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.
Krems is a river-cruise docking port: ships tie up along the Danube near Stein and passengers walk ashore by gangway.
💡 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.
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/Stein landing stages, Steiner Donaulände📍 | Docked |
| Overflow and scheduled river vessels | Donaustation Krems 39 / shipping center area📍 | Docked |
Krems works equally well for an independent art-and-old-town stroll or a guided Wachau excursion into vineyards, abbeys, and riverside villages.
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.
Find Göttweig Abbey tours →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.
Find Krems art tours →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.
Find Wachau wine tours →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.
Find Dürnstein excursions →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.
Find Krems walking tours →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.
Find Wachau cycling tours →The best independent route links the river landing, Stein's old town, the art mile, and Krems Altstadt on mostly flat streets.
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.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →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)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The cruise dock is roughly a 15–20 minute walk from the historic old town. The route is flat and straightforward along the riverfront.
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.
Both Uber and Bolt are active in Krems. Upfront pricing available in-app; competitive with metered taxis for the short city-center hop.
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.
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.
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.