RejsRejsRejs » The travel favorites » River cruise in Europe: 5 great river cruises you can take in 2025
The Netherlands Portugal The travel favorites Sponsored post Germany

River cruise in Europe: 5 great river cruises you can take in 2025

river cruise - iron gate - danube
Here are five great river cruises in Europe you should take this year.
Banner: Hotel Porto Roca - Cinque Terre - hotel Italy   Ice Cream Banner    
Sponsored post, recalme, graphics, disclaimer

Sponsored post. River cruise in Europe: 5 great river cruises you can take in 2025 is written in collaboration with VIVA Cruises.

The newsletter is sent out several times a month. See our data policy here.

budapest - river cruise

Take a river cruise in Europe

A river cruise is the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure, where you can sit back and enjoy life while the ship sails quietly towards some of Europe's most beautiful destinations.

With a river cruise in Europe, you get the chance to experience culture and nature up close without having to think about transport, packing and unpacking a suitcase or stressful travel plans.

River cruises open the door to places that reveal themselves in a whole new way from the water side – from vineyards along Portugal's Douro River in lush valleys to the historic cities of the Rhine. We guide you to five wonderful river cruises you can take in 2025 and help you find just the route that suits your travel dreams.

douro valley cruise - river cruise in Europe

Discover the Douro Valley and the home of port wine

If you're into port, then the Douro Valley in northern Portugal is the perfect destination for a river cruise. The Douro River cuts through rolling valleys and lush vineyards clinging to the valley's steep slopes.

Start the journey in the beautiful city of Porto, whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and continue on a river cruise into the heart of Portugal's port wine region. Along the way, you can visit towns such as Régua and Pinhão, where you can experience the port wine traditions up close, and learn more about the well-known wine that is only produced here in the area.

You can, for example, go on such a journey with VIVA Cruises' brand new ship 'Porto Mirante', which takes you on an adventure to the valley's greatest sights and local delicacies.

  • viva cruises spa

Treat yourself to a wellness cruise in Europe

If 2025 is to be the year you treat yourself a little extra, then take a wellness river cruise in Europe. Imagine gliding leisurely on the Rhine while enjoying an aromatherapy massage, followed by a delicious and nutritious lunch on deck, and then ending the day with sunset yoga.

There are plenty of cities in Europe known for their thermal baths and wellness offerings, but why choose one? On a river cruise you will be transported around to the most beautiful wellness cities that offer relaxation for both body and soul.

And the best thing about going on a river cruise, where wellness is the focus, is that self-indulgence, relaxation and tranquility are also guaranteed while you are on the ship, which quietly transports you from one spa paradise to another .

Ice Cream Banner
Viva cruises cruise

Take a themed river cruise

Theme cruises have become very popular and a theater cruise is no exception. A unique experience awaits here, where the entertainment is never far away - neither on water nor on land.

On board you can enjoy a lot of different performances, while some of the highlights of the journey take place on land, where the ship docks in cities with historic theaters and well-known productions.

A theater cruise is therefore perfect for you who are looking for travel and culture in one, and it is an obvious form of travel for you who love to be carried away by the magic of the theater and be enchanted by the world of the performing arts, regardless of where in the world you are. .

Paris winter

Shorter winter cruises in Europe

If you dream of starting the new year with a different adventure, then a shorter cruise on one of the many rivers in Europe is an obvious option for a small break from everyday life.

Although most river cruises in Europe have gone into winter hibernation in January, there are still companies like VIVA Cruises that offer a magical winter adventure on Europe's rivers. You can, for example, go away for an extended weekend and experience some of Europe's most charming cities and natural areas without crowds and without too many tourists, as there can be in the high season.

So instead of waiting for the heat, you can spend the winter exploring new destinations along the Rhine, Danube or Elbe.

Amsterdam Cruise in Europe - River Cruise

Take a river cruise to beautiful capitals in Europe

If you would like to take a longer cruise through Europe for a few weeks, then a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest is an obvious choice, as you will get to experience some of the most iconic cities and beautiful natural areas.

The journey starts in the charming capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, and takes you through Germany, Austria and Slovakia before ending in Budapest, Hungary. The highlight of this tour is the passage through the Iron Gate on the Danube. Here you slide between dramatic canyons, where the river cuts through steep hillsides and lush landscapes. But of course there are also plenty of cultural experiences in, among other things, elegant Vienna, where you can experience the classical architecture and the classical music.

This river cruise is perfect for you who want to experience the different cultures and landscapes of Europe in a relaxed way, where you can enjoy the journey at a comfortable pace without having to pack your bags all the time.

Really good trip on a cruise in Europe!

5 beautiful river cruises in Europe

  • Cruise in the Douro Valley
  • Wellness cruise
  • Theater cruise
  • Winter cruise in Europe
  • Shorter cruise
  • River cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest


Did you know: Here are the 7 cities in Europe with the most hours of sunshine

7: Nice in France – 342 hours/month
6: Valencia in Spain – 343 hours/month
Get numbers 1-5 immediately by signing up for the newsletter, and look in the welcome email:

The newsletter is sent out several times a month. See our data policy here.

find a good offer banner 2023

                                                                 

Did you know: Here are 7 of the best local food markets in Denmark!

7: Green Market in Copenhagen
6: Eco market in Randers
Get numbers 1-5 immediately by signing up for the newsletter, and look in the welcome email:

The newsletter is sent out several times a month. See our data policy here.

                                                                 

Banner - hotels    

About the author

The editorial staff, RejsRejsRejs

RejsRejsRejs.dk's regular editorial staff shares both their own personal tips and tricks and tells about everything that happens in the travel world.
We write articles and guides, do competitions and give you the best travel deals, travel lectures and travel fun.

Add comment

Comment here

Newsletter

The newsletter is sent out several times a month. See our data policy here.

Inspiration

Travel deals

Facebook cover picture travel deals travel

Get the best travel tips here

The newsletter is sent out several times a month. See our data policy here.