From the romantic Rhine to the majestic Danube, discover unforgettable journeys that blend enchanting landscapes and cultural gems. And with many UNESCO World Heritage sites along the banks of European rivers, it’s also an exciting opportunity to enjoy historical landmarks as you cruise along in style.

Unlock the secrets of the continent’s waterways and plan your perfect adventure with this guide to the top river cruise destinations in Europe.

The mighty Danube 

A guide to scenic European water routes has to start with the Danube, the longest river in central and western Europe. Intrinsically associated with Austria by the music of Johann Strauss, the Danube also flows through eight other countries, offering a captivating blend of languages and cultures. So whether you want a short cruise that focuses on two or three of these countries, or a longer Danube river exploration along the entire length of this European waterway, this is a cruise where you can experience both stunning urban and natural landscapes.

The Danube flows past many UNESCO World Heritage sites. These include the cities of Regensburg in Germany, Vienna and Salzburg in Austria, and Budapest in Hungary. Austria’s Wachau Valley is a designated UNESCO cultural landscape for its stunning scenery, with must-see sites including the medieval rock castle of Dürnstein. Over the border in Hungary, you can also visit Pannonhalma, a 1,000-year-old Benedictine monastery, and the early Christian cemetery at Pecs.

As well as the Austrian and Hungarian capitals, the Danube is also the centrepiece of two others: Bratislava in Slovakia and Belgrade in Serbia. A tour of Danube capitals can therefore form a delightful basis for a river cruise itinerary to enjoy an array of cultural and historical landmarks along the river. Enjoy the soothing spa waters in Budapest, explore Kalemegdan Park in Belgrade where ancient fortresses and churches nestle in beautiful parkland, and find out the history behind the castles and palaces in Vienna and Bratislava. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Vienna without a slice of sachertorte!

The fairytale Rhine and Moselle

The Rhine Valley is also a top river cruise destination and one of the most scenic European waterways. This is your chance to sail along riverbanks lined with fairytale castles, medieval towns, lush vineyards and majestic mountain landscapes.

The Rhine traces a route from the Swiss Alps through Lichtenstein, Austria, Germany and France, before entering the North Sea in the Netherlands. A Rhine river cruise also often includes an exploration of the Moselle, a Rhine tributary that rises in the Vosges mountains and meanders through France, Luxembourg and Germany, where it joins the Rhine in Koblenz.

Bit of a wine aficionado? The Rhine valley is the main region for German wine growing, with its famous exports including Riesling and Gewürztraminer. The region is also known for Eiswein – wine that’s made with frozen grapes to produce an aromatic drink that’s best served chilled. If beer is more your drink, you can sample Kölsch beer in Cologne, a light, crisp beer that’s a cross between an ale and a lager. Kölsch is one of the most strictly defined beer styles in Germany, so sipping it in an authentic brauhaus in Cologne is a truly unique experience.

Historians will also love the many castles that nestle in the Rhine valley, such as Burg Lahneck, Burg Landshut, Marksburg and Schloss Drachenburg. A trip to Germany’s oldest city of Trier is also a must, which is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage sites including Roman baths, a rare Roman throne room and a Gothic church.

The scenic Rhône and Seine 

If you’re a Francophile, there are plenty of cruise travel recommendations for this country. A cruise on the Rhône takes you through the south-east part of the country from the historic metropolis of Lyon through to Arles in Provence, widely considered to be one of France’s most beautiful cities. And art lovers rejoice: you’ll be in the same countryside that inspired Van Gogh and Picasso, where fields of lavender perfume the air and groves of olive and cypress trees dot the landscape.

Another popular French boutique river cruise is along the Seine in the north of the country, from the port city of Le Havre to the French capital, Paris. This is another highlight for art lovers; you can discover some of the sites that inspired Impressionist painters, such as Monet’s beautiful garden at Giverny, while the stunning grounds at chateaux such as the Chateau d’Acquigny are sure to inspire your own gardening efforts!

The picturesque Belgian and Dutch waterways

The Netherlands has an extensive network of canals that crisscross the country (with 165 in Amsterdam alone!), and when combined with the Meuse and Scheldt rivers in Belgium, all these make for a trip that takes you into the heart of these two northern European countries.

If flowers are your passion, plan your trip for the spring when the tulips are in bloom. A trip to the famous Keukenhof gardens is a must, where more than 7 million tulips can be enjoyed, while the Floralia festival in Brussels celebrates the beauty of the tulip and other spring flowers.

Belgium and the Netherlands are also wonderful destinations for food lovers. From artisanal chocolates and beers to wonderful waffles and cheeses, you’ll find lots of regional food and drink to tempt your tastebuds!

The intriguing Douro

When thinking of top river cruise destinations, the Douro may not immediately spring to mind. But this Portuguese and Spanish river offers an opportunity to explore one of Europe’s most unspoiled regions, which is also the oldest demarcated wine region in the world.

The Alto Douro Wine Region has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape site – its history of winemaking has created a breath-taking landscape of terraced vineyards interspersed with walled groves of orange trees. The Marão and Montemuro mountains protect the area from the harsh Atlantic winds, making it ideal for growing grapes. Port wine is the Douro’s most famous export, but it’s also known for unfortified white and red wines from grape varieties including Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela, Codega and Rabigato.

A river cruise along the Douro is therefore a must-do for wine lovers, offering multiple chances to visit vineyards and sample some of the region’s finest vintages. It’s also a great choice if you’re looking to explore regional Spanish and Portuguese cuisine.

If this guide has given you an appetite for a luxury riverboat vacation, Ama Waterways offers an extensive range of river cruise itineraries. With holidays ranging from short 5-day breaks to longer itineraries, Ama Waterways is one of the best cruise companies in Europe and can help you plan a memorable European travel experience.