AT · Lower Austria · 48.36°N 15.43°E

wachau valley

Danube villages, terraced vineyards, apricot orchards and a blue church tower above the river.

Best time
April–June and September–October are best for cycling and walks. Apricot blossom turns the valley white in late March or April, and the fruit ripens in July; most river boats stop in winter.
How long
2 days
Getting there
Fly with one stop to Vienna, usually via Dubai, Doha or Istanbul, about 15–17 hours all in. Krems and Melk are each about an hour by train from Vienna. Austria is 6 hours behind KL in summer and 7 in winter.
Save postcard
AT · Lower Austriawachau valley48.36°N 15.43°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Danube villages, terraced vineyards, apricot orchards and a blue church tower above the river.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingWachau ValleyAT, Lower Austria
KLwachau valley
≈ 9,470 km from KL, as the crow flies
Die Wachau im Bereich Spitz an der Donau bzw. Blick vom Sonnstein, ein Vorgipfel des 671 Meter hohen Seekopfes, Richtung Westen.Links der Donau von vorne nach hinten die Ortschaften Bacharnsdorf, Mitt

Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag · CC BY-SA 4.0

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

The Wachau is a 35-kilometre stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems, with vineyard terraces, apricot orchards and old villages along both banks. It's an easy break from Vienna, best by bike or boat.

Makan

  1. MarillenknödelApricot dumplings rolled in buttery breadcrumbs, best in July when the fruit is ripe.Map ↗
  2. Wachau apricotsThe valley's own apricots, made into jam and nectar and sold at farm stands.Map ↗
  3. Wachauer LaberlA small, crusty rye roll from the valley, good for a picnic.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. DürnsteinA village with a blue-and-white abbey tower over the river and the ruined castle where Richard the Lionheart was held.Map ↗
  2. Melk AbbeyA huge yellow Baroque monastery on a rock above the river, with a grand library and a church full of gold.Map ↗
  3. Danube cycle pathFlat paths along both banks, with bike hire in the towns and small ferries across the river.Map ↗
  4. KremsA walkable old town at the eastern end, entered through the medieval Steiner Tor gate.Map ↗
  5. RiverboatsBoats run between Melk and Krems in season, past the villages and terraces.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Cycle one way between Melk and Krems and take the boat back.
  • Halal meat is hard to find in the villages, where wine taverns serve mostly cold pork platters; Krems has kebab shops, or pack a picnic in Vienna.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.