Great Cities of the Danube: Bucharest to Vienna
The Danube
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Return UK travel service
Combine a hotel stay in Bucharest with a cruise along the Danube
Enjoy an overnight hotel stay in the Romanian capital city Bucharest before embarking on a seven night, all-inclusive river cruise. See some of Bucharest’s attractions, such as the Palace of the Parliament and Cotroceni Palace, on an included tour of the city.
Then embark Spirit of the Danube in Turnu Magurele and cruise through the dramatic scenery of the Iron Gates gorge, also passing the Decebalus Face, a colossal carving in the rocks depicting the last king of Dacia.
Enjoy included tours of Belgrade and Budapest, and take time to explore Bratislava independently. In the Austrian capital of Vienna you’ll see the Ringstrasse, Opera House and more during another included tour.
This cruise is also available with a reverse itinerary, with slightly different ports: Great Cities of the Danube: Vienna to Bucharest.
Itinerary
Hotel
![Bucharest, Romania Bucharest, Romania](/-/media/acromas/sagatravel/images/destination/river ports/romania/bucharest/d_bucharest_ss_1156969372.jpg?h=236&w=380)
Travel to Bucharest and stay overnight at a centrally located, 4-star hotel.
Bucharest is known for its wide tree-lined avenues and Belle Epoque architecture.
Spirit of the Danube
![Spirit of the Danube Spirit of the Danube](/-/media/acromas/sagatravel/images/destination/river ports/misc/spirit of the danube/d_shp_spirit_of_the_danube_ext_17736a.jpg?h=236&w=380)
Depart 1600.
TThis morning you can enjoy an included tour of Bucharest, where the highlights include the Palace of the Parliament, Cotroceni Palace where the President of Romania resides and historic Cretulescu Palace.
Later, you transfer by coach to Turnu Măgurele and embark Spirit of the Danube.
![The Decebalus Face carved into the cliffs of the Iron Gates Gorge The Decebalus Face carved into the cliffs of the Iron Gates Gorge](/-/media/acromas/sagatravel/images/destination/river ports/iron gates gorge/d_iron_gates_627045617_ss.jpg?h=236&w=380)
Scenic Cruise, the Iron Gates Gorge and the Decebalus Face
Relax on board Spirit of the Danube as she passes through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge. This strikingly scenic stretch of river is framed on both sides by sheer cliffs that are dotted with frills of greenery. In ancient times the water level in the Iron Gates gorge was much lower and it was considered one of the most dangerous stretches of river in Europe to navigate.
The riverbed rocks and low water levels combined to make this part of the river particularly treacherous for passing ships, but now a complex system of dams and locks ensures this is no longer the case. Continue past the Decebalus Face, a colossal carving in the rocks depicting the last king of Dacia.
![St Sava Cathedral, Belgrade, Serbia St Sava Cathedral, Belgrade, Serbia](/-/media/acromas/sagatravel/images/destination/river ports/serbia/belgrade/d_belgrade_ss_574790197.jpg?h=236&w=380)
Arrive 0800. Depart 0000.
Set at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers, Belgrade is considered to be the meeting point of Eastern and Western Europe. It's a city with a chequered past, having been destroyed and rebuilt 20 times during its 2,000-year history!
This morning, on an included excursion you'll be able to see its key attractions, including the cathedral and St Sava Temple, and visit the Kalemegdan fortress, which dates mostly from the late 18th century.
![Scenery along the Danube river Scenery along the Danube river](/-/media/acromas/sagatravel/images/destination/river ports/danube/d_danube_river_1661318347_ss.jpg?h=236&w=380)
Spend a leisurely day cruising.
![Budapest, Hungary Budapest, Hungary](/-/media/acromas/sagatravel/images/destination/river ports/hungary/budapest/d_budapest_ss_1078814498.jpg?h=236&w=380)
Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.
Budapest is a city made up of two parts: Buda and Pest, built on opposite banks of the Danube. The cities have been officially united since 1873, but they are still very different in character.
Buda is the older and more graceful, with its cobbled streets, medieval architecture and UNESCO-listed Buda Castle, while Pest is the administrative and commercial centre, with wide avenues and 19th-century public buildings.
Enjoy an included tour of the city this morning.
![Aerial view of Bratislava castle Aerial view of Bratislava castle](/-/media/acromas/sagatravel/images/destination/river ports/slovakia/bratislava/d_bratislava_ss_609181883.jpg?h=236&w=380)
Arrive 1000. Depart 2200.
The old town of Slovakia’s capital is easily explored on foot. The ancient cobbled streets lead to Bratislava Castle, which offers a bird’s-eye view of the city. The Gothic-style Cathedral is where eleven Kings of Hungary were crowned while Turks occupied their own capital.
![Vienna Opera house, Austria Vienna Opera house, Austria](/-/media/acromas/sagatravel/images/destination/river ports/austria/vienna/d_vienna_ss_347824040.jpg?h=236&w=380)
Arrive, 0800.
Vienna is the capital of Austria: home to the waltz, coffee houses, the Prater wheel and one of the world's finest opera houses. It is the city where Marie Antoinette grew up and where Mozart died, and for 600 years was the centre of the Hapsburg Empire. This morning, an included excursion will reveal the highlights of the city, including the Ringstrasse and Opera House.
Disembark Spirit of the Danube after breakfast and begin your return journey.
Including...
1 night Half Board in a hotel†
7 nights All Inclusive† aboard the ship
Cruise Director
Plus…
- Drinks reception and Farewell dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return flights and transfers
Included excursions
- Bucharest city tour
- Tour of Belgrade and the Kalemegdan Fortress
- Budapest city tour
- Vienna city tour
Our cruises include excursions at selected ports so you can make the most of the destinations you visit. Find out more about when excursions are available to book.
Interactive maps and audio headsets are available for independent exploration.
†The included drinks are available from 9am to midnight and include non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.