7-Day Danube Cruises

The week-long Danube cruises let you get into the flow of river travel. We find our guests love starting in Budapest - you get two full days to explore both banks from Heroes' Square to the Castle District. Moving up the river, local guides take you through Bratislava's winding cobblestone streets to the castle, where you'll get excellent views across the city. Vienna hits just the right notes with morning visits to the Kunsthistorisches Museum and free afternoons to bike around the Danube island or try the coffee houses locals have visited for generations. What makes these 7-day trips work is how they mix active experiences like climbing through Dürnstein's castle ruins with cultural moments, such as catching a rehearsal at Passau's St. Stephen's Cathedral - you can hear the organ echoing through those ancient walls.

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Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Danube itineraries

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MelissaDanube travel expert at TourRadar

6 Day Danube River Cruise Itinerary, incl. Vienna and Bratislava
The UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley serves as backdrop for this 6-day cruise from Passau, costing approx. $140 per day. Vienna's palaces, Bratislava's rococo architecture, and Melk's magnificent Benedictine monastery punctuate the journey. Cultural Linz, famous for Linzer Torte, and historic Krems complete the itinerary.
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- Day 1
  Passau, Germany
  Board your river ship in Passau in early afternoon. This "City of Three Rivers" sits where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz meet. You'll have time before the 4 PM departure to see the Baroque St. Stephen's Cathedral with Europe's largest pipe organ. Tip: Get there early and leave your luggage on the ship while you explore the very walkable old town.
- Day 2
  Wachau Valley to Vienna
  Take in the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley from the sun deck during your morning cruise past terraced vineyards and medieval villages. You'll reach Vienna at 2 PM. Start at Stephansplatz to see the Gothic cathedral, then walk the Ringstrasse. The ship leaves at 11:59 PM, so you can spend the evening enjoying Vienna's famous coffee houses.
- Day 3
  Bratislava
  The 4 AM arrival in Slovakia's capital lets you catch the sunrise from Bratislava Castle. The old town is compact and completely pedestrian-only. Spend your day seeing Michael's Gate, walking the medieval lanes, and trying traditional Slovak dumplings for lunch. You'll have until the 6 PM departure to explore.
- Day 4
  Wachau Valley & Melk
  Cruise back through the scenic Wachau Valley to Melk, arriving at 12:30 PM. The main attraction is the impressive Benedictine Abbey above the town. One visitor shared: "Time your abbey visit for late afternoon when tour buses leave - you'll practically have the baroque library to yourself." With departure at 7 PM, you can see both the abbey and the charming town below.
- Day 5
  Linz
  Pull into Linz at 5 AM. Take a morning walk through the old town and along the Danube. Stop by the modern Lentos art museum on the riverbank. Make sure to try the famous Linzer Torte - local cafes say they have the original recipe of this Austrian pastry. The ship sets off at 7:30 PM.
- Day 6
  Return to Passau
  Arrive back in Passau at 7 AM. If time allows before leaving, walk through the peninsula where the rivers meet. The morning light makes the pastel buildings look beautiful reflecting in the water.
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7 days - Blue Danube (Vienna - Budapest - Vienna, MS FIDELIO 4*)
This 7-day Danube River cruise runs from Vienna on the MS FIDELIO, traveling through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley with stops in Dürnstein and Melk Abbey. The route covers imperial cities like Budapest, where you'll see Heroes' Square and the Chain Bridge, plus Bratislava's St. Martin's Cathedral and Esztergom's massive Basilica. The all-inclusive package comes with full board dining, complimentary wine and beer from 9:30-23:00, and cabins ranging from 11m² standard to 14m² deluxe with picture windows.
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- Vienna Austria
  41 mi
- Durnstein Austria
  14 mi
- Melk Austria
  81 mi
- Bratislava Slovakia
  100 mi
- Budapest Hungary
  24 mi
- Esztergom Hungary
  113 mi
- Vienna Austria
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7 Days Christmas Markets River Cruise, incl. Vienna and Nuremberg
This 7-day Danube River cruise visits 7 cities across Austria and Germany, including overnight dockings in Vienna and Nuremberg. You'll tour Vienna's Opera House and Imperial Palace, visit the UNESCO-listed Benedictine Abbey in Melk, and check out Passau's Christmas market near St. Stephen's Cathedral. Guided walks take you through Grein's historic theater, Regensburg's medieval Old Town with sausage tastings at Historiche Wurstkuche, and Nuremberg's thousand-year-old Kaiserburg Castle.
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- Day 1
  Vienna, Austria
  Plan to arrive in Vienna by 3:30 PM for the 5 PM embarkation. Want to make the most of your first day? Take an early morning flight to visit Vienna's famous Rathausplatz Christmas market before boarding. The market opens at 10 AM and you can reach it by taxi in about 20 minutes from the cruise port. Remember to dress warmly since December temperatures typically hover around 35°F (2°C).
- Day 2
  Vienna
  Take a morning city tour through Vienna's historic center to see the Habsburg's Imperial Palace and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Visit the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market after 4 PM when the 60+ market stalls light up beautifully. A local tip: Get a Glühwein (mulled wine) for about $4 in a decorative mug you can take home as a souvenir.
- Day 3
  Melk & Grein
  Start with a morning cruise through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley before touring Melk's Benedictine Abbey. Wear good walking shoes for the many stairs in the abbey. Stop in Grein to see Austria's oldest working theater. End your day with Austrian cookie tasting on board while cruising.
- Day 4
  Passau, Germany
  Visit the impressive St. Stephen's Cathedral with the world's largest cathedral organ. The Christmas market here feels more intimate than Vienna's with about 70 stalls in the old town. Stop for lunch to try the local Lebkuchen (gingerbread), which has a milder spice profile than Nuremberg's version.
- Day 5
  Regensburg
  Take a guided morning walk through this beautifully preserved medieval city. Stop at the historic Sausage Kitchen near the old stone bridge, serving traditional wursts since 1146. Look for local specialties like Regensburger Kipferl (almond cookies) at the Christmas market in Neupfarrplatz square.
- Day 6
  Nuremberg
  Choose between medieval architecture or WWII history tours. Then explore the famous Christkindlesmarkt. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The market's handcrafted ornaments are stunning, but go early – it gets extremely crowded after 4 PM." Look for less crowded stalls near the Church of Our Lady instead of the main square.
- Day 7
  Nuremberg (Disembarkation)
  Finish with breakfast before disembarking. Got a late flight? Store your luggage at the train station and spend more time at the market, which opens at 10 AM.
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