The Danube Valley Travel Guide
- Overview
- Itineraries
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Travel Tips
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
- Deals
- German Phrases
- Guidebooks
Guidebooks
Photo: Karel Gallas/shutterstock
A trip along the Austrian Danube unfolds like a treasured picture book. Roman ruins (some dating to Emperor Claudius), remains of medieval castles-in-air, and Baroque monasteries with "candle-snuffer" cupolas perching precariously above the river stimulate the imagination with their historic legends and myths. This is where Isa—cousin of the Lorelei—lured sailors onto the shoals; where the Nibelungs—later immortalized by Wagner—caroused operatically in battlemented forts; and where Richard the Lion-Hearted was locked in a dungeon for a spell. Today, thanks to the technology of modern dams, travelers have the luxury of tamely observing this part of Austria from the deck of a comfortable river steamer. In clement weather the nine-hour trip upriver from Vienna to Linz is highly rewarding. If your schedule allows, continuing onward to Passau may be less dramatic but gives more time to take in the picturesque vineyards and the castles perched on crags overlooking the river.
The Danube Valley Hotels
Accommodation options range from castle-hotels, where you'll be treated like royalty, to quiet and elegant country inns (often family-managed), to standard...read more
The Danube Valley Restaurants
Wherever possible, restaurants make the most of the river view, and alfresco dining overlooking the Danube is one of the region's delights. Simple Gasthäuser...read more
Fodor's Choice
Things To Do in The Danube Valley
Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.
Travel Deals in The Danube Valley
- Europe & Iceland from Seattle (R/T, incl. Tax) Icelandair
- Austria Experience IExplore
- 5-Night Mediterranean Cruise w/Free Hotel Stay Priceline.com
- Europe & Iceland from NYC (R/T, incl. Tax) — $595-$915 Icelandair
The Danube Valley Experiences
-
The Melk Abbey. Magnificent Benedictine Baroque splendor leaves you breathless. The enormous edifice, stately royal rooms, lovely library, and... Read more
-
The epitome of Austrian viticulture is found in the Wachau, those few precious kilometers of terraced vineyards along the north bank of the Danube... Read more
-
You could hardly ask for better hiking country: from the level ground of the Danube Valley hills rise on both sides, giving great views when... Read more
-
Pöstlingberg. When you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Linz, just hop on the Pöstlingbergbahn, an electric railway, for a scenic... Read more
Travel Blog
-
Best of the Best,
Featured
Sometimes, a girl just needs to get away for the weekend for a little relaxation and rejuvenation. Read more
-
Trip Ideas & Itineraries
From chic new hotels to can't-miss art events, the season's top destinations are blossoming with fresh Read more
-
Hotels
The prospect of traveling with children can indeed seem daunting, sometimes so much so that the very idea Read more
·Weather
Now
37.6° F Mostly Cloudy 57% HumidityCheck historic weather for your trip dates
Arriving:· Forums Trip Reports
-
I have been driving all around the world for over 50 years. Read more
-
I'm finally getting to the last leg of our trip (which I should have posted last summer!).
Anyway, we traveled to Vienna by train from Salzburg, about a 3 hour ride. We took a cab to our lodging, Spies&Spies Read more
·Austria Forum, Germany Forum
-
We will be visiting Vienna, Salzburg and Munich this July. Read more
