Boat Tours in Europe
Picture yourself cruising Europe's waters, and honestly, the options are wild. You could explore Dubrovnik's medieval walls, sail past Montenegro's Sveti Stefan, or cruise Amsterdam's canals by glass-top boat. There's Kotor's UNESCO Old Town, Korcula's wine tasting, Murano's glassblowing, even Scotland's Fingal's Cave on Staffa. Europe's waterways? They hit different.
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Sally • traveled in August
The staff were really friendly and helpful, the food excellent, authentically Croatian. Cabins en suite alittle cramped for 3 people. Stopped at some lovely places from bustling cities to quiet fishing villages and had some great swim stops. Highly recommended.
8-day Split Return cruise, Premier boat, 18-35s
10 best Boat holiday packages in Europe
Compiled by
NadineEurope travel expert at TourRadar
- Highlights of Europe (Small Groups, All Seasons, Start London, End Paris, 15 Days)
- 4-day Split to Dubrovnik, Premier Plus boat, 30-49s
- 5-day Dubrovnik to Split, Premier boat, Mixed-age, 10-69s
- Discover Malta, Italy & France
- European Discoverer (End Paris, With 3 Days Cruise, Moderate B Cabin)
- Private Boat Charter Montenegro
- Complete Greece and Sicily (43 destinations)
- Puffin Island Hopper
- Rome & Capri Escape
- Fethiye to Olympos Express - 4 days
Highlights of Europe (Small Groups, All Seasons, Start London, End Paris, 15 Days)
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
Float along Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed canals at dusk, passing elegant 17th-century merchants' houses that line the waterways. Later, sail the Rhine from Boppard to Sankt Goar, where vineyard-covered hillsides rise above the river and medieval castles crown the hilltops—you'll sample regional wines as you go. A private water taxi also takes you through Venice's Giudecca Canal straight to St. Mark's Square.
Duration 15 days Destinations England, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Vatican City (Holy See), Switzerland, France Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Insight Vacations From
- US$7,595
4-day Split to Dubrovnik, Premier Plus boat, 30-49s
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Well organized, crew and guides were great and we had a lot of fun on this 4 day cruise.”
Adam, traveled in August
The Premier Plus vessel navigates Europe's Adriatic coast featuring ensuite cabins and half-board dining. The itinerary includes morning swims in secluded bays, afternoons at Mljet's lakes, and evening sundowners at Dubrovnik's cliff bars.
Duration 4 days Destinations Trogir, Hvar Island, Mljet Island, Dubrovnik Age Range Ages 30-49 Operator Go Croatia Sail From
- US$671+$40 local payments
5-day Dubrovnik to Split, Premier boat, Mixed-age, 10-69s
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“We had good weather and loved the mid morning swim stops as well as the visit to different towns and ports.”
Alan, traveled in August
A Premier vessel sails the Adriatic waters with half-board meals and professional crew service. The route connects four major ports from Dubrovnik to Split, offering water taxi access to historic towns and beach clubs.
Duration 5 days Destinations Dubrovnik, Korcula Island, Makarska, Trogir Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Go Croatia Sail From
- US$1,035+$40 local payments
Duration 17 days Destinations Malta, Italy, France, Monaco Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Emerald Cruises From $37,880
50% Off- US$18,845You save $19,035
Cruise the romantic Rhine River past medieval villages and UNESCO-listed castles in Germany's Rhine Valley. The three-day Celestyal Discovery cruise runs from Piraeus to Mykonos, stopping at ancient Ephesus in Kusadasi, the spiritual island of Patmos, Crete's historic sites, and Santorini. Private water taxis glide along Venice's Grand Canal, passing the Rialto Bridge on the way to St Mark's Square.
Duration 29 days Destinations Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, MonacoSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Costsaver From $8,374
9% Off- US$7,585You save $789
The 29-meter Kaptan Sevket sails Montenegro's coast with 6 luxury cabins. Stops include Porto Montenegro Marina, UNESCO-listed Kotor, and historic Perast, while professional crew guides exploration of hidden bays and ancient harbors.
Duration 8 days Destinations Dubrovnik, Tivat, Kotor, Luštica, Budva, Herceg Novi, Perast Age Range Ages 20+ Operator Sailing Adriatic From
9% Off- US$2,235+$200 local payments
Complete Greece and Sicily (43 destinations)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Nice and easy to use.”
Donna, traveled in August
The Mediterranean journey connects Greece to Italy, with ferry crossings from Igoumenitsa to Brindisi and Palermo to Naples. The route features island gems like Capri and Aegina, plus coastal highlights including Sorrento and Taormina, with comfortable ship cabins.
Duration 16 days Destinations Athens, Plaka, Kamena Vourla, Thermopylae, Kalabaka, Kastraki, Delphi, Corinth, Aegina, PorosSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Europamundo From
9% Off- US$3,377
What our customers ask about Boat Tours in Europe
What are the best months to take a Boat tour in Europe?
The most reliable time for European boat tours spans May through September during stable weather conditions. Croatia's Dalmatian Coast sees ideal conditions in June and September with water temperatures reaching 75°F (24°C). Those heading to the Greek Islands will find fewer crowds in May and early June while French river cruises operate well from April through October. A TourRadar traveler shared about their September Croatia sailing: "The weather was perfect for swimming and exploring the islands with calm seas and comfortable temperatures."
Which European destinations are best explored by boat?
The Mediterranean's top boating regions include Croatia's Dalmatian Coast where visitors can explore Split Dubrovnik and the islands of Hvar Korčula and Mljet. The Greek Islands showcase excellent routes through the Cyclades and Saronic Islands while Norway's fjords present natural landscapes. The Amalfi Coast and French Riviera round out the premier coastal destinations. A TourRadar review notes: "The Croatian coastline was stunning with a perfect mix of bustling cities and quiet fishing villages plus amazing swim stops."
What's the best boat tour for seeing multiple European countries?
For maximum country coverage the Uniworld Paris to Istanbul cruise visits 7 countries in 14 days passing through France Switzerland Austria Slovenia Serbia Bulgaria and Turkey. Another option is Emerald Cruises' 18-day Athens to Venice journey which includes Greece Albania Montenegro Croatia Slovenia and Italy. These extended routes let travelers experience multiple cultures while staying in one cabin. A TourRadar guest shared: "Covering six countries in one trip while only unpacking once was incredibly efficient and enjoyable."
How many ports do European boat tours typically visit?
A standard week-long European boat tour includes 6-8 port stops. Croatian coastal routes typically dock at major destinations like Split Dubrovnik and Hvar along with smaller islands such as Mljet and Korčula. Longer luxury Mediterranean voyages might include up to 15 ports across Greece Italy and France over two weeks. According to a TourRadar traveler: "We stopped at some lovely places from bustling cities to quiet fishing villages with a perfect mix of destinations."
What different types of boat tours are available in Europe and how do they vary?
The range spans from upscale river cruises on the Danube visiting Vienna and Budapest to small-group sailing trips along Croatia's coast. Yacht cruises navigate the Greek Cyclades while themed tours explore places like Italy's Lipari Islands. A TourRadar guest commented on their Croatian experience: "A fantastic and easy way to see so much of Croatia. Wonderful boat with tasty food plenty of comfy sun beds and a hot tub."
Can I combine a boat tour with land-based exploration in Europe?
Many boat tours integrate land activities into their itineraries. The Majestic Croatia tour pairs 7 days at sea with visits to Plitvice Lakes National Park and Zagreb. Montenegro's Sailing Adventure includes guided walks through historic Kotor and Budva. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Starting in Athens gave us time to explore the Acropolis before our Greek Islands cruise making it a perfect mix of ancient history and island hopping." Tour operators often provide pre/post cruise extensions or help arrange extra hotel nights in port cities.