Dürnstein Travel Guide

  Durnstein
by balhannah
 
  • Durnstein
      Durnstein
    by balhannah
  • Durnstein
      Durnstein
    by balhannah
  • Round Tower
      Round Tower
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  • Durnstein Rathaus
      Durnstein Rathaus
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  • Durnstein
      Durnstein
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Explore Dürnstein

Things to Do  

STEINER TOR

STEINER TOR, Dürnstein

 balhannah Says:  A visit to KREMS AN DER DONAU is only 8kms away and worth doing.The Steiner Tor [entrance to the old town], is one of the most beautiful I have seen!It is a landmark of Krems, and the only one of the four town gates preserved. The main tower dating to the late 15th century... 

WALK THE OLD TOWN

WALK THE OLD TOWN, Dürnstein

 balhannah Says:  The old town is wonderful to walk around. I saw an old Rathaus, old walls that surround the town of Durnstein, narrow cobblestoned streets, beautiful buildings, ruins and interesting shops.In my opinion, it is the only way to see the town. 

ABBEY & BLUE CHURCH

ABBEY & BLUE CHURCH, Dürnstein

 balhannah Says:  From the Esplanade, I had a wonderful view of the exquisite blue and white steeple of the Blue Church.Blue, I thought an unusual colour, evidently this it what is was originally painted. Blue & white represents heaven, and grey & yellow represents earth. The Abbey, which is... 

WALK THE ESPLANADE

WALK THE ESPLANADE, Dürnstein

 balhannah Says:  As we were entering Durnstein by car, we were stopped before entering the town by roadworks.There was quite a hold-up, so I got out the car and walked the esplanade, a paved path into Durnstein. An easy walk, flat and level, and right beside the Danube. I'm glad I did this... 

Walking the streets of Durnstein

Walking the streets of Durnstein, Dürnstein

 dustmon Says:  Even when it is drizzling, like when we were there a few weeks ago, Durnstein is still fun to walk the streets, stopping there for a beer, there for a shot of schnapps, here for some warm strudel, and snapping photos all the while. This is prime walking area, with great... 

Skeleton Inside the Abbey Church

Skeleton Inside the Abbey Church, Dürnstein

 dustmon Says:  I love slightly odd sights around the world---I remember very clearly as a 16 year old seeing St James' finger bone in a church in Northern Spain (or maybe Portugal), and this skeleton inside the Durnstein Abbey Church is amazing---Very Indiana Jones-ish looking through the... 

Approaching Durnstein by Riverboat

Approaching Durnstein by Riverboat, Dürnstein

 dustmon Says:  Just kind of a no-brainer, but try and get your camera ready for this shot----an awesome view of the town in all its glory all at once coming in on our Viking Sky cruise ship around 3 in the afternoon..... 

Durnstein castle ruins

Durnstein castle ruins, Dürnstein

 dustmon Says:  The old Castle ruins are free to visit, after the 30 minute hike up.....Take good shoes for this one, folks...On a sunny day this would be well worth the climb for the view of the beautiful Danube and the Wachau Valley.... 

Entrance to Abbey and Church

Entrance to Abbey and Church, Dürnstein

 dustmon Says:  My son turned 30 this trip, and is an actor/puppeteer/director and poses in front of the Hell plaque in the first courtyard after entering the abbey proper---there are roses in the middle of this courtyard---make sure and look at all the plaques around the outer edge. 

Durnstein Parish Church Graveyard and boneyard

Durnstein Parish Church Graveyard and boneyard, Dürnstein

 dustmon Says:  I love finding photogenic cemeteries around the world, and this one rates near the top! There are beautiful iron-scroll work headmarkers galore, with roses blooming amongst them, twining around the iron and stone with their fragrance and color. The enclosed boneyard in the... 

Chorherrenstift---Main Church

Chorherrenstift---Main Church, Dürnstein

 dustmon Says:  The courtyard, church, exhibits(which are very interesting! some 3-D) and the Danube Terrace are all included in the 2.60 Euro admission, very much worth it, if for nothing else than the views from up top. Take the spiral stairs up if open... 

Flood Marks

Flood Marks, Dürnstein

 Kathrin_E Says:  Flood marks on a wall by the river promenade recall the heights of Danube floods that hit the town. The major part of the town is located high enough to be safe but the buildings by the river are prone to damage. The valley is narrow, so the floods reach remarkable levels.... 

Ruins of the Nunnery

Ruins of the Nunnery, Dürnstein

 Kathrin_E Says:  The ruin of a gothic church is a notable landmark in the townscape. This used to be the church of the nunnery of the Poor Clare Sisters. The church is roofless and has long ben out of use. The baroque convent buildings are now used by a hotel. 

Hotels  

Restaurants  

Jan Durnsteinerhof: Great stop for tired feet

Jan Durnsteinerhof: Great stop for tired feet, Dürnstein

 dustmon Says:  It had started back drizzling again on our free time walk through the wonderful village of Durnstein, so we ducked into Durnsteinerhof for a rest, a beer, and something sweet. Ordered a fresh Kaiser beer and some of the local, freshly picked apricot strudel (their word for... 

Alter Klosterkeller: Heuriger, local wine and food

Alter Klosterkeller: Heuriger, local wine and food, Dürnstein

 Kathrin_E Says:  Alter Klosterkeller is a Heuriger, a place that serves local wines and plain local food of good quality. The restaurant is located on the edge of the town next to a vineyard. If the weather allows you can sit on the terrace with a view of the valley. The terrace has a... 

Transportation  

CRUISE THE DANUBE

CRUISE THE DANUBE, Dürnstein

 balhannah Says:  When I was by the Danube, I saw a Day Cruise Boat about to call into port.I would love to do a cruise around here amongst the lovely scenery. DDSG DANUBE CRUISES is one of the companies that do cruises along here. You can read more on their website. 

WALKING SHORT CUTS

WALKING SHORT CUTS, Dürnstein

 balhannah Says:  I think the best way to see historic Durnstein, is to walk. It is situated on the side of a hill, and I happened to be at the bottom beside the Danube River, this meant I had an uphill climb to reach the town centre.What is good, is there are short cuts, in the way of... 

Local Trains

Local Trains, Dürnstein

 Kathrin_E Says:  A local train route runs through the Wachau from Krems via Dürnstein to Spitz. In Krems you connect to trains to Vienna and elsewhere.These local trains are small, consist of only one railcar, but they run every hour. 

Cruise Boats on the Danube

Cruise Boats on the Danube, Dürnstein

 Kathrin_E Says:  Cruise boats run on a regular timetable along the Wachau valley from Melk to Krems. This is an easy and enjoyable way of experiencing the landscape. Fares are not cheap, though - 20€ from Melk to Dürnstein. No prebooking, buy your ticket at the booth next to the landing... 

Shopping  

Markus Wieser GMBH: Marillen, (apricot) schnapps, soap, and more
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

dustmon 1118 reviews
the vines outside the town

This was a small shop with the fresh apricot brandies and schnapps, along with soaps and other goodies for sale from a friendly staff person. She offered me a taste of the apricot schnapps that I wanted to buy---very gut!

What to buy: schnapps, soaps, brandy

What to pay: average cost or less

Written Jun 22, 2010

Address: 3601 Durnstein 18a

Phone: 43-2711-20414

Website: www.wieser-wachau.at

Related to:
 Wine Tasting
 Family Travel
 Cruise

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Map of Dürnstein