Emerald Cruises Danube: 9 nights from with Emerald Sky
Nov 8, 2026

Budapest

The history of Budapest

The capital of Hungary, Budapest, is a crossroads of history and culture and the ancient charm combines with modern dynamism. Born from the union of the cities of Buda, Pest and Óbuda in 1873, Budapest has experienced Roman, Ottoman and Habsburg dominations, which have left a rich and varied legacy. Strolling through its streets, you can admire the Parliament, Buda Castle and Matthias Church.

Budapest's climate

Budapest has a continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. The best season to visit the city is undoubtedly sping or early autumn, when the mild climate and sunny days offer the ideal setting for exploring the city on foot, discovering every hidden corners and its magnificent parks in bloom.

Attractions and places to visit

Crossed by the majestic Danube River, Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, its historic monuments and breathtaking views. Not to be missed are the Parliament, one of the oldest legislative buildings in Europe, Buda Castle, from which there are priceless views of the city, and the Chain Bridge, a symbol of unity between Buda and Pest. For a relaxing break, the Széchenyi Spa offers outdoor thermal pools, even in winter.

Local cuisine and typical products

Hungharian cuisine is a culinary adventure worth exploring. Thanks to dishes such as goulash, pörkölt and the delicious crepes called palacsinta you will discover intense falvours rich in history. You can taste them with a glass of Tokaji, Hungary's world-famous sweet wine.

Conclusion: an unforgettable holiday

Embarking on a cruise from Budapest offers a unique opportunity to start your journey by exploring a city rich in history, culture and natural beauty, before sailing across the waters of the Danube to fascinating new destinations. Budapest is not just a stopover, but a starting point for an unforgettable experience that will enrich your spirit and your heart.

The city is a mix of the French and Japanese cultures.  For many years, it was a French territory, and the buildings are made in the French style. Later, the city was the first town for the trade with Japan and Korea, with its strategic position, it made a lot of merchants settle there. Some of the best attractions are the Hama-Rikyu Gardens and the Imperial Palace East Garden.

Bratislava

Ubicada a 60 km a nord-est di Vienna e nell'estremo sud-ovest della Slovacchia, di cui è la capitale, Bratislava si trova al confine con l'Austria, l'Ungheria e la Repubblica Ceca. Questa città di 500.000 abitanti, si trova nel centro geografico dell'Europa, con forte influenze slovacche, ma anche tedesche, ungheresi ed ebraiche, questo mix di popolazioni renderanno il vostro soggiorno davvero sorprendente. Il suo lato provinciale emana un certo fascino e la vita notturna attira nottambuli da tutta Europa. Il suo centro storico barocco, i suoi tesori di arte gotica e i vecchi locali rannicchiati intorno al suo castello, dominano il Danubio. Un luogo ideale per rilassanti passeggiate a piedi, sono i grandi parchi alberati. In questo borgo troverete di tutto, esclusive boutique, catene di negozi, mercatini, tutto il necessario per soddisfare le vostre esigenze. Il mercato più popolare lo troverete sulla strada di Mileticova; a prezzi molto convenienti e di qualità. Da Bratislava, si può facilmente arrivare a Vienna e Moravia, con la possibilità di visitare il castello di Devin, luogo tradizionale per gli abitanti della capitale slovacca. Alcuni dei monumenti più importanti di questo luogo sono: Il castello di Bratislava che domina la città, la cattedrale gotica di San-Martino, la Porta del Michael, il palazzo barocco di Grassalkovitch e il Municipio, residenza del Presidente della Repubblica slovacca. Lo Zoo locale, vicino al centro della città e facilmente raggiungibile con i mezzi pubblici, include un parco dei dinosauri su tre ettari, permettendo di rivivere l'Era Mesozoica attraverso la riproduzione di 27 specie di rettili preistorici e un parco giochi paleontologico per bambini. Il clima è continentale con inverni rigidi, il mese più freddo è a gennaio. Il periodo migliore per visitare è tra maggio a settembre, ma il l'afflusso turistico più alto avviene a luglio e agosto. Una buona alternativa, se non vi intimoriscono le temperature fredde, nel periodo tra ottobre e aprile, il paesaggio dona altrettanto fascino.

Melk

Linz

Less known than Vienna and Salzburg, Linz is the capital of Upper Austria. It is now one of the most vibrant cities in Central Europe. Home to Kepler, Mozart and Bruckner, this city in northern Austria offers many attractions.

International events such as the Ars Electronica Festival or Bruckner and the cultural diversity have led it to be what it is today, European Capital of Culture 2009 together with Vilnius in Lithuania. This metropolis, built on both banks of the Danube, has experienced a cultural, architectural, and technological revolution in the last twenty years.
Here you can always meet the tourist buses, which aspire to deepen the diversity of this city. Linz preserves the echoes of the past, all the main attractions are in the old part of the city. Walking through the quiet, shaded streets of this part of Linz, we must absolutely meet cozy pubs, churches decorated in the Baroque style, and two abbeys, Vilhering, and San Floriano.

Do not forget to visit the historic center of Linz, the overflowing animation, and famous monuments, such as the main square or Hauptplatz (XIII century) and its many Baroque buildings: the old town hall, the column of the high Trinity (1723)
Landhaus, seat of the president of the region, a beautiful Renaissance building, which houses the court "Fountain of the planets" (1582), so named in memory of the astronomer Johannes Kepler
The Kremsmünstererhaus where, according to legend, Emperor Frederick III died in 1493.
The church of San Martino is the oldest church in Austria (built before 788)
no less important is the house of Mozart, a Renaissance building from the second half of the 16th century

Linz, founded by the Romans under the name of Lentia, invites you to follow in the footsteps of the great men who found inspiration.
The famous astronomer Johannes Kepler discovered the mathematical relationships that govern the movements of the planets in 1618.
In the following century, Mozart composed one of his most beautiful symphonies: Symphony of Linz. It is possible to visit his three-story house where Mozart composed this work in 1783.
Anton Bruckner was organist of the Cathedral for 12 years, from 1856 to 1868. In homage to the famous Austrian composer, the city organizes a prestigious festival every year in September.