boat cruise vienna

+43 1 588 80

[email protected]

DDSG Blue Danube

Experience the danube

Moments of happiness on the ship, sightseeing cruises vienna.

Experience a cruise on the Danube Canal and on the great Danube . Our MS Wien is out and about every day to discover the city from a different perspective with our guests.

CRUISES WACHAU

Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wachau up close on our ships. Terraced vineyards , castles and ruins as well as dreamy places like Dürnstein or Spitz fascinate between Krems and Melk .

Unwind for a day and travel along the Danube in a decelerated way. For our day trips, the motto is: the journey is the destination. We head for Dürnstein and Bratislava .

THEME CRUISES VIENNA

Experience exciting and unforgettable evenings in one-off Ambience . Celebrate Mother’s Day on board and chat over salsa , Austro-Pop or a brunch on Sundays .

THEMECRUISES WACHAU

Join us at our regular themed events on board the MS Dürnstein and MS Wachau . Visit us at our wine autumn brunch or the Wachauer Sonnwendfahrt .

RENT A SHIP

Your personal party on board. Wheter for business events, weddings , christmas or birthday parties. We offer you the right ship and the right setting for every occasion.

TIMETABLE WINTER 2023 / SPRING 2024

Enjoy | adventure | unique.

Schiffsglocke-Paar-DDSG-Blue-Danube-Wöckinger

Die Schiffsglocke ist immer dabei.

DÜRNSTEIN-Luftaufnahme–extremfotos-Haslinger_small

Aus der Vogelperspektive

Flotte Reichsbrücke 05 2020 _5 (C)DDSG Blue Danube PicMyPlace (1)

Flottenparade

Dürnstein – (C) DDSG Blue Danube – Christian Wöckinger

Landschaftlich eine Sensation

DDSG_M_3227

Schiffstation in Melk

DDSG_M_1747

Für Kinder das richtige Programm

Abendrundfahrt

an Bord der MSW

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Die ganze Familie ist willkommen

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• Water in Vienna

Vienna by Ship and Boat

Glide across the Danube with an excursion ship of the DDSG Blue Danube, race down the Danube Canal on board the Twin City Liner, explore the Donau-Auen National Park with the National Park boat, enjoy a romantic boat picnic on the Old Danube or paddle around in a kayak if you prefer – Experience the many faces of the beautiful blue Danube!

Sightseeing and themed rides with DDSG

Vienna can be explored in comfort from the water: From April to October, the DDSG Blue Danube offers sightseeing tours on the Danube Canal and the Danube on six boats. On board, the crew pampers guests with delicacies of Viennese cuisine. Tip for cool days: The Danube Canal tour (City Cruise) can be enjoyed 365 days year on board the comfortably warm MS Blue Danube. In addition, there are also special themed trips with live music and buffet from April to December. The Heurige Tour with Vienna Songs presents Vienna from its musical and culinary sides.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at being the captain ? From April to October, you have the chance to be the helmsman on the MS Admiral Tegetthoff: after some technical training and a tour of the engine room, you can take over the controls for 15 minutes and then fill up on energy with a delicious skipper's snack. The boat of DDSG Blue Danube moor either at the Reichbrücke, in Vienna Marina or the "Vienna City" landing stage on the Danube Canal. The new Twin City Liner is also waiting for you here. This fast shuttle service takes you on the fast water route from Vienna to Bratislava between March and October.

To the National Park by Boat

From the urban jungle to the "jungle of Vienna"? Traveling along the Danube Canal from May to October, the National Park Boat will bring you directly to the Lobau , which is part of the original and wild nature landscape of the Donau-Auen National Park.

Vienna boat taxi and Yellow water taxi

The first Vienna boat taxi is available for personal boat rides daily from 2.00 pm to 12.00 midnight (rides, parties, romantic evening rides) or for taxi rides between Schwedenplatz and the wine tavern town of Nussdorf. Also available at the same landing stage is the "Yellow Water Taxi", which also takes you from the city center direct to the Viennese wine in 30 minutes all through the day. Full information and prices of the special tours: www.bootstaxi.com

A boat for rent

The company offers guided sightseeing tours along the Danube and Danube Canal, allows you to charter your own motor boat (including captain, who can take the helm if desired) or offers water sports enthusiasts the possibility to glide over the Danube with wakeboard, water ski or tube. Full booking information: www.viennaboatcharter.at

Up to 49 people can be accommodated on board the MS Carnuntum, which plies the entire Danube including the Danube Canal. The boat operated by Event-Schifffahrt Haider can be chartered the whole year round for different events – even with a catering or drinks service on request. www.event-schifffahrt.at

Nostalgic rides on a vintage boat

The historic, motorized diesel steamer "Josef" can be rented for private trips to Nussdorf, Greifenstein, Tulln, Orth or for a tour of the Danube Canal. The boat is licensed to carry 12 guests. For more information, go to www.donauschifffahrten.at

Rowing and kayaking

In theory you can rent a boat from eleven companies on the Old Danube. Especially recommended for lovers is a romantic boat ride in the moonlight to explore the mysterious Old Danube . On the four evenings of full moons in the summer, all boat rental agencies organize " Full Moon Trips" with a boat of your choice. There are also a few companies on the Old Danube that offer evening boat rides until 11 p.m. in nice weather from mid-July to the end of August. The rides have names like "Moonlight Party", "Moonlight Ticket", and "Boat Picnic".

If you fancy a paddle tour, a kayak trip is the right option for you. From the Old Danube via the New Danube, followed by a short stop on Danube Island, the tour continues to the Danube Park, where we finish by going up the Danube Tower . Further information on the English-language guided kayak tours is available at www.venturevienna.com

DDSG Blue Danube (DDSG Blue Danube) Schifffahrtszentrum

• http://www.ddsg-blue-danube.at
• +43 1 58 880 0

Opening times

• January - February Mo - Fr, 09:00 - 17:00
• March Mo - Th, 09:00 - 18:00
• April - October Mo - Fr, 09:00 - 18:00
• Sa, 10:00 - 17:00
• on holidays, 10:00 - 17:00
• November - December Mo - Fr, 09:00 - 18:00

Sun, Dec 3: 9:30 - 15:30, Dec 24-26 closed, Sun, Dec 31: 9-16:00

DDSG Blue Danube Vienna City landing stage

• +43-1-588 80-0
• [email protected]
• März Mo - Fr, 10:00 - 16:30
• April Mo - Th, 08:15 - 16:30
• Fr - Su, 07:45 - 16:30
• on holidays, 07:45 - 16:30
• Mai - Juni Mo - Th, 07:45 - 18:00
• Fr - Sa, 07:45 - 19:00
• Su, 07:45 - 18:00
• on holidays, 07:45 - 19:00
• Juli - August Mo - Su, 07:45 - 19:00
• September Mo - Th, 07:45 - 18:00
• on holidays, 07:45 - 18:00
• Oktober Mo - Th, 08:15 - 16:30
• November - Dezember Mo - Fr, 10:00 - 16:30
• Sa - Su, 10:00 - 16:30
• on holidays, 10:00 - 16:00

closed from Sun, Dec 24 to Tue, Dec 26, 2017

National Park Boat

National park boat mooring point.

• +43 1 4000 49495
• 2 May to 26 October
• Departure: 9:00 a.m., Salztorbrücke, take-off from Franz-Josefs-Kai; Registration required

Landing stage of the Vienna Boat Taxi and Yellow Water Taxi Taxi operation between Schwedenplatz and Nussdorf

• www.bootstaxi.com
• +43 664 2017096
• [email protected]
• 1 May to 26 October

no fixed departure times

• www.alte-donau.info

Further information about the Danube

The Danube (Working Community of the Danube Countries: ARGE Donau)

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Vienna by Boat

The Danube River, Europe’s longest, originates in Germany, flows through 10 countries, and empties into the Black Sea.  One of the best ways to experience this natural beauty is by taking a boat cruise along its path. 

With an assortment of cruises offering unique waterway experiences, there is no limit to the ways in which you can enjoy this breathtaking river.  There are year round cruises as well as seasonal outings, and on some ships, an opportunity to be the captain! Whether catching a moonlight trip, a picnic outing, or a city cruise, Danube boat cruises have much to offer.

Vienna Danube Boat Cruise >>

Danube Boat Cruise for 1-2-3 hours in Vienna

Sailing the Danube on any number of sightseeing boat rides is a wonderful way to experience Vienna.  A one hour, breathtaking  tour on the canal banks offers views of Vienna’s beautiful architecture and its many districts. 

A two hour hour cruise allows you to see Vienna’s greenery starting at the Schwedenplatz, sailing towards Vienna’s planetarium and observatories, through the Freudenau Lock and Marina yacht harbor, ending at the Reichsbrucke bridge, next to St. Francis of Assisi's church. 

A three hour cruise allows you to enjoy more of Vienna, as well as the musical delights that help to define the city.

Danube Boat Cruise with Dinner

No boat ride would be complete without featuring some of  Vienna’s finest culinary artistry.  Consider this:  A buffet dinner complimented by the best Viennese wines, musical accompaniment played softly in the background,  and  the warmth of summer’s air on your skin,  as you savor the sparkling brilliance of a city in lights.

With a tour of Vienna’s sites, this enchanting boat ride offers class and culture, as well as fine dining and sophistication.  An evening cruise along the Danube gives you a nautical glimpse into the city’s past, a look into its modern accomplishments, and a glance into future possibilities.

Cruise outside Vienna - Visit the Wachau Valley

There is opportunity to enjoy the water during the day, if you prefer that to an evening cruise. Coursing along the river during daylight towards the scenic Wachau Valley for example, invites tourists to see the flourishing greenery surrounding Vienna’s vineyards, churches, and baroque structures. 

Vienna to Wachau Full-Day Danube Boat Cruise >>

While the landscape calls to you in Wachau Valley, castles and gilded architecture beckon you in Linz.  The Lentos Museum along the river is but one of the attractions that puts Linz on the map and makes visiting such a treasure.  In addition, the Brucknerhaus concert hall on the riverbank makes the Danube a premier waterway.  

Articles of interest

Vienna State Opera

Karlsplatz Museum

St. Stephen's Cathedral

THE 10 BEST Vienna Boat Tours

Boat tours in vienna.

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1. Secrets, exciting history, food and music of Vienna

2. Vienna Boat Charter

3. DDSG Blue Danube

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6. 4U Travel AT GMBH

7. Kaiser Tours

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Vienna Evening Cruise With Dinner and Music

Adult 59.00€ | Children 29.50€

Boat cruise with music and Heurigen buffet

On board the modern DDSG Blue Danube ship, our route takes us from the Vienna / Reichsbrücke landing stage on the Handelskai upstream towards the Greifenstein lock. We then turn around and return to the Vienna / Reichsbrücke landing stage. Enjoy the dinner cruise with traditional Viennese cuisine while the evening skyline of the city glides past. A good meal needs good music. The music that is played at Viennese wine taverns will encourage you to sing and dance along. Our musicians are happy to fulfil you individual music requests.

Due to unforeseeable events such as high or low water or delays in lock or bridge passages, it may be necessary to change the program and / or route.

Start: Reichsbrücke (at the DDSG headquarters - Handelskai 265, 1020 Vienna) CLICK HERE to see the meeting point on Google Maps. 

Departure : 7 p.m. Meeting point is 10 minutes before departure directly at the ship! (boarding possible from 6 p.m.)

• Boat cruise on Danube canal & Danube river
• Dinner cruise with local cuisine
• Authentic Viennese wine tavern music
• Boat tour with DDSG Blue Danube
• Dinner on board

3 hours Arrival: 10 p.m. (Reichsbrücke)

• 04 APR - 12 DEC 2024
• Thursday, 7 p.m. (except 30 MAY 2024)

Handelskai 265 , 1020   Vienna

Vienna Boat Tour: Cruise the Danube River with these Day Tours

Let’s help you choose the right Vienna boat tour for your trip!

The Danube River runs through Vienna, but because it doesn’t cross right through the Innere Stadt or District 1, which is the old town, it can be easy to miss.

Between the palace, cathedral, museums, art galleries and famous cafes, you could very easily come to the end of your trip in Vienna and realize, you haven’t yet walked along the Danube Canal, let alone the Danube River!

So if you want to cruise the Danube, you’re going to have to be proactive and book a tour. But which one should you pick and where should you cruise?

When it comes to picking a Vienna boat trip, there are no shortage of options. You can take a day trip to Bratislava and then travel back by boat, spend the day exploring the Wachau Valley vineyards on a cruise, enjoy a boat tour with dinner and live music, try out a private e-boat and so much more.

So we’re going to help you figure out which of these Vienna boat tours is right for you! Let’s narrow it down.

My Top 3 Picks: Vienna Boat Tour

Vienna to Bratislava Tour by Bus and Boat

✅ Day trip to Bratislava

✅ Full-day tour

✅ Plenty of time for exploration

Wachau Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting

✅ Scenic boat ride

✅ Great summer tour

✅ Visit wineries

Heurigen Cruise with Viennese Songs and Buffet

✅ Viennese songs

✅ Buffet dinner

✅ Sunset views

Best Vienna Boat Tour

1. vienna to bratislava tour by bus and boat.

⭐️  RATING:  4.2/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  11.5 hours | ✅  Book it!

This Vienna boat tour is an exciting one because it takes you all the way to Bratislava, Slovakia! That means you can add another European country to your list!

On the way to Bratislava, you travel by bus. This is a 1-hour journey aboard a coach bus.

Once you arrive in Bratislava, you will meet a local guide who will take you on a guided walking tour of the old town. The tour will last about 2 hours and afterwards, you’ll have additional time to explore Bratislava on your own and perhaps retrace your steps to some of the attractions that most interest you.

A few attractions not to be missed in Bratislava’s old town include:

St. Martin’s Cathedral, a Gothic cathedral that’s been the site of many coronations; Michael’s Gate, the only gate that has been preserved in the city; the Bratislava Fortifications, the last remaining stretch of the medieval city walls; and Roland Fountain, a fountain topped by Knight Roland who was the legendary defender of the city.

I would suggest making time to visit Bratislava Castle. Built in the 9th century and modified many times over, this 4-towered castle sits perched on a hill overlooking the Danube River.

It’s a beautiful walk to the top offering nice views over the Old Town, plus you also have the Slovak National Museum and the Baroque Gardens on the north side.

You’ll also have plenty of time to try Slovak food during the day. I really enjoyed a restaurant called Modrá Hviezda which is set in a cave at the foot of the castle hill. It’s a pretty unique dining experience so ask to be seated in the back if there’s room.

We ordered pork chop covered in crushed walnuts with a honey-mustard sauce and a side of roasted potatoes, and duck cooked in a wine sauce with forest mushroom and potato pancakes.

After enjoying your day trip to Bratislava , you’ll make your way down to the pier to board the boat to Vienna. You’ll travel aboard the Twin City Liner, which is a catamaran. The journey time back to Vienna is 1.5 hours.

Bring your passport on this boat trip as you are entering another country and you may be required to present it.

• You get to visit another country
• Full-day activity
• Plenty of time for solo exploration

Check Prices and Availability!

2. Wachau Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting

⭐️  RATING:  4.8/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  9 hours | ✅  Book it!

This day trip to the Wachau Valley isn’t a full-day boat tour, however, it does include a boat tour segment in the itinerary when you do this trip during the summer months!

You’ll start the day leaving Vienna and travelling by van down narrow countryside roads deep into the heart of the Wachau Valley.

Along the way, your driver and guide will teach you all about the history of wine-making in the region which dates back to the time of the Romans!

During the tour, you’ll get to taste a variety of dry and fruity white wines from the Wachau Valley and sample other local delicacies like apricot jams and liqueurs.

If you take this tour during the summer months (technically mid-May to mid-October), you’ll be able to enjoy a boat ride on the Danube River from Spitz to Melk. Since this isn’t possible during the winter months, this activity gets replaced with a guided tour of Melk Abbey.

Once you arrive in the medieval town of Dürnstein, you’ll get free time to explore. The castle ruins are an important attraction in the area since this is where Richard the Lionhearted was once held prisoner.

Finally, you’ll get to visit a heuriger , which is a traditional family-run Austrian wine tavern. Here you’ll enjoy a wine tasting!

You can browse more wine tours in Vienna here.

• Great way to explore an Austrian wine region
• Visits beautiful medieval towns
• Scenic boat ride during the summer months

3. Heurigen Cruise with Viennese Songs and Buffet

⭐️  RATING:  4.1/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours | ✅  Book it!

This Vienna boat tour down the Danube River is an opportunity to enjoy live music with an Austrian dinner.

During the cruise, you circle Vienna’s 2nd district which offers scenic views of the illuminated skyline. You get to see landmarks like the Danube Tower, the Danube Plate, and the DC Tower.

Plus, you can also see historic buildings such as the Anniversary Church, the Ringturm and the Rossauer Barracks.

The performance is all Viennese Heuriger music. If you’re wondering what that is, you’re not alone! Heuriger refers to a wine tavern, so these are traditional songs played mainly on guitars and accordions which add to the merriment of the place.

Dinner is served buffet style featuring classic Viennese dishes.

• Get to listen to traditional wine tavern music
• Scenic views of Vienna
• Buffet dinner featuring Austrian cuisine

4. Floating Dinner Vienna: Private Dining Experience on Danube

⭐️  RATING:  NEW! | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour | ✅  Book it!

If you’re looking for the most unusual Vienna boat ride, this one here might be it!

This is a very unique setup where you get your own e-boat Island. Picture something like a round floating deck complete with comfortable patio furniture and a palm tree.

Dinner is served before the cruise and includes a main course meal, either Viennese Schnitzel or a vegetarian option, and one bottle of red or white wine.

You then begin your e-boat sail down the Danube River, but it’s not as tricky as it sounds. The e-boats are extremely easy to drive using a joystick control.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind boat cruise in Vienna, this one fits the bill.

• Unique boat experience
• Get your own private e-boat island
• Viennese Schnitzel and wine for dinner

5. Vienna: Sunset Barbecue Cruise with Fireworks Display

⭐️  RATING:  4.3/5 Stars | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3.5 hours | ✅  Book it!

This Vienna boat cruise takes place aboard the MS Kaiserin Elisabeth.

During the tour, you’ll get to enjoy the Danube River from a unique perspective as well as iconic landmarks like the Donauplatte, the Danube Tower, and the Millennium Tower.

This cruise also features live Heuriger music which creates a very lively environment with the musicians encouraging participation from the public.

Dinner is BBQ served buffet style and the grand finale is a beautiful fireworks display to end off the evening.

• BBQ dinner buffet
• Live Austrian wine tavern music
• Fireworks display while cruising the Danube River

Choosing a Vienna boat tour

So what’s the best Vienna boat tour, you ask?

As you’ve seen, there are all sorts of different options: you can enjoy a river cruise on the Danube River with dinner and live music, a scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley wine region, a private tour on your own e-boat island, or a boat tour coming back from Bratislava to Vienna.

You have lots of choices and hopefully, this blog post has helped you narrow it down to the right one for you!

Read More about Austria:

• 10 Delectable Vienna Food Tours
• 10 Vienna Restaurants to Visit
• 5 Best Vienna Bike Tours
• Where to Eat in Salzburg
• Must-Try Tyrolean Dishes
• Sachertorte: Vienna’s Famous Dessert

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THE 10 BEST Vienna Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in vienna.

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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna

2. Wachau Valley Small-Group Tour and Wine Tasting from Vienna

3. Vienna Evening Sightseeing Cruise With Music and Dinner

4. Small-Group Guided Kayak Tour of Vienna

5. Big Day Out in Vienna: Big Bus, Giant Ferris Wheel & River Cruise

6. Vienna: E-Boat Rental on Danube: Private Floating Island

7. Wachau Valley Private Tour With Melk Abbey Visit and Wine Tastings from Vienna

8. Vienna River Cruise, Walking Tour with St. Stephan Cathedral

9. 8 days European Highlights PRIVATE TOUR from Budapest including Budapest Vienna Prague and Bratislava

10. Private Kayaking Tour of Vienna

11. Guided Day Trip to Hallstatt with a local from Vienna

12. Vienna: Melk Abbey, Danube Valley, Wachau Private Car Trip

13. 7 Days/ 6 nights European Highlights Private tour of Budapest-Vienna-Bratislava

What travellers are saying.

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Danube River Dinner Cruise

• 6.70 / 10 195 reviews | 2,327 travellers A nice walk, beautiful decoration, very friendly waiters who served us, very good food and very entertaining musicians. 10 Santiago Ibanez
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the service starts

Embark on a  magical evening on the Danube  with this boat cruise including a  delicious buffet of traditional Austrian food . Enjoy this unique experience of Vienna and see the city illuminated.

Setting sail from one of the piers near Reichsbrücke , our spacious modern boat will take you down the  Donaukanal , one of the branches of the great river that flows through Vienna. As you cruise down the canal, you'll enjoy stunning views of the nighttime illuminations of the Austrian capital . The city's historical centre is magically lit up at nightfall!

The boat cruise will continue up the river to the  Nussdorf  area. As you enjoy your trip on the  Danube , the second largest river in Europe, you'll be able to savour a delicious buffet while on-board musicians play  typical songs from traditional Austrian taverns .

On board the boat, you'll enjoy a  full buffet dinner  including the main dishes served in the 'Heuriger' style, the traditional Viennese wine taverns.

More Information

Cruise on the Danube River

Traditional buffet dinner

Not included

When to book.

You can book up to the start time, as long as there are places remaining. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Most areas are accessible.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• No printing of documentation required.

Vienna Sightseeing Tours Show more

Corporate name: Vienna Sightseeing Tours

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Will we have a table to ourselves?

A - Depending on the number of reservations and the availability of the boat, it's possible that you may share a table with people who are not in your group.

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

Q - Is a minimum number of participants required?

A - This activity requires a minimum of 4 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

Meeting point.

Reichsbrücke

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The yuletide season transforms Vienna’s beautiful squares into delightful Christmas markets. Festive lights illuminate the Old Town. The Schönbrunn market, set in front of the baroque Hapsburg summer palace, and Freyung market, nestled in the city center, are the perfect destinations for unique handmade decorations. Seasonal music and choral singing provide a merry ambience to holiday festivities in Am Hof Square, while the market at Belvedere Square mixes excellent shopping opportunities with views of the stately palace and adjacent lake to create a fairytale atmosphere.

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The Blue Danube River Cruise: Vienna, Budapest & Salzburg

The blue danube river cruise.

Vienna, Budapest & Salzburg

8 days from only $2,249pp

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The Blue Danube River Cruise Vienna, Budapest & Salzburg

Save up to $250pp off a voyage on our brand-new ship ms riviera radiance.

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The price you see is the price you pay

• Tour the most historic towns and cities along the Danube, including guided tours of Vienna, Dürnstein, Budapest and Bratislava.
• Visit Esztergom Basilica and Melk Abbey.
• Explore Salzburg or Linz with an expert guide on a tour of the town's most interesting sights.
• Immerse yourself in the local culture with a Hungarian folklore show on board.
• Enjoy a classical Live music performance on board with stunning views of Vienna.

Click here to see our departures available exclusively for solo travelers

Stepping aboard you will appreciate the superb surroundings of your floating luxury hotel for the next seven nights with spacious and well-appointed cabins or suites, private bathrooms and meticulously prepared fine cuisine.

From Budapest, we slip our moorings and head on our journey north to Esztergom spending the morning exploring its historic centre, which once was Hungary’s capital, before continuing westwards to the beautiful old town of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Navigating through Lower Austria we then reach the romantic town of Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned, having been shipwrecked on his return from the crusades. After we visit the remarkable monastery in Melk, with its 200m long Emperor’s Gallery, lined with portraits of Austrian emperors.

Soon we arrive in Linz where we take the short drive to Salzburg. During the guided tour of the old town we will see the imposing fortress Hohensalzburg towering over the city and of course the birthplace and residence of Mozart, Salzburg’s most famous citizen.  On our way back eastwards we will reach classical Vienna, home of Strauss and many great composers. This city offers up so much wonderful architecture as well as a host of other things to see including the Spanish riding school.

Finally, cruising into Hungary, we arrive back in imperial Budapest, straddling the picturesque Danube. After a guided tour of this palatial city we spend the evening on board, where the Captain hosts another spectacular dinner, an excellent finale to this most exceptional and relaxing cruise.

Your Itinerary

• DAY 1 EMBARK IN BUDAPEST
• DAY 2 ESZTERGOM
• DAY 3 BRATISLAVA
• DAY 4 DÜRNSTEIN & MELK
• DAY 5 SALZBURG OR LINZ
• DAY 6 VIENNA
• DAY 7 BUDAPEST
• DAY 8 DISEMBARK IN BUDAPEST

EMBARK IN BUDAPEST

Arrive in Budapest, where your five-star floating hotel is moored. The dedicated crew will welcome you on board, ensuring you settle into your comfortable and extremely well-equipped cabin and familiarize yourself with the ship. There is always a sense of expectancy and excitement on the eve of a cruise and after an excellent dinner in the stylish restaurant, conversation is sure to revolve around the delights ahead of you.

Overnight we have cruised upstream to Esztergom, one of Hungary’s oldest towns, a royal capital during medieval times and today the seat of the country’s archbishop. We have a guided tour of the famous neoclassical basilica, standing sentinel over the Danube on the border with Slovakia, and boasting one of the world’s largest altarpieces and a wealth of priceless religious artifacts. The castle is also worth exploring; it was the seat of government until the Ottomans invaded in the 16th century.

Nestling below are myriad atmospheric churches resonating with the enchanting sounds of choir; this is the best of provincial Hungary and is little changed since Habsburg times. As you enjoy your first lunch on board we gently leave Esztergom in our wake, affording a fascinating opportunity to compare the different landscapes, towns, and villages of Hungary on one river bank and of Slovakia on the other.

This morning we explore Slovakia’s fast-emerging capital city, Bratislava, on a guided tour. Until recently swathed in the drab uniformity of Communism, the city has rekindled the splendour of its imperial past in its beautifully restored Old Town. Equally impressive is the imposing 17th-century castle commanding expansive views across the Danube.

This afternoon we cruise into Lower Austria, a peaceful, bucolic region and home to some of the country’s best wines. By now the stresses of everyday life seem distant as you absorb the ever-changing scenes we pass: children playing on the river banks, young couples strolling arm in arm like generations before them, vignerons carefully pruning their vines, and cobbled quaysides lined by half-timbered buildings.

You’ll marvel as the Captain skilfully navigates the ship along the serene river and through locks whose mechanisms never cease to fascinate, as we cruise towards Dürnstein during dinner.

DÜRNSTEIN & MELK

Durnstein is known principally for the ice-blue tower of its abbey, which dominates the view, and the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 after being shipwrecked on his return from the crusades.

This morning we take a guided walking tour to explore this memorable city further. Set on a rocky outcrop high above the river, the castle is now ruined, but it’s easy to imagine England’s legendary monarch seething with frustration far from home while waiting for his family to raise funds to pay his ransom.

After lunch, you visit the remarkable Melk Abbey. Nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of this enormous honey-coloured building, standing resplendent above the surrounding countryside. Originally a castle, it was gifted to the Benedictine Order in the 11th-century and, although reconstructed in Baroque style during the 18th century, it has remained a monastic school and monastery ever since. The Abbey is renowned for its 214-yard-long Emperor’s Gallery lined with portraits, many fine rooms, and an ornate library. After we re-join the ship, dinner is served during the final part of our cruise upstream through the pretty Nibelungengau, immortalised in the music of Wagner.

SALZBURG OR LINZ

Reaching Linz, you will have the choice to stay in the city and take a guided walking tour, exploring its charming baroque old town. At its heart you’ll see one of the finest squares in Austria, lined by grand pastel-colored facades with an impressive central Trinity Column of white marble, crowned by a gilded sunburst. There’s also the fortress-like castle, built high above the city by Emperor Friedrich III, now a museum housing a fine collection of nineteenth and twentieth-century artworks.

Alternatively, we drive to Salzburg, once an independent state whose archbishops turned it into one of the most sophisticated cities north of the Alps. Dominating the skyline is one of Europe’s largest stone fortresses, the Hohensalzburg, while beneath its walls church domes and spires rise from the delightful Altstadt, or Old Town. Then there’s the wonderful Hellbrunn Palace and the splendid formal gardens of the Mirabell Palace – a must for horticulture fans.

This morning, discover some of the city’s main sights in the company of an expert local guide, then you’re free to explore as you wish. Everywhere there are sights associated with the city’s most famous resident, Mozart, who played the harpsichord aged three, composed rudimentary music at five and wrote his first opera when he was 11!

Please note lunch is not included on this full day excursion to Salzburg; however, the ship will offer a packed lunch. We return to the ship for another splendid dinner.

For many, today’s visit to Vienna will be one of the highlights of the cruise. The city’s very name provokes images of elegance, fine music, wide boulevards, Baroque architecture and a rich tapestry of peoples who were drawn here from all corners of Europe. For 200 years until the First World War, Vienna was the cultural centre of Europe and many of the showpiece buildings, galleries, aristocratic palaces and magnificent churches you see today were built to reflect its imperial status. The city’s most iconic monument is the breathtaking Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, whose striking multi-colored roof and huge Gothic South Tower dominate the skyline. There’s also the colossal Hofburg, the former royal court that is now home to a collection of museums, the Crown Jewels and the Spanish Riding School, and where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs. Then there are the lavish Imperial Apartments and an outstanding collection of relics of the Holy Roman Empire, including, allegedly, the saber of Charlemagne himself. The Kunsthistorisches Museum, which contains the world’s fourth largest collection of paintings, is just across the road. This morning we have a tour with a local guide offering insights into why Vienna is one of Europe’s great capitals – the seat of the Habsburg emperors and home to some of the world’s finest classical composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and, of course, a whole family of Strausses.

During the afternoon you’re free to explore as you wish. Take a stroll in the Prater, notable for the huge Ferris wheel that features in several Cold War spy thrillers. Or, for something quite different, visit the Schönbrunn Palace, a former royal residence now housing a range of world-class museums and galleries. Perhaps, though, just take a stroll through Vienna’s atmospheric side streets, or enjoy a coffee and a slice of delicious Sachertorte in one of the lovely coffee houses.

This evening we’ve arranged truly the ‘icing on the cake’: no visit to Vienna is complete without a live musical experience, so after dinner, we have a classical recital on board. To hear this exquisite music played in the city of its creation makes a wonderful finale to the day.

Enjoy a leisurely morning as we cruise majestically through Hungary’s peaceful pastoral landscape towards Budapest.

After lunch, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this captivating city, which truly lives up to its reputation as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. The twin cities of Buda, built around the hilltop fortress, and Pest, with its wide boulevards, were fought over through the centuries. The Ottomans ruled here for 150 years before being ousted in the late 17th century, but their legacy lives on in the many thermal baths fed by hot springs, giving rise to Budapest’s other sobriquet – the ‘City of Spas’. After the end of Ottoman rule, Budapest became an imperial city of the Habsburg Empire, attracting great cultural and commercial wealth. Castle Hill is Budapest in microcosm: two churches, seven museums, and a theatre among streets and squares with their own special atmosphere and a dramatic view across the river to the awe-inspiring neo-Gothic Parliament Building. Budapest’s endless galleries, museums, outstanding Art Nouveau architecture, and excellent shopping offer a fittingly elegant end to your Danube cruise.

This evening’s Gala Dinner closes with a Hungarian folklore show, giving you time to bid farewell to your traveling companions and reflect on all the inspirational places, sights and sounds you have experienced on a truly ‘imperial’ cruise.

DISEMBARK IN BUDAPEST

After breakfast this morning, the crew bids you farewell before you disembark the ship.

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin with a limited number of single cabins available on all decks, at the relevant supplement. The price includes: 

• Full board from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day; if you choose to travel with us on any of the full day excursions by coach, a packed lunch will be provided. Anyone choosing to stay on the ship may of course have lunch in the restaurant
• A packed lunch during the full day trip to Salzburg
• Five-star service from an English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides 
• Complimentary on-board tea and coffee 
• Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi
• All visits and excursions as mentioned
• Coach travel as mentioned
• The services of a Riviera River Cruises cruise director

Useful Information

• Currency: Euro, Forint
• Languages: Hungarian, German, Slovak
• Countries: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship for the duration of your cruise. Please note that speeds may vary.

We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your vacation with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the vacation due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us to discuss these concerns. 

Visit the Spanish Riding School in Vienna from €16pp

Enjoy a visit to the Spanish Riding School, the only institution in the world that has practised classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école for over 440 years and continues to do so.

Please contact us   for details.

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