Topic	Top Five Highlights Of A Danube River Cruise
Read Time	5 Minutes
Author	Laura Radford, Travel Writer

Cruise into the very heart of Europe on a Danube River cruise. Experience multiple capital cities on one trip, including delightful Vienna and Budapest, as well as quaint towns with stunning architectural history and discover the music that can be found everywhere on the shores of the Danube River.

Cruise through the incredible Wachau Valley (UNESCO World Heritage site), winding through the hills and vineyards. Sail past the towns along the Danube River and marvel at the castles and ruins that sit up in the mountains.

A Danube river cruise itinerary can offer so much, and we can help you to get the best experience from your cruise on the Danube. Perhaps you want to visit the classic sites, or you’d prefer to go off-piste, with extra time in in European Cities at the beginning or end of your cruise. To help you decide, here are our top five highlights on the Danube…

VIENNA

Vienna is home to a wealth of impressive buildings, boasting a myriad of architectural styles, which gives it a unique charm compared to other European capitals. Its surprisingly compact and historic heart is full of glamorous coffeehouses, where a sip of a coffee and a taste of Sacher torte just must be experienced. One of Vienna’s main attractions, Schönbrunn Palace is easily accessible from the centre of town and this monumental imperial beauty is also free to enter. With stunning architecture, a smothering of culture and impressive (and cheap) accessibility, Vienna is a top highlight on any Danube river cruise itinerary.

SCENIC CRUISING ALONG THE WACHAU VALLEY

The Wachau Valley is a stretch of the Danube river between Melk and Krems in Austria, that offers exceptional scenic views and is, quite rightly, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also known for being Austria’s most-famous wine producing region and is famous for high-quality produce from a variety of different grapes. Why not sample some as you sit back and relax on the deck of your river cruise ship and admire the Wachau views.

BRATISLAVA

This may be one of the smaller cities on offer on a typical Danube river cruise itinerary, but it’s one of our faves! It is bursting with character. The capital of Slovakia, it is perhaps little known that it is the only national capital to border two other countries (Austria and Hungary). A must-visit whilst here is a trip up to Bratislava Castle which offers up impressive panoramic views of rhe city.

GÖTTWEIG ABBEY

Although not offered by every operator, and perhaps not on every itinerary, we think Göttweig Abbey is one of the top highlights of this region. If you’re given the opportunity to visit this working Benedictine abbey, then definitely take it. It’s a stunning abbey, from the inside out. Its perched atop a hillside overlooking the beautiful Wachau Valley and flanked by the Danube River and its many vineyards. Learn about the abbey’s 900-year history as a religious institution in the region, and marvel at its impressive collection of art.

BUDAPEST

No Danube river cruise would be complete without a trip to Hungary’s capital. Nicknames the ‘Paris of the East’, Budapest is actually two separate towns of Buda and Pest, separated by a bridge across the Danube river. Be sure to visit Fisherman’s Bastion, and incredible old hilltop fort, and Matthius church with its impressive architecture. We recommend a visit to Budapest’s Grand Market where you can pick up local specialities such as paprika and explore the city’s Jewish history with a stroll around the Jewish quarter and the city’s huge synagogue and pay your respects at the city’s moving monument to the holocaust.

Ready to experience a Danube river cruise? Enquire with us today!