Grein, Upper Austria, Austria
One of the Danube's most captivating small towns, Grein packs a Renaissance castle, Europe's oldest functioning civic theater, and a legendary ice-cream cafe into a single cobbled hillside you can conquer in a morning.
One of the Danube's most captivating small towns, Grein packs a Renaissance castle, Europe's oldest functioning civic theater, and a legendary ice-cream cafe into a single cobbled hillside you can conquer in a morning.
Ships dock right at the town's riverside pier — you step off and you're already in Grein.
💡 Pro move: Grein is compact — the main square, theater, and castle are all within 20 minutes' walk of the pier. No transport needed unless you're joining a longer excursion.
Cruise ships dock directly at Grein's riverside pier, placing passengers right at the edge of the historic center.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most river cruise lines (Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Tauck, Scenic, etc.) | Shipping Pier Grein, Danube left bank (river km 2079)📍 | Docked |
| Expedition / smaller vessels | Same pier — max vessel width 32 m📍 | Docked |
Grein rewards walkers who stay in town, but longer excursions can extend to the Wachau Valley or Linz.
Austria's oldest inhabited castle (built 1488-95) crowns the hill above town. Guided tours take in the arcaded Renaissance courtyard, diamond-vaulted halls, and the Upper Austrian Shipping Museum documenting Danube navigation history. The castle was owned by the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha from 1823.
Find Greinburg Castle tours →Built in 1791 inside the town hall's former granary, this 130-seat baroque theater is preserved almost entirely in its original state. Lockable box seats for wealthy patrons and a curtained-off toilet are among its quirky original features. Guided tours run independently of performances.
Find Grein theater tours →Grein sits on one of Europe's finest cycling routes, the EuroVelo 6. Rent a bike in town and ride the flat riverside path upstream or downstream through Danube valley scenery. Even a short 30-minute ride reveals lovely farmland and wooded banks.
Find Danube bike tour rentals →A marked, family-friendly trail leads from Grein into the Stillensteinklamm, a granite gorge carved by the Gießenbach stream between Grein and St. Nikola an der Donau. Expect mossy boulders, footbridges, small waterfalls, and the Werfensteinblick viewpoint over the Danube valley and Wörth Island. A satisfying half-day outing for active cruisers.
Find Grein hiking tours →Austria's third-largest city lies about 45 minutes by coach from Grein. The baroque Hauptplatz, Lentos modern art museum, and hilltop Linz Castle make for a rewarding extension if your ship offers it.
Find Linz shore excursions →Grein's entire historic core fits in a leisurely 30-minute loop — castle climb included.
From the pier, walk the Danube promenade to Stadtplatz and visit the historic theater in the town hall. Continue uphill through cobbled lanes past St. Aegidius Church to Greinburg Castle for views over the Danube. Return via the same path.
A flat walk along the Danube embankment from the pier, passing Schörgi Café with its award-winning ice cream, and continuing to the downstream end of town with views of the river and forested opposite bank.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Grein, Upper 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 | 39°F / 4°C | 29°F / -2°C | 12 | 7:46 AM | 4:33 PM |
| Feb | 45°F / 7°C | 31°F / -1°C | 10 | 7:07 AM | 5:22 PM |
| Mar | 51°F / 11°C | 35°F / 2°C | 10 | 6:13 AM | 6:05 PM |
| Apr | 59°F / 15°C | 42°F / 6°C | 12 | 6:10 AM | 7:51 PM |
| May | 65°F / 18°C | 50°F / 10°C | 16 | 5:21 AM | 8:33 PM |
| Jun | 76°F / 24°C | 59°F / 15°C | 13 | 4:59 AM | 9:02 PM |
| Jul | 78°F / 26°C | 61°F / 16°C | 13 | 5:16 AM | 8:56 PM |
| Aug | 77°F / 25°C | 61°F / 16°C | 12 | 5:55 AM | 8:13 PM |
| Sep | 69°F / 21°C | 54°F / 12°C | 10 | 6:37 AM | 7:12 PM |
| Oct | 60°F / 16°C | 47°F / 8°C | 11 | 7:20 AM | 6:11 PM |
| Nov | 48°F / 9°C | 38°F / 3°C | 10 | 7:08 AM | 4:21 PM |
| Dec | 41°F / 5°C | 32°F / 0°C | 12 | 7:45 AM | 4:06 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Ships dock directly at the edge of the historic town. The main square, Stadtplatz, and most sights are within a 5-minute walk of the pier.
Greinburg Castle sits on a hill above town — a short but steep walk from the dock. One of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Austria.
Schönhofer Transport offers local taxi and minibus hire from Grein. Useful for excursions to Ybbs, Pöchlarn, or surrounding villages not served by the ship.
Grein-Bad Kreuzen station connects to Linz (approx. 1 hr) and other Danube towns. A scenic option for passengers wanting to explore independently.
Upcoming cruises that call at Grein, Upper Austria, Austria. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
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.