The Danube Valley is nestled within Austria's enchanting landscapes, a region of unparalleled beauty just west of Vienna. The Wachau Valley, where the Danube River winds toward Vienna, is a tapestry of vineyards, picturesque villages, and historic sites. The stretch between Melk and Krems, spanning 24 miles, boasts charm and natural splendor.
Amid this scenic haven, Melk Abbey is a testament to centuries of history and restoration. Travelers can embark on a day trip from Vienna, journeying to Melk via an early train. On this route, history mingles with the present. Willendorf holds the distinction of unearthing Europe's oldest piece of art, the Venus of Willendorf, a 30,000-year-old symbol of fertility.
The Danube Valley, where time's passage paints beauty on every canvas, welcomes all who seek to embrace its ethereal beauty. On top of that, tourists can also come here from nearby Vienna, as it's about an hour away.
Things To Do
As one heads to Austria's famed Danube Valley, there are endless things to see and do. Use this as an ultimate guide to the area and a hub for hotels, food, and transportation. Let's begin!
1 Tour The Aggstein Castle
- Address: Kuenringerstraße 13, 3394 Aggstein, Austria
- Hours: Open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM
- Tickets: $8.57 per person
One of the most stunning sights in the Danube Valley is the Aggstein Castle. Here lies a 12th-century castle ruins atop a rocky outcrop offering views of the Danube and a restaurant for guests. Most people spend about an hour or two here, so remember to allow enough time.
Travelers may be interested in castles around the world to visit in fall (and year-round, too).
2 See The Burgruine Dürnstein
- Address: 3601 Dürnstein, Austria
- Hours: Open 24 hours
The next thing to experience in the Danube Valley is Burgruine Dürnstein, the ruins of a medieval rock castle in Austria. It is located in Dürnstein, in the Lower Austrian Wachau region on the Danube River, at 312 meters above sea level.
This is a historical landmark in the country, so make sure to be cautious of signs and stay out of potentially unstable areas.
3 Melk Abbey
- Address: Abt-Berthold-Dietmayr-Straße 1, 3390 Melk, Austria
- Hours: Open daily from 9 AM to 5:30 PM
- Tickets: $14.11 per person
The next idea is to head to the iconic Melk Abbey, a Benedictine abbey above Melk, Lower Austria. This abbey overlooks the Danube River, adjoining the Wachau valley. It contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and the remains of several members of the House of Babenberg, the first ruling dynasty.
4 Weingut Hermenegild Mang
- Address: Landstraße 38, 3610 Weißenkirchen in der Wachau, Austria
- Hours: Open daily from 12-10 PM
Another sight to experience is the Weingut Hermenegild Mang, a winery in Wachau, Austria. Here is where a decades-old building stands and is owned and operated by a family. This is a relaxing way to spend the day in the region and support a local business!
5 Explore The Göttweig Abbey
- Address: Stift Göttweig 1, 3511 Furth bei Göttweig, Austria
- Tickets: $10.83 per person
Next, there is the beautiful and holy Göttweig Abbey, which is near Krems in Lower Austria. This Benedictine monastery was founded by Altmann, Bishop of Passau in 1083. There are peaceful grounds to tour and interiors to view, along with knowledgeable guides.
6 Karikaturmuseum Krems
- Address: Museumsplatz 3, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM
For those wanting to check out a contemporary art museum in the Danube Valley area, the Karikaturmuseum Krems is a perfect choice. Here lies the bespoke, modern museum with works by cartoonists, caricaturists, and satirists over three floors. Most people spend about two hours here.
7 Wehrkirche St. Michael
- Address: St. Michael 7, 3610 St. Michael, Austria
Another idea for those in the Danube Valley is to visit Wehrkirche St. Michael, a Catholic Church still in operation. Here is where the Gothic-style structure stands, being a testament to the area's long history and influence.
Of course, like any church, guests don't want to disrupt any service, so check before entering or making a day out of it.
8 Weingut Jäger
- Address: Kremser Str. 1, 3610 Weißenkirchen in der Wachau, Austria
- Hours: 9 AM to 12 PM, and again from 1-5 PM (Daily)
The next stop is yet another winery, the Weingut Jäger. Here is a locally-owned property in the middle of the Wachau in the Danube Valley in Austria, a particularly favorable area for winemaking.
This is one of the reasons people will see so many winery options in the Danube Valley, so that's great news for adult visitors.
9 Walk Around Melk
- City in the Austrian state of Lower Austria
- Close to Vienna
Back to the charming town of Melk, Austria, there is much more to explore here. This centuries-old town boasts more than the famous abbey, with places to dine, shop, and enjoy the crisp air. People might want to come here for an entire day and even spend the night to truly absorb its beauty.
For those heading back to Vienna, there are many museums for music and art that are worth seeing.
10 Wachauer Bauernladen
- Address: u. Bachgasse 58, 3610 Weißenkirchen in der Wachau, Austria
- Hours: Thursday - Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM and 2-6 PM
Lastly, checking out some of the gifts at Wachauer Bauernladen will be worth it. This is a souvenir store in the Danube Valley area, boasting handmade as well as trinket-like gifts to patrons.
11 Best Time To Visit Danube Valley, Austria
- Best Time To Come: Spring or fall
Regarding the best time to visit Lower Austria and the Danube Valley, this is during the shoulder season, either March-May or September-November, when the weather is warm but not too hot, and there is noticeably less tourist crowding in the major cities.
Most tourists flock to Austria in the summer, making hotels and flights skyrocket. Therefore, we recommend holding off until later in the year or coming right at the beginning. Spring and fall here will be stunning, especially through the Danube area.
12 Best Ways To Get Around The Danube Valley
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- Best Way Around: Boat, car, or bicycle
For those coming here wondering how to get around, the best method of transportation in the Danube Valley is by boat, ferry, or private vehicle. Biking around each town or city in Lower Austria is fun and will make getting through busier streets a breeze, so that's a recommendation as well for visitors.
13 Where To Eat In The Danube Valley In Austria
Regarding food in the Danube Valley, the options will be pretty broad. Here are some ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even drinks while in Lower Austria.
Breakfast: Wellen.Spiel
- Address: Welterbeplatz 1, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Hours: Open daily from 8 AM to 11 PM
- Serving: Relaxed riverside restaurant with a terrace & an understated ambiance serving traditional cuisine.
Lunch: Restaurant Heinzle
- Address: Weißenkirchen in der Wachau 280, 3610 Weißenkirchen in der Wachau, Austria
- Hours: Wednesday - Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM and 5-10 PM
- Serving: Traditional Austrian food as well as light bites in a casual waterfront setting.
Dinner: Hofmeisterei Hirtzberger
- Address: Wösendorf 74, 3610 Weißenkirchen in der Wachau, Austria
- Hours: Thursday - Monday from 6-9 PM (Open 12-9 PM on Sat/Sun/Mon)
- Serving: Upscale European dishes
Drinks: 57 Lounge
- Address: Address: Donau-City-Straße 7, 1220 Wien, Austria
- Hours: Open daily, Mon - Thurs from 5 PM - 12 AM, Fri/Sat from 4 PM to 1 AM, Sun from 3-10 PM
- Serving: Specialty cocktails, wine, and beer in a modern setting
14 Where To Stay In Danube Valley, Austria
When it comes to accommodations in the Danube Valley, Austria, there will be countless towns and cities where hotels are affordable, clean, and safe. Here are some options for all types of budgets for travelers heading to this charming region.
Budget: Hotel Kunsthof
- Address: Muehlfeldgasse 13, 1020 Vienna, Vienna
- Amenities: Bar/Lounge, Free Wi-Fi, Coffee shop, Wi-Fi available in all areas, Flat-screen TV, Free toiletries, Parking
Budget: Hotel Markgraf
- Address: Kollersteig 6, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Niederosterreich
- Amenities: Restaurant, Free Wi-Fi, Coffee machine, Flat-screen TV, Cable or satellite TV, Parking
Mid-Tier: Best Western Plus Hotel Arcadia
- Address: Max-Winter-Platz 5, 1020 Vienna, Vienna
- Amenities: Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Free Wi-Fi, Tea/coffee maker
Mid-Tier: Strandhotel Alte Donau
- Address: Wagramer Straße 51, 1220 Vienna, Vienna
- Amenities: Private beach, Bar/Lounge, Free Wi-Fi, Tea/coffee maker, Coffee shop, Free parking
Luxury: Melia Vienna
- Address: Donau-City-Straße 7, Vienna, Vienna
- Amenities: Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Room service, Free Wi-Fi, Coffee machine, Coffee shop, Business center
Luxury: Strandhotel Alte Donau
- Address: Wagramer Straße 51, 1220 Vienna, Vienna
- Amenities: Private beach, Bar/Lounge, Free Wi-Fi, Tea/coffee maker, Coffee machine, Coffee shop, Free parking
15 Tips For Visiting The Danube Valley in Austria
For those visiting Lower Austria, more specifically, the Danube Valley, there are some things to keep in mind. First, many Austrians do not speak English, so that can make for difficult communication. We recommend downloading a translator app to be able to hail cabs, make reservations, find food, and get help when in this area.
Lower Austria is also very bike-friendly, allowing tourists to rent one and get between the hotel, food, and other sights/attractions. Don't be afraid to ditch four wheels for two! And for those who are only here for five days, this itinerary is incredibly useful.
16 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Danube Valley, Austria
Spending the perfect day in Danube Valley, Austria, won't be hard. First, grab a coffee in the hotel or nearby at a café, heading through the streets of wherever you're staying. Do some light shopping and jump into the car for a small day trip to the nearby castles, landmarks, and sights that await.
Melk, Austria, hosts many famous landmarks, including the abbey, so that's one place to go for a few hours of sightseeing. From there, head to one of the many wineries throughout the region, tasting local favorites and supporting small family-owned businesses.
To wrap up, head to the hotel, change into something nice, and enjoy a five-star meal on the river!