The Danube just seems to keep going on and on and on, through a colossal 10 countries in fact, creating centres for four national capitals. It is the longest river in the EU at 2,850km, and it has the most superb collection of cycling trails, which you get to explore on our bike and boat holidays. Or if you want to keep your legs waltzing on land only, you can just opt for one of our cycling holidays. Our Danube travel guide highlights the river’s most ravishing spots, and shows that Strauss nailed it when he called his famous composition the Blue Danube Waltz, or An der schönen blauen Donau. As it really is one massive, beautiful, blue space. If you want to get to grips with how widespread it is, here are its names in different languages: Dunăre în Romanian, Donau in German, Dunaj in Slovakian, Duna in Hungarian, and Dunav in Serbian or Bulgarian.
“One of my most special places is a small village on the banks of the Danube, where the borders of Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania meet. I guess I am always happy when I am on the edge of other countries, looking outwards to what lies ahead.” – Co-founder of The Natural Adventure, Alex Pazderski, who lives on and for the Danube. See this blog about his life for more details.
Highlights of travelling along the River Danube
Our holidays don’t cover the Danube in its entirety, but they all have some spectacular stops along the way. Here are some of the most dramatic and historic sights that you can seek out on a natural adventure that goes with the flow of Europe’s greatest river.
The Danube Cycle Path: Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary
The Danube Cycle Path follows the iconic river through eight countries and, for the most part, people take it on in sections. One of our most popular easy sections is between Passau, on the German-Austrian border, and Vienna, around 250km in length. It’s a perfect path to waltz along on wheels, with the Danube’s dramatic Schlögener Loop, vineyards and ancient monasteries along the way. There are many ways to explore it, and our Passau to Budapest cycling holiday is the one that takes you through the most countries, covering Germany, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. This Vienna to Budapest cycling holiday takes you through three countries, and also includes Donau-Auen National Park. We also have a family-friendly cycling holiday between Linz and Vienna. For all our Danube Cycle Path holidays, see here.
The River Danube on a bike and boat holiday
You can get to cover a bit more of the river’s great cities and sights when you explore it on a bike and boat holiday. There are several options, the longest being our Ultimate Danube bike and boat holiday, between Passau in Germany and Belgrade in Serbia, which means that you sail through six countries in total. If you want to just take on a shorter section, the most popular is the one between Passau and Budapest which, in addition to those great cities, also takes in two other great capital cities of Vienna and Bratislava.
You can also explore the Danube even further on our Danube Delta bike and boat holiday and cycle with a wildlife guide through the wetlands of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, protected for its reed islands, lagoons, birdlife and rare flora.
Wachau Wine Region, Austria
You can choose to walk or cycle through the Wachau Valley on the banks of the Danube, a region that is not only famous for wine but also its medieval castles and monasteries. It’s this combination that has earned its protection as a UNESCO Cultural Landscape. All linked by the iconic River Danube, and of course wine. On this five day cycling holiday, for example, swap bikes for a boat journey one day and head to the Sandgrube 13 Winery for a tour through vineyards, grape-growing history, cellars and state-of-the-art museum. Our Wachau Wine Region walking holiday follows a similar itinerary on foot, and also includes a Danube riverboat tour where the overhanging vineyards are so close, you could almost pick the grapes.
Vienna, Austria
You really do feel as if you are waltzing into Vienna as you approach it on a bike and boat holiday, or a cycling holiday along the Danube Cycle Path. It’s the perfect finale to a trip along the Danube, a symphony of musical heritage and a haven of Austro-Hungarian grand architecture, such as Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Enjoy a Viennese whirl of adventures, exploring its array of fine coffee houses, art galleries and of course, the Viennese Opera. Vienna is also a breeze by train, as it’s connected to so many other European cities, as you can see on their national rail network. A great way to start our Vienna to Budapest cycling holiday on the Danube Cycle Path.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Biking and bobbing your way through Bratislava, Slovakia’s medieval capital, is one of the most exciting ways to see this most underrated of European great cities. Bratislava not only has the Danube flowing through it, but also a Baroque castle as its centrepiece, the historic St Michael’s Street and quieter and delightful Kapitulská Street, or the contemporary art museum, Danubiana, on an island in the Danube. Choose between an eight day holiday or 15 days to include Bratislava as you saunter along the Blue Danube the green way.
Budapest, Hungary
The Hungarian capital is divided into two halves by the Danube, namely Buda and Pest but opinion is rarely divided on just how spectacular a city it is. On our cycling holiday between Vienna and Budapest, you can always extend your trip at the end to take it all in. And on this bike and boat holiday, you get plenty of time in the capital before the boat continues back to Passau, via Vienna. Whether you’re visiting Budapest’s riverfront location, catching a funicular to Buda’s Castle Hill, walking up Gellért Hill to visit the Freedom Statue, or bathing at its historic and uber-gorgeous Gellert Baths, Budapest is full of zest.
Esztergom, Hungary
Another Hungarian highlight on these cycling holidays, Esztergom was the capital of Hungary until the 13th century, and so it keeps anyone who is hung-ary (sometimes you just have to go there) for historical nuggets very happy. It’s still the capital of the Hungarian Catholic Church, and home to Esztergom Basilica, the largest church in Hungary which stands proudly, for all to revere, on the riverfront. Ecclesiastical sights are ever present in Esztergom, such as the Prímási Palota, a neoclassical and pretty classy archbishops’ palace and the Keresztény Múzeum, home to a large collection of religious paintings and sculptures.
“Biking along the Danube was easy and fun. There are many places to stop along the route to sample local food, wine or beer, tour a castle or an abbey. The scenery was beautiful, ranging from sunflower fields to quaint villages… the trip was a great value for the cost, and such an easy way to travel with meals, accommodations, and entertainment arranged for you.” – Dale, USA on our bike and boat holiday along the Danube between Passau and Budapest.
Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade is a confluence capital, located at the point where the Rivers Danube and Sava meet. And so you may want to double up your time in this great city, which is easily done on our bike and boat holiday, as it comes to a close there. Belgrade is deserving of a much more shiny position on the European map of capitals, and it was in fact the capital of former Yugoslavia, when it was under communist rule. Its political influences go much further back to Roman, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires. Architectural heritage that wasn’t destroyed during World War Two includes Kalemegdan Fortress, the ancient and artsy Skadarlija District, and stunning Saint Sava Temple (Hram Svetog Save). Belgrade certainly doesn’t live in its past, and is a confluence of cultural happenings. It has a very cool contemporary cafe and club scene, visual and performing arts hubs, fashion and a lot of fun.
Iron Gates Natural Park, Romania
Discover fjord-like landscapes at close quarters from the deck of a riverboat on this bike and boat tour, which takes you through Romania. Iron Gates National Park is the point where the Danube cuts through the Romanian Carpathian Mountains and the foothills of the Balkan mountains range. The Iron Gates Gorge, with its spectacular landscape of steep forested slopes, peppered with historical monuments and fortresses, marks the border between Serbia and Romania.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed floating down the River Danube with us. Fun fact: the Danube is the only river in Europe that flows from west to east. You may like some of our other floaty, fact-filled blogs, such as Explore Europe with our bike and boat holidays, Going with the flow while exploring Europe’s major rivers or Best wine routes in Europe (many of which have rivers that nourish them). For more information on any of our Danube or other tours, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of adventure specialists.
Danube Bike and Boat: Danube Delta
Danube Cycle Path Highlights
Danube Bike and Boat: Passau to Vienna
Danube Cycle Path: Donaueschingen to Passau
Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Budapest
Danube Cycle Path: Vienna to Budapest
Danube by Bike and Boat: Passau to Budapest
Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna
Ultimate Danube: Passau to Belgrade by Bike and Boat
Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna Relaxed
Danube Cycle Path: Linz to Vienna Family Tour
