Your own driver from Vienna to Melk Abbey, then down the Wachau to Dürnstein and Krems, and back to Vienna the same day.
UNESCO describes the Wachau as a stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems. The driver takes you to Melk Abbey first, then along the valley to Dürnstein and Krems, waits at each stop, and brings you back to Vienna.
The route. The A1 west to Melk, about 90 km and roughly 1h 10m, then the valley road to Dürnstein and Krems and back to Vienna. The loop is about 205 km and roughly 2h 50m of driving, all within Austria.
The places. The Wachau Cultural Landscape has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000; UNESCO names the abbeys of Melk and of Göttweig in its description. Dürnstein is a municipality in Krems District with castle ruins, and Krems an der Donau is a city in Lower Austria.
The pace. The legs along the valley are short, so most of the day is time at the stops. Göttweig Abbey can be added on the way back.
A Benedictine abbey; the abbey says its monks have lived and worked there in uninterrupted tradition since 1089. It lies in the Wachau World Heritage Site.
A municipality in Krems District, Lower Austria, with the Dürnstein castle ruins, described as castle ruins in the Wachau.
A city in Lower Austria and the last stop along the valley. From here it is about 1h back to Vienna.
A Benedictine monastery near Krems, named by UNESCO alongside Melk in its description of the Wachau.
The Wachau Cultural Landscape has been on the UNESCO list since 2000.
Benedictine monks have lived and worked at Melk since 1089, according to the abbey.
UNESCO notes the valley’s agricultural use, mainly for the cultivation of vines and apricot trees.
About 2h 50m of driving in total, so the day is mostly time at the stops.
Every private day is priced per vehicle for your date, route and group, and sent to you in writing before anything is confirmed. Send the request; we reply with a written quote.
About 1h 10m from Vienna to Melk Abbey, and about 205 km and roughly 2h 50m of driving for the whole loop through Dürnstein and Krems. Time at the stops is extra and up to you.
Each private day is priced per vehicle for your date, route and group size. Send the request and we reply with a written quote before anything is confirmed.
Yes. Starting in Krems and finishing at Melk is almost the same distance and only a few minutes longer.
No. Entry to Melk Abbey or Göttweig Abbey is not included and is bought by you.
Yes. Tell us in the request, for example Göttweig Abbey on the way back. Extra stops can change the quote.
Send your date and group size and we will reply with a written quote.