Krems an der Donau Travel Guide
City City in Lower Austria along the Danube
Along the Danube in the Wachau Valley, Krems an der Donau serves vineyards, baroque churches and narrow medieval lanes. Visitors sip Riesling, tour Göttweig Abbey and take river cruises past terraced apricot orchards.
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Why Visit Krems an der Donau? #
Wine culture, Danube-side charm and medieval streets attract visitors to Krems an der Donau, gateway to the Wachau wine region and nearby Dürnstein. Steiner Tor city gate, riverside promenades and Grüner Veltliner vineyards give the town an authentic Austrian wine-country feel. Seasonal markets, apricot-based specialties such as Marillenknödel and classical concerts round out a culturally rich visit.
Best Things to Do in Krems an der Donau
All Attractions ›
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Krems an der Donau Bucket List
- Steiner Tor - See the medieval Steiner Tor gate marking the gateway to Krems's old town.
- Kunsthalle Krems - Visit Kunsthalle Krems for contemporary exhibitions along Krems's art mile.
- Göttweig Abbey - Climb to Göttweig Abbey for baroque interiors and panoramic views over the Danube valley.
- Gozzoburg - Wander Gozzoburg's medieval remains and enjoy quiet views of the Danube.
- Karikaturmuseum Krems - Laugh through regional political cartoons and caricatures at the Karikaturmuseum Krems.
- Nikolaihof Winery - Taste Grüner Veltliner at Nikolaihof winery, Austria's oldest farm winery.
- Wachau Valley - Take a Danube boat or drive through Wachau Valley's vineyards, apricots, and castles.
- Melk Abbey - Visit Melk Abbey to see grand baroque architecture and monastic library above the river.
Best Time to Visit Krems an der Donau #
Krems is best between late spring and early autumn (May-September) for warm weather, river cycling and wine tastings. Winters are quiet and chilly but appealing for indoor cultural visits.
Best Time to Visit Krems an der Donau #
Krems an der Donau's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (515 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. The driest month with just 17 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 85 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Krems an der Donau
Krems sits on the Danube in the Wachau region and is well linked to Vienna by regular regional trains. Regional trains are the most practical public transport option; within Krems the town is compact and easy to access on foot or by short taxi/bus rides.
Vienna International Airport (VIE): The nearest major international airport. From Vienna you can reach Krems by train or car - driving takes about 1-1.5 hours depending on route; taxis and airport shuttles are available.
Linz / Bratislava (regional options): Linz and Bratislava are alternative regional airports for some itineraries, though Vienna remains the most convenient for frequent services to Krems.
Train (ÖBB / regional): Krems an der Donau is served by regional ÖBB trains and regionalexpress services from Vienna (Wien Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof or Wien Hauptbahnhof via Tulln). The journey from Vienna takes about 1-1.5 hours depending on connection; regional fares commonly range from about €6-15 for standard tickets.
Bus / local transport: Local buses and taxis connect the station with the Old Town and the Danube riverfront. In summer there are also seasonal passenger boats on the Danube linking Krems with other Wachau towns.
How to Get Around Krems an der Donau #
Krems’s compact historic centre is easily explored on foot; many of the main museums, cafes and riverside spots are close together. The town is also bike‑friendly and sits on the Wachau cycling routes, making two‑wheel travel pleasant in fair weather. Train service (ÖBB) connects Krems to Vienna and other regional towns, and local buses cover short hops; regional fares are moderate and tickets are available at stations.
Where to Stay in Krems an der Donau #
- Hotel Klinglhuber - Affordable, central Krems location.
- Guesthouses & budget pensions (Krems) - Multiple small family-run options.
- Steigenberger Hotel and Spa Krems - Comfortable rooms, spa facilities.
- Hotel Steiner - Central, family-run mid-range hotel.
- Hotel Schloss Dürnstein (nearby Dürnstein) - Castle hotel with views of the Danube.
- Select high-end regional properties - Top-tier comforts in Wachau region.
Where to Eat in Krems an der Donau #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Krems an der Donau's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Krems an der Donau #
Nightlife in Krems is understated - expect wine taverns (Heurige), a handful of bars and cultural events rather than late‑night clubs. Evenings are pleasant for relaxed drinks and wine‑tasting.
Shopping in Krems an der Donau #
Shopping in Krems mixes small boutiques, wine shops and regional food stores. Local producers sell Wachau wines and apricot products; a weekly market offers fresh produce and artisan goods in the town centre.
