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Usually setting sail on smaller ships, river cruises are a great option for those looking for a more intimate cruising experience, or those looking to navigate lesser-known areas that cannot be reached by larger ships. Compared to ocean cruises, river cruises can also offer the opportunity for even more sightseeing, as you can make the most of the views of the river as you sail.

European river cruises tend to set sail year-round, covering key seasonal events from Christmas markets to wine harvests, spring gardens in bloom and more.

Because the ships are smaller, river cruises also tend to have outward-facing cabins, so you can make the most of the view from the luxury of your room. Speaking of luxury; river cruises are celebrated for their luxurious decor and their touch of class.

While per-person prices may seem steeper than ocean cruises at first glance, river cruises are often all-inclusive with—more often than not—excursions and on-board meals, drinks, tips and gratuities included in the price. Return flights or Eurostar transfers may also be included in your booking depending on the itinerary.

Here we round up some of the best European river cruises for 2024/2025, spanning France, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Austria and more.

Riviera Travel: Enchanting Rhine River Cruise and Christmas Markets

Cologne – Rhine divide – Rüdesheim – Koblenz – Bonn – Cologne

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Fancy sipping Glühwein at a Christmas market in Koblenz, or exploring streets filled with crooked houses in Rüdesheim? This four night party cruise on board five star MS Geoffrey Chaucer offers just that, plus plenty of time to do some Christmas shopping. This cruise also takes you past the Rhine Gorge – the scenic upper middle of the Rhine Valley, between Koblenz and Rüdesheim – which offers 65 km of breathtaking views, including vineyards, castles and ruins (even better if it snows while you cruise).

Departs 10 December 2024. From £999pp based on two sharing. Includes return Eurostar and transfers.

Uniworld: Wine Routes of France and Portugal

Bordeaux – Cussac Fort Médoc – Cadillac – Blaye, Bourg sur Gironde – Libourne (Saint-Émilion) – Bordeaux – Porto – Régua, Pinhão – Pinhão – Pocinho – Vega de Terrón – Salamanca – Barca d’Alva – Braga – Porto – Lisbon

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Uniworld offers a fantastic selection of themed and specialist cruises, from LBQT+ itineraries to women-only itineraries. For those who like to plan their trips and try local food and drink, this expansive 18 day cruise covering key French and Portuguese wine regions, with flights from Bordeaux to Porto in between. Guests will sail on board SS Bon Voyage in France and SS São Gabriel in Portugal, and will have the chance to meet local winegrowers at French castles and Douro River Valley quintas. Uniworld also offers a range of cruise extensions, so you can extend your holiday even further.

Departs 13 July 2025. From £5,488pp, transfers, excursions and on-board gratuities included.

Viking: Elegant Elbe

Berlin – Potsdam – Wittenberg – Meissen – Dresden – Bad Schandau – Děčín – Prague

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Explore Germany’s third largest river, the Elbe, and cultural highlights along the way with this 10 day cruise on board Viking Astrild. Nature lovers will enjoy passing the verdant Elbe Biosphere Reserve – keep an eye out for sea eagles and the Siberian iris – while culture enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities to explore historic hotspots including Berlin, Potsdam, Prague, Wittenberg and more.

Departs 11 March 2025. From £2,895pp, return flights included plus a complimentary shore excursion in each port.

Tui: Magical Danube

Budapest – Bratislava – Krems – Passau – Linz – Vienna – Budapest

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Make the most of exploring the Danube by visiting four countries in one week. Stop-offs include the historic capitals of Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna, and you will sail on board Tui Skylaa 77-cabin intimate river vessel with a delightfully boarded upper deck perfect for enjoying the sights. Excursions about this seven night cruise includes walking tours, beer cruises and evening concerts in Vienna.

From £1,279pp. Departs October 13, 2025. Includes flights, transfers, three meals with drinks per day, tips and luggage.

Scenic Cruises: Normandy & Gems of the Seine

Paris – Les Andelys – Rouen – Honfleur – Caudebec-En-Caux – Vernon – Conflans – Paris

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One of them most searched for cruises worldwide by 2024, river cruises on the Seine promise a sight-filled tour of Paris, taking in iconic landmarks (from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame) from the water. Beyond the city of light, this 10 night cruise on board, a “Scenic Space-Ship” will cut through northern France, transporting guests to Vernon, Rouen, Honfleur and more. This cruise is a great option for history buffs, with the chance to listen to lectures on board about the First and Second World Wars, as well as visiting lots of churches, museums and palaces.

Departs 16 August 2025. From £2,999pp; return flight included.

Uniworld: Milan, Venice & Veneto jewels

Milan – Venice – Mazzorbo – Burano – Chioggia – Athens

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Bookended by Milan and Venice, this 10-day exploration of Italy from the water will take in the scenic islands and waterways of the Veneto, as well as the colorful houses of Burano and the fish markets of Chioggia. Excursions – eight included in the price – range from trips to Verona, where Romeo and Juliet are arranged, vineyard tours and glassblowing demonstrations. Passengers will set sail The River Countessrenovated in 2020.

Departs 18 July 2025. From £3,499pp. Includes unlimited drinks on board, plus eight days of excursions. Flights not included.

Emerald Cruises: Holland and Belgium in bloom

Amsterdam – Rotterdam – The Hague – Antwerp – Arnhem – Amsterdam

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Explore Holland and Belgium next spring with this seven night cruise aboard an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. Guests can take advantage of a variety of excursions included in the price, such as architectural tours of Rotterdam, guided bike tours to Waterland, tours of the Zaase Schans windmills and a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens to see 79 hectares of technicolor tulips. On board there will be everything from clog painting to fine dining, plus an outdoor sun deck.

Departs 29 March 2025. From £1,997pp. Excursions, meals and gratuities are included. Flights not included.

Jules Verne: Péniche Provençale

Sète – Villeneuve les Maguelone – Aigues-Mortes / Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer – Gallician – Arles

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One of the many advantages of a river cruise is the small ships you get to explore the waterways on, and MS Péniche Anne-Marie only had 10 cottages. This scenic six night trip aboard this comfortable barge, you’ll cruise past Roman ruins in Arles, wildlife in the Camargue and sandy beaches in Villeneue les Maguelone. On board, guests can enjoy the incredible views from the terrace (or even the terrace hot tub). This no-fly cruise is great for those who want to avoid the airport – guests simply need to take the Eurostar and TGV from London to Avignon via Lille.

Departs 8 May 2025. From £2,795pp. Includes train travel, transfers, full board and drinks on board.

Read more: The best European cruise vacation destinations