Bulgaria Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
38 ships from 10 cruise lines
Bulgaria cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 216 upcoming sailings on 38 ships from 10 cruise lines visiting Bulgaria, calling at 5 places. Cruises visit Bulgaria as a port of call and do not start or end here.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Bulgaria cruise lines
See every Bulgaria cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers a deep, unhurried layer of European history along the lower Danube. River cruise calls at Vidin, Ruse, and Silistra give travelers access to Roman ruins, medieval fortresses, cave monasteries, and the unpolished texture of the Balkans. The trade-off is a less refined port infrastructure and long road transfers; the reward is an authentically non-touristy experience. This package is designed for the American traveler who wants substance over spectacle and is wary of being herded.
Typical routes
- lower-danube-corridor
- iron-gates-extension
Ports overview
Bulgaria's 470-km Danube border is a river-cruise highlight for travelers who want archaeology and architecture over postcard scenery. The three principal calls are Vidin, Ruse, and Silistra, each within easy reach of UNESCO-listed inland treasures. Because Bulgaria is the least touristed Danube country, shore excursions feel less choreographed—but they can also be longer, hotter, and less comfortable than the polished stops in Austria or Germany.
Cruise season
Mid-April to mid-October; high water in spring, warm July-Aug, pleasant September and early October. Some sailings run in March and November but with reduced port availability.
Find your Bulgaria sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Bulgaria, earliest departure first.
15 Days One-Way from Vienna to Constanta
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Viking Kadlin
11 Days One-Way from Budapest to Bucharest
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Hungary, Croatia, Serbia
Viking Embla
11 Days One-Way from Bucharest to Budapest
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Romania, Serbia, Croatia
Viking Lif
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11 Days One-Way from Budapest to Bucharest
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Hungary, Croatia, Serbia
Viking Jarl
11 Days One-Way from Bucharest to Budapest
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Romania, Serbia, Croatia
Viking Atla
10 Days One-Way from Budapest to Bucharest
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Hungary, Croatia, Serbia
Avalon Illumination
12 Days One-Way from Budapest to Bucharest
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Hungary, Croatia, Serbia
Avalon Illumination
8 Days One-Way from Budapest to Oltenita
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Hungary, Croatia, Serbia
Avalon Illumination
11 Days One-Way from Budapest to Bucharest
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Hungary, Croatia, Serbia
Avalon Illumination
9 Days One-Way from Budapest to Bucharest
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Hungary, Croatia, Serbia
Avalon Illumination
20 Days One-Way from Bucharest to Budapest
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Romania, Serbia-Romania, Serbia
Scenic Crystal
22 Days One-Way from Bucharest to Vienna
Visits Bulgaria. Also visits Romania, Serbia-Romania, Serbia
Scenic Crystal
Where Bulgaria cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (0)
No cruises start here.
Disembarkation ports (0)
No cruises end here.
Ships by type: 38 river · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Bulgaria is also in: Western Europe, Mediterranean
Plan your Bulgaria cruise
Bulgaria cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Bulgaria cruise port guide →Frequently asked questions about Bulgaria cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Bulgaria?
5 Bulgaria places are visited by 38 ships from 10 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Bulgaria cruise?
Mid-April to mid-October; high water in spring, warm July-Aug, pleasant September and early October. Some sailings run in March and November but with reduced port availability.
Sources and further reading
Background on Bulgaria draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: Bulgaria
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Bulgaria
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Ivanovo Rock-Hewn Churches
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Ancient City of Nessebar
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
- Bulgaria Travel Official Tourism Portal: Destination Bulgaria
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!