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Baixa Áustria · Austria
Danube cultural landscape, abbeys and vineyards; small towns gathered in the valley.
In the photo: Stift Göttweig
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
The Wachau is the cultural stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems, with small towns, vineyards on slopes and abbeys. The landscape calls for short transfers and time to walk, rather than a continuous passage without stops.
Krems combines an old town and art museums in Stein. Melk concentrates an abbey visit; Dürnstein combines a monastery and ruins on the hillside. Göttweig adds another perspective of the valley from an elevation on the south bank.
Trains allow access to the ends, but travel between centers requires comparing buses, tourist services and seasonal boats. Wine is part of the landscape and agricultural history, without the need to center the whole trip on tastings.
This destination brings together 3 cities: Krems an der Donau, Melk, Dürnstein.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Contornos: BEV, via geoBoundaries (CC BY-SA 2.0). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.
✈ Flughafen Wien (VIE), in Schwechat · 95 km to Krems an der Donau
Take the train from Vienna to Krems or to the Melk corridor and continue by regional transport. Confirm before purchasing.
Suggested arrival point: Krems an der Donau
Krems an der Donau marks the eastern entrance to the Wachau. The old town and Stein connect to the vineyards and the Danube. The Kunstmeile adds museums, while Göttweig offers an abbey visit on the opposite bank and on higher ground.
Melk is organized below its baroque abbey, at the western end of the Wachau. Visiting Stift Melk takes up a significant part of the day, with a walk through the lower town before or after the interiors. The railway station makes it easy to combine the visit with the Vienna and Sankt Pölten corridor.
Dürnstein features the blue tower of its abbey and castle ruins on the Danube slope. The small center fits into a walk, but the climb to the Burgruine requires time and effort. The town is part of the Wachau and can be visited from Krems.
The local experience
The Kunstmeile brings together art institutions in the Stein area of Krems. The group occupies a strip close to the Danube, outside the oldest core of the upper town.
The blue-and-white tower of the former Dürnstein abbey marks the Wachau landscape. The complex sits between the streets of the small town and the Danube bank.
Melk Abbey sits on an elevation above the town and the Danube. The yellow façade and the baroque complex dominate the approach at the western side of the Wachau.
The ruins of Dürnstein Castle sit above the town on a rocky slope. Preserved walls and openings frame the Danube and the Wachau vineyards.
Göttweig sits on a hill south of the Danube, near Krems. The Benedictine complex stands out in the landscape and opens views over fields, vineyards and the valley.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
May to October generally favors outings through the valley and seasonal services. In December, January and February, combine indoor activities with the short daylight hours and check each abbey's calendar.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three days for Krems, Melk and Dürnstein; add time if you want to combine boating and longer hikes.
Krems is served by train, bus and museums. Melk brings the abbey close to the railway; Dürnstein allows staying in a small riverside center on the Danube.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Three days for Krems, Melk and Dürnstein; add time if you want to combine boating and longer hikes.
May to October generally favors outings through the valley and seasonal services. In December, January and February, combine indoor activities with the short daylight hours and check each abbey's calendar.
Choosing one or two stops works; for abbeys, museums and a relaxed castle ascent, book overnight stays in the valley.
