Dürnstein – General Information
In the heart of the Wachau Valley, a 10-minute drive from Krems, on the banks of the Danube River, lies the small and ancient town that became famous for its vineyards and for the English King Richard the Lionheart.
The town sits on a hill whose summit once held the fortified Kuenringerburg castle (today, only ruins remain). According to legend, Duke Leopold V of the House of Babenberg imprisoned the English King Richard the Lionheart there for a whole year in the 12th century. The English king was taken captive after he publicly disrespected the Austrian flag and was released only after he paid a ransom of 35,000 kilograms of silver. This enormous sum of money was used to build an entire city that exists to this day, called Wiener Neustadt (New Vienna).
To get to the area of the ruined castle, you will need to enter the village and walk along the marked path up the hill. The walk is not easy, but it is not particularly long. From the top of the hill, there is a stunning view of the entire valley, so it is definitely worth the effort.
Besides the castle ruins, the town has ancient buildings and churches from the Middle Ages (like the blue church in the picture), and a beautiful viewpoint over the entire area. If you feel like swimming in nature, you can enjoy the outdoor pool in the village. The place is called Kuenringer Freibad.
Getting Around in Dürnstein Village
It is very simple to get around the small village because it essentially has only one main street that crosses it. Along this street, you will find a variety of shops with souvenirs, wines, liqueurs, and more. Also, the village’s restaurants are located along this street and in some of the side streets that branch off from it. You can go down from the heart of the village to the banks of the Danube, where there is a beautiful photo opportunity of the area and its famous blue church.
If you arrive by car, you can park on either side of the village. On the side closer to Krems, you’ll find a larger parking lot, while the other side of the village offers only limited parking. Please note that there is a nominal fee for parking.
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit
Official Website
Address: Dürnstein, Wachau Valley
Map:
If you start your trip in Krems, your visit to Dürnstein will be your second stop in the Wachau Valley. If you want to continue touring the valley, you can see several other interesting places.
You can also join a daily tour from Vienna to the Wachau Valley to hear interesting stories and also taste some of the valley’s wine. More information about the tour to the Wachau Valley.
