Cycle the Danube

The adventure

Retrace the steps of the Roman, Ottoman and Habsburg Empires on this cycling adventure along the mighty Danube River. Over eight days, you’ll ride through small villages, lowland forests and lush farmland as you cycle from Vienna to Budapest, passing through Slovakia. Discover the Baroque style at the Schonbrunn Palace or get lost in the cobbled laneways of Komarom – a spa city with one foot in Hungary and the other in Slovakia. Visit the architectural jewel of the Danube River – the Esztergom Basilica – and pass by the white-hued Bratislava Castle. Celebrate a day in the saddle with a luxurious soak in one of Budapest's steaming baths, then maybe spend the night at the iconic ruin bars. If you’re seeking an active adventure – cycling is the best way to experience the cosmopolitan cities along the Danube.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Austria, Hungary & Slovakia

Showing Days 1-7

8-day itinerary

Day 1ViennaWillkommen! Welcome to Austria. Your cycling adventure begins in Vienna with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, explore the city at your own pace – the best way to see Vienna is on your own two legs! After the meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner at a Viennese Heurigen (wine tavern). Heuriger means ‘this year's wine’ and it originated as a way for winemakers to offer samples of their new wines along with a few snacks. Fortunately, this now also includes a hearty meal, which will be much needed for the days of cycling ahead!

Vienna

Willkommen! Welcome to Austria. Your cycling adventure begins in Vienna with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, explore the city at your own pace – the best way to see Vienna is on your own two legs! After the meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner at a Viennese Heurigen (wine tavern). Heuriger means ‘this year's wine’ and it originated as a way for winemakers to offer samples of their new wines along with a few snacks. Fortunately, this now also includes a hearty meal, which will be much needed for the days of cycling ahead!

Day 2Vienna city rideAfter breakfast this morning, you’ll have a bike fitting for the group followed by a short test ride to check everything is in working order. Then, you’ll join with your leader and take a tour of Vienna on two wheels. Follow the path of the Habsburg and explore the rich artistic and cultural icons of the city like the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace and all that the Ringstrasse has to offer. Enjoy a special stop-off at a Vollpension cafe, a social enterprise that employs some of Vienna's elderly population to produce their own (delicious!) cakes and cookies. Apart from helping supplement their old age pension it offers elderly people a valuable chance to remain in contact with people of all generations and stay a vibrant part of the community. Tonight, you’re free to explore Vienna at your own pace – ask for dinner recommendations from your leader, they will always have the best suggestions!

Vienna city ride

After breakfast this morning, you’ll have a bike fitting for the group followed by a short test ride to check everything is in working order. Then, you’ll join with your leader and take a tour of Vienna on two wheels. Follow the path of the Habsburg and explore the rich artistic and cultural icons of the city like the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace and all that the Ringstrasse has to offer. Enjoy a special stop-off at a Vollpension cafe, a social enterprise that employs some of Vienna's elderly population to produce their own (delicious!) cakes and cookies. Apart from helping supplement their old age pension it offers elderly people a valuable chance to remain in contact with people of all generations and stay a vibrant part of the community. Tonight, you’re free to explore Vienna at your own pace – ask for dinner recommendations from your leader, they will always have the best suggestions!

Day 3Cycle Vienna to BratislavaLeave Vienna’s city centre and ride along the mighty Danube to the tiny hamlet of Hasslau an der Donau. From here, you’ll journey east along the riverbanks passing by an eclectic mix of Roman ruins and modern reconstructions, slowly winding along the riverside bike paths to the Slovak border. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in the Slovak capital – cosmopolitan Bratislava. See firsthand how bordering two independent countries has left its mark on Bratislava with a leader-led orientation walk. Tonight, you’re free to rest and recharge.

Cycle Vienna to Bratislava

Leave Vienna’s city centre and ride along the mighty Danube to the tiny hamlet of Hasslau an der Donau. From here, you’ll journey east along the riverbanks passing by an eclectic mix of Roman ruins and modern reconstructions, slowly winding along the riverside bike paths to the Slovak border. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in the Slovak capital – cosmopolitan Bratislava. See firsthand how bordering two independent countries has left its mark on Bratislava with a leader-led orientation walk. Tonight, you’re free to rest and recharge.

Day 4Cycle Bratislava to GyorFollow the flowing waters of the Danube as it turns south today. Your ride today will pass by picturesque villages, lowland forests and across farmland to the Hungarian city of Gyor. This vibrant Baroque city – highlighted by Kaptalan Hill, Becsi Kapu Square and the picturesque Kiraly Street – has been inhabited by varying cultures since ancient times and now offers a fascinating contrast to the slow pace of the river and its surroundings.

Cycle Bratislava to Gyor

Follow the flowing waters of the Danube as it turns south today. Your ride today will pass by picturesque villages, lowland forests and across farmland to the Hungarian city of Gyor. This vibrant Baroque city – highlighted by Kaptalan Hill, Becsi Kapu Square and the picturesque Kiraly Street – has been inhabited by varying cultures since ancient times and now offers a fascinating contrast to the slow pace of the river and its surroundings.

Day 5Cycle Gyor to KomarnoLeaving Gyor behind, track back to the banks of the Danube and on to the city of Komarno , which straddles the borders of Hungary and Slovakia. While Komarno is known for its forts and strategic position on the Danube River, it’s also a beautiful city housing many museums and historical sites. If you feel called to add some pampering to your afternoon, why not head to a local spa and soothe those leg muscles.

Cycle Gyor to Komarno

Leaving Gyor behind, track back to the banks of the Danube and on to the city of Komarno , which straddles the borders of Hungary and Slovakia. While Komarno is known for its forts and strategic position on the Danube River, it’s also a beautiful city housing many museums and historical sites. If you feel called to add some pampering to your afternoon, why not head to a local spa and soothe those leg muscles.

Day 6Cycle Komarno to EsztergomToday there’s an early departure to ride into your next stop – Esztergom. The former capital city of Hungary is the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church and boasts an amazing array of architectural gems such as the Royal Palace and Watertown, which is built on the banks of the Danube itself. When you arrive, take a leader led orientation walk of the city and see the crowning jewel at the Esztergom Basilica – a beautiful example of Classicism and the largest church in Hungary. Reflected in the still waters of the Danube Bend, the Basilica is a sight to behold from both outside and from within. Your evening is free to find some delicious local cuisine and wander the city streets at your own pace.

Cycle Komarno to Esztergom

Today there’s an early departure to ride into your next stop – Esztergom. The former capital city of Hungary is the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church and boasts an amazing array of architectural gems such as the Royal Palace and Watertown, which is built on the banks of the Danube itself. When you arrive, take a leader led orientation walk of the city and see the crowning jewel at the Esztergom Basilica – a beautiful example of Classicism and the largest church in Hungary. Reflected in the still waters of the Danube Bend, the Basilica is a sight to behold from both outside and from within. Your evening is free to find some delicious local cuisine and wander the city streets at your own pace.

Day 7Cycle Esztergom to BudapestCycle the famous ‘Danube Bend’ today, beneath the wooded hills of Visegrad. Here, the river turns south towards the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. Today will be your longest day in the saddle, but you’ll break it up with a scenic a picnic lunch on the riverbank. After cycling through the city itself, end the day on a high with an afternoon visit to one of Budapest's famous spas! After indulging with your group, your night is free to explore at your own pace – maybe visit the ruin bars or walk along the river as the sun falls.

Cycle Esztergom to Budapest

Cycle the famous ‘Danube Bend’ today, beneath the wooded hills of Visegrad. Here, the river turns south towards the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. Today will be your longest day in the saddle, but you’ll break it up with a scenic a picnic lunch on the riverbank. After cycling through the city itself, end the day on a high with an afternoon visit to one of Budapest's famous spas! After indulging with your group, your night is free to explore at your own pace – maybe visit the ruin bars or walk along the river as the sun falls.

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Discover Austria

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.