The Wachau is a stretch of the Danube valley west of Vienna known for vineyards, apricot orchards, castle ruins and baroque abbeys. It is a UNESCO World Heritage landscape and one of the easiest big day trips from the city. Schedules and prices change, so check them before you travel.
Three ways to do it
- By train: regional and fast trains run to Melk and Krems. From either, local trains, buses or a boat reach the villages in between.
- By boat: seasonal Danube boats run between Melk, Dürnstein and Krems, usually from spring to autumn. They make the day more scenic but are slower.
- By bike: the Danube cycle path is flat and well signposted. You can rent bikes in the valley and take the train back.
Highlights
- Melk Abbey: a large baroque Benedictine monastery above the town, with a library and gardens.
- Dürnstein: a small town with a blue church tower and a castle ruin walk above the river.
- Krems: a lively old town and a good base for wine tasting.
- Wine and apricots: the region is known for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, and for apricot products. Try them at a Heuriger in the valley.
Best season
Spring blossom, summer cycling and autumn harvest are all good. Some attractions and boats are seasonal, so check what runs on your dates. Winter is quiet and many places are closed.
For a wider choice, see best day trips from Vienna and the wine tours post.
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I’m Andrea, a travel writer based between Vienna and the Croatian coast, and I’ve been exploring both countries in depth for the past 10 years.
I’ve taken 50+ solo trips across Austria, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Italy and the wider Balkans, and I speak German, Croatian and English fluently, which means I get to have conversations most tourists never do. I know which Viennese coffee house the locals actually go to (hint: not the famous ones), and I know the Dalmatian islands well enough to tell you which ferry to take and which to avoid.
My writing is grounded in lived experience: I’ve navigated Austrian bureaucracy as a resident, hiked the Julian Alps in September when the crowds have gone, and eaten my way through Dubrovnik’s back streets at midnight. I cover Central Europe and the Adriatic for solo travellers who want something more than a highlight reel.
I also write in depth about Vienna and Austria at allaboutvienna.com, where you’ll find everything from neighbourhood guides to seasonal event coverage and expat tips.
When I’m not writing I’m usually hiking, swimming in the Adriatic, or arguing about which city makes better coffee. (It’s Vienna. It’s always Vienna.)