10-Day Danube Cruises

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Danube itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaDanube travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days Central Europe River Cruise, incl. Budapest and Prague

  Twelve destinations unfold across 10 days along the Danube. The itinerary showcases Budapest's Heroes' Square, Vienna's Hofburg Palace, and Melk's Benedictine Abbey, combining 7 nights of luxury cruising with 2 nights in Prague.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Budapest, Hungary

    Get started in Budapest where your ship stays overnight. Board before 5 PM on the first day. Start day two with a morning hike to Gellért Hill before the crowds fill the trails. Your afternoon guided tour includes Heroes' Square and the Parliament Building. Looking for a local experience? Visit Széchenyi Baths at night when it's less crowded.

    
  • Day 3

    Bratislava, Slovakia

    You'll arrive in Slovakia's capital around lunchtime after a morning cruise. A 2-hour walking tour takes you through Old Town. Walk up to Bratislava Castle to watch the sunset over the Danube. Just remember to wear good shoes the cobblestones can be tricky.

    
  • Day 4

    Vienna, Austria

    The ship reaches Vienna early morning. Your city tour starts at 9 AM covering Hofburg Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Want to avoid crowds in your free time? Take tram D to Belvedere Palace instead of busy Schönbrunn. The evening classical concert is optional but worth it for the historic settings.

    
  • Day 5

    Wachau Valley & Melk

    Today's scenic highlight is the UNESCO Wachau Valley. Stop in Dürnstein where you can climb to the castle ruins that once held Richard the Lionheart. Visit Melk's Benedictine Abbey in the afternoon. A TourRadar traveler notes: "The views from the abbey terrace over the Danube are breathtaking but bring a light jacket as it gets windy up there."

    
  • Days 6-7

    Linz & Passau

    Day 6 takes you through Linz's medieval old town and Hauptplatz square. On day 7 you'll cruise past the Schlögen Oxbow bend to Passau. Take a guided walk through this City of Three Rivers and try to catch the noon organ concert at St. Stephen's Cathedral.

    
  • Days 8-10

    Regensburg & Prague

    Explore medieval Regensburg in the morning before a 4-hour coach ride to Prague. Take time to discover Prague's hidden spots. One traveler shared: "Walking through Vinohrady neighborhood at sunset gave us a real feel for local life plus amazing views over the city from Riegrovy Sady beer garden."

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• 10 Days in Central Europe, incl. Munich and Budapest

  This 10-day river voyage visits 8 riverside cities, including UNESCO-listed Regensburg, Melk's Benedictine Abbey, and Vienna's Palais Liechtenstein. Special concert performances complement guided tours of Budapest's thermal baths.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Munich, Germany:

    Visit Schloss Nymphenburg early at 9 AM to avoid crowds. One traveler notes, "The palace gardens are less crowded in the morning, making it perfect for photos." Head to Marienplatz later for the 11 AM or noon Glockenspiel show. You can get the best view from Café Glockenspiel's second floor.

    
  • Day 3

    Munich to Regensburg:

    Take the 2-hour regional train to Regensburg. Cruise check-in starts at 3 PM, giving you time to explore the medieval center. Use the train station lockers (€5-8) to store your bags while sightseeing.

    
  • Day 4

    Regensburg:

    Take the morning excursion to Weltenburg Abbey by ferry through the Danube Gorge. The abbey's beer garden offers beautiful river views. Make sure to try their dark beer which they've brewed since 1050.

    
  • Day 5

    Passau:

    Start your morning walking through the "City of Three Rivers." Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral for the 12 PM organ concert (not on Sundays). Walk up to Veste Oberhaus fortress in the morning for the best city views before it gets hot.

    
  • Day 6

    Melk and Dürnstein:

    Visit Melk's Benedictine Abbey at 9 AM before the crowds arrive. Enjoy afternoon sailing through the UNESCO Wachau Valley from the sun deck. In Dürnstein, take the 20-minute uphill walk to see the castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was held captive.

    
  • Day 7

    Vienna:

    Take the first shuttle into Vienna's center. Book the 8:30 AM tour at Schönbrunn Palace to beat the crowds. A frequent visitor suggests: "Skip the palace café and head to nearby Café Dommayer for authentic Viennese coffee and strudel at local prices."

    
  • Day 8

    Bratislava:

    Your ship docks near Old Town. Join the morning walking tour when the streets are quiet. The walk up to Castle hill takes about 15 minutes. Wear good shoes as the cobblestones can be slick.

  • Days 9-10

    Budapest:

    Watch the sunrise arrival into Budapest from the deck. Visit Széchenyi baths when they open at 6 AM to enjoy them with locals. On your last morning, stop by the Central Market Hall (opens 6 AM) before heading to the airport.

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• 10 Days in Eastern Europe, incl. Bucharest and Budapest

  The S.S. Beatrice carries guests to 11 ports across 5 countries over 10 days. The route features Iron Gates gorge, Belogradchik rocks, and Golubac Castle, with premium beverages flowing freely throughout the 7-night cruise.

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Bucharest, Romania

    Begin your journey in Romania's capital. Visit the Palace of Parliament early on your first morning around 9 AM to beat the crowds. As one traveler noted: "The sheer scale of the Communist-era Parliament building is mind-boggling. Make sure to book the extended tour to see the underground levels." Your second day is perfect for exploring the Old Town where French architecture blends with Communist-era buildings. A food tour (€100) lets you try traditional Romanian dishes like sarmale and covrigi.

    
  • Day 4

    Ruse, Bulgaria

    Take a short 1.5-hour drive from Bucharest to Giurgiu and board your river ship to Bulgaria. Ruse is known as "Little Vienna." You can choose between visiting the medieval capital of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi village or exploring the rock-carved Ivanovo Monasteries. If you get motion sickness bring medication for the winding mountain roads to Veliko Tarnovo.

    
  • Day 5

    Vidin, Bulgaria

    Explore Bulgaria's northwestern region. The main attraction is the Belogradchik Rocks strange red sandstone formations that look like giant sculptures. The paths can get slippery so wear good shoes. You can also visit a local winery to taste Bulgarian wines like the regional Gamza.

    
  • Day 6

    Iron Gates

    The Iron Gates gorge offers stunning views with 500-meter cliffs between Serbia and Romania. Get to the top deck early for the best views between 10 AM and 2 PM. You'll stop at the Lepenski Vir archaeological site and Golubac Fortress.

    
  • Day 7

    Belgrade, Serbia

    Take a full day to explore Serbia's capital. Start with the morning city tour of Kalemegdan Fortress and St. Sava Church. If you like being active join the "I Bike Belgrade" tour a simple 2-hour ride on flat terrain. One traveler shared: "Watching the sunset over the Danube while classical music played in the fortress courtyard was unforgettable."

    
  • Day 8

    Vukovar, Croatia

    Visit Croatia's eastern Slavonia region. You can tour the Vučedol Culture Museum or have lunch with a local family in Osijek. The home-hosted meals give you real Croatian dishes and a glimpse into local life.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Budapest, Hungary

    Your journey ends in beautiful Budapest. Take the Communist history tour to learn about the city's past or walk through the Jewish Quarter and Europe's largest synagogue. Visit the Széchenyi thermal baths between 7-9 AM to avoid crowds. The trip ends after breakfast on day 10.

    

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