Budapest Break & Danube Cruise

Welcome to Budapest and the beginning of your unforgettable journey along the Danube. Upon arrival at the airport, meet your private driver for a transfer to your hotel in Hungary’s elegant capital. After check-in, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Relax at your hotel or head out to explore the city’s charming streets, lively outdoor cafés, and beautiful riverside atmosphere. Budapest is renowned for its rich coffeehouse tradition, and you may wish to visit the legendary New York Café, once a favorite gathering place for writers, artists, and intellectuals during the early 20th century. With its grand interiors and historic charm, it remains one of the city’s most iconic experiences today.

Step back into the Cold War period with a unique private sightseeing experience through Budapest in a classic Trabant, the iconic East European car that became a symbol of communist Hungary. Accompanied by your private driver-guide, discover both the historic Buda and lively Pest sides of the city while enjoying views of the Danube River, the Hungarian Parliament Building, Castle Hill, and the famous Chain Bridge. Along the way, stop to sample traditional Hungarian snacks and sweet treats while exploring neighborhoods filled with grand architecture, thermal bath culture, and lively cafés. Once divided into two cities by the Danube, Budapest is now celebrated as one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals, blending imperial history, rich culture, and vibrant modern life.

As a different option, you may also enjoy a private Jewish Heritage walking tour through Budapest’s historic Jewish Quarter, including the Dohány Street Synagogue and other significant cultural landmarks.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Today provides you with an opportunity for free time to explore the city at leisure. Budapest is also famous for its thermal baths and soaking in its naturally warm geothermal waters, derived from 100 hot springs, has long been a popular tradition. One possible way to spend the day is by immersing yourself in the baths experience. Perhaps visit some of its most renowned thermal baths like Szechenyi and Rudas, enjoying your own thermal bath adventure for blissful relaxation enveloped in the soothing mineral-rich sulphuric water. It’s the perfect way to conclude your time here with the cruise portion of your trip starting tomorrow.

Alternatively, our sales specialists can help arrange one of our other private guided touring experiences around the city, perhaps joining a half-day street art tour, visiting the vibrant, mural-filled walls of the Jewish Quarter, finding hidden mini guerilla statues by Mihály Kolodko, and the famous Szimpla Kert ruin bar. Your tour will also include entrance to The Dohány Street Synagogue, also known as the Great Synagogue, the largest in Europe, seating 3,000 people, and is a centre of Neolog Judaism.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Start your day with a private walking tour led by an expert local guide, visiting iconic filming locations, capturing photos at famous movie scenes, and discovering the city’s highlights, daily life, and rich history as a celebrated backdrop for international films.

It will soon be time to embark on the AmaWaterways cruise portion of your trip. After free time for some lunch in town,  your driver will meet you at your hotel to provide a private transfer to your AmaWaterways ship that’s waiting in the heart of Budapest. Once onboard you’ll be shown to your stateroom where you can take time to unpack and refresh. Relax and enjoy the onboard facilities, perhaps lounging around the heated pool in between dips. Be sure to leave time to prepare for this evening’s Captain’s cocktail and dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Your first port of call on your cruise brings you to the Slovakian capital. Known as the “Coronation City of Kings,” Bratislava played host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens from 1536 to 1830. You’ll discover it on a guided walking tour or on a tasting tour if you prefer to learn about it through its traditional flavors, which include the local beer. Those who want to get more active can take a guided hike to Bratislava Castle and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city from its lofty vantage point. Or a guided biking tour is available for cycling enthusiasts.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursion Options Available:
Bratislava walking tour
“Tastes of Slovakia” food tour
Bratislava Castle hike
Bike tour

A highlight of your cruise is enjoyed today, with the morning revealing the picture-perfect landscapes of UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley while sailing to Melk. You’ll want to have your camera ready to take advantage of the photo ops along the stunning valley, before joining an excursion to the hilltop city overlooking the Danube. Its crown jewel is Melk Abbey, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. The museum inside features a famous library displaying medieval manuscripts.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursion Options Available:
Melk Abbey visit

Reaching Linz near the German border, choose from multiple excursion options, including a tour uncovering the contemporary and historic architecture with highlights like the old market and Mozart House where Mozart composed Symphony No. 36, the Linz Symphony, in just three days. A bike tour is an alternative. Or, visit Salzburg for an excursion that highlights the city’s historic center, Mirabell Gardens, the Old Market, and Residenz Square. It includes a stop at Basilica St. Michael, the site where the famous “Sound of Music” wedding scene was filmed. Yet another option is a full-day trip to Cesky Krumlov in the Czechia mountains.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursion Options Available:
“UNESCO City of Media Arts” walking tour
“Cultural Mile” bike tour
Full-day Salzburg city tour
Full-day Český Krumlov excursion
Distillery tour

You’ll have a full morning to relax and take in the passing views as your AmaWaterways ship makes its way to the Austrian capital. It’s also a great time to indulge in a massage after all the activities you’ve enjoyed. Upon arrival to Vienna, one of Europe’s most enchanting cities, you can join our tour via horse-drawn carriage through the historic center with a traditionally costumed coachman guide that will regale you with fascinating stories along the way. Or embark on a guided bike ride through Vienna, rolling along the scenic Danube Canal to Vienna’s iconic Ringstrasse Boulevard looping around the Innere Stadt district.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursion Options Available:
“Imperial Vienna” carriage tour
Vienna by bike

Enjoy a full day to explore Vienna’s many delights, including a visit to one of its top attractions, Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 18th century as the main summer residence of the Habsburgs. The Baroque palace contains more than 1,440 rooms and is one of Austria’s most important historical, cultural, and architectural monuments. Nature enthusiasts might prefer the alternative active option, a guided hike from the town of Cobenzl through the Vienna woods which inspired Johann Strauss II to compose a waltz. After either tour, you’ll have time to explore the city on your own.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursion Options Available:
Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
Vienna Woods hike

Returning to where it all began, you’ll have more time to get to know Budapest’s nearly unrivaled blend of rich tradition and culture. A guided sightseeing tour begins on the Buda side of the river where you’ll explore the Castle District, marveling at the Fisherman’s Bastion with its fairytale-like turrets and taking in the awe-inspiring panorama below. You’ll also visit Matthias Church, characterized by its impressive tower and colorful mosaic roof. Or, take a guided hike up Castle Hill. This afternoon discover Pest side highlights, including Heroes’ Square, the massive Hungarian Parliament Building, and the poignant Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Included Excursion Options Available:
Buda city tour
Castle Hill hike
Pest tour

Having cruised round-trip from Budapest, your explorations of the Danube will soon come to an end. With your bags packed and ready, enjoy one last breakfast onboard, time for farewells to new friends made, the captain and the crew. Your driver will be waiting at disembarkation to take you to Budapest’s airport where you can continue your travels, or catch your flight back home. Alternatively, enjoy another few days exploring the baths and ruin bars of this incredible city. Whatever your plans, we hope you’ve enjoyed a memorable adventure with memories of a lifetime to take with you.

Meals Included: Breakfast

N.B. Excursions offered by AmaWaterways may vary from those listed in this itinerary. Full excursion options will be made available to you ahead of travel and upon embarking the ship. While excursions are included on AmaWaterways, there may also be some optional excursions available for a supplement.