Our top 5 highlights of a Danube River Cruise

Going on a river cruise showcases some of the best scenery a region has to offer. And the best bit is that there is always 360° of it to explore from the decking of your cruise ship. The Danube, on its journey from Europe to the Black Sea, will draw you in with the most varied scenery a river cruise can introduce you to.

Here we’d like to highlight some of the unmissable sights (in no particular order):

1. Passau

Passau lies in the far southeast corner of Germany close to the Austrian border. It’s also known as the city of three rivers (Dreiflüssestadt) as the Danube meets the rivers Inn and Ilz. Visitors enjoy exploring the town by foot as this is the best way to appreciate the wonderfully preserved baroque architecture. The 13th century hilltop fortress, Veste Oberhaus, was originally built by the Romans and is a very popular tourist attraction. Saint Stephan’s Cathedral, home of the world’s second-largest cathedral organ, is one of Passau’s not-to-be-missed cultural attractions.

2. Dürnstein

Looking at a map, you wouldn’t really think that a small village along the Danube is one of the main highlights of a Danube river cruise. But once you’ve been to Dürnstein, you’ll understand why this little Austrian village is one of the main reasons why people decide to book a Danube river cruise. So, what’s so special about it?

Dürnstein is easily to spot on your way to the Wachau valley because you’re greeted by the unmissable light blue, baroque clock tower. As you approach it further, you can see the ruins of a castle in which King Richard the Lionheart was supposed to be imprisoned. Top that off with the beautiful vineyards surrounding this small village and you truly have travelled back in time…. something everyone should experience at least once.

3. Melk

Stift Melk or as it’s better known the Melk Abbey is one of the pearls of Austria just waiting to be discovered. It’s a jaw-droppingly beautiful monastery that sits on a rocky hilltop. When you spot the abbey from the ship as it’s towering over the Danube, it will become one of those moments that you will never forget.

4. Vienna

Where to start with Vienna? There is so much to see and do in Vienna that we could write pages upon pages about it. It’s got everything you could ask for: imperial palaces such as castle Schönbrunn, The Hofburg and the Belvedere Palace or the Museumsquartier district exhibiting well known work from contemporary artists. And not to forget the St. Stephens Cathedral in the centre of the city which is nestled in nicely between traditional Viennese cafés and buzzing shops.

5. Bratislava

After having visited Vienna, Bratislava is a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of the Austrian capital. Bratislava is compact and easy to navigate, especially in the Old Town, where you’re never more than two doors away from a café or bar. The old town has been lovingly renovated and is the ideal location for a pleasant walk.

This is just a brief selection of highlights that you can look forward to when booking your Danube River Cruise. Why not browse our selection of recommended Danube cruises today?