9 best river cruises in Europe

River cruising in Europe is one of those delightfully slow and easy modes of travel. You're in a small floating hotel, gliding through calm inland waters past castles, vineyards and scenery that changes by the hour.

Daily guided walking tours and other excursions provided by the river line take you to key UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other city and village attractions. Or, you can explore on your own, which is easy because your ship often will dock right in town.

Lazy afternoons on the ship afford the time to sit in a lounge chair and watch the world go by — kids swimming from the riverbanks, farmers tending their crops, river birds flapping their wings — as you glide to your next destination.

Which European river should you explore? The choices are broader than you might expect.

The main rivers in Europe for cruisers are the Danube and the Rhine and their tributaries. They are, by far, the most popular, doable either on one-week segments or longer itineraries that combine regions and rivers. However, there are more options for weeklong cruises and beyond. Don't underestimate the allure of relaxing for seven days on a river in France or on the dreamy Douro in Portugal.

Here are the best river cruises in Europe.

Upper Danube

When it comes to Europe river cruises, the Upper Danube is perfect for a seven-night starter sailing. It takes you through centuries of history as you explore Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.

Ships visit such cultural hubs as Vienna, with its opera house, art museums and elaborate royal palaces, and Budapest, with its magnificent architecture and modern vibe. If your ship passes the Hungarian Parliament Building at night, you're in for a treat; magnificently lit, it's one of the most photographed sights on the river.

Along the route between Melk and Krems in Austria, you cruise through the Wachau Valley, a key wine-growing region producing rieslings and gruner veltliners, with sipping opportunities available. It's also a great place to bike, which is why it's nice to sail with lines such as AmaWaterways that carry bikes on board for passengers to use.

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You might also have the option of a side trip to Salzburg, Austria, famed as the birthplace of Mozart and as the location where several scenes for the movie "The Sound of Music" were filmed. A surprise for many is Old Town Bratislava, Slovakia, which might not have been on your must-do list but charms with its beer culture and castles.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

Lower Danube

For a deep dive into Eastern Europe's past and present, the fascinating Lower Danube route between Budapest and Bucharest, Romania, explores history from the medieval times and Victorian era of Dracula to the rise of communism and the Bosnian War.

A seven-night river cruise takes you through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. The most beautiful stretch of the river is a 62-mile passage through a gorge between the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains. It's also one of the deepest stretches of river in the world.

Other sights accessed during shore excursions via bus include Bulgaria's Belogradchik Rocks, which are naturally carved towering red rock pinnacles that appear to take forms such as "Madonna with child," and Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria's stunning medieval capital.

Related: Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing

Rhine

When it comes to top cruising rivers in Europe, the Rhine wins for natural beauty and fairy-tale landscapes. A cruise on the river between Amsterdam and Basel, Switzerland — a typical one-week route — takes you past expanses of slope-side vineyards; forests and mountains; historic cities; and medieval half-timbered villages.

That's even before you get to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 40-mile stretch of river, between Rudesheim am Rhein and Koblenz, Germany, has castles galore — you might imagine Rapunzel letting down her hair — and Lorelei, the legendary slate rock said to distract sailors with the mesmerizing song of a maiden.

The French city of Strasbourg, with its famous Gothic cathedral and robust Alsatian culinary scene, is often a favorite stop on Rhine itineraries. Other highlights include Heidelberg, Germany, and its imposing castle.

Related: I thought river cruises were just for retirees, but a Disney river cruise proved me wrong

Seine

Sure, you can catch sight of the Eiffel Tower when boarding a river ship in Paris, but you can do that while staying in a hotel, too. The real highlights of a Seine cruise are sailing on the river outside the city toward the English Channel and a visit to the beaches in Normandy, France, for a perspective on World War II.

Your visit there and to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, as well as other memorials and monuments to the fallen, is a poignant experience (one that requires a two-hour bus ride from your ship, however). Avalon Waterways brings a World War II expert on board to add insight on select sailings.

Other treasures exist along the Seine, not the least of which is Giverny, France, the home and gardens of impressionist artist Claude Monet. If you are a fan of his art, much of the property might seem familiar.

In historic Rouen, France, where Joan of Arc was martyred in the Middle Ages, stop by Rouen Cathedral (another subject of Monet) before losing yourself on cobblestone streets with wonderful cafes.

Related: Booking your first river cruise? Here's what you need to know

Bordeaux

Bordeaux river cruises are different from other water routes because you explore two short waterways — the Dordogne and Garonne rivers — and the Gironde estuary in southwest France.

You'll spend more time ashore than floating down the river on this itinerary, with your ship docked for two nights in the city of Bordeaux, France, a miniature Paris with grand 18th-century buildings. Who cares when you are in the epicenter of French culture in one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world?

Bordeaux serves up the opportunity to sip Medoc, Margaux, Saint Emilion, Pomerol and Sauternes wines as you expand your wine education. You'll visit vineyards and gorgeous chateaus. Your cruise line might even host a dinner at a wine estate one evening. If you plan your cruise for September or October, you'll be able to admire the grape harvest.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

Rhone and Saone

Another must for wine lovers is exploring the interior of France, sipping Cotes du Rhone in famous wine-making regions such as Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape in Provence, and Beaune in Burgundy.

Rhone and Saone river cruises typically sail between Lyon and Arles or Avignon, and they're top-loaded with such nonwine attractions as the Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard and the Roman Arles Amphitheater, as well as the massive Palais des Papes (Papal Palace) in Avignon. You'll also be able to take in the lavender fields, haystacks and other scenes that inspired painters like Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh.

Related: 10 hot river cruises to book this year

Douro

For a lazy, dreamy, wonderful river cruise experience, nothing quite beats exploring the wine regions of Portugal on the Douro, one of the major rivers through the Iberian Peninsula. The home base for these river cruises is Porto, Portugal, with its historic city center, spectacular bridges and port houses.

On one-week cruises, you'll follow the river 130 miles past green hillside vineyards in the Douro River Valley, a UNESCO-recognized destination, before turning around at the Spanish border. The river cruises typically include a visit to the university town of Salamanca in northern Spain. Viticulture is very much the lesson en route, as you learn about port production on the "River of Gold."

Related: My latest river cruise adventure included kayaking, biking and hiking — here's how yours can, too

Elbe

Due to fluctuating water levels and narrow passages, the Elbe is a challenging river that runs 680 miles between the Czech Republic and Germany. Historically, it formed part of the border between East Germany and West Germany.

River cruising here is a rare experience. Viking is one of the few lines that visits (another is the French line CroisiEurope), offering 10-day itineraries that combine hotel stays in the cities of Berlin and Prague with a stretch of river between Prague and Wittenburg, Germany.

The cruises are on ships built specifically for the Elbe route. They stop in places such as resurgent Dresden, heavily bombed during World War II but expertly rebuilt; the Saxon Switzerland region of Germany with its striking sandstone rock formations; and the spa town of Bad Schandau.

Related: Are European river cruises right for families? Here are the pros, cons and best options for kids

Po

The Po in northern Italy is tidal, making it another challenging waterway. But where else can you easily combine a visit to Venice, Italy, with a river cruise? Uniworld Boutique River Cruises does the Po in high style with its 126-passenger S.S. La Venezia, completely decked out with a sense of place, from Fortuny fabrics and Murano glass to its gilded accents.

The one-week route doesn't take you far but does include tours to the walled city of Padua, the charming fishing village of Chioggia and Murano, home of renowned glassblowing artisans.

For those looking for a longer experience, Uniworld cleverly combines a Po cruise with luxury rail journeys to countries like Turkey and Switzerland.

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