The 10 longest rivers in Europe

What is the longest river in Europe? This is a ranking of the longest rivers that snake through the Old Continent!

The rivers of Europe have served as borders, transport, trade and livelihoods for centuries. Many European rivers, among the longest, were celebrated in songs and poetry and played a major role in trade and history. Whether you’re interested in a cruise on one of the longest rivers in Europe or just want to enjoy the view from an old bridge or the window of your hotel, the European rivers can highlight a city you’re visiting!

There are hundreds of rivers on the continent, but many of them take their source in Western Russia. So, what are the longest rivers in Europe?

10. Viatka

The Viatka is a river Russia European and a right tributary of Kama (herself charter the Volga). Viatka takes its source to the north of the Republic of Oumourtia, on the western foothills of the Ural mountains.

Length 1 314 km Basin area 129 000 km2 Debit 890 m3/s Pack : Volga Country Russia

9. Dniestr

The Dniestr River flows into the Ukrainian Carpathians at an altitude of 900 metres. Its average flow rate is 310 m3/s. The river crosses the river Ukraine and Moldova before embarking on the Black Sea in Ukrainian territory.

Length 1 362 km Basin area 68 627 km2 Debit 310 m3/s Pack : Black Sea Country : Ukraine, Moldova

8. Belaia

The Belaia River flows into Iremel Mountain, south-west of the Ural River in Russia, and flows only in this country. The Belaya River flows into the Kama River, a tributary of the Volga.

Length 1 430 km Basin area 142 000 km2 Debit 844 m3/s Pack : Kama River Country Russia

7. Oka

The Oka River is the largest straight tributary of the Volga, it takes its source at 226 meters above sea level in the Oblast of Oryol, Russia. It has more than a dozen major tributaries, and many towns and villages are located along the Oka River.

Length 1 500 km Basin area 245 000 km2 Debit 1,270 m3/s Pack : Volga Country Russia

6. Kama

Kama takes its source in the Kama hills at an altitude of 336 m, west of the city of Perm. This is the most important of the Volga tributaries.

Length 1 805 km Basin area 507 002 km2 Debit : 3 800 m3/s Pack : Volga Country Russia

5. Petchora

Petchora takes its source on the west side of the Ural (at 630 meters above sea level), in the northwest of Russia. The average flow rate of Petchora is 4,515 m3/s, which is the third European river in terms of flow per second.

Length 1 809 km Basin area 322 000 km2 Debit 4 515 m3/s Pack : Sea of Barents Country Russia

4. Don

Once called Tanaïs, Don is one of the main rivers of Russia. It takes its source near Toula to the south of Moscow and runs a little less than 2,000 km before throwing into the Azov Sea, after crossing Ukraine.

Length 1 950 km Basin area 425 600 km2 Debit 900 m3/s Pack : Sea of Azov Country Russia, Ukraine

3. Dniepr

The river Dniepr is the third longest river in Europe, and takes its source near Smolensk in Russia in the hills of Valdai located 220 meters above sea level. Two of its tributaries are famous: the Berezina, whose name has become synonymous with the current language in the French language and the Pripiat River on which the nuclear power plant is located Chernobyl .

Length : 2 290 km Basin area 516 300 km2 Debit 1,670 m3/s Pack : Black Sea Country Russia, Belarus, Ukraine

2. Danube

It is the longest river in Europe if Russia is not counted. It takes its source in the Black Forest in Germany. The Danube flows through 9 countries and flows into the Black Sea.

Length : 3 020 km Basin area 805 000 km2 Debit 6,500 m3/s Pack : Black Sea Country Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine

1. Volga

The Volga is the longest river in Europe, but also the largest in terms of flow. The Volga takes its source in the hills of Valdaï at 228 meters above sea level between Moscow and St. Petersburg before jumping into the Caspian Sea after a long journey of 3,690 km.

Length 3,700 km Basin area 1 350 000 km2 Debit 8,060 m3/s Pack : Caspian Sea Country Russia

For information, the Rhine only arrives at the 12th position of the longest rivers in Europe, while the Loire ( longer river of France ) is in 18th position.