The Danube Valley
The Danube Valley in Lower Austria is known for terraced vineyards, apricot orchards and hilltop abbeys between Melk and Krems. Boats, trains and bikes link the villages.
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The Danube Valley is a stretch of the Danube River in Lower Austria, west of Vienna. Its best-known part is the Wachau, between Melk and Krems, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape since 2000. Vineyards climb steep slopes, planted mostly with white grapes such as Grüner Veltliner. In spring, apricot trees bloom along the riverbanks. Small villages sit on the water, and baroque abbeys rise above them. Melk Abbey stands on its cliff over the town.
A day trip from Vienna works, but two or three days let you walk or cycle between villages on the river path. Boats, trains and ferries connect the villages, so the way you travel sets how much you see. Spring brings apricot blossom, and late summer and autumn bring the grape harvest and wine taverns. Plan at least two nights if you want to move between villages slowly rather than rush through in one day.
The Danube Valley in five
- Ride the liner boat between Krems and MelkThe Wachau runs just under 40 km from Melk to Krems. DDSG Blue Danube's scheduled boat links the two with up to four ships a day from the end of March to early November, depending on the season.DDSG Blue Danube
- Check low-water notices before you plan a cruiseBoth the Lower Austria Danube tourism site and DDSG carry a notice that low water can change boat and ferry timetables. Confirm the sailing the day before and keep a train option.Danube ferries
- Use the ferries to switch banksFerries operate at Spitz-Arnsdorf, Weißenkirchen-St. Lorenz and Dürnstein-Rossatz, and the Danube cycle path follows both banks. Check each ferry's opening hours before you plan a loop.
- Walk or cycle a stage rather than the whole valleyThe Welterbesteig Wachau is 180 km in 14 stages, and the Danube cycle path (EuroVelo 6) crosses Lower Austria. One stage or one riverbank loop fits a day better than a combined plan.
- Treat the Vienna boat day as a long outingDDSG's Vienna to Dürnstein day trip is listed at 12.75 hours from €102, with about two hours in Dürnstein. Rail to Krems or Melk leaves more time in the valley.Vienna
Things to do in The Danube Valley
See all attractions in The Danube Valley
Need to know
- Airport
- Vienna (VIE) is the usual arrival; Linz (LNZ) is smaller, upriver
- Getting there
- Rail from Vienna to Krems or Melk; boats from Vienna in season
- Getting around
- Liner boat, ferries, bike paths on both banks, local buses
- Best base
- Krems or Melk for stations; Dürnstein or Spitz for atmosphere
- Time needed
- 1 day from Vienna; 2 nights to slow down
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, boats off
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchCool, boats start
- AprilBlossom, boats
- MayWarm, green
- JuneWarm, apricots
- JulyHot, apricots
- AugustHot, check boats
- SeptemberWine harvest
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, boats end
- DecemberCold, markets
Right now in The Danube Valley
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Vienna
11:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°7°5%Monday: Rain. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue9°6°13%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Wed10°5°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°2°0%Thursday: Clear. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°2°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat11°2°0%Saturday: Clear. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun8°1°3%Sunday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 3%.
Updated 07:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
What's on in The Danube Valley
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- May–JunVienna FestivalVienna, a day trip
- Oct–NovWien ModernVienna, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Melkup to four liner sailings a day in seasonThe western end of the Wachau and a rail stop on the main line.
- Linzupriver on the Danube and the Westbahn lineA museum-led Danube city and a good contrast to the wine villages.Read the guide
- Viennadownriver, by rail or Sunday boatStart or end here; most Wachau days begin in the capital.Read the guide
Before you go to The Danube Valley
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Rules for The Danube Valley, checked
- DDSG Blue Danube liner Krems-Melk: up to four ships daily from end of March to early November, depending on the season; low water can change timetables.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Vienna to Dürnstein day trip: 12.75 hours, from €102, about two hours in Dürnstein (arrive 14:30, return 16:40).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around The Danube Valley
The usual starting point for a Wachau day
Read the guideLinzDanube city upriver, with a museum focus
Read the guidePassau, GermanyGerman Danube city on the EuroVelo 6 route upriver
Read the guideInsurance for active tripsCover for cycling and hiking days
Read the guideRail pass or ticketsWhen point-to-point tickets win
Read the guideAll of AustriaWhere the valley fits in a wider Austria trip
Read the guideThe Danube Valley FAQ
How do you visit the Wachau from Vienna?
By train to Krems or Melk, then boat, ferry or bike through the valley, or by DDSG's Vienna to Dürnstein day cruise, listed at 12.75 hours from €102. Rail leaves more time in the valley.
How long is the Wachau?
The Lower Austria tourism site gives just under 40 km from Melk to Krems. That fits a day by boat and train, or two days by bike.
Does the boat between Krems and Melk run all year?
No. The liner service runs from the end of March to the beginning of November, with up to four ships a day depending on the season. Low water can change the timetable.
Where should you stay in the Wachau?
Krems or Melk for stations, Dürnstein for atmosphere, Spitz or Weißenkirchen for vineyard walking and cycling. Book early in harvest weeks and apricot season.
When is the best time to visit the Wachau?
April to June for blossom and green slopes, then September and October for the wine harvest and autumn color. Boats stop in winter, and low water can affect late summer.