As one of the longest rivers in Europe, the Danube can offer a wide range of experiences and sights. As well as the quaint wine towns, dramatic castles and beautiful churches, there are a number of more unusual attractions within the various towns and cities you will visit. Always on the lookout for some unique things for you to do during your travels, we’ve gathered a few of these quirkier sights.

Budapest’s Timewheel

 By Armin Kübelbeck (own work --Kuebi 09:57, 30 April 2007 (UTC)) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

This art installation was designed in celebration of Hungary’s addition to the European Union. It stands in the City Park, close to Heroes’ Square, and counts down the time throughout the year. Thought to be the largest hourglass in the world, the structure is mounted on a granite wheel and is turned over every New Year’s Eve so it can count down the next twelve months.

Vienna’s Museum of Art Fakes

There are plenty of art galleries in Vienna which proudly display works by some of the greatest artists the world has ever seen. However, this one is a little bit different. All of the pieces are carefully crafted forgeries, created to either deceive potential buyers or act as valuable replicas of famous original works. The museum tells about the different kinds of forgeries and how even fake artworks can be very sought after.

Bratislava’s VW Cableway

When the VW factory in Bratislava started making larger vehicles in 2002, it needed a way to transport them in large numbers from the production line to the test track quickly and efficiently. This was the solution. The overhead cableway can support vehicles weighing up to two and a half tons, taking them 455 metres in under five minutes.

Belgrade’s Ružica Church

Belgrade Fortress in one of the most popular sights in the city, but it’s easy to miss this hidden gem when you visit. Tucked away along the walls, the Ružica Church features two chandeliers that have been made with weapons used in World War One. Soldiers on the front line started to collect the spent bullet casings, swords and cannon parts that lay all around them and fashioned them into beautiful light fittings.

Budapest’s Gyermekvasút

We finish this list where we began, in the capital of Hungary. Translated to mean ‘Children’s Railway’, the Gyermekvasút started as a way to get children between 10 and 14 into a respected job and give them vital trade skills. Today, the train attracts a lot of interest from tourists who want to ride through the picturesque hills on the Buda side of the city. The engines are driven by adults, but the children operate the signals, collect the tickets and welcome the customers.

If you would like to visit any of these unusual attractions, we can help organise your exciting Danube river cruise. Call us now to discuss the different itineraries we have available.