Waterways
This river cruise sails the Danube, departing Giurgiu.
| Cruise line | AmaWaterways |
|---|---|
| Ship | AmaRudi |
| Duration | 7 nights |
| Port calls | 8 |
| Departures | 8 sailings |
| From fare | $3,057 per person |
| Year built | 2027 |
| Guests | 196 |
| Crew | 70 |
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Romania Cruise from Giurgiu to Budapest — 8 Days
7 nights · Romania · River cruise · Departs Giurgiu (Romania) · Visiting Ruse, Vidin, Golubac, Belgrade, Vukovar, Mohacs, Budapest · Aboard AmaWaterways on the AmaRudi
Image courtesy of AmaWaterways ©
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Day 1
Giurgiu, Romania
Giurgiu sits on the Danube, where Romania meets Bulgaria across the river. Its Friendship Bridge carries road and rail traffic to Ruse, giving this port a direct link between two countries. Bucharest lies about 65 kilometres north, making the capital a popular excursion for river-cruise visitors. In town, the 18th-century Clock Tower offers a landmark and a glimpse of Giurgiu’s long history on the river.
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Day 2
Ruse, Bulgaria
Ruse is Bulgaria’s grand Danube city, where elegant nineteenth-century façades give the streets a distinctly European air. Start at Svoboda Square, framed by cafés and the striking Monument of Liberty, then explore the Regional Historical Museum. Ruse also makes a rewarding base for visiting the UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo, a short drive inland. After sightseeing, settle beside the river and watch the Danube carry the day downstream.
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Day 3
Vidin, Bulgaria
On Bulgaria’s northwestern edge, Vidin faces Romania across the broad Danube. Begin at Baba Vida, a remarkably preserved medieval fortress whose towers command the river. In the old town, the imposing St. Dimitar Cathedral and Ottoman-era buildings reveal layers of Bulgarian history. Walk the riverside promenade as vessels pass along Europe’s great waterway. Vidin also offers a gateway to the Belogradchik Rocks, about 50 kilometres south.
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Day 4
Golubac, Serbia
At Golubac, the Danube meets the Iron Gates gorge beneath the towers of Serbia’s most dramatic medieval fortress. First recorded in 1335, Golubac Fortress guarded a strategic passage between the Balkans and Central Europe. Explore its restored walls, then follow the river road into Đerdap National Park. There, wooded slopes and limestone cliffs frame the water. From the fortress heights, the Danube’s immense scale comes into focus.
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Day 5
Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade stands where the Sava meets the Danube, a strategic crossroads shaped by centuries of conquest and commerce. From the riverfront, Kalemegdan Fortress commands wide views over both waterways and the city’s layered skyline. Below it, cafés, markets and pedestrian streets reveal a capital that feels energetic, not polished for visitors. Come ashore for history, strong coffee and a distinctly Balkan pace; Belgrade rewards those who explore beyond the main square.
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Day 6
Vukovar, Croatia
Vukovar sits where the Vuka meets the Danube, in Croatia’s quiet eastern corner. Its streets reveal an elegant Baroque past alongside the scars of the 1991 siege, most powerfully at the Water Tower. Visit the restored Eltz Manor, now home to the Vukovar City Museum, then follow the riverfront. Nearby Vučedol offers a remarkable window into a prehistoric culture that flourished here five millennia ago.
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Day 7
Mohacs, Hungary
Mohács sits on the Danube in southern Hungary, where river life meets a turbulent past. The town is known for the 1526 Battle of Mohács, a defeat that reshaped Hungary. It also hosts Busójárás, a UNESCO-listed pre-Lenten festival of carved masks, bells and lively processions. Visit the battlefield memorial, then stroll the riverside streets or sample paprika-rich Hungarian cooking. Mohács rewards travelers willing to look beyond Budapest.
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Day 8
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest makes a memorable arrival, with the Danube dividing hilly Buda from lively, level Pest. From the river, the Hungarian Parliament’s Gothic Revival façade commands attention, especially after dark. Cross the Chain Bridge to explore Castle Hill, or stay in Pest for cafés, markets, and celebrated thermal baths. Allow time to linger: Budapest’s pleasures are best discovered on foot, over a long lunch, and beside the water.
AmaRudi Cruises
- 15 Days One-Way from Giurgiu to Vilshofen an Der Donau
- 15 Days One-Way from Vilshofen an Der Donau to Giurgiu
- 8 Days One-Way from Budapest to Giurgiu
- 8 Days One-Way from Budapest to Vilshofen an Der Donau
- 8 Days One-Way from Vilshofen an Der Donau to Budapest
- 8 Days Budapest, Hungary Round Trip
Published September 21, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Cruise Disclosure
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