APT logo

Global search form

River Cruise

Voyage Through The Balkans with Prague

2026

River Cruise

Voyage Through The Balkans with Prague

Voyage Through The Balkans with Prague

Discover the best of Prague, then embark on a 14-night luxury river cruise along the Danube through Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. Explore the spectacular Golubac Fortress, glide through the striking Iron Gates, and delight in a Hungarian horse show and authentic lunch in Puszta, among many other highlights.

PragueBudapest
18 Days River Cruise

Itinerary

To view the itinerary in greater depth, simply click on your preferred day from the interactive list to unveil its details. Discover daily activities, immersive experiences and insider local tips that make your travel unforgettable.

Prague to Budapest

18 days / 17 night River Cruise

Day 1

Arrive Prague

Day 2

Prague

Day 3

Prague

Signature Experience

Day 4

Prague, Velké Bílovice, Budapest, Embark Ship 

Day 5

Budapest

Freedom of Choice

Day 6

Mohács

Freedom of Choice

Day 7

Vukovar

Day 8

Belgrade

Freedom of Choice

Day 9

Golubac, Iron Gates Cruising

Signature Experience

Day 10

Scenic Cruising

Day 11

Giurgiu, Bucharest

Freedom of Choice

Day 12

Ruse, Veliko Târnovo

Day 13

Vidin, Belogradchik

Day 14

Scenic Cruising

Day 15

Novi Sad

Freedom of Choice

Day 16

Kalocsa, Puszta

Signature Experience

Day 17

Budapest

Freedom of Choice

Day 18

Disembark Ship, Depart Budapest

Cruise
Cruise Stay (no. of nights)
Coach/Vehicle

Trip Inclusions

Discover the inclusions provided on your all-inclusive tour, ensuring a stress-free journey where every detail is taken care of.

Experiences in 13 destinations
A total of 47 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages
Freedom of Choice inclusions
The services of an expert Cruise Director
In-suite dining and beverage service in all suites
Transfers, port charges and gratuities
Exclusive – Enjoy a special lunch at Chateau Jemništĕ, then watch birds of prey fly free during an incredible falconry display
Visit a farm in a Puszta for a horse show and authentic Hungarian lunch

Tour Highlights

These exclusive or unique experiences are thoughtfully curated to take you on an inspiring journey beneath the surface of local history, culture and traditions. What's more, these once-in-a-lifetime moments are often not available to a regular traveller. The following highlights are just a taste of what we have prepared, especially for you.

a-eu-czech-rep-chateau-jemniste-aerial-view-407147769-as

Chateau Jemništĕ

Savour a day out at Chateau Jemniště during an exclusive Signature Experience. This elegant masterpiece was originally designed by the renowned Czech architect, Frances Maxmilián Kaňka. Be greeted by descendants of the Czech Republic’s oldest aristocratic family before exploring the 18th-century estate on a private guided tour. Marvel at the spectacular baroque architecture and indulge in a delectable lunch, then watch on in awe as birds of prey fly free during an incredible falconry display.

Aerial view of old medieval fortress Golubac, by the Danube river near the Golubac town.
Serbian meze - kulen sausage, balkan bacon, goat cheese, olives and ajvar sauce.

Golubac Walking Tour

On this Signature Experience, enjoy a fascinating walking tour of Golubac, a charming village in eastern Serbia. Explore the striking 14th-century Golubac Fortress, which stands at the entrance to the Iron Gates of the Danube, and hear about its captivating history from your expert guide. Then, visit a local riverside tavern, where you’ll delight in a delicious Serbian meze tasting, featuring an array of small dishes such as cheeses, cured meats and other local specialties.

Miniature Hungarian embroidery, transformed by tilt-shift photography.

Folk Art House and Horse Show

On this memorable Signature Experience, visit the Folk Art House, where local handicrafts are on show. Then, visit a producer of one of Hungary’s spiciest exports, paprika. Afterwards, a farm in Puszta is the perfect setting for a stellar horse show and authentic Hungarian lunch.

The Iron Gate or Djerdap Gorge - gorge on the Danube River in Djerdap National Park, Serbia and Romania border. This is the narrowest point of the largest and longest gorge in Europe. View from Serbia

Iron Gates Cruising

Get ready to witness nature at its finest today as your ship cruises through the Iron Gates, a stunning natural wonder of lush forests, towering cliffs and rugged landscapes. This spectacular series of gorges connects Serbia and Romania and makes for an unparalleled cruising experience.

Aerial view about famous vineyards of Hungary at Villany wine region
Wine backgrounds serving in glasses

Villány Wine Tasting

On this Freedom of Choice sightseeing activity, travel to Villány, a renowned Hungarian wine region known for its red and rose varieties. Here, you will pay a visit to a local winery, where you will enjoy a tour and tasting.

a-eu-bulgaria-belogradcik-medieval-fortress-2259617727-s

Belogradchik

Venture to the town of Belogradchik in Bulgaria and visit the ancient Belogradchik Fortress, perched on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains. You’ll also see the town’s unique rock formations.

What's On Board

Expand
***
Label images as (Artist's Impression)
***

Come aboard the APT Solara and APT Ostara

With a host of alluring features, our brand-new, ultra-modern river ships, APT Solara and APT Ostara, offer unmatched opulence and style when travelling along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. Whether enjoying a cocktail up on the Sun Deck or retreating to your spacious, light-filled suite, there is so much to discover on board.

View Ship
Expand
2023 Photoshoot aboard the AmaReina.
New ship build design process for MS Ostara & Solara with Lou Tandy, Paul Hecker and Hamish Guthrie

Purpose-built for European Rivers

Crafted in Melbourne by the globally acclaimed Hecker Guthrie design team, our brand-new vessels seamlessly blend contemporary elegance with timeless allure, drawing inspiration from Europe's waterways, seasons, and locales.

Expand
The Wachau is the landscape in and around the Danube valley between Melk and Krems an der Donau in Lower Austria, about 80 kilometers west of the federal capital Vienna. In 2000 it was added to the list of UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage as the Wachau cultural landscape with the Melk and Göttweig monasteries and the old town of Krems.

Sustainability Initiatives

Our ships utilise the most advanced and environmentally friendly technology currently available, which has earned us Green Award ‘Gold’ status. We champion eco-conscious best practices with no single-use plastics, and menus that minimise food waste.

Expand

Personalised Service

A high crew-to-guest ratio offers impeccable onboard service and all suite categories feature indulgent in-suite dining. Your ship will have a dedicated Cruise Director on board, superb entertainment and a wellness host.

What our customers are saying

What a amazing tour. The countries and the villages we visited with all different history. Special thanks to our tour director. What a loving, caring and knowledgeable person.

Europe

What a cruise it was. Everything was excellent, from the crew, accommodation, meals, tours - we could not find a fault in anything.

Europe

What an experience, words are hard to find to describe these tours, anybody thinking of travelling with APT will never regret it.

The APT river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest has to be the measure that all other travel is measured against. It was living the dream! APT will be our recommendation to all.

Europe

We will recommend our friends to travel with your company and I am sure they will share the same experiences as we did. The entertainment, you provided was again first class.

Europe

This trip was the holiday of a lifetime for us and thanks to the excellent team of APT staff we had a wonderful experience. We will certainly be planning another trip using APT in the future.

Europe

We will recommend APT River Cruising highly, and hopefully may even be able to join in again one day. Thank you for showing us a wonderful part of the world....

Europe

The on-board entertainment was great and we danced many a night away as well as meeting some lovely people. What a wonderful introduction to Europe - loved every minute.

Europe

Frequently Asked Questions

Trip Notes

  • Itinerary, inclusions and pricing are subject to change

  • Prices are for land/cruise only. Flights not included unless specified 

APT - ATAS Footer Logo
APT/TM/Bot - APT Travel Group
APT/TM - Australian Pacific Holdings
APT/TM - IATA
APT/TM - ATOL
APT/TM - OneTomorrow