Board one of the many riverboats that cruise the Danube River through Austria, in the heart of central Europe. In the capital city of Vienna, you will see ornate architecture on an impressive scale in the city center and Schönbrunn & Hofburg Palaces. Explore myriad museums and the residences of famous residents like Mozart and Freud. Sailing up river to Grinzing, a charming traditional village on the outskirts of Vienna, and then on to the beautiful Wachau Valley. Around Melk, you can explore historic Dürnstein village and Melk Abbey, which was built as a Baroque palace but now serves as a prestigious coed school in a Benedictine monastery. Sailing down river beyond Austria visits Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and beyond. Contact us one of our Austrian travel experts to get started planning your cruise to Austria today!

10 Best Cruises to Austria for 2023-2024

All Austrian Cruises

Magna on the Danube - Budapest to Vilshofen

Budapest to Vilshofen
8 Days from $3,399

Enjoy a 7-night wine-themed Danube River cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen aboard the MS AmaMagna, visiting Bratislava, Vienna, Linz, and Passau along the way. As you savor the expertly vinted local wines of the Strudengau Valley, indulge your passion for music, art, and architecture in each of the stunning cities you visit.

European Holiday Markets

Nuremberg to Vienna
8 Days from $3,399

Experience Europe at its most magical and enjoy the chance to discover the delightful holiday traditions and treats of Germany and Austria during this 8-day Christmas Market River Cruise on the Danube between Nuremberg and Vienna.

A Taste of the Danube

Vienna to Budapest
4 Days from $1,749

On this short 4-day Danube cruise of eastern Europe, board the Avalon Envision in Vienna and set sail for Melk, where you will visit Austria’s majestic Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest, and where Benedictine monks still stroll amidst the sacred walls and end your cruise on Budapest.

Stop in historic Regensburg on your Danube river cruise

Danube Christmas Markets

Budapest to Nuremberg
8 Days from $5,445

Feel the enchantment of the Christmas markets that have graced the Danube for centuries. Scenic Amber river ship takes you from Budapest to Nuremberg on an 8-day cruise through the heart of Hungary, Vienna, and Germany during the most wonderful time of the year.

Danube Waltz

Budapest to Passau
8 Days from $2,499

View the beauty of five different European countries and explore lesser-known Central European cities like Bratislava and Passau during this 8-day Danube River cruise with Viking River Cruises.

Magna on the Danube - Vilshofen to Budapest

Vilshofen to Budapest
8 Days from $4,199

Travel to legendary destinations on a 7-night cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest aboard the MS AmaMagna.

Blue Danube Discovery - Cruise Only

8 Days from $3,199

On this unforgettable 8-day cruise, embark in Budapest, Hungary, and make your way to the charming city of Nuremberg on the MS Amasonata. Visit some of the most important sites of the region (including Gothic & Baroque cathedrals, the Oberhaus Fortress, and others) and bike through the spectacular scenery of the Danube Valley.

Capital Cities along Danube

Vienna to Vienna
5 Days from $1,343

Board the MS Vivaldi for this 5-day cruise visiting the historic capitals and major cities of Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia along the Danube River. Gothic & Baroque architecture and history are at the center of this tour of the former Austro-Hungarian empire, highlighting monuments, museums, castles, and the art & music that define the region.

Admire beautiful evening lights of Vienna

Authentic Danube

Vienna to Nuremberg
8 Days from $3,399

Go off the beaten path from Nuremberg to Vienna aboard the River Princess and uncover the scenic wonders and remarkable histories of the cities that rest along the Danube River.

Wander the grounds of Belvedere Palace, Vienna

Active & Discovery on the Danube with a Trip in Prague

Budapest to Prague
11 Days from $3,399

Board Avalon View sailing from Budapest to Linz with the added delight of two nights in the Golden City of Prague visiting some iconic sites along the way!

10 Best Luxury River Cruises to Austria for 2023-2024

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Danube Christmas Markets	$5445	8	Dec 13, 2022	Feel the enchantment of the Christmas markets that have graced the Danube for centuries. Scenic Amber river ship takes you from Budapest to Nuremberg … 0
Blue Danube Discovery - Cruise Only	$3199	8	Nov 18, 2023	On this unforgettable 8-day cruise, embark in Budapest, Hungary, and make your way to the charming city of Nuremberg on the MS Amasonata. Visit some … 0
Christmas Markets on the Danube	$4399	11	Dec 9, 2022	Board the MS Amabella for this unique 11-day adventure visiting some of Europe's most enchanting Christmas Markets on the scenic Danube River route … 0
The Romantic Danube - Cruise Only	$3199	8	Apr 13, 2023	Cruise eastern Europe on this 8-day itinerary along the romantic Danube from Vilshofen to Budapest aboard the MS Amasonata, stopping in cities like … 0
Grand Christmas & New Year's	$6999	13	Dec 22, 2022	Embark on the S.S. Beatrice in Nuremberg for 13 amazing days over the Christmas and new years season sailing through Germany, Austria and Hungary … 0
Gems of the Danube	$4645	8	Apr 13, 2023	Enjoy an 8-day luxury cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest aboard the 5-star luxury Scenic Amber. Explore some of the most beautiful cities of central … 0
The Legendary Danube	$4299	11	Nov 22, 2023	Fall in love with the Danube on this 14-day Danube River cruise aboard the MS Amasonata. Discover some of the most important cities such as … 0
Danube Christmas Markets	$3995	8	Dec 6, 2022	Enjoy an 8-day luxury Danube Christmas Markets River cruise from Nuremberg to Budapest aboard the 5-star luxury Scenic Amber. Along the way, visit … 0
Delightful Danube & Prague	$4499	10	Apr 19, 2023	This is an extraordinary journey for aficionados of European history, music and art. Experience dynamic Budapest, imperial Vienna and exquisitely … 0
The Romantic Danube	$3799	11	Mar 15, 2023	Spend three nights in Prague and enjoy a fascinating cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest with stops in the charming cities of Passau, Austria, Vienna, … 0

All Austria Articles

Austria & Danube River Cruise Guide

Top Things to See and Do in Austria

Vienna, Salzburg, and Linz in Austria are teeming with cultural sites that bring the history of Europe to life. Each stop on an Austria trip shows a different side to the country, making a journey here an experience that sheds new light on life in modern-day Europe.

Top things to see & do in Austria
Austria has been a keystone in the history and culture of central Europe and is crossed by the Danube River. A river cruise through this historic region of Europe acquaints you with the towns of:

Vienna:

Schönbrunn Palace – with over 1400 rooms, it is maybe the most important palace in the whole country and a fine example of Baroque architecture.
Hofburg Palaces – for more than 800 years, this has been an imperial palace in Vienna.
Grinzing – a district known for its wineries.
Heuriger Tavern – one of Grinzing's renowned taverns which many of our cruises visit.

Melk:

Quaint and traditional Dürnstein village
Built nearly a thousand years ago, the Benedictine Melk Abbey that keeps watch over the Danube River below.

Wachau Valley:
Remarkable not only for its breathtaking natural beauty but also historically relevant as a region of fortresses and vineyards and also where Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned.