5 Awesome Small Towns to Visit on a Danube River Cruise with Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterway's new Danube River itineraries include a visit to Golubac, Serbia, where you can visit the Golubac Fortress.

The Danube River is an epic waterway that offers a fantastic way to travel among numerous great destinations throughout Europe. The Danube flows through 10 countries and carves a historic path that delivers memorable scenes to curious travelers.

You experience fairytale villages, capital cities, cliffside castles and forested landscapes while immersing in the regional cuisine, culture and history. One of our favorite cruise lines, Avalon Waterways, has created an array of extraordinary new experiences along this legendary river. Avalon Waterways unveiled six new Danube River port visits as well as three 2021 European river cruise vacations that feature Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.

We've traveled with Avalon Waterways on the line's amazing exotic journeys on the Mekong River to see Cambodia and Vietnam and the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar:

Our Enchanting Mekong River Cruise in Cambodia and Vietnam
Cruising the Irrawaddy River: Postcards from Burma (Parts 1 and 2)

We're really excited about these new Danube cruises, too. We've sailed along the Danube more than a handful of times, and the experiences are always special. But they typically hit the same port stops every time.

The lineup of new Avalon Waterways Danube River cruises, however, gives this popular old river adventure a fresh twist with visits to these charming villages. The routes head south of Budapest to Bucharest and the Black Sea, offering cruisers a look at a different part of the waterway. Most Danube voyages run between Budapest and Nuremberg in the northwestern part of the river.

1. Ilok, Croatia

Surrounded by hilly vineyards, Ilok is the easternmost town in Croatia. Here, Avalon Waterways immerses travelers in the town's 1,000-year-old wine-making tradition and explores Ilok's cultural heritage, protected by a medieval fortress.

2. Golubac, Serbia

Sitting high above the Danube, just outside the Iron Gates, is the medieval Golubac Fortress. This is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Europe. Visitors learn about the area's tumultuous history and its ties to the Habsburg Monarchy and Ottoman Empire.

3. Constanta, Romania

A brilliant port city on the Black Sea, Constanta offers sweeping views and easy access to explore the city's Natural History & Archeological Museum, which gives an in-depth look at early Romanian cultures.

4. Ybbs, Austria

Established in the 1300s, Ybbs acted as an important port for trade in the Middle Ages. Today, it serves as the entry point for the Danube to lower Austria. Avalon Waterways is the first international cruise operator to stop in this village.

5. Hainburg, Austria

This beautiful Austrian village sits 20 miles outside Bratislava, Slovakia, and owns a strong Habsburg history. Here, you will have the opportunity to experience the area's wetlands, visit the castle and learn about a period of Roman influence.

"On our all-new Balkan Odyssey cruise, travelers will embark on an adventure along the Danube and Drava rivers for an unforgettable journey through time and tradition," said Pam Hoffee, managing director of Avalon Waterways. "This itinerary is perfectly book-ended with two nights in both Bucharest and Zagreb and represents our Danube expansion, giving travelers more ports and more possibilities for their river cruise exploration."

All cruise itineraries sail on Avalon Waterways' signature Suite Ships. These innovative vessels feature two full decks of 200-square-foot Panorama Suites with the industry's only Open-Air Balconies and beds facing those balconies for incredible views as you sail.

Thanks for reading,

JR