Krems an der Donau
Krems an der Donau at a Glance
Costs: USD 120-220 per day - mid-range European prices with boutique hotels and wine tasting.
Safety: Very safe - low crime and very safe for tourists.
Best Time: April-October - vineyard season and river cruises run in spring through autumn.
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
Church
Melk Abbey
Benedictine abbey overlooking Danube with Baroque library
Valley
Wachau
Scenic Danube valley known for vineyards and medieval towns
Museum
Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant
Never-activated nuclear plant now used for tours
Ruins
Aggstein Castle
Medieval hilltop castle ruins overlooking the Danube
Mountain
Schöpfl
Highest peak of Vienna Woods, popular hiking destination
Castle
Altenburg Abbey
Medieval Benedictine abbey with Baroque architecture
Castle
Artstetten Castle
Austrian castle with Habsburg museum and imperial tombs
Museum
Lilienfeld Abbey
Cistercian abbey with Baroque and Gothic architecture
Krems an der Donau Bucket List
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Nearby Cities #
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.
Winter
Cold, damp days with occasional snow - quieter tourist season and cosy wine-tasting opportunities indoors.
Spring
Blooming vineyards and mild weather make riverside walks and outdoor cafés delightful - occasional rainy days.
Summer
Warm, sunny days perfect for cycling the Danube, exploring ruins and enjoying wine terraces; busiest tourist period.
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 3° | -3° | 17 mm | overcast | 91% | 2.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 5° | -2° | 20 mm | overcast | 86% | 2.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.0h |
| March | Acceptable | 0° - 10° | 3° | 26 mm | overcast | 79% | 2.5 m/s | 0.5 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 4° - 15° | 8° | 36 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Good | 9° - 20° | 15° | 60 mm | overcast | 73% | 2.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.0h |
| June | Very Good | 12° - 23° | 18° | 85 mm | overcast | 71% | 2.3 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.8h |
| July | Very Good | 14° - 25° | 19° | 77 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 2.3 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.5h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 25° | 19° | 61 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 2.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.1h |
| September | Very Good | 9° - 20° | 15° | 42 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 8° | 29 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 7° | 2° | 37 mm | overcast | 90% | 2.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 4° | -2° | 25 mm | overcast | 91% | 2.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
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
Trains from Vienna are the easiest public transport link to Krems; local buses, taxis and seasonal boats complete the transport picture for exploring the Wachau. For vineyard-hopping a car or organised tour adds flexibility.
- Regional train (ÖBB) (€6-15) - Regional ÖBB trains connect Vienna and Krems with multiple departures daily; journey time is roughly 1-1.5 hours depending on the service. Tickets can be bought at stations, via the ÖBB app or ticket machines; regional single fares are typically modest. Trains are reliable and comfortable for day trips to the Wachau.
- Bus / local bus (€1.50-5 (local routes)) - Local buses serve Krems town and suburbs and connect to nearby villages in the Wachau. Buses are useful for reaching vineyards and viewpoints not on the rail line; check regional timetables for seasonal changes. Tickets are usually bought on board or at kiosks.
- Boat (seasonal) (€10-30 (varies by route)) - River excursions and scheduled passenger boats operate on the Danube in warmer months, linking Krems with towns such as Dürnstein and Melk. These are scenic and popular in summer; check operators for current timetables and fares. Boats are slower than trains but great for sightseeing.
- Taxi / private car (€10-50 (trip-dependent)) - Taxis and private hires provide door‑to‑door convenience for hotel transfers and winery visits. Renting a car is useful if you want to explore the wider Wachau at your own pace. Parking in town is available but can be limited in peak season.
- Walking - Krems’ historic centre and riverfront are compact and ideally explored on foot. The old town has pedestrianised streets, museums and wine taverns close together - comfortable shoes suffice for most walks.
Where to Stay in Krems an der Donau
Budget
Krems Old Town - €50-120/night
Krems has a good selection of budget guesthouses and small hotels. Expect simple, clean rooms in or near the Old Town.
Hotel Klinglhuber - Affordable, central Krems location.
Guesthouses & budget pensions (Krems) - Multiple small family-run options.
Mid-Range
Old Town / Danube promenade - €90-200/night
Mid-range boutique hotels sit around Krems’ Old Town and along the Danube, many with good breakfasts and easy access to Wachau wine country.
Steigenberger Hotel and Spa Krems - Comfortable rooms, spa facilities.
Hotel Steiner - Central, family-run mid-range hotel.
Luxury
Wachau / Dürnstein - €180+/night
Krems itself has charming upscale accommodations; for castle hotels and full luxury service, nearby Wachau villages like Dürnstein offer higher-end stays.
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.