Lower Austria · Day Tour
Wachau Valley Day Trip from Vienna
A UNESCO-listed stretch of the Danube — vineyard terraces, medieval towns, and Melk Abbey.
Starting Points
- Vienna — ~80km to Krems, ~1h
- Vienna — ~100km to Melk, ~1h 15m
Highlights
- Melk Abbey, one of the most significant Baroque buildings in Austria
- Dürnstein, the town where Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned
- Vineyard terraces along the Danube, one of Austria's best-known wine regions
- The medieval old town of Krems
Suggested Itinerary
- 1Morning departure from Vienna along the Danube
- 2Tour of Melk Abbey (Stift Melk)
- 3Drive along the river through the vineyard terraces to Dürnstein
- 4Time in Dürnstein and Krems old town, with optional wine tasting
- 5Return to Vienna in the evening
Best Time to Visit
Spring through autumn for the vineyard scenery; late September–October for the harvest. A short enough drive from Vienna to do comfortably as a single day.
Staying overnight in the Wachau instead of a same-day round trip? See our the Wachau chauffeur service.
What to See There
Melk Abbey (Stift Melk)
A working Benedictine monastery and one of the most important Baroque buildings in the country.
Dürnstein Castle Ruins
The ruined hilltop castle associated with the imprisonment of Richard the Lionheart in 1192.
Krems Old Town
A well-preserved medieval town center at the eastern edge of the Wachau.
Danube Vineyard Terraces
Steep terraced vineyards along the river, among the most photographed wine landscapes in Austria.
Book your Wachau Valley day tour
Submit your preferred date and starting point — we'll confirm the itinerary and a fixed price by email.