A river cruise is the perfect way to explore continental Europe. This tiny yet diverse continent may have some truly beautiful coastline along the Mediterranean, but some of its real highlights lie inland. Meandering along the waterways is an ideal way to absorb the breathtaking scenery.

Moreover, river cruise vessels generally carry a maximum of around 200 passengers, so travellers can enjoy a quieter and more exclusive experience than ocean cruising. The great rivers of the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Elbe and Dnieper cruise through the fairytale landscapes and majestic medieval cities of central Europe, making them perfect for a relaxing, luxurious and stylish river cruise.

There are several cruise options with very different itineraries available to choose from when taking a river cruise round continental Europe and passengers are almost spoilt for choice with the destinations on offer. Passengers cruising the Danube in eastern Europe can enjoy the region's picturesque old cities, teeming with myriad architectural styles and buzzing café cultures. Hungarian capital, Budapest, is a highly popular stop, where passengers can explore the plethora of stunning buildings within the city or the fertile rolling landscapes outside, or alternatively relax in the Turkish baths the city is famous for. Czech capital city, Prague, is an equally popular stop for its grand churches and cathedrals reminiscent of the medieval era.

For some stunning landscapes visit Iron Gate in Romania, the last gorge along the Danube that marks the divide between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. While Vidin is a charming port in Bulgaria that sits on a Celtic settlement and boasts a well-preserved 14th century fortress.

A cruise along the Rhine takes passengers to some of Germany's most picturesque towns; Koblenz, Germany's oldest city, is home to a great number of medieval churches and monuments while Worms is home to the striking Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul.

Meandering along the Seine through northern France will take passengers to some stunning riverside destinations, boasting Gothic architecture, quaint villages and immense old fortresses.      

Popular ports of call on a continental European river cruise include Durnstein, Krems, Linz, Melk and Vienna, Austria; Nesebur, Russe, Veliko Tarnovo and Vidin, Bulgaria; Litomerice, Melnik and Prague, Czech Republic; Caudebec, Givery, Les Andelys, Paris, Rouen and Vernon, France; Cologne, Koblenz, Mainz, Miltenberg, Nuremberg, Passau, Riedensberg, Worms and Wurzberg, Germany; Amsterdam, Holland; Budapest and Mohacs, Hungary; Barca D'Alva, Oporto, Pinhao and Regua, Portugal; Bucharest and Iron Gate, Romania; Belrade and Novi Sad, Serbia; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vukova, Slovenia; Vega de Terron, Spain; Basel, Switzerland; Kherson, Kiev, Odessa, Sevastopol, Yalta and Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine.  

Cruises along the Seine typically run from and return to Paris, through Normandy.

Cruises along the Rhine commonly begin in the Dutch waterways and meander through Germany as far as Basel in Switzerland.

Cruises along the Danube vary slightly, but generally run between either Munich or Vienna and Budapest.

Cruises along the Dnieper run between Kiev and Odessa.

Cruises along the Elbe run between Prague and Berlin.

Cruises lines that sail the region

Luxury river cruise lines that sail through Continental Europe include AMA Waterways cruises, APT River Cruises and Viking River Cruises.

 

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