The 1897 European Rowing Championships were rowing championships held on Lake Maggiore in the Italian commune of Pallanza on 8 September. The competition was for men only, four nations competed (Belgium, France, Italy, and Switzerland), and the regatta had four boat classes (M1x, M2+, M4+, M8+). At the FISA Congress held on the same day as these championships, it was decided that the double scull boat class would be introduced in the following year.