Skip to main content
Proudly Australian owned & operated Speak to one of our experienced consultants 1300 414 198 · 7 days a week
Cruise · AMAWaterways · 7 nights

Melodies of the Danube

  • Choice of included excursions: standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours
  • Seven nights aboard AmaWaterways river ships with multiple stateroom categories
  • Guided visits to UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey and Greinburg Castle
From
$7,449 pp twin share
7 nights
When & how much

Choose your departure

Cruise Snapshot
7 Nights

Cruise the Danube through four countries, discovering Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg and medieval castles

  • Explore Buda and Pest sides of Budapest with guided tours
  • Visit three magnificent capitals: Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna
  • Sail through Strudengau and Wachau valleys to medieval Grein

Trip Details

Departs
Wed 14 Oct 2026
Returns
Wed 21 Oct 2026
Embarks
Budapest
Disembarks
Vilshofen
Ship
AmaSonata
Operator
AMAWaterways

Journey along the Danube and see firsthand why this storied river has inspired generations of artists, poets and musicians. Indulge your passion for timeless architecture and art in three magnificent capitals: Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. Let the hills come alive with the sounds of music in Salzburg. Cruise through the enchanting Strudengau Valley and let the melodies of the Danube carry you from one gem to another on a regal journey through time.

This river cruise journeys through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany, calling at Budapest, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Weissenkirchen, Linz, Passau and Vilshofen.

You'll sail aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaSonata, AmaReina and 5 sister ships.

On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and special interest tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

Life in transit

AmaSonata

AmaSonata
Details · AmaWaterways

AmaSonata

Deck plans
4
AmaSonata · Deck plans

Piano Deck

AmaSonata — Piano Deck deck plan

Source: AmaWaterways, captured 10 October 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.

Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Budapest

    Wed 14 Oct
    BUDAPEST – EMBARKATION. Arrive in Budapest and board your luxurious river cruise ship.
  2. 2

    Budapest

    Thu 15 Oct
    BUDAPEST. Today you have the opportunity to visit both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) sides of the Danube River. Start on the Buda side, following your guide through the city’s Castle District where you will marvel at the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion, gaze upon the breathtaking panorama below and see Matthias Church, renowned for its striking tower and colorful mosaic roof. For a more active tour, hike to Budapest’s Castle Hill. In the afternoon, explore the treasures of Pest, admiring the colossal Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square and the moving “Shoes on the Danube Bank” memorial.
  3. 3

    Bratislava

    Fri 16 Oct
    BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA. Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as you’ll discover during your walking tour. Or join a special “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. For a more active adventure, hike up to Bratislava Castle, offering magnificent views of the city.
  4. 4

    Vienna

    Sat 17 Oct
    VIENNA, AUSTRIA. The “City of Waltzes” offers a wealth of gems and your city tour showcases its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Conclude your tour in Vienna’s historic city center and then visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or discover Vienna by bike. During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time to further explore this iconic city.
  5. 5

    Weissenkirchen

    Sun 18 Oct
    WEISSENKIRCHEN – GREIN. After reaching Weissenkirchen, you’ll be treated to several choices of excursions. Take a walking tour of Dürnstein before visiting the UNESCO-designated Melk Abbey. For a more culinary-focused experience, join a walking tour in Dürnstein, then enjoy a wine tasting hosted by a local vintner and sample special apricot treats from a local boutique. If you prefer a more active adventure, hike up to the fortress where Richard the Lionheart was once held or join a guided bike tour to Melk. Later in the day, sail through the Strudengau and Wachau valleys to medieval Grein for an exclusive visit to the more than 500-year-old Greinburg Castle, looming regally from above.
  6. 6

    Linz

    Mon 19 Oct
    LINZ, AUSTRIA. The ship arrives in Linz where you’ll have several choices of excursions. Opt for a full-day excursion to Salzburg where you’ll tour the historic center, Mirabell Gardens, Residenz Square and the Old Market. You may also choose to join a full-day excursion to the charming Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov, where you can stroll its cobblestone streets; marvel at the city’s picturesque Baroque and Renaissance-style buildings; and tour Krumlov Castle, one of Europe’s largest castle complexes. Upon your return to Linz, you may choose to take a brief walking tour in the city. Or join a morning walking tour through the old city center of Linz and by the Mozart House; or go on a bike tour of the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. In the afternoon, embark on a journey into the fascinating world of whiskey distillation on an exciting guided tour. Full-day excursions not combinable with other tours on this day
  7. 7

    Passau

    Tue 20 Oct
    PASSAU, GERMANY – VILSHOFEN. Discover the city of Passau in one of three ways. Enjoy a walking tour and marvel at Gothic and Italian Baroque architecture and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Alternately, choose between a guided hike up to the Veste Oberhaus fortress or a guided bike tour along the River Inn. Later, cruise to Vilshofen, where you will be treated to a festive Oktoberfest celebration— an AmaWaterways exclusive.
  8. 8

    Vilshofen

    Wed 21 Oct
    VILSHOFEN – DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to Vilshofen and prepare for your flight home.
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

  • Buda city tour.
  • Castle Hill hike.
  • Pest city tour.
  • “Coronation City” walking tour.
  • Tastes of Slovakia.
  • Bratislava Castle hike.
Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

Accommodation is aboard the AmaWaterways river ships AmaSonata, AmaReina and 5 sister ships.

Stateroom categories available

  • Suite
  • Category AA
  • Category AB
  • Category BA
  • Category BB
  • Category C
  • Category D
  • Category E
From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 8 days and 7 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 14 Oct 2026 and 02 Jan 2027, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
Ready to lock in?

Book this cruise

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

Enquire about this cruise
From (twin) $7,449 pp
Enquire