Europe's rivers have been the continent's lifeblood for thousands of years. Winding through nations and connecting bustling cities, these rivers also provide a spectacular and unique perspective on a European vacation. Walk through Europe’s irresistible winding streets by day and glide past picturesque countryside by night. From hopping between magical Christmas Markets on a Rhine River excursion to seeing the majesty of Budapest’s parliament building alight beneath the stars, a European river cruise is a truly unforgettable experience. The best part? There’s no need to drag your suitcase between cities. Here are the best rivers to cruise in Europe.
Danube
As the second largest river in Europe, stretching 1,771 miles long, the Danube is one of the most sought after river cruise destinations in the world. Tours are often split into the Upper and Lower Danube, and both stretches offer different experiences but are equally compelling. The Lower Danube cuts through the heart of Eastern Europe from Budapest to Bucharest, while the Upper Danube traverses Germany’s lush Black Forest to the Austrian capital of Vienna. Some cruises, however, traverse the entire river, starting at the mouth of the Danube in southern Germany all the way to its end in Romania’s Black Sea. Viking River Cruises offer multiple options, like cruising from Vienna to Constanta, Romania, Bucharest to Budapest, and countless other longer journeys that do a portion of their sailing along the Danube like the Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest.
Rhine
Winding its way through the Alps before rushing into the North Sea, the Rhine is one of the quintessential cruising rivers of continental Europe. As the river snakes its way through Switzerland, Germany, France, Liechtenstein, Austria, and The Netherlands, it passes through the stunning scenery of the Black Forest, the Swiss Alps, and idyllic countryside. The Rhine is also the perfect river cruise destination for those looking to dedicate their trip to a specific event, like hopping between iconic German Christmas markets or seeing the kaleidoscope of tulips that paint the Dutch countryside come spring. AMA Waterways Rhine River Cruise from Basel to Amsterdam gives travelers the perfect taste of what makes this region so special. Sail through the heart of the Alsace region's picturesque half-timbered towns, witness the pinnacle of Gothic architecture at the Cologne Cathedral, and end it all with a bike ride along Amsterdam's canals.
Seine
France has many large waterways to choose from when it comes to river cruising, each with beautiful sailing opportunities and interesting destinations, but the crème-de-la-crème is the Seine. No trip to France would be complete without cruising past the Eiffel Tower itself, but a Seine river cruise offers much more than a stunning view of the City of Light. Rushing through the French countryside from its source near the city of Dijon, history buffs will rejoice as this this rivers reveals France’s compelling past. Avalon’s Paris to Normandy cruise sets sail from Parisand glides through the French countryside, passing along Monet’s Gardens in Giverny and the magnificent Rouens Cathedral before ending in Caudebec, near Normandy’s famous WWII sights.
Douro
Explore Portugal’s unique history while floating between stepped vineyards towering on either side of the river, and come to learn just why it was given the nickname “River of Gold.” Taking a cruise along the Douro River is the perfect way to dig into the region's rich and storied maritime and viticultural history. Cruises along the Douro are typically punctuated by city breaks in Porto and Lisbon, the perfect bookend to your days of relaxation on the river. The experts at Tauck have just the trip for those who are inspired to discover Portugal’s Douro River Valley on their Villages and Vintages Cruise. When you’re not drifting past the grape vines you’ll be cycling through them, learning about Douro’s deeply historic wine making industry, and attending private tastings catered just for you.
River Shannon
Most travelers looking to set sail by way of river in Europe don’t picture a cruise through the Emerald Isle, but this might be one of the best-kept secrets in Ireland. Between sailing down the glittering River Shannon there are ancient, crumbling castles to explore, traditional music and folklore to be heard, and delicious pints of Guinness to be drunk. If this sounds like your cup of tea, hop aboard the gorgeous Shannon Princess, one of European Waterways 10-person luxury passenger barges, on an exclusive week long trip down one of the most historic rivers in Ireland, where myths and legends were quite literally born. You’ll navigate the boat lochs, tour famous cities like Galway, and laze away the time in between in the rooftop lounge with captivating views of Ireland’s iconic, rolling green landscape.
