Call Us 800.528.9300
The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest and 1 Night in Budapest 2026
11 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Budapest
Tour Description:
Begin your exciting European vacation with one night in Bucharest, Romania, before embarking on your Danube River cruise to Budapest, Hungary. Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and historical treasures. Here, you’ll see 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. Visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, and take pictures of Belogradchik’s eclectic group of rock formations and the spectacular views of the Iron Gates. Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Take an excursion to Pécs, Hungary, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are countless memorable moments on this fascinating river cruise through Eastern Europe, culminating in the unique energy of Budapest. Set along the banks of the Danube River, the capital of Hungary offers an eclectic mix of activities. A local expert introduces you to the must-see sights, such as Heroes’ Square. With free time to explore Budapest on your own, perhaps walk across one or more of the city’s famous bridges, shop for Herend porcelain or handcrafted embroidery, and experience coffee house culture with a rich cream cake.
Click for larger view.
Dates & Pricing
| Wednesday 06 May 26 — Sunday 17 May 26 | Starting at $4,427 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 29 May 26 — Tuesday 09 Jun 26 | Starting at $4,627 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 13 Jun 26 — Wednesday 24 Jun 26 | Starting at $4,377 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 28 Jun 26 — Thursday 09 Jul 26 | Starting at $4,277 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 13 Jul 26 — Friday 24 Jul 26 | Starting at $4,027 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Tuesday 28 Jul 26 — Saturday 08 Aug 26 | Starting at $4,027 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Wednesday 12 Aug 26 — Sunday 23 Aug 26 | Starting at $4,027 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Thursday 27 Aug 26 — Monday 07 Sep 26 | Starting at $4,477 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Friday 11 Sep 26 — Tuesday 22 Sep 26 | Starting at $4,927 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 26 Sep 26 — Wednesday 07 Oct 26 | Starting at $4,927 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Sunday 11 Oct 26 — Thursday 22 Oct 26 | Starting at $4,377 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Monday 26 Oct 26 — Friday 06 Nov 26 | Starting at $4,177 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
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
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: | Novi Sad guided tour; 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): | Guided tour, see Heroes' Square |
| Day 11 Budapest: | 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
ITINERARYDay 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 7
NOVI SAD A Capital of Culture
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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS
ILOK.jpg
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 10
BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION) The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing tour of Budapest, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.
BUDAPEST-CITY-VIEW.jpg
Day 11
BUDAPEST Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
BUDAPEST-BRIDGE.jpg
Breakfast
Breakfast Accommodations
Accommodations| Bucharest | Budapest | Budapest |
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.
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.
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.
