River cruises in Europe are a pleasant, slow and relaxing way to travel. You live in a small floating hotel, sliding through calm inland waters, past castles, vineyards and changing scenery every hour.
Daily guided hiking and other excursions along the river will take you to major UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as other attractions in cities and villages. Or you can explore it yourself, which is easy as your boat will usually dock in town.
The lazy afternoon on the boat gives you time to sit in a lounge chair and watch the world pass – kids swimming on the riverbank, farmers tending crops, river birds flapping their wings – as you slide toward your next destination.
Which European river should you explore? The choices are wider than you think.
The main rivers of European cruisers are the Danube and the Rhine and their tributaries. They are by far the most popular, whether it is a week-long flight segment or a longer trip combining the region and rivers. However, there are more options for a week-long cruise ship. Don’t underestimate the temptation to relax on the French River or the Portuguese Dream Douro River for 7 days.
Here is the best river cruise in Europe.
Upper Danube
Speaking of European inland cruises, the upper Danube is perfect for a seven-night first voyage. It will take you through centuries of history as you explore Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.
Boats will visit cultural centers such as Vienna, which have opera houses, art museums and exquisite royal palaces, and Budapest, which has a grand architecture and a modern atmosphere. If your boat passes through the Hungarian Parliament at night, you will be feasted; it is brightly lit and it is one of the most photographed attractions on the river.
Following the route between Melk and Krems in Austria, you will cross the Wachau Valley, a major wine-producing region that produces Riesling and Green Vitlina and offers a chance to taste. It is also a great place to ride a bike, which is why it is pleasant to sail on routes like AmaWaterways, which carry bikes for passengers to use.
Reward your inbox with TPG Daily Newsletter
Get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts with over 700,000 readers
You can also choose to stop by Salzburg, Austria, which is known as the birthplace of Mozart and is also the filming location for multiple scenes of the movie “The Voice of Music”. For many, the Old Town of Bratislava in Slovakia is a surprise, it may not be on your must-visit list, but it is charming with its beer culture and castles.
Related: The Best Inland Cruise Lines Around the World
Lower Danube
To gain insight into the past and present of Eastern Europe, the fascinating Danube route between Budapest and Romania Bucharest explores the history of the Middle Ages and Victorian Dracula to the rise of communism and the Bosnian war.
A seven-night river cruise will take you through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. The most beautiful section of this river is the canyon between the Balkans and the Carpathians, with a total length of 62 miles. It is also one of the deepest rivers in the world.
Other attractions to visit when taking a bus on the shore tour include the Belogradchik Rocks in Bulgaria, which are towering red rock peaks naturally carved in shape that appear to be “The Virgin and the Children” and Veliko Tarnovo, the stunning medieval capital of Bulgaria.
Related: Christmas Market Inland Cruise: What to Expect for Holiday Sailing
Rhine
When it comes to Europe’s top cruise rivers, the Rhine triumphs with its natural beauty and fairy tale-like scenery. A river cruise between Amsterdam and Basel, Switzerland, takes you through large sloping vineyards; forests and mountains; historical cities; and medieval half-timbered villages.
Even before you reach the Upper Mid-Upper Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located between Rüdersheim and Koblenz, Germany, this 40-mile river has numerous castles (you might imagine Rapunzel putting down her hair) and Lorelei, the legendary slate rocks are said to distract sailors through the charming singing of a girl.
The French city of Strasbourg has a famous Gothic cathedral and rich Alsace cuisine, and is usually the most popular stop on the Rhine itinerary. Other highlights include Heidelberg, Germany and its majestic castle.
Related: I thought river cruises were only suitable for retirees, but Disney river cruises proved me wrong
seine
Of course, you can see the Eiffel Tower when you board the river ship in Paris, but you can also see the Eiffel Tower when you check in the hotel. The real highlight of the Seine River cruise is sailing on the river outside the city, heading to the English Channel, and visiting the beaches of Normandy, France to learn about World War II.
Visiting there and the Normandy U.S. cemeteries and monuments, as well as other fallen memorials and monuments, was a sad experience (but it would take a two-hour bus from the boat). Avalon Waterways hired a World War II expert to come on board to increase insights into selected voyages.
There are other treasures along the Seine, the most important of which is the French Giverny, the former residence and garden of Impressionist artist Claude Monet. If you are his art lover, most of the possessions may seem familiar.
In historic Rouen, France, Joan of Arc died in the medieval period, you can stop at the Cathedral of Rouen (another theme of Monet) and lose yourself in the cobbled streets, where there are great cafés.
Related: Book your first inland cruise? This is what you need to know
Bordeaux
The Bordeaux River cruise is different from other waterways as you explore two short-distance waterways—the Dordogne and the Garonne—and the Gironde estuary in southwestern France.
During this itinerary, you will spend more time on the shore than on the river, and your boat will dock for two nights in the city of Bordeaux, France, a small Paris with magnificent 18th-century architecture. Who cares when you are in the French cultural center of one of the world’s most famous wine regions?
As you expand your wine education, Bordeaux offers you the opportunity to taste the wines of Medoc, Margaux, Saint-Emilon, Pomero and Sauternes. You will visit the vineyards and the ornate castle. Your cruise line may even have a dinner at the wine estate one night. If you plan to sail in September or October, you will be able to enjoy the vineyards.
Related: Inland Cruise Packing List: Items to bring when traveling on an inland cruise
Rhone Valley and Thorne River
Another must-see for wine lovers is exploring the French inland areas, savoring the Cotes du Rhone wines in famous wine regions such as Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape in Provence and Beaune in Burgundy.
Rhone and Thorne cruises usually sail between Lyon and Arles or Avignon, and are filled with non-wine attractions such as the Roman Aqueduct Gaal Bridge and the Roman Arles Amphitheater and the huge Papal Palace in Avignon. You can also enjoy lavender fields, haystacks and other scenes that inspired painters such as Paul Cézanne and Vincent Van Gogh.
Related: 10 Hot River Cruises to Book This Year
Douro River
For a lazy, dreamy, wonderful boat ride, nothing is better than exploring the Portuguese wine region on the Douro River, one of the main rivers passing through the Iberian Peninsula. The base camp for these river cruises is Porto, Portugal, with its historic city center, spectacular bridges and port houses.
During the week-long cruise you will travel 130 miles along the river, passing green hillside vineyards in the UNESCO-accredited destination Douro Valley, before turning around on the Spanish border. River cruises usually include a visit to the University Town of Salamanca in northern Spain. When you learn about port production on the River of Gold, viticulture is largely a lesson on the way.
Related: My latest river cruise adventures include kayaking, cycling and hiking – you can do the same
Elbe River
Due to fluctuating water levels and narrow river channels, the Elbe is a challenging river that flows 680 miles between the Czech Republic and Germany. Historically, it was part of the East and West Germany border.
A boat trip here is a rare experience. Viking is one of the few routes to open the route (the other is the French route CroisiEurope), offering a 10-day trip, including hotel accommodation in Berlin and Prague cities and a section of river between Prague and Wittenburg, Germany.
These cruise ships were carried out on board ships built specifically for the Elbe route. They would stay in revived Dresden and other places, which were heavily bombed during World War II but were carefully rebuilt; Germany’s Saxon and Switzerland have striking sandstone formations; and the hot spring town of Bad Schandau.
Related: Is European Inland Cruise suitable for families? Here are the advantages, disadvantages and best choices for children
precious
The Po River in northern Italy is in a tidal state, making it another challenging waterway. But what else can easily combine a trip to Venice, Italy with a river cruise? Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ SS La Venezia accommodates 126 passengers and creates a high-end style on the Po River, from Fortuny fabrics, Murano glass to gold-plated decorations, completely full of place.
The week-long route won’t take you very far, but includes a tour of Padua’s walled city, the charming fishing village of Chioja and Murano, the home of famous glass blowing craftsmen.
For those seeking a longer experience, Uniworld cleverly combines Po River cruises with luxury rail tours to countries like Türkiye and Switzerland.
Planning a cruise trip? Start with these stories:
