Neighbourhood · Wachau, Vienna

Wachau Valley

Wachau Valley
Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

This stretch of river valley lies west of Vienna in Lower Austria. It features terraced vineyards, the Benedictine abbey at Melk and the walled town of Dürnstein. Visitors come for boat rides, wine tastings and short hikes between historic sites.

Updated September 27, 2026On day 5 of Vienna in 5 Days

Visiting Wachau Valley: what to know

Tickets
No fee to enter the valley; individual attractions charge separately.
Time needed
One full day minimum.
Best time
May through October for mild weather and open sites.
Getting there
Regional train from Vienna to Melk or Krems takes about one hour.

Vienna itineraries with Wachau Valley

Day 5 of Vienna in 5 Days

The Wachau Valley

How Wachau Valley fits into a day.
  1. 9:00Melk AbbeyMelk
  2. 13:00Wachau ValleyWachau
  3. 16:00DürnsteinWachau
See all 5 days
Advertisement
Ad space · 728 × 90

Wachau Valley FAQs

Is Wachau Valley part of Vienna?

No. It lies in Lower Austria roughly 80 km west of the city.

How do you get around the valley?

Trains, buses and Danube boats connect the main towns.

Do you need a guide for Wachau Valley?

Self-guided travel works well; local tours are available at larger stations.

More places on this trip