The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest 2026 - 10 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Budapest

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The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest 2026

10 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Budapest



Tour Description:

Begin your exciting European vacation with one night in Bucharest, Romania, before embarking on your river cruise along the beautiful Danube River to Budapest, Hungary. Take in the sights in Bucharest, known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and historical treasures. See the sights here, including the Arc de Triomphe—built in honor of WWI soldiers—and the historical Royal Palace Square. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo, and visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. Take pictures of Belogradchik’s eclectic group of rock formations and the spectacular views as you cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge. Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Continue up the Danube and take an excursion to the ancient city of Pécs, Hungary. These and countless other memorable moments await you on this fascinating Danube River cruise through Eastern Europe.

Map for The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest 2026 - 10 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Budapest
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Dates & Pricing

Wednesday 06 May 26 — Saturday 16 May 26Starting at $4,148Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Friday 29 May 26 — Monday 08 Jun 26Starting at $4,348Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 13 Jun 26 — Tuesday 23 Jun 26Starting at $4,098Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 28 Jun 26 — Wednesday 08 Jul 26Starting at $3,748Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 13 Jul 26 — Thursday 23 Jul 26Starting at $3,498Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 28 Jul 26 — Friday 07 Aug 26Starting at $3,498Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Wednesday 12 Aug 26 — Saturday 22 Aug 26Starting at $3,498Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Thursday 27 Aug 26 — Sunday 06 Sep 26Starting at $4,198Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Friday 11 Sep 26 — Monday 21 Sep 26Starting at $4,648Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 26 Sep 26 — Tuesday 06 Oct 26Starting at $4,648Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Sunday 11 Oct 26 — Wednesday 21 Oct 26Starting at $4,098Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 26 Oct 26 — Thursday 05 Nov 26Starting at $3,898Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Bucharest: Welcome to Bucharest
Day 2 Bucharest–Oltenita (Embarkation): Guided sightseeing in Bucharest; onboard welcome reception
Day 3 Rousse. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi: Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or guided sightseeing in Rousse, or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 4 Vidin. Excursion to Belogradchik: Guided sightseeing to Baba Vida fortress, see the rock formations in Belogradchik or bike with your Adventure Host
Day 5 Iron Gates–Donji Milanovac–Golubač: Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or walk with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubač fortress
Day 6 Belgrade: Choice of guided sightseeing or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Day 7 Novi Sad: Choice of Novi Sad guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of honey and wine tasting or hike to the Petrovaradin Fortress
Day 8 Ilok-Vukovar: Ilok guided tour with wine tasting; Vukovar guided tour
Day 9 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: Choice of guided tour and organ concert in Pécs or sightseeing in Mohács, visit St. Nicolas watermill
Day 10 Budapest (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning
Notes:
  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

ITINERARY

Day 1
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA Welcome to Bucharest—The “Paris of the East” The day is yours to relax and enjoy Bucharest. Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its trendy shops, cafés, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue. BUCHAREST-PARLIAMENT.jpg

Day 2
BUCHAREST Beautiful Boulevards and Bold History CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city’s 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Travel to Oltenita to board your Avalon Suite Ship® this afternoon. OLTENITA (EMBARKATION) Your Balkan Adventure Begins Explore your Avalon Suite Ship® this evening and enjoy a dinner onboard. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE BUCHAREST-ARC-DE-TRIOMPHE.jpg

Day 3
ROUSSE, BULGARIA. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna” ACTIVE Join a bike tour in Rousse with your Avalon Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church, OR: CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi. Sail to Svistov or join your ship there if you opted for the full-day tour. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN VELIKO-TARNOVO.jpg
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Day 4
VIDIN Rocks, Ruins, and Balkan Beauty Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. ACTIVE Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. See the remarkable rock formations on the slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of nature’s elements. Then, visit the mighty Baba Vida Fortress in nearby Vidin. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC VIDIN-BELOGRADSHICK.jpg
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Day 5
DONJI MILANOVAC, SERBIA–IRON GATES GORGE. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates Before lunch on board, you’ll sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. ACTIVE Stretch your legs, ease your mind, and enjoy a walk lead by your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir—an important Mesolithic archaeological site chronicling prehistoric cultures, settlements, and art. Marvel at the ancient discoveries and artifacts, as well as the unique views the site affords of the Danube Gorge. Enjoy a brief sailing to Golubač. GOLUBAČ A Formidable Fortress CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You’ll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Ottoman Empire. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE IRON-GATES-GORGE.jpg
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Day 6
BELGRADE Fortresses and Folklore Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade—where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge—and see the city’s many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches. You may choose to join an Optional Guided Biking tour or spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots. DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD BELGRADE-SAINT-SAVA.jpg
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Day 7
NOVI SAD A Capital of Culture ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise, join your Adventure Host on this walk in and around town, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Novi Sad, the second largest town in Serbia. Admire its Austro-Hungarian old town, with its baroque buildings, and ancient fortifications. ACTIVE Enjoy a walking tour in Novi Sad along the narrow streets that climb slowly to the top of the hill above the city to Petrovaradin Fortress, OR: DISCOVERY Experience the sweet life in Serbia with a visit and tasting at the Museum of Beekeeping and Živanović Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK NOVI-SAD.jpg
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Day 8
ILOK, CROATIA Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages DISCOVERY Take a walking tour of Ilok with a wine tasting in a local cellar with stories of Croatian tradition. Enjoy a short sailing to Vukovar during lunchtime VUKOVAR, CROATIA The Heroic Town on the Danube CLASSIC Enjoy a walking tour of Vukovar, the city the largest river port in Croatia. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS ILOK.jpg
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Day 9
MOHÁCS, HUNGARY. EXCURSION TO PÉCS Underground Tombs and Heavenly Music CLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács—the quiet Danube harbor town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches. Tour the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill—one of only a few remaining watermills performing stone-ground grain processing, OR CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour to nearby Pécs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. You’ll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST PECS.jpg
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Day 10
BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Budapest airport before 8 am. BUDAPEST-CITY-VIEW.jpg

Accommodations

Bucharest
Intercontinental Athenee Palace
Superior First-Class

Hotel as shown or similar

1-3 Episcopiei Bucharest Romania

Explore Bucharest from the glorious Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest hotel, one of the city's most sophisticated and prestigious landmarks. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city and enjoys views of Revolution Square and is close to Bucharest's many local attractions.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

FAQ Avalon Cruises Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pavlus Travel tells you there's a wide World out there just waiting to be explored on river cruises by you, and Avalon Waterways like Pavlus Travel knows there is more than a river cruise for you and your family to see it all. Why not experience local cities, villages, and countrysides your way with a wide selection of active excursions and activities brought to you by Avalon River Cruises that put you right in the middle of it all. Borrow a bike to ride through the streets of Amsterdam, grab a Nordic walking stick to capture the castle with a hike up the vineyard off the Rhine River, or paddle a canoe along Austria’s river shores. Pavlus makes it easy to turn sightseeing into doing your adventure in real time. You’ll find all the guidance and gear you from Avalon Waterways staff to embark on an expedition of your own. From a complimentary yoga class aboard your Avalon River Cruise to a jogging tour of Vienna or an optional kayaking excursion. Know that Pavlus Travel discounts Avalon River Cruises be they in Europe or the Far East. You'll enjoy every Avalon River Cruises Ship.