Nothing changes your view of a city like a trip along its river. Monuments reveal themselves from a new angle, light dances on the water, and you let yourself drift, glass in hand, far from the bustle of the streets. Here's our selection of the most beautiful river cruises in Europe, to slip into your next city trip.
The Seine in Paris
The must. A Seine cruise sails past the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the most elegant bridges in the capital. At sunset, when the City of Light lights up, the experience becomes magical. Discover all the options on our what to do in Paris page.
Cruises on the Seine
Commented cruises and dinner cruises on the Seine to book.
The canals of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is only truly understood from its canals, dug in the Golden Age and UNESCO-listed. A cruise reveals its gabled houses, flower-decked barges and bridges in a row. More ideas on what to do in Amsterdam.
The Danube in Budapest
In Budapest, the Danube separates Buda and Pest and offers, at nightfall, one of the finest sights in Europe: the illuminated Parliament, the sparkling bridges, the Buda hills. A dinner cruise there feels like a fairy tale. Find it on what to do in Budapest.
Cruises on the Danube
Panoramic cruises and dinner cruises on the Danube in Budapest.
The Vltava in Prague
In Prague, a trip on the Vltava reveals the castle, Charles Bridge and the baroque façades in golden light. Gentle and romantic, it's an ideal break between two visits. See what to do in Prague.
The Douro in Porto
In Porto, the six-bridges cruise on the Douro runs along the colourful Ribeira and the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia. Heading upstream, you reach the sublime UNESCO-listed wine valley. More on what to do in Porto.
The Grand Canal in Venice
In Venice, there are no cars: water is the only road. Whether by vaporetto along the Grand Canal or by gondola in the small canals, the city is inevitably experienced on the water. Discover it on what to do in Venice.
