📷 Photo by Andreas Weilguny on UnsplashWachau: the Danube wine valley
Melk Abbey, apricot orchards, terraced vineyards and the blue tower of Dürnstein.
- Distance
- 134 km (84 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 51 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 4
- Countries
- Austria
- Updated
- June 18, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 134 km (84 mi) with 4 stops, from Vienna to Krems. About 1 h 51 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Austria · More road trips from Vienna
Route description
Leave Vienna westwards on the A1 motorway, which crosses the Wienerwald hills and reaches Melk in about an hour. Melk Abbey stands on a rock above the Danube; its church, marble hall and library with painted ceilings are the main sights.
Cross the Danube at Melk and follow the B3 along the north bank through the Wachau, a narrow valley of terraced vineyards, apricot orchards and small wine villages such as Spitz and Weissenkirchen. Apricots blossom in spring and are harvested in summer, when stalls sell fruit along the road.
Dürnstein is known for the blue-and-white tower of its abbey church and the castle ruin above the village where Richard the Lionheart was held captive. The main road bypasses the village in a tunnel, so park at the edge and walk in.
The route ends in Krems, where the Steiner Tor gate leads into an old town of Renaissance houses and wine taverns. Small ferries cross the river at a few points in the valley, and a cycle path follows both banks if you want to explore without the car.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Vienna
Austria - 297 km
Melk Abbey
HistoryMelk, AustriaA yellow Baroque abbey on a rock above the Danube, with a library of painted ceilings.
- 329 km
Dürnstein
Austria - 49 km
Krems
Austria
Suggested stages and overnight stops
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Vienna → Melk Abbey · 97 km · 1 h 20 minOvernight nearby, for example: Campingplatz Melk (< 1 km); Donau Camping Emmersdorf (2 km).
- Day 2: Melk Abbey → Krems · 38 km · 0 h 31 minOn the way: Dürnstein.Overnight nearby, for example: Campingplatz Rossatz (7 km); Wohnmobilcamping Artner (8 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Austria: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t need a GO-Box for distance-based tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Wachau: the Danube wine valley?
2-day road trip of about 134 km (84 mi) with 4 stops, from Vienna to Krems. About 1 h 51 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Wachau: the Danube wine valley?
We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 51 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Wachau: the Danube wine valley start and end?
It starts in Vienna and ends in Krems.
Which countries does Wachau: the Danube wine valley pass through?
Austria.
Where can you camp along Wachau: the Danube wine valley?
OpenStreetMap lists 23 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Naturistenpark Lobau Camping, Reisemobil-Stellplatz Wien and MICAMPA Wien Wienerwald.
When is the best time for Wachau: the Danube wine valley?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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