Dunavtsi was formed on 12 December 1955 through the merger of the villages Vidbol and Gurkovo, today regarded as town neighbourhoods. It was proclaimed an urban-type settlement on 11 September 1964 and acquired town privileges on 4 September 1974. From 1949 until 1987, it was the administrative centre of a municipality, but today it is a part of Vidin municipality. The Vidbol River flows into the Danube southeast of the town.