdan. The fortress, with its colourful history, is nowadays home among other things to a beautiful park, numerous museums and the zoo. Also recommended are visits to the old bohemian quarter with its numerous restaurants, the cathedral of St. Sava, the White Castle or one of the numerous museums.
The Slovakian city of Bratislava is the only capital city in the world which borders on two other states. Here you shouldn't pass up the opportunity to take a stroll through the old town, past the old Town Hall, Michael's Gate, the Grassalkovich Palace, the summer palace of the Archbishop and the university library. Bratislava also has many beautiful churches and parks to offer. You should also visit the castle of Bratislava, the ruins of Dévin Castle or the Rusovce Castle, three more of the city's landmarks.
The Danube River Cruise - an unforgettable journey
Many large and well-known cruise ship companies travel up and down the Danube, offering different combinations ranging from the shorter trip up to journeys to the Danube Delta at the Black Sea. For example, you can plan your Danube Cruise with one of the following well-known shipping companies: A-ROSA Flusskreuzfahrten, Phoenix Reisen, Transocean Tours, Nicko Tours, Anton Götten, Viking Flusskreuzfahrten or Deilmann.
