Best River Cruise Itineraries for First-Time Travelers

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I’ve taken quite a few cruises over the years, but river cruising holds a special place for me. There’s something wonderful about waking up in the heart of a new city, stepping off the ship and spending the day exploring at a relaxed pace. By evening, you’re back onboard, watching the scenery change as the ship moves on to the next destination. It’s one of the most enjoyable ways to travel in Europe.

Viking has been a leader in river cruising for more than 25 years. Their purpose-built longships are elegant and comfortable, carrying around 190 guests on itineraries that sail some of Europe’s famous waterways, including the Rhine, the Main, the Moselle and the Danube. The ships are designed for curious travelers who want to connect with the places they visit, not just pass through them.

One of the things that makes Viking stand out is how much is included. All meals, unlimited wine and beer with onboard lunch and dinner, a shore excursion at every port with a knowledgable local guide, and Wi-Fi are all part of the package. There are no surprise charges for the experiences that matter most.

For first-timers trying to choose the right itinerary, here are three that are worth your time.

river cruise ship on danube river — Viking’s Romantic Danube route highlights Austria’s Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed stretch along the Danube; photo courtesy of Viking Cruises

Romantic Danube (8 Days): Budapest to Regensburg

If you want to understand why so many people fall in love with river cruising, here’s a good place to start. The Romantic Danube itinerary sails between Budapest and Regensburg, passing through some of Central Europe’s most historic and beautiful cities.

Budapest is an excellent place to begin. Hungary’s capital is stunning, especially at night when the Parliament building and Buda Castle are all lit up along the river. From there, the ship continues to Vienna, where two full days give you time to explore Habsburg palaces and world-class museums, or simply settle into a Viennese café with a coffee and a pastry.

The itinerary continues to Krems, a village that is the gateway to the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of terraced vineyards and tiny villages, before continuing to Passau, where three rivers meet in the heart of a beautifully preserved baroque city. The trip ends in Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities.

For a first-time river cruiser, this itinerary is a great fit. The cities are iconic but not overwhelming, and the pacing gives you room to fully experience each place.

river cruise ship in front of cologne cathedral — Viking’s Rhine Getaway route passes Cologne, Germany, where the cathedral has defined the skyline for more than 600 years; photo courtesy of Viking Cruises

Rhine Getaway (8 Days): Amsterdam to Basel

The Rhine is one of Europe’s great rivers, and this eight-day voyage shows you why. Starting in Amsterdam and ending in Basel, Switzerland, the itinerary takes you south through the Netherlands and Germany, with the scenery shifting from the flat Dutch countryside to the dramatic Middle Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage stretch of steep hillsides, medieval castles and ancient vineyard terraces.

The city of Cologne is a highlight, with its magnificent Gothic cathedral dominating the skyline after more than 600 years. Rüdesheim, in the heart of Germany’s Rheingau wine region, is a lively stop with excellent tastings. And sailing through the Rhine Gorge itself is an experience you won’t forget. The combination of ruined hilltop castles, terraced vines and small villages below makes for some of the most scenic river cruising anywhere in Europe.

Eight days is a manageable length for a first voyage, and the Rhine Getaway covers enough ground to give you a good feel for what river cruising in Europe is really like.

river cruise ship by regensburg — Regensburg, Germany, preserves its medieval character as one of the Danube’s best-preserved historic cities; photo courtesy of Viking Cruises

Grand European Tour (15 Days): Amsterdam to Budapest

If you’re ready to go all in, the Grand European Tour is an exceptional introduction to river cruising. This 15-day voyage links three of Europe’s great rivers, traveling from Amsterdam through Germany, into Austria and on to Budapest.

It combines many of the best stops from both the Rhine Getaway and the Romantic Danube, and adds charming small towns like Würzburg, with its grand baroque bishop’s palace, the medieval city of Bamberg, Nuremberg, Passau and the stunning Benedictine abbey at Melk, perched high above the Danube.

This itinerary also includes two days in beautiful Vienna, giving you real time to explore the Austrian capital’s world-class museums and legendary cafés before the journey ends in Budapest. By the time you arrive, you’ll have a new appreciation for the variety and richness of Central Europe, and a pretty good understanding of why river cruising is so popular.