Excursions in the Wachau
Experience unforgettable holidaysThe Wachau presents itself as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its imposing monasteries, castles, and ruins and is a paradise on the river. The prestigious travel magazine "National Geographic Traveller" ranked Wachau first in its last rating of 110 historic places worldwide!
Dürnstein Monastery
The former monastery of the order of St. Augustine "Augustiner Chorherrenstift" perches on a picturesque rock overlooking the Danube. The monastery owes its Baroque structures and elements to Provost Hieronymus Übelbacher. The reconstruction work he initiated resulted in the beautifully ornamented church, which will also delight its visitors with its famous blue tower. A Baroque cloister is annexed to the church with art-historical treasures and a crypt.
The Benedictine Abbey of Melk
The Melk Abbey is one of the most important baroque buildings in Austria. Must-sees include the imperial staircase, the modern monastery museum in the former imperial rooms, the marble hall, and the abbey library with frescoes by Paul Troger. The altars with views of the Danube, the world-famous collegiate church, and the Abbey Park with the baroque garden pavilion are particularly noteworthy and true gems in the Melk Abbey.
More monastries, castles & palaces
Göttweig Abbey
The Baroque Abbey of Goettweig is situated on a mountain in the far east of the Wachau, south of Krems. Goettweig offers many interesting sights to see: the museum in the emperor’s apartments with annual exhibitions of the monastery’s art collections, the emperor’s staircase with the stunning ceiling frescos by local painter Paul Troger, the opulently ornamented apartments of the emperor and the princes, and the church with its crypt and its cloister.
Castle ruins of Aggstein
Aggstein certainly deserves its reputation as one of the most famous castles in Austria. Perched high above the Danube with a breathtaking view of the World Cultural Heritage region of Wachau, this legendary castle is certainly worth a visit - not only for children. There are several viewing points that help your eyes transcend almost all the castle’s walls. Another attraction that visitors should certainly not miss is the Exhibition on the Nibelungen, which is set in the vaults of the castle’s cellar and offers, among others, lovely hand-carved figurines and pictures depicting fairy tale scenes.
Herzogenburg Monastery
This monastery, which is close to Krems, hosts one of the most significant art collections in Lower Austria. The emphasis of this collection lies mainly on the Gothic works of the School of the Danube, the panel paintings, sculptures, and stained glass windows. Wandering through the banquet room, the treasury, the library, the coin collection, and the Baroque paintings hall, the visitor will get a good impression of the artistic and cultural significance of this convent.
Castle of Schallaburg
The Castle of Schallaburg, which lies 5 kilometres north of Melk, is probably the most beautiful Renaissance castle north of the Alps. Visitors will be impressed by the two-story arcades ornamented with terra-cotta, the Romanesque part of the castle, the Gothic chapel, and the stunning gardens. The annually varying art-historical and archaeological exhibitions in a historic setting also attract plenty of visitors.
Museums & exhibitions
Kunstmeile & Landesgalerie, Krems
Not far from Dürnstein, only 7 kilometers away in Krems, the Kunstmeile Krems and the Niederösterreichische Landesgalerie (state gallery) promise a variety of art enjoyment.
The Kunstmeile Krems offers a wide and sophisticated cultural program with a multitude of museums, galleries, as well as art and music festivals. On a stretch of only one mile (1.6 km), you have the opportunity to experience a variety of contemporary art forms in a historic setting at the gateway to the Wachau.
Kittenberger Discovery Gardens, Schiltern
The initial idea of these gardens was to visualize different concepts of landscaping; the result was an amazing blend of special theme gardens. Set among the rolling hills south of the Waldviertel region and only few kilometres from Krems and Langenlois, the Discovery Gardens are the perfect venue for garden and nature lovers, who will find plenty of ideas and concepts for their own gardens. Additionally, the children will have fun in the children's nature world. Here children and adolescents can be themselves again and at the same time learn to be creative and live in close touch with nature, especially by building castles in a "SANDGATSCHMULDE", climbing in our rock garden, playing in our bush and field house, balancing on a tree trunk, observing the “insect hotel”, and much more.
Cruise ship museum, Spitz
Spitz used to play an important role in navigation on the Danube, which is shown impressively in the Navigation Museum. The museum, set in the baroque Erlahof, displays a comprehensive collection on the navigation on the Danube both by rowing boats and by rafts.
Ship cruises
Discover one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube – the Wachau – aboard a cruise ship. Take your time and enjoy the sights that are slowly passing by on the banks of the Danube. Cruise ships start in Dürnstein at the stop "Donaustation" no. 20 directly beneath the monastery - just a few-minutes-walk away from the hotel.
Discover the Wachau by boat
DDSG - Blue Danube
Experience the beauties of the Wachau aboard the ships “MS Dürnstein“, "MS Austria" and “MS Wachau“
DDSG - Blue Danube
Dürnstein ferry
Take the ferry to get on the other side of the river. Enjoy the wonderful sights in Dürnstein by walking or biking through the apple gardens or enjoy the Danube on hot summer days on the beach of Rossatz!
Dürnstein ferry
