WORLDWIDE · RIVER CRUISES

The World’s 15 Best River Cruises

1,025 river trips  ·  from $5 a head

Rivers are how a city was built and usually how it looks best. These 15 run from a ninety-minute Seine loop to four nights between Aswan and Luxor, priced and timed, with the whole catalogue underneath when you want to go deeper.

Paris: 1-Hour Seine Cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower - The first views: Eiffel Tower, Invalides, and Musée d’Orsay
1-Hour Experiences, France River Cruises, Paris River Cruises, River Cruises, Seine River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Paris: 1-Hour Seine Cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower

1.1-Hour Seine Cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 77,472 reviews · 1 hour · from $20Our pick

Board a modern Bateaux Parisiens boat at Pontoon 3 beneath the Eiffel Tower for a one-hour round trip past Notre Dame, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and more. Use the onboard web app or audio guide in multiple languages, then head upstairs for open-air photos. Indoor seating helps on cold or rainy days.

“This was such a great experience. Our guide was multilingual and did an awesome job pointing out major sites along the Seine. We took a cruise close to sunset and you had the option of sitting on deck or inside. The whole experience was super well organized and great value for what we paid. It was open-ended which allowed us to tour other sites around Paris and show up before the last scheduled cruise on NYE. It was such a wonderful experience and one that I'd totally suggest anyone touring Paris check out. I'd definitely go again!”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table - Boarding choices and the value of the $28 fare
Bosphorus Cruises, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in Istanbul, Istanbul River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

2.Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 62,058 reviews · 3 hours · from $28

Spend three hours aboard a Mega Lüfer yacht, crossing between Europe and Asia as Istanbul’s palaces, bridges, and towers pass by. You’ll have a private table, a three-course Turkish meal, live folk dancing, flamenco, belly dancing, music, and city lights. Add window, stage, VIP seating, drinks, or hotel pickup when booking.

“It was an amazing experience. we really enjoyed it .all cultural programmes are really good. food is amazing and their service also really impressed which include serving food pick up and drop off. friendly people .”

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Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option - The route through Jordaan and Prinsengracht
Amsterdam River Cruises, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Amsterdam, Canal Cruises in the Netherlands, Luxury River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises in Amsterdam, Luxury River Cruises in the Netherlands, Netherlands River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option

3.Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30,518 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $18Top rated

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals for about an hour on a quiet electric boat with a live English-speaking guide. The route may include Jordaan, Prinsengracht, the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Magere Brug, Bloemenmarkt, and the Bridge of 15 Bridges. Boats range from open summer vessels to covered or enclosed boats in cold weather. Unlimited drinks and bites are an optional package.

“The staff were knowledgeable and friendly. The boat was clean and in good condition and the trip itself was worthwhile”

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London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise - The South Bank: Millennium Bridge, Tate Modern, and Shakespeare’s Globe
London River Cruises, River Cruises, Thames River Cruises, Tour Reviews, UK River Cruises

London: Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

4.Westminster to Greenwich River Thames Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22,836 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $22

Cruise the Thames from Westminster Pier to Greenwich in about an hour, passing Parliament, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Choose a one-way ride or return trip, listen to live English commentary, and use a smartphone audio guide in six languages. Greenwich Pier puts the Cutty Sark, market, park, and Royal Observatory within walking distance.

“It was a green way to see the city from the water.”

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Paris: Evening River Cruise with Music - From Port de Suffren to the Eiffel Tower
France River Cruises, Paris River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Paris: Evening River Cruise with Music

5.Evening River Cruise with Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 22,721 reviews · 1 hour · from $27

Cruise the Seine for one hour from the Eiffel Tower on a quiet, gas-free electric boat. You’ll pass the Louvre, Notre-Dame, Musée d’Orsay, and Grand Palais while music plays. There is no guide onboard, but the Vedettes de Paris app offers audio commentary in 10 languages. Add champagne, wine, or beer if you like.

“views. was not clear if the drinks were included and we were not prepared”

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Amsterdam: Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite - What you see during the 1 to 1.5-hour route
Amsterdam River Cruises, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Amsterdam, Canal Cruises in the Netherlands, Netherlands River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam: Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite

6.Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21,431 reviews · 1 - 1.5 hours · from $18

Settle into a heated, fully electric boat for a 1 to 1.5-hour Amsterdam canal cruise. A local guide such as Sophia, Chris, or Michael explains the city as you pass the Anne Frank House, Skinny Bridge, Hermitage Museum, Amstel Hotel, and Golden Bend. Choose unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and a small snack.

“Good Craic over all and they gave me a free drink for winning one if their quizzes”

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Amsterdam: 75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide - Boarding and choosing the right departure
Amsterdam River Cruises, Audio Tours, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Amsterdam, Canal Cruises in the Netherlands, Netherlands River Cruises, River Cruises, River Cruises with Audio Guide, River Cruises with Audio Guide in Amsterdam, River Cruises with Audio Guide in the Netherlands, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam: 75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

7.75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 19,938 reviews · 1h 15m · from $18

See Amsterdam from its canals on a 75-minute Blue Boat Company cruise. Pass Westerkerk, the Anne Frank House area, Magere Brug, the Amstel, Rijksmuseum, and modern waterfront sights. Choose audio commentary in 19 languages, including a kids’ pirate story, and add a snackbox with sweet and savory treats plus a drink.

“We has a very nice experience. Very relaxed and nice view of the city both in the daytime and the advent of evening.”

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From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch - The morning road to Peso da Régua
Douro River Cruises, Lunch Experiences, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Porto: Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch

8.Douro Valley w/ Boat Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 19,061 reviews · 6 - 10 hours · from $82

Spend 6 to 10 hours exploring the Douro Valley from Porto. Visit a 1959 wine cooperative and another cellar or wine shop, taste Port and olive oil, enjoy a seated regional lunch with wine, cruise for one hour from Pinhão, and follow the scenic N222. Guides may include Igor, Miguel, Ricardo, or Melina, depending on the day.

“Brilliant trip and Miguel was a fantastic guide! It was great fun, we never got to the boat tour which is a shame due to flooding and high river but it got substituted for extra wine! Learnt so much about port and wine and overall just a fantastic trip and the best day of our Porto trip. Only negative was the air con was Leaking on the bus and we got dripped on- luckily that didn’t spoil the trip tho 😄”

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Amsterdam: City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide - Choosing the right departure point
Amsterdam River Cruises, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Amsterdam, Canal Cruises in the Netherlands, Netherlands River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam: City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide

9.City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 16,901 reviews · 1 hour · from $17Best value

See Amsterdam from its canals on a one-hour sightseeing cruise departing near Central Station, Anne Frank House, Leidseplein, or the Rijksmuseum. Your heated boat carries you past Golden Age houses, Magere Brug, Westerkerk, and the Amstel, while audio commentary is available in 19 languages. Captains may add local stories and humor.

“Wonderful cruise, there was lots of information given and lots to see. The boat was clean and comfortable.”

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Amsterdam All-Inclusive 90-Minutes Heated Cruise by Captain Jack - The canal ring and the Jordaan
Amsterdam River Cruises, Netherlands River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam All-Inclusive 90-Minutes Heated Cruise by Captain Jack

10.Amsterdam All-Inclusive 90-Minutes Heated Cruise by Captain Jack

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16,101 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals for 90 minutes from Rijksmuseum or Central Station on a small electric boat. Captains such as Roland, JP, Oliver, David, Joe, and Giselle mix city stories with unlimited Heineken, wine, and Dutch snacks. Boats may be enclosed and heated, but windows can fog and the open-air setup means weather still matters.

“It was a great night stroll through the canal very informative and great skipper - more of a information tour then a just stroll - loved it.”

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Chicago Architecture River Cruise - The first view: Chicago’s skyline from the water
Chicago River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

11.Chicago Architecture River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15,756 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Cruise the Chicago River with an onboard architecture guide, passing the Wrigley Building, John Hancock Center, Willis Tower, Marina City, and more. Choose a Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue departure, enjoy a restroom and full bar, and bring your dog along. Guides such as Jim, Ashley, and Sam have earned praise for lively storytelling, though cold weather and onboard noise can affect the ride.

“We loved everything about this tour. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and kept everyone engaged.”

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Paris: Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off (Optional River Cruise) - How to use one, two, or three days
France River Cruises, Hop-On Hop-Off River Boats, Paris River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Paris: Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off (Optional River Cruise)

12.Tootbus Hop-on Hop-off (Optional River Cruise)

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 15,279 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $43

Use a 1, 2, or 3-day Tootbus pass to reach Paris landmarks from the Louvre and Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. Hop off for museums, cafés, and neighborhoods, then follow the app to the next bus. Add a one-hour Vedettes de Paris cruise from Port de Suffren, and choose audio commentary in 10 languages, including a children’s channel.

“The buses came by frequently. The complimentary headsets were helpful. Drivers drove respectfully. It wasn’t overly crowded.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show - Getting to the boat between 7:30 and 8:10 PM
Bosphorus Cruises, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in Istanbul, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows in Istanbul, Istanbul River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Istanbul: Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show

13.Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12,954 reviews · 3 hours · from $28

Spend three hours sailing between Europe and Asia aboard Turyol Bosfor, with Turkish starter plates, grilled meatballs, fish or vegetarian dishes, unlimited local drinks, and a 1.5-hour Turkish Night Show. Hotel pickup may be added, and attentive servers such as Blake, Elvis, and Sadi have earned praise for warm service.

“We celebrated my father’s birthday there, everything was arranged perfectly from the transportation to the end of the show. The service in the restaurant was excellent and the whole experience was truly wonderful. Highly recommended!”

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Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise - Sabrosa and the first winery visit
Douro River Cruises, Lunch Experiences, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise

14.Complete Douro Valley Wine Tour with Lunch, Wine Tastings and River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12,920 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $101

You’ll leave Porto with a local guide for two winery visits, about six tastings, a traditional Portuguese lunch, and a 50-minute Rabelo boat cruise from Pinhão. Guides vary, with Rita, Miguel, Pedro, José, and Bernardo among those assigned. Hotel pickup is available in central Porto, and the tour runs in English.

“It was an amazing experience we had especially with our tour guide Miguel. We had such a wonderful experience because of him. I highly recommend to book with Miguel.”

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Paris: Illuminations River Cruise with Audio Commentary - Choosing your seat before the boat leaves
Audio Tours, France River Cruises, Paris River Cruises, River Cruises, River Cruises with Audio Guide, Self-Guided Tours, Tour Reviews

Paris: Illuminations River Cruise with Audio Commentary

15.Illuminations River Cruise with Audio Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 12,340 reviews · 1 hour · from $20

Spend one hour cruising from the Eiffel Tower past Les Invalides, Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame, the Louvre, and more. Use the onboard audio guide in 14 languages or a smartphone app with commentary, photo filters, and games. Choose a daylight, sunset, or evening departure, but arrive early for the best outdoor seats.

“Beautiful views and a great route! Quite a line for the evening hour ride even now! Timed perfectly withe the tower sparkles when leaving and returning!”

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