Dürnstein Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Dürnstein. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Wachau Valley Wine Tasting Bike Tour from Vienna

• Wachau Valley Small-Group Tour and Wine Tasting from Vienna

• Danube Valley Day Trip from Vienna

• Wachau Valley Private Tour With Melk Abbey Visit and Wine Tastings from Vienna

• Private Tour from Vienna-Bratislava to Wachau-Hallstatt-Salzburg

There is no cost to visit the town of Dürnstein, aside from transportation; however, tours can be a great way to combine sightseeing with exploring the Wachau Valley and its wineries. Sightseeing tours from Vienna start at around US$145, while bike tours of the Wachau are closer to US$165.

The two main must-see attractions in Dürnstein are the Dürnstein Castle ruins and Dürnstein Abbey, although the abbey operates limited opening hours and closes for periods during the winter. Other places worth seeing are the main street through town, which goes past vineyards and between Dürnstein’s pretty old-fashioned homes.

Yes, the Dürnstein Castle ruins are open to the public and free to visit. The only catch is that you must walk up to the hilltop ruins on a steep path with many stairs, as there is no road access. This means the castle ruins are inaccessible to wheelchairs or strollers.

Yes, Dürnstein is a good destination for hiking or cycling outside of Vienna. Cycling routes follow the Danube River past Dürnstein, letting you cycle through the Wachau Valley. The hills behind the town offer various hiking opportunities, including a short route to the castle ruins and longer trails through the forest and rocky ridgelines.

Spring is often considered the best time of year to visit Dürnstein, as the orchards and vineyards along the Wachau Valley are bursting with life and blossom. April and May also let you avoid the crowds that begin to arrive on river cruises around June and on through the rest of the year.