The most beautiful river cruise destinations in Europe have been named

By TravelWiseNov 23, 2023 07:51 AMNews
Share:
The Swiss-German border on the Rhine looks like a fairy tale
The Swiss-German border on the Rhine looks like a fairy tale. Source: Getty

Europe is an ideal continent for a river cruise, as it has more than 150 cross-border rivers, the largest of which are the Volga, Danube and Dnipro.

A new study by travel insurance comparison site PayingTooMuch has revealed the most beautiful river cruise destinations in Europe using social media data. Analyzing the most photographed river cruise destinations on Instagram and TikTok, the PayingToomuch team looked at the total number of hashtags for "[location]rivercruise" and "[location]cruise", reports Express.

The Seine

The Seine has turned out to be the most picturesque river cruise in Europe thanks to almost 15 million Instagram posts and TikTok views combined.

Winding through one of the most romantic cities in the world, the Seine offers breathtaking views of all of Paris' most famous landmarks and attractions. From the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame Cathedral, there's no shortage of spectacular sights on this atmospheric cruise.

The most beautiful river cruise destinations in Europe have been named
Seine. Source: Getty

The Rhine

Running through three countries (Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland), the Rhine flows for over 765 miles.

Expect to see charming towns, cliff-top castles, and vineyards along this fascinating route.

The Danube

The Danube is the third most beautiful river cruise destination in Europe with just over two million shares and posts on social media.

Flowing through a staggering 10 countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine), including four major European capitals (Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade), the Danube is a dream for tourists wishing to explore the diversity of Europe.

The Douro

Just behind the top three in fourth place is the Douro River with a total of just under 40,000 posts and views.

The most beautiful river cruise destinations in Europe have been named
The Douro River at sunrise. Source: Getty

Located on the Iberian Peninsula and flowing through Spain and Portugal, the Douro is a picturesque river surrounded by terraced vineyards and steep hills.

The Douro Valley is synonymous with wine, and there are many opportunities for tourists to taste authentic local beverages.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

Internet on a Cruise: How to Avoid Huge Bills for Connectivity

Aug 6, 2025 09:14 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM
More News
Wizz Air aircraft operating a scheduled European flight

Wizz Air Opens New Year Sale With Discounts Across Its 2026 Network

Jan 6, 2026 22:31 PM
Jet2 aircraft at Manchester Airport runway

Manchester Airport Expands 2026 Network With New Mediterranean and Island Routes

Jan 6, 2026 20:37 PM

Bus Routes Keep Oxfordshire Day Trips Within Reach

Jan 6, 2026 09:31 AM

Snow and Ice Warnings Disrupt Rail and Bus Travel Across Wales and the Borders

Jan 6, 2026 08:37 AM
Qatar Airways aircraft operating regional Middle East services

Qatar Airways Adds Hail to Network With New Saudi Route

Jan 6, 2026 03:31 AM
Delta aircraft preparing for departure

Delta Restarts Caribbean Flights After FAA Airspace Closure

Jan 6, 2026 02:32 AM
A train platform at London King’s Cross station

King’s Cross First Class Lounge to Close for Refurbishment Ahead of Spring Reopening

Jan 6, 2026 01:06 AM
Commercial aircraft on runway during winter conditions

Snow Brings Flight Cuts at Paris Airports as Disruption Spreads Across Europe

Jan 6, 2026 00:36 AM
KLM aircraft departing during winter disruption

Winter Disruption Forces KLM to Cut Hundreds of Schiphol Flights

Jan 5, 2026 22:51 PM

Radio Communications Failure Halts Flights Across Greece: Queues and "Closed Gates" in Athens

Jan 5, 2026 09:04 AM

Arctic Cold Disrupts Irish Air Travel as Delays Spread Across Europe

Jan 4, 2026 05:38 AM
Mediterranean coastline with boats near rocky shore

Summer 2026 Routes Open New Holiday Choices at Glasgow Prestwick

Jan 4, 2026 03:37 AM
Luxembourg Airport terminal during winter operations

Snowfall Triggers Winter Operations at Luxembourg Airport

Jan 4, 2026 02:37 AM
KLM aircraft on the tarmac during flight disruption

KLM Cancels Caribbean Flights as Venezuela Airspace Disruption Spreads

Jan 4, 2026 01:37 AM
Air India wide-body aircraft on the ground before departure

Pilot Removed from Air India Flight After Failing Alcohol Checks

Jan 4, 2026 00:47 AM

Winter Storm Disrupts Zurich and Geneva Flights as Delays Build Across Europe

Jan 3, 2026 06:33 AM

Bristol Airport to Raise Drop-Off and Short-Stay Charges in January 2026

Jan 3, 2026 03:04 AM
Snowfall during winter weather

Snow and Strong Winds Disrupt UK–Amsterdam Flights

Jan 3, 2026 02:34 AM
easyJet aircraft on the apron at Birmingham Airport

Evening Bag Drop Option Added for Early easyJet Flights at Birmingham

Jan 3, 2026 00:33 AM
Passengers waiting in airport seating area during flight delays

Several Royal Brunei flights delayed on 2 January

Jan 2, 2026 23:30 PM
Geodesic dome accommodation at OutpostX desert retreat in Utah

Sleeping on Another Planet: Inside Utah’s Story-Driven Desert Retreat

Jan 2, 2026 03:32 AM
Brussels Airlines long-haul aircraft operating African routes

African-Inspired Menus Added to Brussels Airlines Long-Haul Flights in 2026

Jan 2, 2026 02:15 AM

Year-End Flight Delays Disrupt European Travel as Hubs Struggle on 31 December

Jan 2, 2026 01:24 AM

Emirates Urges Early Airport Arrival Ahead of January Travel Surge

Dec 31, 2025 23:36 PM
unsplash

Lapland Airports Prepare for Gradual Rollout of EU Entry/Exit System

Dec 31, 2025 23:16 PM
Passenger aircraft taxiing in cold weather at a regional airport

Weather Warnings Trigger Free Flight Changes Across UK and Ireland

Dec 31, 2025 22:17 PM