Ultimate Danube: Passau to Belgrade by Bike and Boat

Day 1: Passau, Germany

Embark in the late afternoon (16:00) and soak up views of Passau, the ancient German city overlooking the Danube. Sit back and enjoy your first evening on board, as you cruise down a section of the river that has both woodlands and wetlands, with Germany on one side and Austria on the other. Your final part of the journey is after the lock at Jochenstein power plant on the border between Germany and Austria.

Day 2: Engelhartszell, Austria – Aschach, Austria | 42km

Today, cycle from Engelhartszell along the famous Danube Bend at Schlögen, one of the most beautiful sections of the river. Take a break at Austria’s only Trappist monastery in Engelhartszell and taste their home-distilled drinks. Continue cycling along the riverbank, getting back on board the riverboat in Aschach in Austria.

• Cycling for the day: 42km

Day 3: Devín – Bratislava, Slovakia | 15-43km

A narrow cycle path runs from the castle ruins in Devín to Schloss Hof Palace, which boasts one of the most magnificent Baroque gardens in Europe. After a lovely rural stretch you arrive into the capital city of Bratislava. Here, there is an opportunity to embark on a short train tour of the Slovakian capital, where Hungarian kings were once crowned. Alternatively, there is a short hike that begins with views of the city from the fortress perched on the hill and ends with a walk through the historic city centre.

• Cycling for the day: 15-43km

Day 4: Budapest, Hungary / Szentendre | 27-54km

On entering the Hungarian capital of Budapest, you get to see the city’s most famous buildings, such as the Parliament or Fisherman’s Castle. Explore this metropolis that straddles the Danube on a guided tour (optional) or take a detour to Szentendre, another historic Hungarian town on the river, recognised for its Baroque architecture, art galleries, colourful houses and cobbled streets.There’s also an option to attend a Hungarian folklore show with traditional music and folk dance.

• Cycling for the day: 27-54km (or rest day)

Day 5: Baja, Hungary – Mohács, Hungary | 37km

From the quiet Baroque town of Baja, famous for its fish soup, cycle along the flood protection dykes in the Gemenc floodplain, where sunflowers flourish in season. At the end of today’s stage, take the riverboat to the town of Mohács, Hungary’s southernmost town on the Danube.

• Cycling for the day: 37km

Day 6: Belgrade, Serbia

Explore the Serbian capital, which is at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers by bike or bus. Belgrade Fortress stands as a testament to its fascinating past, as does its array of architecture, from Ottoman to Art Nouveau. There is an option to take in a folklore show with traditional dances across the country, followed by typical regional specialities in the Skadarlija area of the city.

Day 7: Cataract Canyons and Iron Gates Natural Park, Romania

Discover fjord-like landscape at close quarters from the deck of the riverboat. The river cuts through the Romanian Carpathian Mountains and the foothills of the Balkan mountains range. The Iron Gates Gorge, with its spectacular landscape with steep forested slopes, peppered with historical monuments and fortresses, marks the border between Serbia and Romania.

Day 8: Novi Sad, Serbia – Ilok, Croatia | 48km

One of the most striking things of today’s journey is the imposing Petrovaradin Fortress, which is perched high above the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in northern Serbia. After cycling upstream along a flat cycle path, take the riverboat to reach the gentle foothills of Fruška Gora, a mountain that is shared between Serbia and Croatia. Head to the medieval Croatian town of Ilok, where everything is about wine. In the evening, there is an opportunity to sample some famous Croatian wines at a local wine cellar (optional).

• Cycling for the day: 48km

Day 9: Batina, Croatia – Mohács, Hungary | 42km

Cycle through Bačka, a border region along the river that’s divided between Serbia and Hungary.  Small rural villages and rapeseed fields dot the route, which continues on to Hungary’s Drava-Nemzeti National Park. After a short sail to Mohács, there is enough time for a visit to the White Stork Museum or the Memorial of the Battle of Mohács.

Please note: for 2026 departures, there is no boat docking in Batina available due to repair works on the pontoon. On this day, the boat will travel directly from Ilok (Croatia) to Mohács (Hungary).

• Cycling for the day: 42km

Day 10: Kalocsa, Hungary – Solt, Hungary | 50km

As well as being the paprika capital of Hungary, Kalocsa is a town filled with colourful houses with hand-painted bright floral patterns, and home to a striking cathedral with towers that can be seen for miles as they rise into the sky from the flat Hungarian plain. We recommend visiting the Paprika Museum to learn about Hungary’s favourite spice, then continue along the cycle path, which is another flood protection dyke, to arrive at Solt, the birthplace of the famous conductor Sir George Solti. We recommend a visit to Vécsey Castle and the library, which has over 34,000 books.

• Cycling for the day: 50km

Day 11: Danube Bend – Esztergom, Hungary | 43km

Steep wooded hills frame the Danube as it flows through the hilly landscape of the valley. Set in the middle of the Danube, the delightful island of Szentendre is not to be missed, if you didn’t see it earlier in the trip). As the journey continues, travel along tranquil cycle paths, where the dome of Esztergom Basilica can be seen from a distance, and definitely worth visiting.

• Cycling for the day: 43km

Day 12: Vienna, Austria

Take in the view of the floodplain forest of Austria’s Donau-Auen National Park and the impressive skyline as you sail to Vienna. Go for a cycle on Danube Island, Vienna’s popular recreational area. Cycle to nearby Klosterneuburg Abbey or wander through the vineyards of Kahlenberg with magnificent views over the city and the Danube. There is an option to bring the day to a close with a concert of classical waltz and operetta music at a famous Viennese Palais.

Day 13: Vienna, Austria

Today there is an option to explore the Austrian capital on a guided bike tour or on a private hop-on, hop-off bus tour. The magnificent Ringstrasse Boulevard and its inviting coffee houses will tempt you with delicious Viennese cakes and pastries. Afterwards, there’s enough time to stroll through the city’s historic lanes or visit Naschmarkt. Bring the day to a close at one of Vienna’s many traditional wine taverns.

Day 14: Wachau, Austria / Krems – Melk, Austria | 39km

The gentle hilly countryside of the Wachau Valley with its historic castles and palaces surrounded by apricot trees and terraced vineyards, is one of the tours loveliest sections. In Weißenkirchen, the cycle path is lined with wine merchant taverns.

• Cycling for the day: 39km

Day 15: Passau, Germany

Your last day on board includes a view of the Danube Bend at Schlögen, before docking back in Passau, Germany. Disembark at approximately 11.00 depending on weather conditions.

Please note: We recommend not making any arrangements for onward connections departing before 12.00 to allow for any delays in disembarking.