Overview
Krems an der Donau marks the eastern gateway to the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage stretch of the Danube where terraced vineyards cascade down to the river, medieval castle ruins perch on hilltops, and apricot orchards bloom pink in spring. The town itself has a beautifully preserved medieval core, a thriving arts scene anchored by the Kunstmeile (Art Mile) and the Landesgalerie, and — most importantly — Heurigen: traditional wine taverns where local winemakers serve their own wines with cold platters in cozy courtyard settings. The euro is the currency.
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget travelers ($65/day): Stay in pensions or budget hotels, eat at Heurigen where wine and food are remarkably cheap, cycle the free Wachau Danube bike path, and explore the medieval Old Town (Altstadt) on foot.
Mid-range travelers ($155/day): Book a wine hotel or boutique stay, enjoy Austrian cuisine and wine tastings at quality restaurants, cycle the full Wachau Valley, visit the Kunstmeile museums, and take a Danube boat cruise to Melk Abbey.
Luxury travelers ($380+/day): Stay at a luxury wine estate, dine at the region s finest restaurants with premium wine pairings, book a private wine tour through Wachau s top producers, and enjoy spa treatments with Danube valley views.
Where to Save
Heurigen are the Wachau s great bargain — local winemakers serve their own Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, and Zweigelt with cold platters of meats, cheeses, and spreads for remarkably little. The Wachau Danube bike path is free, flat, and one of the most scenic cycling routes in Europe. The Krems Altstadt with its painted facades and medieval gates is free to explore. Apricot products (Marillenknoedel, Marillenschnaps) bought directly from farm stands cost a fraction of shop prices. The Danube riverfront promenade is free. Combine with a visit to Durnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned, just a short cycle away.
Where to Splurge
A Danube boat cruise from Krems to Melk, passing through the entire Wachau Valley with its castles, vineyards, and the magnificent Melk Abbey, is one of the most beautiful river journeys in Europe. Wine tastings at top Wachau producers like Domane Wachau, FX Pichler, or Nikolaihof reveal why Wachau Gruner Veltliner and Riesling rank among the world s finest white wines. The Landesgalerie Niederosterreich is a striking contemporary art museum with excellent exhibitions. Dinner at a Wachau fine dining restaurant, with local wines and seasonal apricot desserts, captures the essence of the region. The ruins of Durnstein castle above the Danube at sunset are unforgettable.