6 Wonderful Places to Visit on a Trip to Wachau Valley

We spent two nights and two days on a trip to Wachau Valley for a friend’s wedding. Let me tell you, it was well worth the trip. Our only regret is that we didn’t have more time to explore all the valley has to offer. 

Due to its beauty and history, Wachau Valley is UNESCO world heritage site. After visiting I can see why. Wachau is derived from “wacta,” which means “watch tower.” Makes sense given Wachau Valley is nestled between lush green rolling hills. Picturesque villages, vineyards, apricot groves, and tons of beautiful monasteries, castles, and ruins fill this beautiful part of Austria!

How to take a trip to Wachau Valley

Wachau Valley is about an hour from Austria’s capital, Vienna, and stretches from Melk to Krems along the Danube River. One of the great things about its location is that there are plenty of ways to visit it. You can stay directly in Wachau Valley, take a river cruise, or do a day trip from Vienna. If you plan carefully, you can visit most of the items we list below in a day trip. BUT it would be super rushed.

How long should you spend on a trip to Wachau Valley

We recommend at least spending one night in or around Wachau Valley. That way you can spend the better part of two days exploring the area. The more time, the better. Wachau Valley is a place where live slows down and you’re surrounded by so much natural beauty, good food, wonderful wine, and beautiful architecture, you don’t want to speed through it.

Still, if you’re pressed for time, pick out some of your favorites (maybe three locations from below). A day trip from Vienna is totally within reach.

Schlosspark Grafenegg

Schlosspark Grafenegg isn’t actually in Wachau Valley, but it’s a nice stop if you’re coming from Vienna. 

The current castle was built in the 19th century, with its history dating back to the 15th century. It’s a combination of Gothic, Baroque, Biedermeier, and Neo-gothic influences. When you arrive at the castle, you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale as you stare up at it. The castle is a massive ivory structure with several turrets surrounded by a moat. There is no longer water in the moat, but you can find a little family of goats living there. As you cross over the bridge you’ll see a large arched doorway, a medieval-style coat of arms, and several animal and human gargoyles along its facade. 

Currently the complex only offers guided tours of the castle, which includes a knight’s hall, chapel, library, and staterooms. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to go in the castle when we were there due to an event, but it’s still worth a stop to admire the architecture and grounds. 

The castle garden is a whopping 79 acres. It was initially designed as a more orderly, symmetrical baroque garden and was later transformed into an English garden in the 19th century. The garden is free to visit. You can stroll along the paths and check out some contemporary art sculptures that reside there, as well. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also order a gourmet picnic basket to enjoy with your partner or family. 

Today the grounds are primarily used for concerts and arts events, and they actually have three concert venues: Wolkenturm, the Auditorium, and Reitschule. 

Wolkenturm is an open air stage constructed from concrete, steel, and glass. It’s an abstract, geometric shape that is both eye-catching and said to have excellent acoustics. The stadium seating around the stage can accommodate 1,700 guests and an additional 400 can lay out blankets and enjoy performances from the lawn.

The Auditorium is their primary indoor venue, which is used all year round and as a back-up for Wolkenturm events if there is bad weather. It is 3 levels and seats 900 to 1,300 people depending on the size of the stage. 

The third concert venue at Schlosspark Grafenegg is Reitschule, which was formerly a riding school. There are even still marble troughs where the horses used to drink from. This is the smallest of the three venues and is used for smaller events or back up for guests who have lawn seating during inclement weather. 

The castle also has an annual Christmas Market, which would probably be pretty cool, and a restaurant where you can enjoy some local wine and a meal before or after a performance. 

You can also stay at a hotel on the grounds, Mörwald Hotel Schloss Grafenegg, if you’re planning to be there for an event or just want to feel a bit like Austrian royalty. This stop isn’t necessarily out favorite for a trip to Wachau Valley, but it’s quick to see. However, if you check out the performance and event calendar, then find something that suits your interest, we would 100% recommend visiting. Then you can see the grounds and enjoy a live performance or event.

Göttweig Abbey

Gottweig Abbey is a Benedictine monastery near Krems, Austria. It was founded in the 11th century. It was nearly destroyed twice after fires in the 16th and 18th centuries. The current baroque structure was rebuilt after the second fire in the 18th century.

There is so much to see and do at this monastery. In addition to admiring its 18th century baroque architecture you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of Wachau Valley, visit the abbey museum and chapel, sample homemade wine and apricot products, and enjoy a meal at the abbey’s restaurant. 

Tickets to the museum include access to Kaiserstiege, which is said to be the largest imperial baroque staircase in Austria, hunting room, tapestry room, Napoleon room, archive passage, and a small gallery. Above the impressive imperial staircase you’ll also see an impressive ceiling fresco and at the top of the stairs they placed a large mirror so you can view the fresco without straining your neck. The abbey also has an impressive library, which you can see pictures of in the museum, but are only able to view with a private tour. 

The chapel is also a must see at the monastery. It’s a pale pink flanked by two towers. As you enter you walk up a flight of stairs and pass through 4 tall columns. Once inside, you’ll notice a high arched ceiling with detailed molding and gold accents. And it’s also said to have the largest chimes of any church in Austria. The chapel is still in use and can be used for events like baptisms or weddings, and the monastery is still home to about 30 monks.  

The monastery also has its own vineyard and apricot orchard and produces its own wine and apricot products. It has actually been making wine since the Middle Ages and is one of the oldest wineries in Austria. They are known for producing aromatic, fruity wines, particularly Rieslings and apricot wine. Wine tasting is offered in their cellar, which also features a small art gallery. 

You can also stay at the abbey or book it for corporate events, weddings, or private parties. We actually spent 2 nights here because we had a friend getting married at the abbey. It was an absolutely stunning wedding venue. Probably one of the most beautiful we have been to. They have 36 rooms with 4 types of accommodations: guest house single rooms, guest house double rooms, updated double rooms, and the Benedict Apartment, which was the former abbott’s living quarters.

We stayed in one of the updated double rooms, which was spacious with a contemporary modern style, wood vinyl flooring, and motion sensor lighting. There was also a common area with a fridge where you could purchase wine, apple or apricot nectar, and water. Our friends stayed in the Benedict Apartment, which sounded lovely. In addition to a bedroom and bathroom, the 120 sq meter apartment also has a kitchen, living/dining area, and a small library! 

Stays also include a breakfast buffet from 8am-10am in the monastery’s restaurant, which includes cereal, meats, cheese, pastries, fruit, yogurt, bread, homemade honey and jam, juice, and coffee. 

The food we had during the wedding’s cocktail hour and reception was also quite tasty. During the cocktail hour we were served: champagne, apricot mimosas, and wine with stuffed croissants, bruschetta, and bagets with different spreads. Then at the reception we were got wine, a goat cheese toast appetizer, cream soup, and had three choices for entrees: schnitzel with cranberry sauce and potato salad, cod risotto, and a vegetarian option. There were also 2 types of cake, lemon raspberry and chocolate, as well as a dessert bar, which included various pastries, chocolate mousse, and apricot dumplings, a famous dessert for the region. Plus, the views from the restaurant terrace were absolutely stunning!

So without a doubt, we can recommend the food and drinks here!

Dürnstein

The most popular sights to see in Dürnstein are Burgruine Dürnstein and Dürnstein Abbey. Burgruine Dürnstein are ruins of a medieval 12th century castle, which is famous for imprisoning King Richard the Lionheart from 1192-1193 after he was captured by Duke Leopold V during the Crusades. The ruins also provide a great view of the abbey and town below. It’s a perfect place to sit and rest and take in the beauty of Wachau Valley. 

Dürnstein Abbey was initially built as Mary Chapel in 1372. It was expanded into a monastery in 1410 and renovated with its current baroque style in the 1700s. The abbey is most well known for its striking blue and white clock tower, which towers over the rest of the town. The church still holds services every Sunday and on holidays and any are welcome to attend. The abbey also houses a small museum where you can learn more about its history and explore exhibits focused on themes related to ‘Goodness’, ‘Beauty,’ and ‘Truth’.

Tickets include entry into the Baroque Courtyard, Gothic Hall, Danube Terrace, and the Abbey Church. You can choose to explore the exhibits on your own or do a guided or audio guided tour. The abbey offers guided tours in German or audio guides in German, English, French, Italian, and Spanish. 

Beyond Burgruine Dürnstein and Dürnstein Abbey, Dürnstein itself is also quite a picturesque, beautiful little town with cobblestone streets and boutique storefronts with charming iron and wood signs. And all the little shops seem to be lined with hanging plants and flower boxes. It’s also known for its wine, particularly Rieslings, and apricots. You can find apricot everything, from jam, ice cream, pastries, and dumplings to brandy, lotion, shampoo, and soap.   

Aggstein Castle

Aggstein Castle is straight out of medieval times. If you like renaissance festivals, then this is for you! Staff even dress in traditional garb to make it feel more like you’ve stepped back in time. 

The ruins of this 12th century castle are 150 meters long and sit atop a hill 300 meters above the Danube, giving a beautiful view of the river, valley, and surrounding hills. 

You can choose to tour the castle on your own or do an audio guided tour to get a bit more of the history. Some of the things you’ll see include: views from the castle walls, dungeons, latrines, a knight’s hall/tavern, and a chapel, which is still used for baptisms or weddings today.  

The castle also houses a tavern and cafe if you’d like to have a meal or a quick snack.  

In addition to checking out the ruins and grabbing a bite to eat, the castle offers an interactive escape game for families and groups, as well as a variety of children’s tours. 

The castle also hosts a number of events throughout the year, like a Medieval Festival, Christmas Market, Arts and Crafts Market, Farmers Market, Fairytale Sundays, Singles Days, and Knife Carving, which you can look up on their website . You can also host your own events there, like birthdays or weddings. We actually saw a ceremony being performed while we were there.

Tip: If you want a good view of the castle, hike up the rocky trail opposite where you buy the tickets. Be careful though, because it isn’t paved/designed for tourists. 

Melk Abbey 

Melk was definitely a highlight of our brief stay in Wachau Valley. If you’re just passing through and can only see one thing on your trip to Wachau Valley, make it Melk Abbey! We only spent a couple hours there, but I definitely could have sat and marveled at it longer!

In addition to being a part of Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey is also its own UNESCO World Heritage Site and was named a Best Historical Destination by National Geographic Traveler Magazine in 2008. 

This beautiful abbey was built in the 18th century, but has a long history dating back to the 11th century, and is still home to 30 monks today. It also houses a Catholic school with over 900 students and is actually one of the oldest continuously operating schools in Austria. One thing I thought was really cool about the school is that anyone is welcome to attend, regardless of religious affiliation. 

This golden baroque style abbey extends over 320 meters and sits atop a hill overlooking the town and the Danube below. It’s easy to spot from the main road and there is parking right below it on the main road, as well.

Once you get to the abbey, you can do a self-guided or guided tour. We opted for a guided tour, which I highly recommend. Our tour guide was very friendly and pointed out several things we would not have learned had we decided to explore on our own. 

The best things to see at Melk Abbey are: the external facade, the museum, the marble hall, the library, the chapel, and the park. 

The museum

The museum is housed in the imperial wing of the monastery, which is where royalty used to stay when they visited. Apparently, the rooms were generally empty because royalty traveled with their own furniture and belongings, including their own beds. Can you imagine packing up your whole house and taking it with you every time you go on vacation! Crazy! 

I thought the museum was beautifully curated, not just in the way artifacts were displayed, but the attention to color and lighting in the display rooms, as well. In the museum you’ll find jeweled goblets, a portable ivory altar dating back to the 11th century, an intricate 14-lock chest used to protect the monastery’s most valuable artifacts, several hundred year old monastic robes that are still used for special occasions/ceremonies, a reusable casket if your family is low on cash, and a cross said to contain a splinter from the cross where Jesus was crucified. 

After touring the museum, you continue on to the Marble Hall. As the name suggests, it’s made of a combination of real and synthetic marble. The hall is wrapped in red and gray marble pillars with gold accents and a stunning ceiling fresco painted in a way to give the illusion of a domed ceiling. It was once used by the royal families as a dining hall.

The Library

After leaving the Marble Hall, you enter into one of their Libraries, which was absolutely breathtaking. This 2 level room is surrounded with floor to ceiling rich brown wooden bookshelves, with gold accents, holding approximately 16,000 books. There’s another beautiful ceiling fresco, golden statues flank the doors, circular windows line the upper level, and giant antique globes stand in the windows.

Then you’ll enter a second smaller adjoining library with a spiral staircase leading to the upper and lower levels. But that’s not all. The monastery actually has more library rooms on its lower levels and is said to house approximately 100,000 books total. 

The Chapel

One of our last stops at Melk was the Chapel, which was equally, if not more impressive than the previous rooms. It had a similar baroque style as the other rooms we visited, but multiplied by 100. This 200ft tall chapel was decorated in more red and gray marble, more gold, more circular windows, giant arches, and a domed ceiling with more frescos. It oozed opulence and is probably one of the most extravagant, ornate churches we have ever seen. The chapel also houses the remains of Austrian saints and the Babenberg family, one of Austria’s earliest ruling families from the 10th-13th century, some of which you can see displayed in glass coffins.  

The Park

Last, but not least, be sure to check out Abbey Park. The park is modeled after an English garden and has a beautiful little pink baroque pavilion with additional ceiling frescos that you can take pictures of. The pavilion also houses a cafe/gelateria if you’re feeling like a little snack.  

Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to take pictures inside the Abbey (as much as you’re going to want to!), but you can take as many as you like outside. 

Melk is definitely a highlight of any trip to Wachau Valley. Not to be missed!

Tip: For a really good picture of the abbey, walk across the Danube River toward the Wachauarena Melk, where you can get a picture of the abbey reflecting off the river. 

Krems

Krems is a small town of 23,000 people that is a fantastic entry point into Wachau Valley. It’s a good launching point for a trip to Wachau Valley. You can get there via an approximately one-hour train ride. It’s located across the river from Gottweig Abbey. If you’re staying overnight at the Abbey, this will be a great place to easily visit and grab a bite to eat should you want dinner after 7pm (the Abbey’s restaurant stops serving early!).

You can easily stroll down the main street of Krems, taking pictures and exploring, in an hour or so. To start, visit the Steinertor and take a picture. You can then follow Ober Landstraße to see the most picturesque part of town. You can also visit the Museumkrems at the Old Dominican Church. There are several other museums nearby if you want to explore them–or you can see a whole slew of art galleries and museums closer to the river cruise ship port around Museumsplatz.

At night, the vibe is relaxed. You can grab a drink at the traditional Bavarian-style Hofbräu am Steinertor or go for a more modern spin on food and drinks at MarktSpiel Krems. Be forewarned, pretty much everywhere stops serving food at 9pm except for Pizzeria Ristorante Al Capone.

To us, Krems was a fine place to grab a bite to eat and may also make a good homebase for exploring the surroundings. But if you’re only coming up to the valley for a day trip, I probably wouldn’t prioritize too much time here.

Final Tips

• You can get to Wachau Valley via train, which may be okay for certain day trips or cruises. However, we recommend renting a car. Parking is plentiful and well-marked. You’ll also be able to explore off the major highlights far more easily.
• Vineyards are everywhere and the wine is great. You can sample wines at small shops within the towns or visit vineyards. We highly recommend fitting in a wine tasting. Perhaps even at Gottweig Abbey!
• You can find plentiful overnight accommodation for any trip to Wachau Valley, especially in Melk and Krems. However, if you get the chance, we recommend staying at Gottweig Abbey for at least a night. It’s peaceful and beautiful, especially when the other tourists leave. But you’ll definitely want a car since their restaurant tends to close early and often hosts events, meaning you’ve got to run down to town to get food!
• If you’re a cyclist or runner, there are ample paths and routes along the river. Same goes for hiking! Outdoors enthusiasts will find plenty of options for activities that we didn’t even begin to cover here.