# Two nights in the Wachau, an hour from Vienna: Melk Abbey, cycling the Danube and Dürnstein

Train to Melk, the abbey without the crowds, a bike ride downriver among vineyards and apricot trees, two nights beside the Danube and dinner in a classic house or one with two stars.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/austria/lower-austria/wachau/itineraries/two-nights-with-melk-and-duernstein · Revisado: 2026-11-12

Dónde: Wachau

In a day from Vienna the Wachau is seen; in two nights it is lived. The difference is the bike: 35 km almost flat beside the Danube among terraced vineyards, apricot orchards and winegrowers' villages, with time to stop at a Heuriger and sleep in Dürnstein, the prettiest village in the valley. All without a car: train out to Melk, bike downriver and boat or train back.

## How do you get there from Vienna?

By train to Melk on the western line, in around an hour. Until the end of October 2027 the central section of the S-Bahn is closed: check on ÖBB which Vienna station your train leaves from. From Melk station to the Hotel zur Post it is a few minutes on foot.

## Where to sleep?

AccommodationAreaWho it is for

Hotel Restaurant zur PostCentre of MelkThe first night, next to the abbey, with a bike cellar

Hotel Richard LöwenherzDürnstein, beside the riverThe second night, with a summer pool and bikes for hire

## And if you have one more day?

Stay a third night in Krems and do the full boat trip from Krems to Melk, or add Baden and its baths on the way back to Vienna, on the Badner Bahn.

## With children

The bike works with children from the time they can pedal alone: the path is flat, but it is 30 km; cut it at Spitz and continue on the Wachaubahn or by boat. The boat and the July apricots appeal to all ages. The Vogelbergsteig is not for small children.

## El plan

### Friday · 18:00 · Train to Melk and a night at the Post
You leave Vienna after work. Dinner at the Post's restaurant, which in high season serves the menu until 21:00.

### Saturday · 09:00 · Melk Abbey
First thing, before the groups: library, Marble Hall and church. €16.

### Saturday · 11:00 · By bike from Melk to Dürnstein
Hire a bike in Melk and go down the Danube cycle path, about 30 km, almost flat, via Spitz and Weißenkirchen. Stop for lunch on the way.

### Saturday · 17:00 · Arrival in Dürnstein
Leave the bike at the Richard Löwenherz and stroll the village at dusk, when the day visitors leave.

### Saturday · 19:30 · Dinner at the Loibnerhof
A kilometre away, in Unterloiben: Krebsnudeln with Danube crayfish and Marillenbuchteln. Wednesday to Sunday.

### Sunday · 09:00 · Vogelbergsteig
The cable-protected climb above Dürnstein, with a view over the valley, if you like heights; if not, walk up to the castle ruin.

### Sunday · 12:00 · Special lunch at the Landhaus Bacher
In Mautern, opposite Krems: two Michelin stars and a non-stop kitchen on Sunday from 11:30 to 19:00. Book.

### Sunday · 16:00 · Return from Krems
Cross the bridge to Krems and take the train to Vienna. If you prefer, go back earlier by boat from Dürnstein to Krems.

## Un consejo más

Book the two hotels and the Landhaus Bacher at the same time: on a high-season weekend they fill up.

## Cuándo no ir

November to March: the Dürnstein hotels close, there are no boats or Wachau train and bike hire stops.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How many kilometres is it by bike?
About 30 from Melk to Dürnstein and 35 to Krems, almost flat and downriver.

### Do I need a car?
No: train to Melk, bike, and train or boat back from Krems.

### When is it best?
From late April to early October; July for the apricots, September for the grape harvest.

### Can it be done the other way round?
Yes, from Krems to Melk, but upriver: better by boat than by bike.

## Dónde dormir without a car
- **Hotel Restaurant zur Post**: The house
A hotel of the Ebner family in the very centre of Melk, on the Linzer Straße, round the corner from the main square. The rooms are named after Wachau wines: Steinfeder (25 m²), Federspiel and Nibelungen (30 m²), Smaragd (35 m²), and two suites of 55 and 60 m², the larger for four people. Some see the abbey. Downstairs is the house restaurant, with a dish of the day at midday.
Who it is for
It is the comfortable base for starting the Wachau from the west: you arrive by train from Vienna at Melk station, a few minutes' walk away, see the abbey first thing before the groups and the next day go down the valley by bike or boat. It has a bike store with charging for e-bikes and packages designed for Danube cyclists. Reception is open from 7:30 to 20:30; check-out is at 11:00. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
Getting there
By train, to Melk station; by car, on the A1, Melk exit. The DDSG landing stage at Melk is about 15 minutes' walk away.
- **arte Hotel Krems**: The house
A modern hotel in the Kunstmeile district of Krems, the street of museums that links Stein with the centre, next to the university campus. Bright rooms, art in the lobby and a gym. It does not have the charm of a vineyard village, but it does have the practical: a garage under the building, a safe place for bikes and a train to Vienna.
Practical matters
There is a garage under the hotel, with a bicycle cage with charging for e-bikes, and four public chargers for electric cars opposite. Without a car, the regional train stops at the Campus-Kunstmeile halt, a few steps away, and the city bus has a stop about 100 m away.
What is nearby
The DDSG landing stage at Krems/Stein, from which the boats to Melk leave, is a walk away. The old centre of Stein, with its winegrowers' houses, and the centre of Krems are on foot. To the west, the Danube cycle path takes you to Dürnstein in a little under an hour at an easy pace.

## Dónde dormir if you're cycling
- **Hotel Schloss Dürnstein**: The house
A 17th-century castle on the bank of the Danube, at the foot of Dürnstein's old town, converted into a five-star hotel. The rooms and suites occupy the historic halls; many face the river. It has outdoor and indoor pools, a spa, a library, a bar and a terrace restaurant over the water that is open to non-residents. It also hires out bikes.
Season
It is a seasonal hotel: in 2027 it opens on 26 March and closes on 21 October. In winter only the rooms in the gate building (Tor) and the Villa Schönthal are in use, with breakfast in the castle shop. The pool, spa and bike hire close from late October to late March.
Getting there and parking
In Dürnstein street parking is prohibited: guests leave their car inside the castle grounds, where there are electric chargers. By train you reach Dürnstein-Oberloiben station on the Wachau line, seasonal, or Krems, 7 km away. The landing stage for the DDSG boats is a few steps away.
The terrace
The restaurant is open at midday and in the evening with no day off during the season, and there is usually a table on the same day if you book in the morning. It is a good midday meal even if you are sleeping elsewhere.
- **Hotel Richard Löwenherz**: The house
The Richard Löwenherz occupies a former 13th-century Poor Clares convent in the centre of Dürnstein, with the cloister garden and the terrace over the Danube. It has double rooms, single rooms, junior suites with a river view and suites, all air-conditioned, and apartments in a separate house. The ruin of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned is just above.
Practical matters
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out until 11:00; if you arrive after 18:00, let them know. Although Dürnstein is pedestrianised, guests can drive up to the hotel, with few spaces. The outdoor pool is open from May to September. It hires bikes for €15 and electric bikes for €35 a day, just right for the Danube path. The restaurant opens from mid-April to mid-October and is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
With a dog
It admits dogs for €20 a night; they may not enter the cloister garden or the breakfast room.
- **Hotel Restaurant zur Post**: The house
A hotel of the Ebner family in the very centre of Melk, on the Linzer Straße, round the corner from the main square. The rooms are named after Wachau wines: Steinfeder (25 m²), Federspiel and Nibelungen (30 m²), Smaragd (35 m²), and two suites of 55 and 60 m², the larger for four people. Some see the abbey. Downstairs is the house restaurant, with a dish of the day at midday.
Who it is for
It is the comfortable base for starting the Wachau from the west: you arrive by train from Vienna at Melk station, a few minutes' walk away, see the abbey first thing before the groups and the next day go down the valley by bike or boat. It has a bike store with charging for e-bikes and packages designed for Danube cyclists. Reception is open from 7:30 to 20:30; check-out is at 11:00. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
Getting there
By train, to Melk station; by car, on the A1, Melk exit. The DDSG landing stage at Melk is about 15 minutes' walk away.
- **arte Hotel Krems**: The house
A modern hotel in the Kunstmeile district of Krems, the street of museums that links Stein with the centre, next to the university campus. Bright rooms, art in the lobby and a gym. It does not have the charm of a vineyard village, but it does have the practical: a garage under the building, a safe place for bikes and a train to Vienna.
Practical matters
There is a garage under the hotel, with a bicycle cage with charging for e-bikes, and four public chargers for electric cars opposite. Without a car, the regional train stops at the Campus-Kunstmeile halt, a few steps away, and the city bus has a stop about 100 m away.
What is nearby
The DDSG landing stage at Krems/Stein, from which the boats to Melk leave, is a walk away. The old centre of Stein, with its winegrowers' houses, and the centre of Krems are on foot. To the west, the Danube cycle path takes you to Dürnstein in a little under an hour at an easy pace.

## Dónde dormir if you're driving
- **Hotel Schloss Dürnstein**: The house
A 17th-century castle on the bank of the Danube, at the foot of Dürnstein's old town, converted into a five-star hotel. The rooms and suites occupy the historic halls; many face the river. It has outdoor and indoor pools, a spa, a library, a bar and a terrace restaurant over the water that is open to non-residents. It also hires out bikes.
Season
It is a seasonal hotel: in 2027 it opens on 26 March and closes on 21 October. In winter only the rooms in the gate building (Tor) and the Villa Schönthal are in use, with breakfast in the castle shop. The pool, spa and bike hire close from late October to late March.
Getting there and parking
In Dürnstein street parking is prohibited: guests leave their car inside the castle grounds, where there are electric chargers. By train you reach Dürnstein-Oberloiben station on the Wachau line, seasonal, or Krems, 7 km away. The landing stage for the DDSG boats is a few steps away.
The terrace
The restaurant is open at midday and in the evening with no day off during the season, and there is usually a table on the same day if you book in the morning. It is a good midday meal even if you are sleeping elsewhere.
- **Hotel Richard Löwenherz**: The house
The Richard Löwenherz occupies a former 13th-century Poor Clares convent in the centre of Dürnstein, with the cloister garden and the terrace over the Danube. It has double rooms, single rooms, junior suites with a river view and suites, all air-conditioned, and apartments in a separate house. The ruin of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned is just above.
Practical matters
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out until 11:00; if you arrive after 18:00, let them know. Although Dürnstein is pedestrianised, guests can drive up to the hotel, with few spaces. The outdoor pool is open from May to September. It hires bikes for €15 and electric bikes for €35 a day, just right for the Danube path. The restaurant opens from mid-April to mid-October and is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
With a dog
It admits dogs for €20 a night; they may not enter the cloister garden or the breakfast room.
- **Hotel Restaurant zur Post**: The house
A hotel of the Ebner family in the very centre of Melk, on the Linzer Straße, round the corner from the main square. The rooms are named after Wachau wines: Steinfeder (25 m²), Federspiel and Nibelungen (30 m²), Smaragd (35 m²), and two suites of 55 and 60 m², the larger for four people. Some see the abbey. Downstairs is the house restaurant, with a dish of the day at midday.
Who it is for
It is the comfortable base for starting the Wachau from the west: you arrive by train from Vienna at Melk station, a few minutes' walk away, see the abbey first thing before the groups and the next day go down the valley by bike or boat. It has a bike store with charging for e-bikes and packages designed for Danube cyclists. Reception is open from 7:30 to 20:30; check-out is at 11:00. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
Getting there
By train, to Melk station; by car, on the A1, Melk exit. The DDSG landing stage at Melk is about 15 minutes' walk away.
- **arte Hotel Krems**: The house
A modern hotel in the Kunstmeile district of Krems, the street of museums that links Stein with the centre, next to the university campus. Bright rooms, art in the lobby and a gym. It does not have the charm of a vineyard village, but it does have the practical: a garage under the building, a safe place for bikes and a train to Vienna.
Practical matters
There is a garage under the hotel, with a bicycle cage with charging for e-bikes, and four public chargers for electric cars opposite. Without a car, the regional train stops at the Campus-Kunstmeile halt, a few steps away, and the city bus has a stop about 100 m away.
What is nearby
The DDSG landing stage at Krems/Stein, from which the boats to Melk leave, is a walk away. The old centre of Stein, with its winegrowers' houses, and the centre of Krems are on foot. To the west, the Danube cycle path takes you to Dürnstein in a little under an hour at an easy pace.

## Dónde dormir in style
- **Hotel Schloss Dürnstein**: The house
A 17th-century castle on the bank of the Danube, at the foot of Dürnstein's old town, converted into a five-star hotel. The rooms and suites occupy the historic halls; many face the river. It has outdoor and indoor pools, a spa, a library, a bar and a terrace restaurant over the water that is open to non-residents. It also hires out bikes.
Season
It is a seasonal hotel: in 2027 it opens on 26 March and closes on 21 October. In winter only the rooms in the gate building (Tor) and the Villa Schönthal are in use, with breakfast in the castle shop. The pool, spa and bike hire close from late October to late March.
Getting there and parking
In Dürnstein street parking is prohibited: guests leave their car inside the castle grounds, where there are electric chargers. By train you reach Dürnstein-Oberloiben station on the Wachau line, seasonal, or Krems, 7 km away. The landing stage for the DDSG boats is a few steps away.
The terrace
The restaurant is open at midday and in the evening with no day off during the season, and there is usually a table on the same day if you book in the morning. It is a good midday meal even if you are sleeping elsewhere.
- **Hotel Richard Löwenherz**: The house
The Richard Löwenherz occupies a former 13th-century Poor Clares convent in the centre of Dürnstein, with the cloister garden and the terrace over the Danube. It has double rooms, single rooms, junior suites with a river view and suites, all air-conditioned, and apartments in a separate house. The ruin of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned is just above.
Practical matters
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out until 11:00; if you arrive after 18:00, let them know. Although Dürnstein is pedestrianised, guests can drive up to the hotel, with few spaces. The outdoor pool is open from May to September. It hires bikes for €15 and electric bikes for €35 a day, just right for the Danube path. The restaurant opens from mid-April to mid-October and is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
With a dog
It admits dogs for €20 a night; they may not enter the cloister garden or the breakfast room.

## Dónde dormir if you're flying
- **Hotel Schloss Dürnstein**: The house
A 17th-century castle on the bank of the Danube, at the foot of Dürnstein's old town, converted into a five-star hotel. The rooms and suites occupy the historic halls; many face the river. It has outdoor and indoor pools, a spa, a library, a bar and a terrace restaurant over the water that is open to non-residents. It also hires out bikes.
Season
It is a seasonal hotel: in 2027 it opens on 26 March and closes on 21 October. In winter only the rooms in the gate building (Tor) and the Villa Schönthal are in use, with breakfast in the castle shop. The pool, spa and bike hire close from late October to late March.
Getting there and parking
In Dürnstein street parking is prohibited: guests leave their car inside the castle grounds, where there are electric chargers. By train you reach Dürnstein-Oberloiben station on the Wachau line, seasonal, or Krems, 7 km away. The landing stage for the DDSG boats is a few steps away.
The terrace
The restaurant is open at midday and in the evening with no day off during the season, and there is usually a table on the same day if you book in the morning. It is a good midday meal even if you are sleeping elsewhere.
- **Hotel Richard Löwenherz**: The house
The Richard Löwenherz occupies a former 13th-century Poor Clares convent in the centre of Dürnstein, with the cloister garden and the terrace over the Danube. It has double rooms, single rooms, junior suites with a river view and suites, all air-conditioned, and apartments in a separate house. The ruin of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned is just above.
Practical matters
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out until 11:00; if you arrive after 18:00, let them know. Although Dürnstein is pedestrianised, guests can drive up to the hotel, with few spaces. The outdoor pool is open from May to September. It hires bikes for €15 and electric bikes for €35 a day, just right for the Danube path. The restaurant opens from mid-April to mid-October and is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
With a dog
It admits dogs for €20 a night; they may not enter the cloister garden or the breakfast room.
- **Hotel Restaurant zur Post**: The house
A hotel of the Ebner family in the very centre of Melk, on the Linzer Straße, round the corner from the main square. The rooms are named after Wachau wines: Steinfeder (25 m²), Federspiel and Nibelungen (30 m²), Smaragd (35 m²), and two suites of 55 and 60 m², the larger for four people. Some see the abbey. Downstairs is the house restaurant, with a dish of the day at midday.
Who it is for
It is the comfortable base for starting the Wachau from the west: you arrive by train from Vienna at Melk station, a few minutes' walk away, see the abbey first thing before the groups and the next day go down the valley by bike or boat. It has a bike store with charging for e-bikes and packages designed for Danube cyclists. Reception is open from 7:30 to 20:30; check-out is at 11:00. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
Getting there
By train, to Melk station; by car, on the A1, Melk exit. The DDSG landing stage at Melk is about 15 minutes' walk away.
- **arte Hotel Krems**: The house
A modern hotel in the Kunstmeile district of Krems, the street of museums that links Stein with the centre, next to the university campus. Bright rooms, art in the lobby and a gym. It does not have the charm of a vineyard village, but it does have the practical: a garage under the building, a safe place for bikes and a train to Vienna.
Practical matters
There is a garage under the hotel, with a bicycle cage with charging for e-bikes, and four public chargers for electric cars opposite. Without a car, the regional train stops at the Campus-Kunstmeile halt, a few steps away, and the city bus has a stop about 100 m away.
What is nearby
The DDSG landing stage at Krems/Stein, from which the boats to Melk leave, is a walk away. The old centre of Stein, with its winegrowers' houses, and the centre of Krems are on foot. To the west, the Danube cycle path takes you to Dürnstein in a little under an hour at an easy pace.