At Backroads, we believe travel should be active, engaging and unforgettable. Our European River Cruises bring this philosophy to life, blending breathtaking landscapes with immersive cultural and physical experiences for exciting river adventures.
Choosing the river cruise that aligns with your interests can be both exciting and overwhelming. Do you dream of exploring fairytale castles, charming towns, lush vineyards or famous cities? Are you bringing the kids? Teenagers? Adult children? Do you want to cross multiple borders and see many countries in one trip or prefer a more immersive experience in one? To make your decision easier, let us give you a rundown of the incredible views and vibes you can expect on some of our most scenic European river cruises!
The Danube River across Five Countries
Explore a medley of landscapes as you float through central Europe from Prague to Budapest.
Visit the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary and only unpack once. Bike ride on the famed Donauradweg, a scenic path that follows the curves of the Danube past iconic landmarks and cultural attractions. Start from the Bavarian Forest and explore the lush hillsides of the Austrian countryside. Along the way, raise a cold glass at an Oktoberfest-like celebration, wander through Vienna’s charming streets and discover the World Heritage Sites of Salzburg or Český Krumlov. End your adventure with an exciting finale—a walking tour in the historic heart of Budapest.
In addition to our bike trip river cruises, our Danube River Cruise offers a multi-adventure option, where you can not just bike, but hike and kayak with options for the whole family.
Guest Brian said:
This was the perfect balance of activity, culture, history, discovery, and pure fun. The photos on the website and catalogs only begin to scratch the surface of everything you'll see and experience. Cities & towns, big and small, winding streets, fields & farms and rolling hills. The whole family, including my wife and two teenage kids, did great. Also loved not having to change rooms every night as we moved across Europe. And the Backroads team was exceptional as always: friendly, professional, helpful, and just fun to be around.
Rhine River at Your Own Pace
Explore Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands on our Rhine River Cruise Bike Tour.
Full of fascinating sights, this cruise takes you from the Black Forest to the Rhine Valley vineyards and the Baroque streets of Heidelberg. As if that’s not enough, you’ll see the famous Strasbourg cathedral (a masterpiece of Gothic architecture), the fortresses of the Rhine Gorge and the canals of Amsterdam. It’s a whirlwind adventure that’ll take you and your family through some of the best scenery of Europe.
Not sure about riding distances? Journey at a more relaxed page on our Rhine River Cruise Easygoing E-Bike Tour.
Guest Barb said:
We thoroughly enjoyed the rides - really felt like we got to know the countries we were riding through. The staff was outstanding - seemed to always appear when we needed them. Enjoyed using the GPS system - gave us some autonomy and confidence that we wouldn't get lost.
Douro River from Spain across Portugal
Discover old-world Iberia on our Douro River Cruise Bike Tour. Bookended by the UNESCO World Heritage cities of Salamanca in Spain and Porto in Portugal, you’re in for stunning views along the entire trip.
As you move from Spain’s dehesa landscapes through the Douro Valley’s tapestry of almond orchards, olive groves and vineyards, keep an eye out for small villages and charming ancient churches. This region in particular is known for its tiles, or azulejos, which you’ll immediately notice with their typical blue-on-white designs. Taste port wine in its home city of Porto, and make sure to see the Dom Luís I Bridge, an icon of this stunning city!
Our AmaWaterways river cruise ship is much smaller and holds fewer passengers than a typical ocean cruise ship, with only up to 150 passengers, and allows us to reach parts of the Douro River valley best accessed by boat.
Guest Robert said:
The non-biking activities are not things you can get easy access to and they are always special. The guides are excellent and always seem to have the guests enjoyment as their priority.
Seine River Bookended by Paris
Pedal, cruise and walk your way from Paris to Normandy on our Seine River Cruise Bike Tour.
See the landscapes immortalized by Monet and Van Gogh, including a visit to Monet’s home in Giverny with his beloved gardens and water lily ponds. Reflect on history at Omaha Beach, site of one of the most critical WWII battlefields, and join a historian for a private tour of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. End your trip biking past the spectacular palace at Versailles, its canals and gardens.
This trip begins and ends in Paris, making it an ideal location for some before- and after-trip sightseeing.
Guest Hank said:
Wow. Wow. Wow. Our recent France Backroads Biking Cruise on AmaWaterways was the trip of a lifetime. Don't sweat it if you're only a recreational cyclist. These tours are for folks who like to exercise and enjoy exquisite meals, sites and companions. Challenging rides were there for the hardcore yet most of us enjoyed the moderate or easy rides so there's plenty of time off bike in quaint cafes and small intimate tours learning about the culture. Routes were truly quiet backroads filled with stunning views. E-Bikes are amazing. My wife is a weekend sometime biker and she can't contain her joy at biking this trip 125+ miles with ease and pleasure. Highly recommend. Worth every cent.
Why Choose Backroads for Your European River Cruise?
Traveling isn’t just about the destination—it’s about the journey. Whether you’re on shore adventuring in Europe’s cities and scenic countryside or on deck watching the scenery change before your eyes, wherever you decide to travel, if you bring the kids or choose an e-bike, we’re confident that you’ll experience something wonderful along the way.
