The Danube from Romania to Germany

Olteni?a is a small Romanian river port located on the left bank of the Danube River in Calara?i County, about 60 km southeast of Bucharest. It serves primarily as a regional cargo and passenger port and is occasionally included in Danube river cruise itineraries due to its proximity to the Bulgarian border and access to southeastern Romania. Read more about Oltenita, Romania

Rousse - aka Ruse, Russe - in NE Bulgaria lies on the right bank of the Danube River, opposite the Romanian city of Giurgiu. An important cultural, commercial and industrial centre, it is often called Little Vienna as it has become the most important Bulgarian river port. With more than 290 monuments and its preserved buildings from the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th centuries, it is also ‘easy visiting’ as most of the sights, such as the old city that constitutes the square around the city’s Historical Museum, are located in the centre of the city. Read more about Rousse, Bulgaria

Vidin is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube River in NW Bulgaria. Renowned for its availability of mineral water, it is also one of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian Danube Bank, and is a starting point for excursions along the Danube. An agricultural and trade centre, Vidin has a fertile hinterland renowned for its wines. Read more about Vidin, Bulgaria

Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia, lying on two international waterways at the junction of the Sava and Danube rivers. Here is found the statue of Pobednik (Winner), one of the symbols of Belgrade. It is also the second largest city on the Danube River and is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Read more about Belgrade, Serbia

Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city after Belgrade, is located on the border of the Backa and Srem regions, on the banks of the Danube river between Budapest and Belgrade. Founded in 1694, Novi Sad is a treasured regional and cultural centre and has earned its nickname ‘Serbian Athens’. Second only to Belgrade, Novi Sad is a major cultural centre and a growing venue for numerous cultural events and music concerts. Read more about Novi Sad, Serbia

Ilok, a charming town in eastern Croatia, is situated on a hill overlooking the Danube River. Known for its rich history and viticulture, Ilok boasts the impressive Ilok Castle, which houses a museum and offers stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and river. The town is famous for its excellent wines, particularly Traminac, produced in its centuries-old wine cellars. Read more about Ilok, Croatia

Mohacs is a Hungarian town in the SE part of Baranya County, on both sides of the river Danube. It is possibly best known for its Buso Carnival originating from Turkish times, which lasts for six days, when locals bury the winter and party before the start of Lent. Also of great interest are the Buso masks that, according to legend, helped locals scare away the Turks in the 16th century. Read more about Mohacs, Hungary

Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, situated on both banks of the river Danube, with its 346 river cruise ships (2019). Originally with the cities of Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east bank, it became a single city with their unification in 1873. The city’s rich and colourful history, its extensive World Heritage Site including the Danube River banks, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, and the Millennium Underground Railway, have resulted in its becoming an important tourist centre in Central Europe. Read more about Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, situated on both banks of the river Danube, with its 346 river cruise ships (2019). Originally with the cities of Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east bank, it became a single city with their unification in 1873. The city’s rich and colourful history, its extensive World Heritage Site including the Danube River banks, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, and the Millennium Underground Railway, have resulted in its becoming an important tourist centre in Central Europe. Read more about Budapest, Hungary

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is situated on both banks of the Danube River between Austria and Hungary, and is the only national capital that borders two independent countries. Bratislava and Vienna are also two of Europe's closest national capitals, less than 60 km apart. The cityscape of Bratislava is noted for its medieval towers and grandiose 20th century buildings, but has undergone profound changes in a construction boom at the start of the 21st century. Read more about Bratislava, Slovakia

Vienna, Austria's capital city, has a population of around two million and is located to the east of the Alps in the Vienna Basin. Architectural styles range from classic to modern, and include some of the world’s best known examples of Art Nouveau. Fascinating features are the few high-rise buildings, and numerous parks and gardens, with many statues of famous people such as Mozart and Strauss. Read more about Vienna, Austria

Durnstein, a hamlet and much visited tourist destination, lies nestled within Austria’s vineyard-rich Wachau Valley 80 km west of Vienna. Crowned by the ruins of a castle fortress, the cobblestone streets, the baroque monastery, the 15th century Parish Church (with one of the finest Baroque towers in Austria), the old burgher and townhouses dating back from the 16th and 18th C, and visitors feel they are strolling through history. Wander along the banks of the Danube where small shops invite you to buy, with virtually every shop offering free samples of brandy, liqueur, or schnapps. Read more about Durnstein, Austria

Linz is the third-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Upper Austria. Bridging both banks of the Danube River, it lies 30 km south of the Czech border. Stroll through the marvelous old quarter of the town, and be astonished by this progressive development of the city. Read more about Linz, Austria

Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany, at the junction of three Rivers: the Danube, the Inn from the South, and the Ilz coming out of the Bavarian Forest to the North. During the Renaissance and early modern period it became one of the most prolific centres of sword and bladed weapon manufacture in Germany. Today it is notable for its gothic and baroque architecture. Read more about Passau, Germany

The charming 1200-year-old town of Vilshofen is located in the southern part of the Bavarian Forest and on the banks of the Danube. At this age, the town has seen its fair share of flood, plague, and war. But despite the cracks caused by these unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, the town is even more attractive now - having survived it all. Read more about Vilshofen, Germany