Skip to main content

The 5 Best River Cruises to Enjoy in Spring

Field of pink tulips in front of a typical Dutch windmill

Discover the ideal river cruises for spring - see the bulbfields of the Netherlands bloom, the sun shining in Portugal or the shimmering blue water of the Danube.

There’s never a bad time to visit Europe, with every season bringing its own charms and delights around the continent. But for a spring river cruise around Holland or some areas of Portugal, Spain and France, you simply must try and do it in the spring. This is the season when riverbanks burst into glorious bloom and flower markets in European towns and cities are at their most beautiful.

1. Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & The Dutch Bulbfields River Cruise

Our Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields River Cruise is a perfect spring trip if you want to experience the flower capital of the world in full bloom. Starting off in Amsterdam, you get the chance to enjoy this glorious city from the canals that run throughout its heart, taking in the incredible floral displays on houses and shops. After a fascinating tour through Flanders in Belgium, you’ll return to Holland with Keukenhof, the heart of the glorious Dutch Bulbfields, where you’ll be dazzled by the nearly 80 acres of spectacular colours, with over 7 million flowers.

2. Amsterdam, Kinderdijk & The Dutch Bulbfields River Cruise

Another Dutch River cruise that lets you enjoy the wonders of Amsterdam in spring and the majesty of the Bulbfields of Keukenhof, this 5-day option offers different treats, including time spent in the lovely port of Enkhuizen. You also get a day to experience the contrasting Dutch delights of the very modern Rotterdam and the very traditional array of windmills and dykes at Kinderdijk.

3. The Douro, Porto & Salamanca River Cruise

The Douro region in Portugal is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year, but there’s something extra special in spring when the temperatures are warm but not too hot, and the vineyards and hills aren’t as crowded as in the summer. This Portuguese River cruise takes in sleepy medieval villages as well as the mighty city of Porto and the historic Spanish centre of Salamanca, home to one of the oldest universities in the world.

4. Burgundy, The River Rhône & Provence River Cruise

The picturesque Provence region is even more beautiful in springtime when you get to see the landscape covered with creamy drifts of almond blossom and the blossoms of cherry and soft fruit trees. On our cruise, you will see so much of the region as well as enjoying the gastronomic treats and world-famous wines of Burgundy.

5. The Blue Danube River Cruise

For seeing the best of Europe in the spring, you can’t do much better than a cruise down the River Danube, visiting some of the loveliest medieval towns and cities of Austria, Hungary and Slovakia along the way, including Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava. You’ll see mountainsides, valleys and formal gardens all in full bloom, enjoy the best wines and cuisines as well as being treated to classical music, as befits the name of this cruise and the cultural history of the regions you’ll be visiting.

With all this to offer, it’s no surprise that our cruises make the perfect springtime holiday.

Spring is a perfect time to cruise along the rivers of Europe. We hope this has inspired you to take a river cruise on your next holiday. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Related articles

For the love of music: the best holiday destinations for music lovers

Musically minded? We’ve rounded up some of the best holiday destinations for music lovers to inspire your text trip.

My First Time on a River Cruise

First-hand account from a Riviera staff member on their first river cruise. From life onboard to onshore adventures, it was a voyage of surprises and delights.

Riviera Travel Wins Which? Best-value River Cruise

Riviera Travel proudly wins Which? Best-value River Cruise award, offering exceptional experiences with unbeatable value on European river cruises.

Myth-busting River Cruising: 13 Common Misconceptions

We’re busting some of the most prevalent myths surrounding river cruises from and breaking down your preconceptions.