Overview
Itinerary
Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship.
Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city's Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman's Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest's Castle Hill.
In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes' Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial.
Excursions:
- Buda city tour OR Castle Hill hike
- Pest city tour
Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you'll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.
Excursions:
- “Coronation City” walking tour OR Tastes of Slovakia OR Bratislava Castle hike
The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna's historic city center and then visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, or discover Vienna by bike. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city.
Excursions:
- “Imperial Vienna” tour OR Vienna city tour by bike
- Free time
After reaching Weissenkirchen, you'll be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. For a more culinary-focused experience, join a walking tour in Dürnstein, then enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner and sample special apricot treats from a local boutique. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held or join a guided bike tour to Melk.
Later in the day, sail through the Strudengau and Wachau valleys to medieval Grein for an exclusive visit to the more than 500-year-old Greinburg Castle, looming regally from above.
Excursions:
- Highlights of Dürnstein and Melk Abbey visit OR Dürnstein with wine and apricots OR Dürnstein fortress hike OR Weissenkirchen to Melk bike tour
- Strudengau Valley and UNESCO Wachau Valley
- Exclusive Greinburg Castle visit
The ship arrives in Linz where you'll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you'll tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. You may also choose to join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov, where you can stroll its cobblestone streets; marvel at the city's picturesque Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings; and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe's largest castle complexes.
Upon your return to Linz, you may choose to take a brief walking tour in the city. Or join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or go on a bike tour of the city's famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. In the afternoon, embark on a journey into the fascinating world of whiskey distillation on an exciting guided tour. Full-day excursions not combinable with other tours on this day
Excursions:
- Full-day Salzburg excursion* OR Full-day Český Krumlov excursion with Linz tour* OR “UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour OR “Cultural Mile” bike tour
- Distillery tour
Discover the city of Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Alternately, choose between a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress or a guided bike tour along the River Inn. Later, cruise to Vilshofen, where you will be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration— an AmaWaterways exclusive.
Excursions:
- “City of Three Rivers” walking tour OR Passau Castle hike OR Passau River Inn bike tour
- Exclusive Oktoberfest celebration
Bid farewell to Vilshofen and prepare for your flight home.
Life On Board
Onboard AmaBella you'll find a massage and hair salon, fitness room, specialty coffee station, gift shop, and a heated pool on the Sun Deck. Read more
Our guests have different tastes, so we offer a variety of included shore excursions so you can tailor your experience in every port of call. Read more
Sophisticated, contemporary and elegantly appointed, your spacious stateroom serves as your personal oasis for rejuvenation. Read more
All onboard dining, as well as unlimited wine and beer with lunch and dinner, is included so you can indulge whenever and however you'd like. Read more
Our staff are committed to the happiness of our guests and cruise after cruise they tell us of their wonderful experiences the've had with us. Read more
All of our guided hikes and bike tours are included in the cruise fare so you have more choices when it comes to how you prefer to explore. Read more
River Cruise Reviews (3)
Every night the App was updated with the next days program, so you had it well in advance. Champagne was available at breakfast and the wines were readily available with lunch and dinner with a great selection from the local areas. A daily Sip & Sail 1 hr cocktail party is provided every night with music and from what we experienced, there were no limitations at all!
The Daily Cruiser provided by the very professional Cruise Manager, Tamas, not only contains the daily program but also weather forecasts, ship phone numbers and cruise managers email & phone number so one was never not able to contact the ship and personnel if they were ever needed.
All meals were provided with incredible choices – buffet breakfast and lunches and A La Carte dinners. Service was always fast, polite and fun. The included Chefs Table (no surcharge) is a 8 course dinner with fine premium wines and excellent service bookable in advance whilst on board. There is also a gym on board, massage room and a wellness host offering a numerous array of activities on ship and land using the provided bicycles and walking sticks.
Complimentary recyclable water containers and water is provided as well as high quality WIFI. Gratuities are all included as well.
All tours are included and offered and run professionally with knowledgeable local guides. I did the Cesky Krumlov tour from Linz, which was certainly a highlight. As was the new tour of the Mauthausen nazi concentration camp. In conclusion, I can say without a doubt this AmaWaterways trip which was run so professionally was superior in all aspects to any other river cruise I have taken – we were kept fully informed of daily activities etc well in advance, provided with beautiful accommodations, great food and wines and service throughout.
Download Brochure
AmaWaterways River Cruises (2026)
Dates & Pricing
Cabin Layout Options:
Select Cabin Preference:
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by AmaWaterways. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Similar River Cruises
8 Days Le Havre Paris
Operated By: AmaWaterways
8 Days Dijon Arles
Operated By: AmaWaterways
8 Days Giurgiu Budapest
Operated By: AmaWaterways
