Krems an der Donau | Gateway to the Wachau Valley

Krems an der Donau effortlessly blends a 1,000-year-old history with a thriving wine culture. Wander past medieval gates into the cobblestone Old Town, where vineyards climb right up the surrounding hillsides. From cycling along the Danube to sipping Grüner Veltliner at a local tavern, this riverside town is the perfect Austrian escape.

The town of Krems (Krems an der Donau) is located at the eastern end of the Wachau Valley, where the Danube and Krems rivers meet. The town has about 25,000 inhabitants and ranks as one of the largest in the state of Lower Austria. Settlement in this place began in ancient times, but the mention of Krems in writings appears only in the year 995 AD. In the 12th century, the town was nearly the same size as the city of Vienna at that time and was a popular trading place for wines.

The center of the town is very old and has a beautiful pedestrian street. It is worth strolling through the old streets and admiring the historic churches and ancient buildings. You can also see the Steiner Tor, the town gate that has survived since the 15th century. If you like museums, you can visit the Caricature Museum (Karikaturmuseum) or the Krems City Museum (Museum Krems).

A Trail Among Apricot Orchards

About 5 kilometers from the center of Krems, there is a wonderful area with many apricot trees, which are very popular in the Wachau Valley. Among the apricot trees, there is a nice, free walking trail suitable for families, couples, and individuals. The trail is not difficult and is about 4.5 kilometers long. In March and April, the apricot trees bloom beautifully, while in July and August you can see the ripe fruit before harvest. Entrance to the trail is free.

The trail belongs to a local farm, where visitors can also buy apricot products such as schnapps and jams.

Starting point: Weinhof Aufreiter, Dorfstrasse 34, 3506 Krems-Angern

The Farm’s Website

Additional Essential Information for Your Visit

Official Website

Address: Krems an der Donau, Wachau

Map:

If you are coming for a trip to the Wachau Valley, you will likely start your trip in the Krems area. If you want to continue touring the valley, you can see several other interesting places.

You can also join a daily tour from Vienna with to the Wachau Valley to hear interesting stories and also taste some of the valley’s wine. More information about the guided tour to the Wachau Valley.