The Danube River has long fascinated travelers. Like a ribbon, it ties together 10 countries and passes through the cultural hearts of some of the most impressive European cities.
Depending on the time you have allocated for such a cruise, you can opt for the longer version, which takes you through Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade, and Romania, creating a complete picture of cultural differences among European countries. Lots of companies offer cruises so take your time to look for the perfect itinerary.
Or you have the option of shorter cruises connecting Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania, which gives you a more focused view of natural beauty. This article explains what to expect from the Romanian Danube Cruise and why it is appealing to so many tourists.
1. The Iron Gates (Romania)
As you cross the border to Romania on the Danube, you are met with one of the most breathtaking views – the Danube Gorges. This is the biggest and oldest canyon cut by a river in Europe. The area surrounding the river is the Iron Gates National Park.
As you glide across the Danube waters, you will pass under the gaze of Decebalus. The statue representing his face is the tallest European rock sculpture, around 55 meters high. Upon seeing it, you might think it has existed since Dacian times in Romania. In reality, it was carved in the 1990s as a tribute to the ancestors and an appreciation of the military and leadership skills of Decebalus, who faced the Roman Empire armies.
Moving further from ancient times, your trip in the area will take you to the Severin fortress in Drobeta Turnu Severin. The medieval fortress dates back to the 14th century, when it was a bastion of defense against Ottoman expansion. Another big moment in Romanian history will be marked on this part of the cruise as you pass along the Iron Gates Hydroelectric Dam. This engineering marvel is the largest hydroelectric dam built on the Danube and one of the largest in Europe.
3-day Hiking & Wildlife Trip in the Wild Carpathians
Start from: Rucar village, Arges county
Many tourists are impressed with the scenery and wish to spend time here. There are various options for day trips, such as the Mehedinți Plateau Geopark, a hill area with a large diversity of landforms, flora, and fauna. The Lilac Forest at Ponoarele is a must-see if you visit in May or June. The Instagram pictures will be amazing!
Two important caves are worth mentioning, although they are not the only ones. The Ponicova Cave is formed out of several galleries that are 1.6 kilometers long. It has spectacular stalactite and stalagmite galleries and access from land and water.
Veterani Cave is the first charted cave in Romania. It sits 70 meters above the river and can only be accessed by water. Throughout history, cavemen have taken shelter here, Dacians have made animal sacrifices to the god Zamolxis, and Roman and Austrian armies have used it in their military tactics.
2. Vidin (Bulgaria)
Moving down the river, you will see Vidin on the Bulgarian bank of the Danube, across from Calafat, in Dolj County, in Romania. Here, you can visit the impressive Baba Vida Fortress, Bulgaria’s best-preserved medieval castle, dating back to the 10th century, when the Slavs settled in the area.
The Danube River Promenade is a must, as it offers charming views of the glittering river and shops at local markets.
3. Ruse (Bulgaria)/Giurgiu (Romania)
The Friendship Bridge connects Romania and Bulgaria between Giurgiu and Ruse cities, an important starting or stopping point for some of the Danube cruises. Giurgiu is a smaller city in Romania but one with historical importance. The Clock Tower is one of its prominent landmarks, a reminder of the Ottoman era.
Ruse, on the Bulgarian bank, is one of the most beautiful cities on the Danube. It has elegant Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo buildings and delightful restaurants splayed along the riverbank. I strongly recommend you visit the Regional Museum of History to get more information to enrich your cruise experience, as it showcases Bulgaria’s Danube heritage and Freedom Square.
The connection to Romania and the closeness to Bucharest are essential. Many international tourists add some relevant day trips to the Danube cruise. Namely, they fly to Bucharest and visit the city and Transylvania for a few days, like Peles Castle in Sinaia and Bran Castle, or Brasov with its Old City Center and picturesque mountain views. On their departure, they can even save this part of the trip for the end of the cruise.
3-Day BEST of Transylvania Tour: Brasov, Sighisoara, Bran & Viscri
Start from: Bucharest
Bulgarian day trip options include visits to Veliko and Abarnassi. The entire trip to these cities from Ruse will take around 9 hours. You can also visit them if you stay in Bucharest, but you must account for an extra hour or two for the journey and border crossing.
These are some of the most picturesque villages. Abarnassi is located on a rocky plateau and impresses visitors with its fortress-like stone houses. Thirty-six houses in Abarnassi are registered as monuments of national significance.
When visiting Veliko, ensure you get the best view of all the beautiful houses, especially if you can see the sun setting in the background. You should also visit the Sveta Gora Park, the Tsaravets fortress, and Gurko Street, among other attractions.
4. Cernavodă (Romania)
Your Danube cruise will take you past the small town of Cernavoda, home of the largest nuclear plant in Romania. Cernavoda is also a critical Danube fluvial port; its vineyards are known for producing some of the best Chardonnay wines. It is near the Anghel Saligny Bridge, the longest in Europe at 4480 meters.
An excellent day trip option from this stop is to Constanta, Romania’s biggest port city on the Black Sea. There, you can visit the old Casino, walk on the sea promenade, see the sights in the Old Town, see the ruins of the Tomis Roman fortress, and enjoy a dolphin show or a walk in the nearby animal reservation.
5. Galati (Romania)
Galati is one of Romania’s most important river ports and has a rich maritime and fluvial navigation heritage. Here, I suggest you visit the Lower Danube Museum, which showcases its history.
Other important landmarks include the Danube Promenade, the “Saint Mary-Precista” Fortified Church of Precista, the Galati Administrative Palace, the Maritime Terminal, the Palace of Justice, and the Craftsmen Synagogue.
The Macin Mountains, Romania's oldest and lowest ones, are a fantastic day trip option. You can hike, bike, and look for wild animals while enjoying the unique scenery. You will be met with unique steppe-like alpine meadows, flowering ash, and oak forests, a fascinating shift in landscape from bushes to peaks and cliffs, and the Beech Valley Natural Reservation.
Moving along with your cruise from Galati to Tulcea, you will be entering the protected area of the Danube Delta. This is not a day trip, as you cannot peel your eyes away from the wonders of this protected paradise.
6. Danube Delta Cruises (Romania)
Tulcea is the final large port of the cruise before the Danube enters its Delta as it prepares to merge with the Black Sea. This is Europe’s best-preserved wetland, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and something you should witness with your own eyes at least once in your lifetime.
This protected area comprises an intricate network of narrow canals and lakes, split between the three primary arms of the Danube: Chilia, Sulina, and Sfantu Gheorghe. Human intervention and construction are scarce, although small towns along the river are equipped to receive guests.
Traditional fishing villages are a unique experience. Romanians also travel to the Delta to enjoy the food and sample the cultural diversity of the place. Lipovans are the most significant ethnic minority living in the area. We know you will appreciate the food on a visit to a fishermen’s village. The local varieties of fish ciorbas, fish meatballs, and dishes with cheese and honey will delight your taste buds.
Navigation on the canals is done by slow boat, accompanied by locals who know the area best and where to see sand dunes, floating reed islands, pastures, and how to approach the nesting places of some of the species you can only see in the Delta, like pelicans, glossy ibis, cormorant, purple heron or bring you close to the wild horses living in Letea forest.
To make the best of this experience, you need a wildlife specialist to accompany you on these birdwatching trips, show you the species, and give you information. They will also ensure that everything about the trip is done by respecting the protected habitat of each species.
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Nearing its destination after passing the Romanian border, the Danube cruise is yet to make the biggest impression. From the Danube Gorges to the Delta, from the elegant towns on Bulgarian and Romanian banks to the modest fishermen's villages in the Delta, the trip promises to delight, impress, and surprise. I can't wait for you to take it and find out which was your favorite part.
Your Romanian Friend,
Marius.
