An Experiential Cycling Itinerary Along the Danube – From Passau to Vienna
The Danube River is 2,869 km long and crosses 10 countries. Historically, the Romans established their empire along the river. Additionally, on their way to conquer the Holy Land, the Crusaders traveled along this river. As a result, along the banks of the Danube, you can see medieval castles and fortresses where nobles and kings lived, as well as isolated monasteries, some of which are still active today. Moreover, in various areas along the river, there are steep hills with numerous vineyards used for producing fine local wine, providing a spectacular scenic experience for cyclists along the route.
The Danube Cycle Path is probably the most famous bicycle path in Europe. The path is paved and provides informative signs and directions along its entire length. This makes the route convenient even for families.
We have prepared an 8-day trip plan for you along the Danube River. You can do this trip independently, but of course, you can also get help from experts and join an organized tour. Details and recommendations on this will follow.
Please note: The full itinerary is 8 days, but it is also possible to do a shorter trip of 5-6 days, passing through the main points along the route.
Route Map
Day 1: Arrival in Munich and transfer to Passau, the “City of Three Rivers.”
This is a day for getting organized and having an initial acquaintance with the local culture. After landing in Munich, you will travel to the city of Passau. In the city, you will stay at a local hotel where your bicycles and the necessary equipment for the route will be waiting.
The city of Passau is located in Lower Bavaria, Germany. The town is nicknamed the “City of Three Rivers” because this is the area where the Danube River meets the Ilz River from the north and the Inn River from the south. The city’s population is about 50,000 inhabitants, of which about 12,000 are students studying at the local universities (a student city). The city is built in a nostalgic medieval style with Gothic buildings and Baroque architecture. On the first day, you will have time to tour the city and its ancient buildings. We recommend crossing the various bridges that separate the city’s neighborhoods and enjoying its spectacular architecture. The main attractions in Passau are the Veste Oberhaus fortress, built in 1219, which served as the stronghold of the Bishop of Passau, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral (1688), located in the center of Passau’s old town. During your visit, you can see the landscape of 8 districts, some of which are separated by rivers and connecting bridges. The route from Passau to the cycle path towards Vienna is called the Designated Heritage Route, or the Way of Emperors and Kings.
Day 2: Ride from Passau to the Schlögen “Danube Bend,” approx. 40 kilometers.
The route begins with a pleasant ride in the direction of the Danube’s flow, through the Passau district of Obernzell, into the picturesque Danube Valley, and to the charming little town of Engelhartszell. From there, you continue along the northern bank to the Schlögen Bend, a spectacular curve where the mighty river bends at a 180-degree angle, creating a perfect loop. One of the highlights of this day is watching the famous Danube Bend from the deck of the ferry that takes cyclists to the other side of the river. The ferry transports passengers with their bicycles to the hotel area where they will spend the night.
Day 3: Ride from Schlögen to the city of Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, approx. 50 kilometers.
The route continues along the riverbanks through green towns like Aschach, Ottensheim, and Wilhering until you reach the city of Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. For culinary enthusiasts, we highly recommend dedicating time on this day to visit Linz’s old town, known for its developing and surprising culinary scene with a variety of restaurants. If you want to see the urban landscape, an excellent viewpoint in the city is Pöstlingberg hill, which provides a panoramic view of the entire city. In addition, the Jindrak café has a terrace with a lovely view. For a more natural and relaxing atmosphere, a visit to the Donaupark (Danube Park) is recommended.
Did you know? Linz is the 3rd largest city in Austria with a population of 205,726 and is considered the capital of Upper Austria. The city is recognized as a UNESCO City of Media Arts and is known for its innovative media arts (such as digital art, graphic design, computer animation, internet art, interactive art, etc.). A highly recommended local dessert is the Linzer Torte, a cake with an ancient recipe (from 1653) famous in the region.
Day 4: Ride from Linz to the ancient town of Grein, approx. 60 kilometers.
On this day, you will move a little away from the river to the St. Florian Monastery (named after the patron saint of Linz), and from there, you will ride to the city of Enns on the banks of the river of the same name. Enns was the first to receive city status in Austria, about a thousand years ago. A symbol of this special status is a very impressive tower, rising to a height of 60 meters in the center of the market square.
Recommended attractions in this area: Inside the town, you can visit the Lauriacum Museum, where you can see a unique archaeological collection from the region. From Enns, you will continue along the river, through the plains of Machland towards the beautiful baroque city of Grein. In the old town of Grein, you can visit the oldest theater in Austria, the famous Sailors’ Museum, and the impressive Greinburg Castle.
- St. Florian Monastery – Belongs to the Augustinian order and serves as a cultural and religious center for Baroque Austria. One of the monastery’s greatest assets is its library, which contains 150,000 books.
- The town of Enns – One of Austria’s first towns, founded in 1212. The most prominent symbol of the town is the city tower located in the center.
- Lauriacum Museum – A museum dedicated to the history and conquests of the legionaries. The museum was renovated in 2018 and contains various exhibitions and attractions for visitors and families.
- Greinburg Castle – An ancient castle built between 1488-1493 that serves as the main attraction in the small town of Grein, located alongside the Danube River.
Day 5: Ride from Grein to Melk, the pearl of the Wachau Valley – 55 kilometers.
The cycling route on this day is quite pleasant and easy, featuring picturesque and serene scenery. This landscape contrasts with the history of the place, which was feared by Danube sailors due to its physical structure, making it very difficult for boats to pass. During the ride, we recommend stopping for a visit to the Maria Taferl pilgrimage church, whose beauty attracts thousands of pilgrims every year and from which you can see a spectacular panoramic view of the entire area. The day’s ride ends in the town of Melk, known mainly for its ancient buildings and the Melk Abbey in the town center.
- The town of Melk – Melk is an ancient town (founded in 831) located in the Wachau Valley. The town is known for a wide variety of architecture that reflects different periods since its establishment. The most famous building in the town is the Benedictine Abbey located in the center. Melk Abbey was founded in 1089 AD and renovated in 1732. The site contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau and also ancient remains of members of the House of Babenberg, the first noble family of Austria. When visiting Melk Abbey, we recommend going to the top of the monastery’s hill, where there is a good viewpoint overlooking the town and the Wachau Valley. In addition, the pedestrian street in the town center has a charming and picturesque appearance.
Melk marks the beginning of the Wachau Valley, the wine valley with impressive landscapes of vineyards and castles.
Day 6: From Melk to Krems, among castles and the valley’s vineyards – approx. 50 kilometers.
This day is the highlight of the bike tour – riding through the Wachau Valley in Lower Austria.
The Wachau Valley is a famous region recognized as a World Heritage Site. The valley contains ancient and unique architectural structures such as castles and monasteries, alongside vineyards and stunning natural landscapes. Along the route, you will ride through green landscapes, vineyards, orchards, and hills, alongside authentic Austrian villages such as Spitz, Weissenkirchen, and Dürnstein. Along the way, we recommend stopping at a local winery for a tasting of the local wine produce. The ride will end in the ancient town of Krems.
Did you know? The towns of Spitz and Weissenkirchen are market towns located along the Danube River. When visiting these towns, you can experience the village atmosphere and buy local products. These towns are also known for their ferry station, from which boats sail along the Danube.
- The town of Dürnstein – Dürnstein was founded in 1002. The town is considered a World Heritage Site and symbolizes the beginning of the Kuenring noble family’s ownership of Austrian land. At the top of the town, you can see the ruins of Dürnstein Castle, which protected the town and the noble family for generations. Dürnstein Castle is known as the castle where the English King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the Third Crusade. Due to a conflict with the Austrian Duke Leopold V and the burning of the Austrian flag, the King of England was imprisoned in the castle from 1192-1193. In 1645, many parts of the castle were destroyed by Swedish invaders, but to this day, you can see the ruins of the castle alongside the view of the Danube River and the nearby town of Dürnstein. In addition, one of the castle’s assets is an excellent viewpoint over the Wachau Valley, the Danube River, and the town of Dürnstein, which lies at the foot of the castle ruins.
- The city of Krems – Krems is the fifth largest city in Austria and is located 69 kilometers west of Vienna, alongside the Danube River (about an hour and a half drive). The town was founded in 995 AD and has a character that has been preserved since the Middle Ages. As you wander through the old town of Krems or its surrounding walls, you will be exposed to medieval architecture and ancient buildings that have been preserved to this day, such as the Steiner Tor (Steiner Gate). Krems is also known for producing a local apricot brandy called Marillenschnaps and for its excellent wine production.
Day 7: From Krems to Tulln – the “City of Flowers,” and from there by train to Vienna – approx. 45 kilometers.
From Krems, you will continue the ride along the river to the town of Tulln, known as the “City of Flowers” due to its abundance of parks and green areas. In addition to the parks and gardens in the town, we recommend visiting the museum of the famous Austrian painter Egon Schiele. In Tulln, the bike ride will end, and you will catch the train to the Austrian capital, Vienna.
Did you know? The artist Egon Schiele is one of Austria’s most famous painters. Egon Schiele was born in Tulln in 1890 and died at a young age in 1918. He was particularly known for his Expressionist art. Schiele created many extreme paintings of figures and especially raw self-portraits. His paintings are very sharp and contain distortions of the human body and the figures depicted.
Day 8: A day of leisure in the city of Vienna.
The city of Vienna offers a wide range of attractions and activities for tourists, families, and lovers of culinary arts, shopping, music, and classical culture. We have prepared for you a collection of recommended sites to visit throughout the city of Vienna. Please note: for more information, we recommend visiting the “Austria for Travelers” website to read extensive information about the recommended attractions in Vienna.
Main sites in Vienna: A visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a visit to Vienna’s unique palaces Schönbrunn, Hofburg, and Belvedere, a taste of local Austrian schnitzel and the famous apple strudel, for shopping enthusiasts a shopping spree on Mariahilferstrasse, the Spanish Riding School located in the city center next to the Hofburg Palace, a visit to Kahlenberg mountain and the 19th district of the city.
