Find the River Cruise you’re looking for...
When do you want to start your cruise?
Where do you want to go?
9 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Budapest to Bucharest 2026(WBOB)
Balkan Discovery with 1 Night in Bucharest
Starting from $3,479Ship(s): Avalon Illumination, Avalon Passion
River Cruise Description
Experience the extraordinary destinations of Eastern Europe on this Danube River cruise adventure through the Balkans. You'll cruise through the rich landscapes and cultural locales of Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® in Budapest, the lively Hungarian capital, and sail into beautiful Croatia. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour in Vukovar and discover Ilok with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition. Take a fascinating guided tour of the Serbian capital of Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe, where the Sava River meets the Danube. Cruise through the dramatic views of Iron Gates Gorge-a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Visit Bulgaria's Belogradchik, and see the fascinating rock formations sculpted by natural elements for over 200 million years. On an excursion to the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo, you'll visit Arbanassi's Church of the Nativity, housing an impressive collection of frescoes.To round out this timeless Eastern European river cruise, you'll stay in Romania's vibrant capital of Bucharest, known as the "Paris of the East." A local expert will show you many of its historical treasures, such as the Arc de Triomphe, built in honor of WWI soldiers.Thanks for your interest!
We'll be in touch soon.Error
I'm sorry, but an error has occurred. Try Again| Departure Date | Ship | Priced From (per person) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | Avalon Illumination | $3,779 | Call Us! |
| May 24, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,979 | Call Us! |
| Jun 8, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,729 | Call Us! |
| Jun 23, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,729 | Call Us! |
| Jul 8, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,729 | Call Us! |
| Jul 23, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,729 | Call Us! |
| Aug 7, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,479 | Call Us! |
| Aug 22, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,579 | Call Us! |
| Sep 6, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,429 | Call Us! |
| Sep 21, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,279 | Call Us! |
| Oct 6, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,179 | Call Us! |
| Oct 21, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,829 | Call Us! |
Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You'll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We've found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests — from cooking classes, to painting workshops — to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
- Plus independent exploration options and use of Avalon's exclusive AvalonGO APP.
River Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VUKOVAR
(D)
Day 2 VUKOVAR
History and Beer
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.Discovery
Join a Guided Walking Tour to discover the heritage, culture, and tradition of Vukovar and enjoy a beer tasting, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided City Tour to discover the captivating culture and tradition of Vukovar and learn about its rich history and heritage.
ILOK, CROATIA
History and Culture in Croatia
Classic
Join a Guided tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old wine making traditions still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage. Refresh your spirit with a wine tasting in a local cellar and hear the stories of culture and tradition in the natural beauty of Eastern Croatia, OR:
Active
Explore more of Croatia on a Guided Bike Tour along Ilok’s city walls, into the central church, and the towns’ museum on your way to Principovac Castle and Estate.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NOVI SAD
(B,L,D)
Day 3 NOVI SAD, SERBIA
The Athens of Serbia
Classic
Join a Guided Tour of Novi Sad, the second largest town in Serbia. Admire its Austro-Hungarian old town, with its baroque buildings, and ancient fortifications.
Active
Enjoy a Guided Hike Tour to the Petrovaradin part of the town. Located on the right bank of the Danube, across from the main part of Novi Sad, this area will amaze you for its scenic views, OR:
Discovery
Get to learn more about the beekeeper profession on this Guided Tour of Novi Sad by stopping at the Honey Museum and by tasting local honey specialties.
Active
Get your daily dose of exercise, join your Adventure Host on this walk in and around town.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
(B,L,D)
Day 4 BELGRADE
Fortresses and Folklore
Active
Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade—where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge—and see the city’s many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava—one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.
Discovery
Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAČ
(B,L,D)
Day 5 GOLUBAČ–DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR–IRON GATES GORGE
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates
Classic
Visit the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You’ll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control for defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Ottoman Empire, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Tour to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir with unique views of the Danube Gorge.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
(B,L,D)
Day 6 VIDIN, BULGARIA
Rocks, Ruins and Balkan Beauty
Active
Join your Adventure Host for a bike tour around the city, OR:
Classic
Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements, OR
Discovery
Discover more than two centuries of a proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with a tour and tasting at a local winery. Here, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
(B,L,D)
Day 7 ROUSSE. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
Fortresses and Folklore
Active
Explore Rousse's old town by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA
(B,L,D)
Day 8 OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)–BUCHAREST
The Paris of the East
Classic
Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city’s 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
(B)
Day 9 BUCHAREST
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
Need more information?
Having trouble deciding which cruise is right for you?
Call Us Today at 1.888.804.CRUISE (2784)Having trouble deciding which cruise is right for you?