Classical music European river cruise
The best itinerary for classical music lovers
There's a Europe river cruise for each taste and every interest: for wine you’ve got the Rhône or the Moselle, for historic cities you’ve got the Rhine or the Seine. If it’s scenic beauty you crave – well, they’re all good but my heart lies with the Douro or the Dutch waterways in tulip season.
And then for classical music – one of Europe’s greatest cultural contributions to the world – there’s no real contender to Strauss's glorious blue Danube, whose 2,800 km stitches together some of Europe’s most significant musical locations.
On this route, the musical heritage really takes centre stage. You don’t travel far – it’s only eight days and around 250km from Vienna to Budapest, and you’ll spend a good chunk of your time off the river in concert and visiting some key musical landmarks. There are longer and more varied cruises on the Danube – if maximising distance and destinations is your focus, this might not be the route for you. But if it’s a journey of musical discovery you’re on, then look no further.
Key information
| Destinations | Danube |
|---|---|
| Activity | Cruise & Sailing, Culture, Cities |
 Season |
March - December |
Classical music European river cruise itinerary
Budapest, Hungary
Day 1 in Budapest
Arrive in Budapest, whose Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture once inspired Liszt and Bartók, among countless others. If time allows, explore the city independently before embarking the vessel for your welcome briefing and first dinner on board.
Vienna, Austria
Day 2 in Vienna
Spend the day cruising through the changing landscapes of the Danube. By early evening you’ll arrive at Vienna, long regarded as the centre of classical music in Europe and home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms.
Vienna, Austria
Day 3 in Vienna
A full day in Vienna offers opportunities to explore the city’s imperial past and rich musical legacy. Tour the Vienna State Opera, one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses, and the former Habsburg residences. Composer’s guided walking tours trace the lives of Vienna’s great musicians, visiting former residences and sites where some of the most famous symphonies and operas were written. The interactive House of Music provides further insight into Vienna’s role in shaping classical music.
Linz, Austria – Salzburg
Day 4 in Linz
Leave the river entirely to travel by road to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart (1756). Visit his childhood home and later residence, now museums displaying original compositions and instruments. Walking tours of Salzburg cover key sites in the city’s Old Town, which remains largely unchanged since Mozart’s time. Stop in Mondsee to see the church where scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed.
Wachau Valley & Melk, Austria
Day 5 in Melk
Cruise through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO-listed region known for its vineyards, before arriving in Melk. The Benedictine Abbey of Melk, one of Austria’s most significant monastic sites, houses an extensive library containing medieval musical manuscripts. You can attend a choir performance in or around the abbey, continuing a centuries-old musical tradition.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Day 6 in Bratislava
Bratislava has a long musical tradition, with connections to Haydn, Beethoven, and Liszt, all of whom performed in the city. A walking tour of Coronation City explores its historic centre, with live musical vignettes at selected locations. And nothing beats simply soaking in the cafe and tavern culture that must have inspired so many musicians and composers over the centuries.
Budapest, Hungary
Day 7 in Budapest
You finally return to Budapest, where Franz Liszt helped establish Hungary’s first national music academy in 1875. Classical music tours include a visit to the Hungarian State Opera House, an architectural landmark that has hosted performances by some of the world’s greatest composers, and the Franz Liszt Memorial Museum, set in his former apartment. In the evening, Budapest’s illuminated bridges and riverfront buildings provide a striking backdrop for your final night on board.
Departure
Day 8 in Budapest
Disembark and depart.
Where to stay
AmaLea
Capacity for 156 passengers. These relaxed and informal ships feature a heated sun deck swimming pool and large 'twin balconies' in many staterooms. Enjoy the informal style during the day whilst relaxing on the Sundeck, and in the evening indulge in the gourmet cuisine in the main dining room or The Chef's Table.
Need to know
When to go
The cruise season on the Danube is late March through December. It can be chilly in the spring (which can also be rainy) and autumn/fall, but there are also lower fares in these seasons. Summer can be hot, particularly on the eastern Lower Danube. Fall cruises bring opportunity to observe the wine harvest and participate in Oktoberfest. But the most magical time of year is Christmas time, when nearly every town and city in the Upper Danube hosts a Christmas Market – with booths selling handmade gifts and the atmosphere filled with music, mulled wine and the scent of freshly baked gingerbread.
