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Train arrival and Stift Melk
A relaxed arrival day: just one train journey and one activity.
Booking ÖBB Sparschiene tickets a few weeks ahead for your journey saves a good deal of money.
This is where your trip begins. Westbahn trains run frequently from Wien Hauptbahnhof towards Melk.
The baroque Benedictine abbey sits high above the Danube and marks the western gateway to the Wachau. The Marble Hall, the library and the golden abbey church make for an impressive start, and the abbey park offers sweeping views over the valley.
A traditional house on the town hall square, just a few minutes' walk from the station and the abbey. Good regional cooking and Wachau wines in the in-house restaurant make for a relaxed first evening.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Danube boat, Ruine Aggstein and Teufelsmauer
Timetables for the Wachau boats are seasonal; check the exact departure times in advance and plan your day around them.
The climb up to Ruine Aggstein is steep, so allow plenty of time and bring enough water.
You can leave the hire bikes at the guesthouse in the evening and continue the next morning.
From the landing stage below the abbey, the Wachau boats run by Brandner and DDSG head downstream. Sailing through the narrow Danube valley is the classic way to see the vineyards and castles from the water.
High above the Danube lies the sprawling ruined castle with its legendary little rose garden and breathtaking views over the valley. The rock itself and the fortifications tell the story of the Kuenringer family, who once controlled river traffic here.
Spitz has several bike hire stations, including e-bikes. From here you can ride the well-signposted Danube cycle path, almost flat, through vineyards and apricot groves.
The striking rock formation above Spitz is a natural monument with open dry grassland and lovely views over the bend in the Danube. The signposted circular trail is short and well worth it, especially in the afternoon light.
A family-run guesthouse with its own vineyard, quietly located on the edge of Spitz. Own wines, seasonal Wachau cooking and a good starting point for cycling tours and walks.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Wine villages, apricots and the Danube cycle path
Around 21 relaxed, flat cycling kilometres in total, with plenty of time for breaks in the wine villages.
If you're getting tired, the Wachau boat or the Wachau bike bus also run between the villages, letting you shorten stretches of the route.
Dürnstein gets busy during the day; the ruined castle is quieter in the morning or late afternoon.
This picturesque wine village with its fortified church is considered the heart of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. Wandering through narrow lanes, wine estates and the Wachaumuseum, you'll feel the region's wine culture close up.
The blue tower roof of Stift Dürnstein is the ultimate symbol of the Wachau. Above the village stands the ruined castle where Richard the Lionheart was once held prisoner; the short climb rewards you with a panoramic view over the bend in the Danube.
This lively wine town at the eastern end of the Wachau combines a medieval old town with a modern art scene along the Kunstmeile. In the evening, wine bars and Heurige taverns invite you to sample Kremstal and Wachau wines.
A family-run hotel in a quiet spot near the old town, with easy access to the station. A solid base for the last two nights, with short walks to wine bars and restaurants.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Organic vineyard, the journey home and Schloss Schönbrunn
The trip ends with an open schedule in Vienna; you can leave your luggage at the hotel or the station during the morning.
If you'd prefer a quieter pace, skip Schönbrunn and enjoy a final morning in Krems instead.
For your last local journeys in Vienna, a 24-hour ticket from Wiener Linien is worth it.
Austria's oldest wine estate is located in Mautern, opposite Krems, and has been farmed biodynamically for decades. At a tasting in the historic walls, you'll sample characterful Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines, along with regional dishes at the Buschenschank.
To finish, you'll head back to Vienna and to the Habsburgs' imperial summer residence. Grand state rooms, an expansive baroque garden and the Gloriette round off the trip with one last major highlight.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
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