Northern Europe › Austria › Lower Austria › Krems an der Donau
Krems an der Donau, Lower Austria, Austria
Krems marks the eastern gateway to the Wachau, where Danube ships tie up beside medieval Stein, vineyard slopes, apricot shops, and a compact cluster of serious art museums. It is one of the easiest Austrian river ports to explore independently.
⚓ Docked (Danube landing stages)🕒 Typical call: 5–8 hrs💶 Currency: Euro (€)🗣️ Language: German🍷 Wachau wine country
Docking
River ships dock at Krems/Stein Danube landing stages; no tendering
Walk to center
5–10 min to Stein, 20–30 min to Krems old town
Best For
Wachau wine, art museums, abbey excursions, Danube cycling
Don't Miss
Steiner Tor, Kunstmeile Krems, and the hilltop Göttweig Abbey view
📄 Take this port with you
A printable port guide — key info, things to do & tips. Includes an editable “My Day in Port” box for your ship times & booked excursions.
Krems is a river-cruise docking port: ships tie up along the Danube near Stein and passengers walk ashore by gangway.
Getting Ashore in Krems an der Donau
1
Step onto the Stein riverfrontMost river ships use the landing stages along Steiner Donaulände, directly below or beside Stein's historic old town. Rafting is common, so you may cross through another ship before reaching the quay.
2
Walk first to Stein and KunstmeileStein's cobbled lanes, Minoritenkirche, Kunsthalle Krems, Landesgalerie Niederösterreich, and Karikaturmuseum are typically 5–10 minutes from the gangway.
3
Continue to Krems old townKrems Altstadt and the Steiner Tor are about 1.5–2 km from the riverfront, usually 20–30 minutes on foot via the flat promenade and town streets.
4
Use coaches for the valleyCruise-line buses and local taxis handle Göttweig Abbey, Dürnstein, winery visits, and longer Wachau Valley touring. Independent cyclists can join the Danube Cycle Path near the pier.
💡 Pro move: The landing stages have minimal terminal facilities. If your ship is docked at an outer berth such as Krems 39, buses may load near the B3 underpass or shipping-center parking area rather than directly beside the gangway.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
Krems uses Danube river landing stages around Stein and the shipping center; passengers dock rather than tender.
Cruise Line
Typical Berth / Arrival
Dock or Tender
Most river cruise lines (Viking, AmaWaterways, Scenic, Avalon, Tauck, etc.)
Krems works equally well for an independent art-and-old-town stroll or a guided Wachau excursion into vineyards, abbeys, and riverside villages.
History
Göttweig Abbey
A vast Benedictine abbey on a hill across the Danube, famous for its imperial staircase, baroque church, museum rooms, and sweeping view over Krems and the Wachau entrance.
⏱ 2.5–4 hrs🚌 Coach or taxi🏛 Baroque monastery📷 Big valley views
A compact museum district beside the river in Stein, including Kunsthalle Krems, the twisting Landesgalerie Niederösterreich, Forum Frohner, and the Karikaturmuseum for cartoons and satire.
Taste Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Marillenschnaps, and apricot sweets in one of Austria's most distinctive wine regions. Ship tours often pair a cellar visit with a short Wachau drive.
Follow the Danube west to Dürnstein, the blue-towered village below castle ruins linked to Richard the Lionheart. It is close enough for a guided coach, bike ride, or seasonal river cruise.
Enter Krems through the 15th-century Steiner Tor, then follow Obere Landstraße past painted townhouses, courtyards, churches, cafes, and local shops in the pedestrian core.
The flat Donauradweg runs right through Krems. Confident riders can cycle about 8 km west to Dürnstein, passing vineyards, river views, and small Wachau villages along the way.
The best independent route links the river landing, Stein's old town, the art mile, and Krems Altstadt on mostly flat streets.
Stein Old Town and Kunstmeile Loop
1–2 km | 45–90 min | Easy, cobblestones
From the landing stages, walk into Stein's old town lanes, then loop past the Minoritenkirche and the major museums of Kunstmeile Krems before returning to the riverfront.
Follow the Danube-side route and town streets from Stein toward Krems Altstadt, finishing at the medieval Steiner Tor and the pedestrian shopping street of Obere Landstraße.
From Krems old town, climb to Piaristenkirche for one of the best close-in views over the roofs, river, and vineyard edges. The last streets and steps are steep but short.
Climate normals for Krems an der Donau, Lower Austria, Austria (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
Month
Avg High
Avg Low
Rainy Days
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
40°F / 4°C
29°F / -2°C
10
7:44 AM
4:30 PM
Feb
45°F / 7°C
31°F / -1°C
7
7:04 AM
5:19 PM
Mar
52°F / 11°C
35°F / 2°C
7
6:10 AM
6:02 PM
Apr
61°F / 16°C
42°F / 6°C
11
6:07 AM
7:48 PM
May
67°F / 19°C
50°F / 10°C
14
5:17 AM
8:31 PM
Jun
78°F / 26°C
59°F / 15°C
12
4:55 AM
9:00 PM
Jul
81°F / 27°C
62°F / 17°C
12
5:12 AM
8:54 PM
Aug
79°F / 26°C
61°F / 16°C
12
5:51 AM
8:11 PM
Sep
71°F / 22°C
54°F / 12°C
10
6:34 AM
7:09 PM
Oct
61°F / 16°C
46°F / 8°C
8
7:17 AM
6:08 PM
Nov
49°F / 9°C
38°F / 3°C
8
7:05 AM
4:18 PM
Dec
42°F / 6°C
32°F / 0°C
9
7:42 AM
4:02 PM
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Insider Tips
⚓
Expect rafting. Krems is a busy Danube call, and ships may dock side by side. Allow a few extra minutes to cross another vessel on the way ashore.
👟
Flat does not mean smooth. The riverfront is easy, but Stein and Krems have cobblestones; wear shoes that handle uneven paving.
💶
Carry a little cash. Cards are common in museums and restaurants, but small bakeries, wine taverns, and market stalls may prefer euros.
🍷
Book wine tastings early. Independent cellar visits are possible, but cruise days can be busy and many Wachau producers prefer reservations.
🛍️
Sunday calls are quieter. Austrian retail shops usually close on Sundays; museums, cafes, restaurants, and ship excursions are the better plan.
🚲
Dürnstein is bikeable. If your ship offers bikes and the weather is fair, the Danube Cycle Path west of Krems is one of the port's best low-effort adventures.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ✅ Uber, BoltBoth Uber and Bolt operate in Krems an der Donau. Confirmed via uber.com and bolt.eu city listings.🚍 Hop-on hop-off: ❌ No HOHO bus
🚶 Walk
Free
The cruise dock is roughly a 15–20 minute walk from the historic old town. The route is flat and straightforward along the riverfront.
🚕 Taxi
€7–€12
Taxis are available at the port. Base fare is €4.50 plus ~€1.90/km; the short ride to the Altstadt typically costs €7–€12.
📱 Uber / Bolt
€6–€11
Both Uber and Bolt are active in Krems. Upfront pricing available in-app; competitive with metered taxis for the short city-center hop.
🚌 Local Bus
€2–€3
Krems operates a local city bus (Stadtbus). A Wachau day ticket (€12 adult) covers regional buses between Melk and Krems and is useful for day-trip exploration of the valley.
🚲 Bicycle
€15–€25/day
Bike rental is popular in the Wachau. Several operators near the dock offer e-bikes and standard bikes, ideal for the flat riverside cycling paths.
Cruises Calling Here
Upcoming cruises that call at Krems an der Donau, Lower Austria, Austria. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Scenic Jade
Scenic Cruises
Amsterdam → Budapest
⚓ Calls 03 Oct 202614 nights16 portsDeparts 2026-09-23
View itinerary · 16 ports
14 days, one-way from Amsterdam to Budapest
23 Sep - 24 SepAmsterdam, Netherlands North Holland
25 SepCologne, Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
25 SepBonn, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
26 SepRhine Gorge, Germany
26 SepRudesheim am Rhein, Germany Hesse
27 SepMiltenberg, Germany Bavaria
27 SepWertheim am Main, Germany Baden-Wurttemberg
28 SepWurzburg, Germany Bavaria
29 SepBamberg, Germany Bavaria
30 SepNuremberg, Nurnberg, Germany Bavaria
01 OctRegensburg, Germany Bavaria
02 OctPassau, Germany Bavaria
03 OctDurnstein, Austria
03 OctKrems an der Donau, Austria
04 Oct - 05 OctVienna, Wien, Austria
06 Oct - 07 OctBudapest, Hungary
$7,267from / pp
Scenic Jade
Scenic Cruises
Amsterdam → Prague
⚓ Calls 03 Oct 202617 nights17 portsDeparts 2026-09-23
View itinerary · 17 ports
17 days, one-way from Amsterdam to Prague
23 Sep - 24 SepAmsterdam, Netherlands North Holland
25 SepCologne, Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
25 SepBonn, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
26 SepRhine Gorge, Germany
26 SepRudesheim am Rhein, Germany Hesse
27 SepMiltenberg, Germany Bavaria
27 SepWertheim am Main, Germany Baden-Wurttemberg
28 SepWurzburg, Germany Bavaria
29 SepBamberg, Germany Bavaria
30 SepNuremberg, Nurnberg, Germany Bavaria
01 OctRegensburg, Germany Bavaria
02 OctPassau, Germany Bavaria
03 OctDurnstein, Austria
03 OctKrems an der Donau, Austria
04 Oct - 05 OctVienna, Wien, Austria
06 Oct - 07 OctBudapest, Hungary
07 Oct - 10 OctPrague, Czechia
$7,111from / pp
Scenic Jasper
Scenic Cruises
Budapest → Amsterdam
⚓ Calls 03 Oct 202614 nights16 portsDeparts 2026-09-29
View itinerary · 16 ports
14 days, one-way from Budapest to Amsterdam
29 Sep - 30 SepBudapest, Hungary
01 Oct - 02 OctVienna, Wien, Austria
03 OctKrems an der Donau, Austria
03 OctDurnstein, Austria
04 OctPassau, Germany Bavaria
05 OctRegensburg, Germany Bavaria
06 OctNuremberg, Nurnberg, Germany Bavaria
07 OctBamberg, Germany Bavaria
08 OctWurzburg, Germany Bavaria
09 OctWertheim am Main, Germany Baden-Wurttemberg
09 OctMiltenberg, Germany Bavaria
10 OctRudesheim am Rhein, Germany Hesse
10 OctRhine Gorge, Germany
10 OctBonn, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
11 OctCologne, Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
12 Oct - 13 OctAmsterdam, Netherlands North Holland
Price on request
Scenic Opal
Scenic Cruises
Amsterdam → Istanbul
⚓ Calls 09 Oct 202628 nights27 portsDeparts 2026-09-29
View itinerary · 27 ports
28 days, one-way from Amsterdam to Istanbul
29 Sep - 30 SepAmsterdam, Netherlands North Holland
01 OctCologne, Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
01 OctBonn, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
02 OctRhine Gorge, Germany
02 OctRudesheim am Rhein, Germany Hesse
03 OctMiltenberg, Germany Bavaria
03 OctWertheim am Main, Germany Baden-Wurttemberg
04 OctWurzburg, Germany Bavaria
05 OctBamberg, Germany Bavaria
06 OctNuremberg, Nurnberg, Germany Bavaria
07 OctRegensburg, Germany Bavaria
08 OctPassau, Germany Bavaria
09 OctDurnstein, Austria
09 OctKrems an der Donau, Austria
10 Oct - 11 OctVienna, Wien, Austria
12 Oct - 13 OctBudapest, Hungary
14 OctMohacs, Villany-Pecs, Hungary
15 OctVukovar, Croatia
16 OctBelgrade, Serbia
18 OctSvishtov, Bulgaria
18 OctRuse, Rousse-Russe, Bulgaria
19 OctSilistra, Bulgaria
20 OctGiurgiu, Romania
20 OctBucharest, Romania
21 Oct - 23 OctIstanbul, Turkey, Galataport
23 Oct - 25 OctCanakkale, Troy, Turkey
25 Oct - 27 OctIstanbul, Turkey, Galataport
Price on request
Scenic Opal
Scenic Cruises
Amsterdam → Budapest
⚓ Calls 09 Oct 202614 nights16 portsDeparts 2026-09-29
View itinerary · 16 ports
14 days, one-way from Amsterdam to Budapest
29 Sep - 30 SepAmsterdam, Netherlands North Holland
01 OctCologne, Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
01 OctBonn, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
02 OctRhine Gorge, Germany
02 OctRudesheim am Rhein, Germany Hesse
03 OctMiltenberg, Germany Bavaria
03 OctWertheim am Main, Germany Baden-Wurttemberg
04 OctWurzburg, Germany Bavaria
05 OctBamberg, Germany Bavaria
06 OctNuremberg, Nurnberg, Germany Bavaria
07 OctRegensburg, Germany Bavaria
08 OctPassau, Germany Bavaria
09 OctDurnstein, Austria
09 OctKrems an der Donau, Austria
10 Oct - 11 OctVienna, Wien, Austria
12 Oct - 13 OctBudapest, Hungary
Price on request
Scenic Opal
Scenic Cruises
Amsterdam → Bucharest
⚓ Calls 09 Oct 202622 nights24 portsDeparts 2026-09-29
View itinerary · 24 ports
22 days, one-way from Amsterdam to Bucharest
29 Sep - 30 SepAmsterdam, Netherlands North Holland
01 OctCologne, Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
01 OctBonn, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
02 OctRhine Gorge, Germany
02 OctRudesheim am Rhein, Germany Hesse
03 OctMiltenberg, Germany Bavaria
03 OctWertheim am Main, Germany Baden-Wurttemberg
04 OctWurzburg, Germany Bavaria
05 OctBamberg, Germany Bavaria
06 OctNuremberg, Nurnberg, Germany Bavaria
07 OctRegensburg, Germany Bavaria
08 OctPassau, Germany Bavaria
09 OctDurnstein, Austria
09 OctKrems an der Donau, Austria
10 Oct - 11 OctVienna, Wien, Austria
12 Oct - 13 OctBudapest, Hungary
14 OctMohacs, Villany-Pecs, Hungary
15 OctVukovar, Croatia
16 OctBelgrade, Serbia
18 OctSvishtov, Bulgaria
18 OctRuse, Rousse-Russe, Bulgaria
19 OctSilistra, Bulgaria
20 OctGiurgiu, Romania
20 Oct - 21 OctBucharest, Romania
Price on request
Scenic Opal
Scenic Cruises
Amsterdam → Bucharest
⚓ Calls 09 Oct 202626 nights24 portsDeparts 2026-09-29
View itinerary · 24 ports
26 days, one-way from Amsterdam to Bucharest
29 Sep - 30 SepAmsterdam, Netherlands North Holland
01 OctCologne, Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
01 OctBonn, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
02 OctRhine Gorge, Germany
02 OctRudesheim am Rhein, Germany Hesse
03 OctMiltenberg, Germany Bavaria
03 OctWertheim am Main, Germany Baden-Wurttemberg
04 OctWurzburg, Germany Bavaria
05 OctBamberg, Germany Bavaria
06 OctNuremberg, Nurnberg, Germany Bavaria
07 OctRegensburg, Germany Bavaria
08 OctPassau, Germany Bavaria
09 OctDurnstein, Austria
09 OctKrems an der Donau, Austria
10 Oct - 11 OctVienna, Wien, Austria
12 Oct - 13 OctBudapest, Hungary
14 OctMohacs, Villany-Pecs, Hungary
15 OctVukovar, Croatia
16 OctBelgrade, Serbia
18 OctSvishtov, Bulgaria
18 OctRuse, Rousse-Russe, Bulgaria
19 OctSilistra, Bulgaria
20 OctGiurgiu, Romania
20 Oct - 25 OctBucharest, Romania
Price on request
Scenic Jade
Scenic Cruises
Budapest → Amsterdam
⚓ Calls 11 Oct 202614 nights16 portsDeparts 2026-10-07
View itinerary · 16 ports
14 days, one-way from Budapest to Amsterdam
07 Oct - 08 OctBudapest, Hungary
09 Oct - 10 OctVienna, Wien, Austria
11 OctKrems an der Donau, Austria
11 OctDurnstein, Austria
12 OctPassau, Germany Bavaria
13 OctRegensburg, Germany Bavaria
14 OctNuremberg, Nurnberg, Germany Bavaria
15 OctBamberg, Germany Bavaria
16 OctWurzburg, Germany Bavaria
17 OctWertheim am Main, Germany Baden-Wurttemberg
17 OctMiltenberg, Germany Bavaria
18 OctRudesheim am Rhein, Germany Hesse
18 OctRhine Gorge, Germany
18 OctBonn, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
19 OctCologne, Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia
20 Oct - 21 OctAmsterdam, Netherlands North Holland
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.