The Wachau Valley in 4 days
A UNESCO-listed wine valley on the Danube between Melk and Krems: Melk's baroque abbey, terraced vineyards, winegrowing villages and a gentle river cruise.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Melk Abbeyabout 1 h 30A Benedictine abbey rebuilt in baroque style in the early 18th century above the Danube, with a painted library and a lavish church.
- Afternoon
A Danube cruiseabout 1 h 30Boats link Melk and Krems, passing terraced slopes, castle ruins and villages; the downstream direction is the quicker one.
Day 2
- Morning
The wine villagesfree · half a dayDürnstein, Spitz and Weißenkirchen, with vineyard terraces behind them; Dürnstein's castle ruins are where Richard the Lionheart was held.
Day 3
- All day
Cycling along the rivera full dayThe Danube Cycle Path runs flat along both banks, and bikes can be hired in the villages and taken on the ferries.
Day 4
- Evening
The Heurigen (wine taverns)an eveningWinegrowers' taverns serving their own wine with cold platters, open only part of the year; look for the green branch over the door.
Where to sleep in the Wachau Valley
- Pension Altes Rathaus · €110 a night
- Winzerhof - Gästehaus Stöger · €120 a night
- Gästehaus Bruckner · €110 a night
- Gartenhotel & Weingut Pfeffel Dürnstein · €150 a night
- Arte Hotel Krems · €140 a night
- Hotel Klinglhuber · €150 a night
- Hotel Schloss Dürnstein · €330 a night
- Hotel Richard Löwenherz · €250 a night
- Renaissancehotel Raffelsberger Hof · €185 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.