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Our most recommended Wachau Valley Architecture

Vienna: Wachau, Melk Abbey, and Danube Valleys Tour

1. Vienna: Wachau, Melk Abbey, and Danube Valleys Tour

Experience a romantic sightseeing tour by bus and boat from Vienna, introducing you to the beauty of the Wachau and Danube Valleys in Lower Austria. Visit the Benedictine Abbey of Melk with a guide. In winter, enjoy lunch in place of the Danube boat trip. Explore the River Danube as it flows around picturesque villages and steep vineyards. Pass by many ancient castles testify to the former importance of the river. One of these is the ruins of Dürnstein Castle, where, according to legend, Richard the Lionheart was kept imprisoned, and was eventually freed by his faithful minstrel Blondel. Then take a romantic boat trip along the legendary Danube only in summer. In the old city of Krems, go to the heart of the Wachau wine-growing region, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural and agricultural history. Then, follow your guide to the Danube River town of Melk. Visit the Benedictine Abbey of Melk, one of Austria's most famous Baroque buildings and its cultural and spiritual center.

From Vienna: Wachau Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting

2. From Vienna: Wachau Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting

Experience the stunning beauty of Wachau Valley and sample its white wines on a guided day trip from Vienna. Hop on a river cruise down the Danube from Spitz to Melk. Visit Melk Abbey and Weissenkirchen. Stop at a family-run tavern in Dürnstein to taste liqueurs, wines, and local delicacies. Start the trip from Vienna and travel in a van through narrow countryside roads into the heart of the Wachau Valley. Accompanied by your driver/guide, learn about wine-making and the fascinating history and culture of the region. Taste a variety of the valley’s dry and fruity whites and sample other local delicacies like apricot jams and liqueurs. In summer, take a boat ride on the Danube River from Spitz to Melk to soak up the beauty of the Wachau Valley. During winter, take a guided tour of the beautiful Melk Abbey. Once in Dürnstein, enjoy free time to explore the medieval town and its colorful architecture. Learn about the castle where Richard the Lionhearted was once held prisoner. Finally, visit a heuriger, a traditional family-run Austrian wine tavern, for wine tasting.

Vienna: Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour

3. Vienna: Wine Tasting E-Bike Tour

Spend your day discovering the Danube Canal on an e-bike ride to Klosterneuburg Abbey. Explore the abbey, enjoy a wine tasting, and discover Danube Island. Meet your guide in the center of Vienna and grab your e-bike. Cycle on the Ringstrasse, past monumental buildings and famous landmarks, such as the State Opera and Heldenplatz. Follow the Danube Canal to Nussdorf, nestled at the base of Kahlenberg. Continue along the Danube to Klosterneuburg. At Klosterneuburg Abbey, enjoy a 30-minute guided tour. Afterwards, taste local wines with explanations about the wines you'll be tasting. Take a ride on Danube Island to complete your experience.

Vienna: Melk Abbey, Danube Valley, Wachau Private Car Trip

4. Vienna: Melk Abbey, Danube Valley, Wachau Private Car Trip

The Danube Valley (Wachau) is a treasure trove of Austrian history and nature with rolling hills, lush vineyards and medieval fortresses. On this private car tour, you will discover its crown jewel - the historic Melk Abbey and nearby attractions, with an optional Danube River Cruise (summer only) or Wachau Wine Tasting. Experience the wonders of Danube Valley from Vienna! Book a 9,5-hour self-guided tour of the Danube Valley with private transfers, a private tour of Melk Abbey and tickets for the Danube River Cruise. This itinerary is ideal for those who want to simply experience the natural heritage and cultural heritage of Wachau, one of the most prominent tourist destinations of Lower Austria. Our English and German speaking driver will pick you up directly from your Vienna accommodation and take you on a scenic drive through the picturesque landscapes along the Danube River. You will make a stop in the charming town of Dürnstein, which is a well-known wine growing area. Next, we’ll take you to Melk Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will arrange the abbey’s Official Guide to give you a private tour of the Abbey Museum, so you can learn about its history and admire the stunning Marble Hall, the balcony and the Baroque library. There will be a little bit of free time in Melk, then you'll go on a fantastic cruise from Melk to Krems, admiring the highlights of the Danube River along the way. In Krems you can explore the Old Town, do souvenir shopping and have lunch at a traditional Austrian restaurant (at your own expense). At the end of the day, the driver will take you back to Vienna. Choose the 10-hour option for a guided tour of the Danube Valley with private transfers, a private tour of Melk Abbey and tickets for the Danube River Cruise. With a Licensed Private Guide from Vienna you can enjoy interesting and informative commentary at every step of this journey, and truly appreciate the history and cultural heritage of the Wachau region. The guide will tell you about the legend about Richard the Lionheart, who was imprisoned at Dürnstein Castle, share interesting facts about the sights along the Danube River, and show you the highlights of Krems, such as the Steinertor, Rathaus and Gozzoburg Krems. Choose the 11,5-hour option for a guided tour of the Danube Valley with private car transfers, private tour of Melk Abbey and an exclusive tasting of 2 Austrian wines (instead of cruise tickets). Wachau is a world-famous wine region where most of Austria’s wines are produced as part of the tradition that has been cultivated for centuries. On this tour, your Private Guide will invite you to a local wine tavern or restaurant surrounded by lush vineyards for a tasting of 2 different wines produced in Wachau. It’s a must-do in the Danube Valley!

Krems: Super Combo Ticket to Kunstmeile Krems

5. Krems: Super Combo Ticket to Kunstmeile Krems

The Kunstmeile Krems (art mile Krems) has a rich and varied cultural offer with numerous museums, galleries, art and music festivals. In its centre - at the Museumplatz - you can visit the Cartoon museum Krems, the Kunsthalle Krems, as well as the new State Gallery of Lower Austria. The museums afford you an opportunity to experience contemporary art forms of different genres in the historical ambience of the gateway town to the Wachau region. The cartoon museum Krems, the only Austrian museum for satirical art, is mainly devoted to political caricature, humorous drawings, comics and illustrations. Caricature thrills and inspires both viewers and artists of all disciplines. The Caricature Museum Krems is a lively place for high-quality and socio-political exhibitions. The Kunsthalle Krems is the international exhibition center for modern and contemporary art in Lower Austria. Its program features art after 1945 with a special focus on contemporary art. The new State Gallery of Lower Austria combines the items in the Lower Austria collections with important private collections and reflects Lower Austria as an art landscape. The museum forms the stage for art treasures and masterpieces of Austrian art history.

Vienna: Wachau Valley Private Kayak and Wine Tour

6. Vienna: Wachau Valley Private Kayak and Wine Tour

Explore the natural beauty of Wachau Valley as you travel by kayak along the Danube on a private tour. See the incredible scenery, enjoy a delicious tasting of local wine, explore picturesque Durnstein, have a tasty lunch, and more. Meet at the main entrance of Vienna’s Westbahnhof railway station before a one-hour train journey to Melk, home of the world-famous baroque abbey, or meet there directly. Once there, prepare the kayaks and receive a safety briefing. It’s then time to travel by kayak along the Western Wachau, where the hills are carpeted in trees with castles and palaces sitting atop many of the valley’s highest peaks. You’ll be in awe of the valley’s natural beauty from your position in the heart of the Danube. The charming village of Spitz, approximately halfway through the valley, marks the beginning of the wine region. Noted for its dry Rieslings, Austria’s signature Gruner Veltliner, and the wonderfully unique and earthy Neuburger, visit one of the town’s finest local producers for an extensive tasting, before lunch (own expense) in a local hamlet. After this, paddle further east and see the steep valley landscape transform into visually stunning rows of dry stone walls and vines, separated into hundreds of individual vineyard plots. End the journey in picturesque Durnstein, the gem of the valley. You can climb the famous castle ruins or wander through the village, taking in its old-world medieval charm. After a full day of activity, arrive back in Vienna around 7 PM, although the precise time of arrival will depend on our progress over the course of the day – you won’t want to rush through the beautiful nature.

Vienna: Melk Abbey and Schonbrunn Palace Private Guided Tour

7. Vienna: Melk Abbey and Schonbrunn Palace Private Guided Tour

"Start at your accommodation in Vienna, where the driver will take you to Schonbrunn Palace. Avoid long queues thanks to Skip-the-line tickets and enjoy exclusive knowledge from your private guide. Explore magnificent interior, fascinating history and find out about the huge Austrian heritage. Schonbrunn Palace is a magnificent residence, with its gardens inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Explore Rococo style apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth. Step inside over 40 rooms and hear forty fascinating stories spanning three centuries from your guide. Seeing the luxury of their private life inside the Palace and enjoying beautiful gardens around, it makes Schönbrunn unique synthesis of Baroque art with joyful nature. Get in the car, hit the road with an English-German speaking driver on board and drive through Wachau Valley to reach Melk. On the way you will see great landscapes full of vineyards around. The drive lasts only 1 hour maximum, so after a quick break it’s time for a guided tour in Melk Abbey! Melk Abbey is one of the biggest and most beautiful European Baroque Ensembles and it’s located on top of the hill. Walk around and explore Abbey Park with the baroque garden pavilion. Marvel at exceptional architecture from outside and step inside where the guide leads you through the Abbey Museum, the Marble Hall, balcony, library and church with amazing chapels and decorations. After all you can also walk around the village and see hidden local gems - Parish Church of Assumption of Mary as a peaceful place with nice decorations. No worries about returning, sit back and relax, the driver will drop you off at your hotel in Vienna."

Private Tour of Melk Abbey from Vienna by Car

8. Private Tour of Melk Abbey from Vienna by Car

Join a Licensed Guide on a private tour of Melk Abbey and learn why it has been a spiritual and cultural center of Lower Austria for over 900 years. The abbey can be easily reached from Vienna thanks to a round-trip transfer direct from your accommodation in a private car instead of coach. Visit a top-ranked world heritage site and enjoy the wonders of Wachau Valley! Select the 7-hour option to book a guided tour of Melk Abbey with private transport from Vienna. Traveling by private car will be comfortable and filled with amazing views of the Danube and the Wachau Cultural Landscape. Upon arrival in Melk, a Local Guide will take you on a private tour of the historic abbey. Experience true High Baroque, discover medieval treasures, and immerse yourself in tales of the Benedictine monks as you explore the 18th century complex. You will see the Imperial Staircase and Corridor, Marble Hall, Abbey Museum, Abbey Church and the famous Library with countless medieval manuscripts. Every corner will astonish you with its beauty, from stunning frescoes to gilded details, and the view of the valley from the terrace will be amazing. After the guided tour there will be free time, so you can have lunch, visit the Northern Bastion or explore the beautiful abbey park. Select the 9-hour option to enrich your experience with a sightseeing cruise along the Danube River. This option includes tickets for a 1,5-hour cruise from Melk to Krems aboard the modern MS Austria. Along the way you will see Schloss Schönbühel, Abbey Schönbühel, blue church tower and other highlights of the Wachau Cultural Landscape, and discover interesting facts about this region thanks to the audio guide. Enjoy the views and visit the cruise restaurant to see what delicious food and wine are on the menu. Your Private Driver will be waiting for you in Krems, and drive you back to your accommodation in Vienna.

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What people are saying about Wachau Valley

We absolutely loved our time on this tour. In Krems we only had 45 minutes but we went to both main churches and explored the alleyways and inspiring views! In Durstein we had an hour and I managed to run up the mountain to the castle ruins and had time to quickly explore town and the river after. If you're hoping to see the castle ruins but can't walk very quickly up a steep hill you won't be able to make it in time for this tour. Lastly, Melk Abbey was amazing and so beautiful. We learned a lot about its history and enjoyed our guide. The timing was very prompt. We had a nice lunch too!

It was a 8.5 hrs trip, which covers whole day. Exactly what I was looking for. Visit of an hour to the beautiful town of Durnstein was wonderful. Got to spend an hour over there. Would have loved to climb up to remains of the castle to get a bird's view of the town and Danube, if more time was there. Danube river cruise from Spitz to Melk was amazing and was highlight of the trip. Sunny day and cool breezes made it a memorable experience. Guided visit to Melk abbey was also very nice. Overall, a nice experience.

It is a beautiful part of the country. Melk Abbey is stunning. The guide for the Abbey was very informative. Wachau Valley should not be missed. We plan to stay in the valley next time we visit there. Tasting wines at the local winery taught a lot on the different types of wines.

so glad I found this tour. the guide Tim was AMAZING. he let us go at our own pace, showed usbso many cute less known spots. we had a great lunch and so many wines for the tasting!

So beautiful and informative! This made my trip to Austria one of THE best trips I’ve ever taken.