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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.
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.
