12 nights · Turkey, Galataport · River cruise · Departs Istanbul (Turkey) · Visiting Bucharest, Giurgiu, Ruse, Vidin, Belgrade, Vukovar, Mohacs, Budapest, Vienna · Aboard AmaWaterways on the AmaVerde
Image courtesy of AmaWaterways ©
This river cruise sails the Danube, departing Istanbul.
| Cruise line | AmaWaterways |
|---|---|
| Ship | AmaVerde |
| Duration | 12 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| Departures | 9 sailings |
| From fare | $6,724 per person |
| Year built | 2011 |
| Guests | 161 |
| Cabins | 85 |
| Crew | 49 |
| Length | 135 m |
| Beam | 12 m |
| Cruising speed | 11.0 kn |
Istanbul makes a compelling first impression: minarets rise above the Bosphorus, while ferries cross between Europe and Asia. On the historic peninsula, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace place centuries of empire within walking distance. Istanbul rewards curiosity beyond its landmarks. Browse the Grand Bazaar, linger over Turkish coffee, then take a ferry to the Asian shore. Allow time for traffic and queues; the city’s scale is part of the experience.
Bucharest is Romania’s capital, where Belle Époque façades stand beside broad boulevards and stark communist-era buildings. Start along Calea Victoriei, then explore the Old Town’s lanes, churches, cafés and 19th-century landmarks. Visit the Romanian Athenaeum, a celebrated concert hall, and the Palace of Parliament, a vast monument to the communist era. Allow time for a meal: Romanian cooking pairs well with the city’s lively café culture.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Arrive in Vienna by river and give the city more than a passing glance. Its imperial centre rewards a slow walk, from St Stephen’s Cathedral to the grand Ringstrasse boulevards. Set aside time for Schönbrunn Palace, once the Habsburgs’ summer residence, or choose the Kunsthistorisches Museum for its remarkable collections. Then take a seat in a traditional coffeehouse; in Vienna, coffee and cake are part of the city’s daily ritual.
Published August 27, 2026
Last updated October 31, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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!
