{"id":197804,"date":"2025-10-06T15:00:05","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T15:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/06\/the-ultimate-guide-to-river-cruises-in-europe-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2025-10-06T15:00:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T15:00:05","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-river-cruises-in-europe-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/06\/the-ultimate-guide-to-river-cruises-in-europe-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"The ultimate guide to river cruises in Europe – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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I had never been a big fan of cruises or group travel in general. But from the moment I set sail on my first European river cruise<\/a>, I was hooked.<\/p>\n

Whether exploring France’s wine regions<\/a>, historic capital cities along the Danube<\/a>, the castle-lined Rhine or Portugal’s scenic Douro Valley, there is \u2014 in my opinion \u2014 no better, more relaxed way to explore Europe than with the only-unpack-once convenience and comfort from what is essentially a floating boutique hotel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And if you want to learn more about Europe’s history and landmarks, daily excursions, complete with local guides, are included (along with meals and often alcoholic beverages) on lines catering to international travelers.<\/p>\n

Prefer to explore on your own? Check out a bike or simply step off the ship in the heart of town to wander the streets. (One of my favorite river cruise experiences was getting lost in Vienna on a bicycle and spending nearly five hours pedaling through the city, admiring the imperial architecture, then stopping in a park for lunch as I gradually found my way back to the dock.)<\/p>\n

Unlike many guided land tours, there are never mandatory schedules, other than being on board in time for the ship to slowly make its way down the continent’s picturesque waterways to your next stop. And on board, whether you’re having a local farm-to-table meal, a wine-pairing dinner, cocktails on the sundeck or simply relaxing in your cabin, there is always a view.<\/p>\n

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What rivers can you cruise in Europe?<\/h2>\n
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Danube<\/h3>\n

Flowing nearly 3,000 kilometers (about 1,864 miles) through the heart of central Europe from the Black Forest to the Black Sea, the Danube is one of the most popular rivers for cruising and features one of the most iconic European river cruise experiences: sailing past Budapest, Hungary’s massive domed neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament Building.<\/p>\n

While most Danube cruises sail between Hungary and Germany, lines are increasingly also sailing south through the Balkans. Visit the architecturally rich capitals of Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade, Serbia, as well as villages seemingly lost in time. And take in natural wonders such as the river’s famed Iron Gates and the spectacular rock formations of Belogradchik, Bulgaria.<\/p>\n

Rhine<\/h3>\n

Like the Danube, the Rhine is one of the most sailed rivers in Europe. These itineraries generally sail between Amsterdam and Basel, Switzerland, and feature an afternoon or morning of scenic sailings through the beautiful Rhine Gorge, where you’ll learn about the legends behind the myriad of medieval castles that line the hills of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n

Seine<\/h3>\n

One of the most popular routes in France is the round-trip itinerary from the glittering lights of Paris to Normandy, which hits centuries-old riverside villages and many of the must-sees of France.<\/p>\n

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Sail through the romantic Isle-de-France region into Les Andelys, home to Richard the Lionheart’s Chateau Gaillard. In the Normandy capital of Rouen, visit Rouen Cathedral and explore the city’s Museum of Fine Arts, which includes masterpieces by Claude Monet and Eug\u00e8ne Delacroix. These itineraries also offer excursions to the Somme battlefields of World War I and Normandy beaches where World War II’s D-Day landings took place in 1944.<\/p>\n

Rhone<\/h3>\n

One of my favorite cruise itineraries, and a perfect trip for foodies and oenophiles, is through France’s Provence region on the Rhone River. The sailings offer a mix of traditional touring blended with top-notch wine tastings, locally sourced gourmet meals and culinary-focused excursion options.<\/p>\n

Sailings generally start in France’s culinary capital of Lyon, where you can scour brioche bakeries and food markets. Sample some of France’s finest wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Beaujolais, and visit a truffle farm in Grignan. Of course, no cruise along the Rhone is complete without stops in Arles, famed for its provencal light that lured Vincent van Gogh, and the cobblestone-lined streets of the fifth-century village of Viviers.<\/p>\n

Douro<\/h3>\n

Most of the major river cruise lines now sail at least one ship along Portugal’s Douro River, considered one of the most scenic in Europe because it has a UNESCO designation that protects scenic landscapes from commercial development. Unlike most rivers, nighttime sailing is also prohibited, meaning there is more scenic daytime cruising past historic quintas (estates) and picturesque villages along Portugal’s golden river.<\/p>\n

Visit the wine caves of Vila Nova de Gaia, bicycle through vinho verde wine country and sail deep into the mountain landscapes, idyllic riverside villages, baroque castles and medieval ruins of Portuguese wine country. Most of the cruises sail round-trip from Porto to the Spanish border, with excursions to the historic university town of Salamanca, or the “Golden City,” famous for its sand-colored buildings and churches.<\/p>\n

Garonne<\/h3>\n

Wander the vineyards of Margaux, France; sample oysters on the country’s Atlantic coast; explore the outdoor markets of Libourne, France; and enjoy plenty of downtime to explore the beautiful southern France city of Bordeaux, known as the world capital of wine.<\/p>\n

Most itineraries meander slowly along the Garonne, with options for hiking and biking through the region’s many vineyards. Wine tastings, of course, are plentiful, as are options for exploring the many quaint villages that make this area a favorite weekend getaway for locals.<\/p>\n

Venetian Lagoon<\/h3>\n

While it’s not technically a river, two companies \u2014 Uniworld and CroisiEurope \u2014 also sail from Venice, Italy, to the country’s Po River. Since large cruise ships are no longer allowed in the lagoon, it’s one of the few ways to cruise around the heart of Venice and to the mouth of the Adriatic Sea while also hitting the islands and landmarks that make Venice a top international destination.<\/p>\n

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What companies sail in Europe?<\/h2>\n