The Danube flows through 10 countries and crosses breathtaking landscapes before reaching the Black Sea.
Anyone who has traveled even a single stretch of the Danube has surely been left with unforgettable memories—whether from the spectacular views the river offers in certain areas, the historical landmarks along the way, the traditional dishes carefully prepared by locals, or the bird and animal species specific to the region that find food, shelter, or nesting grounds on the riverbanks.
Want to know the best places to see along the Danube in Romania? Check our map and discover must-see locations along the river.
Moreover, various sports such as rowing, fishing, swimming, or hiking can be practiced along the Danube. And let’s not forget the Danube Cycle Route, a 2,875 km long tourist cycling trail that starts in Donaueschingen and follows the river all the way to the Black Sea. In Romania, the EuroVelo 6 route is under development and will pass through cities like Drobeta Turnu-Severin, Bucharest, Cernavodă, Brăila, Tulcea, Sulina, Babadag, and Constanța.
Black Forest – Ingolstadt
The Danube forms on the western slopes of the Black Forest in southwestern Germany. It begins at the confluence of two streams—Brigach and Breg—near Donaueschingen, and winds through the heart of Central Europe before reaching the Black Sea. Before that, it flows through the “Donauauwald Neuburg Ingolstadt” Protected Area, where one of the largest nature conservation projects in Germany was recently implemented: the revitalization of the Danube’s floodplains. The area also features a well-marked cycling trail used daily by hundreds of Germans.
Linz
Located right on the Danube, Linz has become a leader in arts, culture, and technology, being designated a UNESCO City of Media Arts. Among its many museums is the Castle Museum, hosting an excellent collection of 20th and 21st-century artworks inside a 17th-century castle built by Emperor Rudolf II.
Vienna
Austria’s capital sits in the eastern part of the country on the banks of the Danube. With a mix of imperial traditions, music, and charm, the very name of the city evokes elegance. Once the cultural center of Europe, Vienna’s baroque architecture and magnificent buildings reflect the city’s imperial status.
Here, the Danube itself draws attention with an island formed near the city—21 kilometers long—perfect for swimming and boating during warm summer days, as well as other sports like cycling, jogging, rollerblading, and beach volleyball.
Bratislava
The city spreads across both banks of the Danube in southwestern Slovakia. Bratislava offers a blend of architectural styles—from the medieval and Gothic old town to Baroque palaces and a castle restored in its late-Renaissance form. This small historic city is perfect for shopping, dining, and enjoying natural wonders. Stop and soak in the river’s beauty—but don’t forget to try the local dishes such as Bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese and bacon).
Afterward, relax on the Danube’s banks—popular in Bratislava for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing.
Budapest
The twin cities of Buda and Pest lie on either side of the Danube, on a geological fault where the Buda Hills meet the Great Plain. The Castle District in Buda is one of the most beautiful and romantic areas, home to many tourist favorites. The Royal Palace, or Buda Castle, remains one of the main symbols of Budapest, dominating the city from the top of Várhegy Hill. Beneath the palace lies the Labyrinth, historically used as a shelter, prison, hospital, and even a Turkish harem.
For the best city views, head to the Fisherman’s Bastion—a decorative fortification from the 19th century offering fantastic panoramas of the city and river below.
Belgrade
The Serbian capital is the only European capital located at the confluence of two rivers: the Danube and the Sava. We recommend exploring the city on foot, as the remnants of Belgrade’s turbulent past are visible throughout its infrastructure. Science enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Nikola Tesla Museum—dedicated to Belgrade’s most famous son and an excellent way to explore the history of science while honoring one of the region’s greatest figures.
Outside the city center lies a small oasis of rest, recreation, and entertainment: Ada Ciganlija. The perfect place to cool off during Serbia’s hot summers, this peninsula is rich in forests and wildlife and boasts its own unique microclimate. Nicknamed “Belgrade’s Seaside,” thousands of locals and savvy tourists come here to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy great vibes, music, and water sports.
Giurgiu
In Giurgiu County, we recommend walking the 75 km of the Via Danubiana, an ecotourism trail developed by the MaiMultVerde Association that follows the Romanian stretch of the Danube. Currently, only certain sections of the 1,075 kilometers that the Danube covers in Romania are used for tourism, despite the local flora and fauna being similar to that of the Danube Delta. This area has been identified as one of the world’s most important biodiversity regions.
Via Danubiana offers explorers unique experiences—from natural and cultural heritage to landscapes found nowhere else in Europe: the Danube Gorge and Cazanele Dunării, the Iron Gates, islands and sandbanks formed by the river, the Danube Delta, and the stunning regions where the river empties into the Black Sea.
