Durnstein, in Austria, is a small, picturesque town with a rather English claim to historical fame: the ruins of Kuenringer castle on the hillside above Durnstein was where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner for a year in 1192. The town also forms part of the wine-producing region of Wachau. Renowned for its contemporary art and cultural scene, the historically baroque old town of Linz sits right between an even older castle. The Arts Electronica Centre is filled with interactive electronic exhibits with robots and 3D printers, while the Lentos Kunstmuseum has a major modern art collection.
An unforgettable highlight of many Danube River cruises is the impressive Melk Abbey. Overlooking the small riverside city of Melk, the abbey was founded in 1089 and is a stunning example of imperial architecture. In the city itself, the Rathausplatz and Hauptplatz offer the perfect place to unwind with a coffee and watch the world go by. Australia’s capital city Vienna is a hub of musical and artistic talent. There’s plenty of stunning architecture to go around too; the Schönbrunn Palace used to be the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph and 40 of its 1,141 intricately decorated rooms are still open to the public. Elsewhere in Vienna, St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece, with underground catacombs dating to the fourteenth century.
In Germany, the medieval city of Nuremberg is well known for its breweries, beer gardens and Christmas markets, but the rich layers of Nuremberg’s history come alive the most when you consider the Gothic churches, medieval city wall and the towering imperial castle. Passau, often known as The City of Three Rivers, is a German city on the border of Austria where the Danube, Ilz and Inn rivers meet. The city is filled with historic buildings including the famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which has beautiful domed towers and holds the world’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. The university town of Regensburg’s well-preserved medieval structures includes a 12th-century stone bridge with 16 arches and a 13th-century twin-spired cathedral, where the famous Domspatzen boys choir sing at mass each Sunday morning.
Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is split into two sides; Buda on the west side and Pest on the east. Connected by 7 different bridges (including the famous 19th-century Chain Bridge), they make a city rich in Art Nouveau architecture and filled with living history, seen on buildings pockmarked by WWII bullets. If you’re not eating local delicacies, go and catch beautiful panoramic vistas from the impressive Buda Castle. Alternatively, indulge in a visit to one of the many beautiful public thermal baths and steam rooms dotted around the city.
Bratislava is the medieval capital of Slovakia and a worthy stop on your Danube River cruise. With a beautiful castle and two perfectly-preserved squares surrounded by bars and cafés, the city’s pedestrian-only Old Town is a delight to wander through.
Which cruise lines sail along the Danube River?
