Top European River Cruises Historic Sightseeing River Cruises & Packages In 2025/2026

Our 54 most popular European River Cruises Historic Sightseeing River Cruises & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 11 tour companies. 6 reviews.

54 Trips match your criteria (1 - 22 shown)

River Cruise to Northern France
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
81 reviews
River Cruise
Why we love them
They’ve been recognized by major travel publications for their pioneering adventure travel expertise that spans back to their founding in 1979.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Visit the Abbey of Hautvilliers where the monk Dom Perignon first made Champagne
  • Visit to the world famous cellars of Moet and Chandon for a tour and tasting
  • Visits to small family-run vineyards
  • Visit Meaux and Coulomniers, one of the centres of Brie cheese
  • Visit the magnificent Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Sailing, National Parks, High Adventure, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I have travelled with ROW numerous times, including four trips on the Rogue River. Every trip has been wonderful and every person associated with ROW has been nice, knowledgeable, professional and fun. The Rogue is a great river and the trip is an excellent one for two people or a large group—and I have done both. I’ve taken both of my kids, one time each, and have organized groups of colleagues twice; most recently in 2019 when 14 of us gathered. The guides at ROW are great and help to make the trip very enjoyable. The scenery, lodging and the wonderful outdoors including warm air and refreshing water, make for a wonderful escape from the everyday routine. The fact that this trip offers beds and indoor plumbing is a nice benefit and allows those who have an aversion to camping a chance to see the wilderness. I have recommended ROW and the Rogue trip more times than I can count and my group has already reserved our trip for 2021. What are you waiting for?"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety

More
Romance of the Rhine & Mosel
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Unpack just once and journey through five European countries—Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland
  • Cruise aboard our award-winning 140- to 164-passenger ships with a dedicated English-speaking crew
  • Experience this European itinerary, and uncover a local and American perspective in destinations like Speyer, where you’ll enjoy a Home-Hosted Kaffeeklatsch
  • Explore with an expert, local Program Director—a native or resident of Europe—who will be dedicated to your group of no more than 47 from the start to the end of your trip

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I am a 12 time traveler with Grand Circle and OAT. But maybe no more. They are impossible to reach by phone without waiting for hours. I even tired their emergency phone number and was on hold for hours. What if I had been stranded in a foreign country? They cancelled my Eastern Europe to Black Sea Cruise in Sept 2021 and cited "covid" or "civil unrest" issues. Baloney. They cancelled because they did not sell out the cruise and lied about it to me. I know because I went with Viking during the same month with no excuses like Grand Circle gave me. Add to that they promised me a $1,000 credit on my next trip- which was to Antarctica in December. The invoice they sent me showed the credit- and 1 month later a new invoice arrived with the credit removed. Why? Another lie? Something is really wrong here with the company now and I would suggest be very careful with bookings as they are not the same company I traveled with for the past 12 years."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Elegant Elbe
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Discover Berlin’s modern chic, Potsdam’s rococo whimsy
  • Experience cruise along Elbe which is one of Europe’s most unspoiled rivers
  • Opportunity to visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Explore Wittenberg’s and see the historic landmarks.
  • Explore Prague

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
European sojourn
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
2.7/5 Average
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Get an opportunity to Visit 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Enjoy the amazing river cruising across Amsterdam
  • Explore Budapest enjoy innovative, efficient metro.
  • Discover Vienna
  • Experience a tour of Bamberg, with its medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Rhine Getaway
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
3/5 Average
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Experience the lush landscape of the Black Forest region
  • Explore Holland’s famous windmills and waterworks and take part in the inviting nightlife in Rüdesheim’s Drosselgasse.
  • Set at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers

Themes

Cultural, Culinary & Wine, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Grand European Tour
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Visit fascinating abbey at Melk, a 900-year-old Benedictine monastery
  • Opportunity to tour Regensburg a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Get an opportunity to visit 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Discover Netherlands
  • Visit Marksburg Castle, the only Rhine fortress never destroyed

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Danube Waltz
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
41 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy the fascinating river cruises across Danube.
  • Opportunity to visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Explore Hungary
  • Experience a tour to Bratislava and See attractions like the medieval Town Hall
  • Visit to Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Culinary & Wine, 50 Plus, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostly told stories of their own upbringing and the conflicts they lived through. There was not much history on any of the excursions; and none of the buildings we saw gave us an opportunity to go inside, even the paid excursions. The accommodations were excellent, except that we paid for the best veranda but could not sit on our veranda because for the first 5 days our ship was packed tight next to another Viking ship. Food was good, except for dinners which were quite mediocre and never captured the flavor of the local foods."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Romance of the Rhine and Mosel
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Best way to travel through Europe
  • Discover five different countries
  • Relaxing and rewarding experience

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I am a 12 time traveler with Grand Circle and OAT. But maybe no more. They are impossible to reach by phone without waiting for hours. I even tired their emergency phone number and was on hold for hours. What if I had been stranded in a foreign country? They cancelled my Eastern Europe to Black Sea Cruise in Sept 2021 and cited "covid" or "civil unrest" issues. Baloney. They cancelled because they did not sell out the cruise and lied about it to me. I know because I went with Viking during the same month with no excuses like Grand Circle gave me. Add to that they promised me a $1,000 credit on my next trip- which was to Antarctica in December. The invoice they sent me showed the credit- and 1 month later a new invoice arrived with the credit removed. Why? Another lie? Something is really wrong here with the company now and I would suggest be very careful with bookings as they are not the same company I traveled with for the past 12 years."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

European River Cruises Historic Sightseeing River Cruises & Packages Reviews

W

Wayne H

Jan 2017

Written on

The most amazing river trip in Europe

Traveling from Belgium through 6 countries to Switzerland is one of the most amazing travel experiences in Europe, especially if traveling with Grand Circle Travel. ...

R

Rick & Fran

Aug 2015

We enjoyed the entire experience

We enjoyed the entire experience; Normandy and Omaha Beach were especially moving. The food and service deserve praise too. This is our third Viking cruise and we'll...

L

Larry

Oct 2018

Misleading and often just plain dishonest.

We paid for a 3 week luxury river cruise but received a large group bus trip across Europe with many days of packing and unpacking. I called our Viking representativ...

C

Charles

Oct 2022

Good and no so goog

Recently returned from a Viking Rhine trip on 10/14. The good: Rhine water levels were good, no issues. Service on the vessel was A+, excluding one attendant with...

T

Tonya

Aug 2015

Incredible experience

Incredible experience sailing on the Grand European tour from Amsterdam to Budapest! Just wonderful! The tours were interesting, and most allowed for adequate free t...

Write a Review
...
...
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!