Austria
Depending on the itinerary you choose, a Danube river cruise can be your gateway to some of Austria’s most iconic cities and historic places of interest. This beautiful river passes through the northeast of the country after beginning its journey in Germany and indeed, it is fitting that Strauss (who composed his Blue Danube in honour of the river), was born in Austria.
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Ports along the Danube
Vienna
Austria’s enriching capital has so much to offer, there is simply too much to take in during just one visit. The city’s historic centre is a great place to start, and acts as the perfect showcase for some of its finest architecture. The Ringstrasse is where you will find much of this, including the neo-romantic Vienna State Opera, Austrian Parliament Building and the Flemish-gothic Town Hall. Another key landmark in the city is St Stephen’s Cathedral, with its distinctive multi-coloured roof. Often, your river cruise operator will offer an excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, which lies a little way out of the city itself. The palace’s immaculately-kept gardens are free to enjoy but there are a number of tours available exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site palace itself, on which you’ll learn all about the lives and history of the Habsburgs and see some of the beautiful artefacts they left behind.
Linz
Linz is Austria’s busy and vibrant third-largest city and the capital of its Upper Austria State. You will dock right in its centre, perfectly placed to explore the key attractions. One of which is the spectacular New Cathedral, which is a real gothic masterpiece and a joy to explore. Another is the Alter Dom, which is the city’s largest baroque church and boasts some beautiful stonework. The Schlossmuseum is another popular tourist attraction offering a wealth of fascinating exhibits from numerous historical periods, as well as some excellent views of the city below it.
Melk
One of the smaller Austrian stops on your river cruise is Melk , which is most famous for its spectacular abbey. Situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the town, it is quite simply one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in Europe and still an active place of Benedictine worship and study. While there you can explore the museum, the expansive library and the park, where guided tours are available. The town itself is relatively small, so you will still have time to take in most of its key sights during your visit, including the historic town hall, which dates back to 1575.
Durnstein
This small picturesque town is situated in the heart o f Austria’s Wachau wine-growing region, making it the perfect port of call for those who enjoy an authentic taste of the destinations that they visit. Indeed, Rieslings are the prized vintages here, and there is every opportunity to visit a local winery to sample them for yourself. The not-to-be-missed attraction, however, is Kuenringer Castle, where none other than Richard the Lionheart was once held after being taken prisoner when returning from a crusade.
Salzburg
Not a port in itself, Salzburg is nevertheless a coach journey away from the port of Linz and often a popular excursion for a number of river cruise lines. It is most famous for being the filming location for The Sound of Music but its musical legacy dates back much further, as it is here that the legendary composer Mozart was born. The house of his birth is one of the city’s most popular attractions but there is certainly plenty to see in beautiful old town, too, with striking architecture awaiting around every corner.
Austria river cruise travel tips
- The currency in Austria is the Euro
- The national language spoken here is is German, though many of the people you encounter will speak English
- Temperatures in Austria are similar to England, though as a largely Alpine country, Austria can get particularly cold during winter
