With a Durnstein River cruise, you’ll have the chance to see one of historic Austria’s most unique small towns. Located in the Wachau Region, this town is known for its medieval roots, being the location where King Richard the Lionheart was held captive by the Austrian Duke, Leopold V. Durnstein still pays homage to its early fame by preserving what remains of this time. Locations like Burgruine Dürnstein, the ruined castle where King Richard was held, look over the riverside town today, making for a must-see experience. Durnstein is an incredibly popular stop for many Danube River cruises, located just along the water in the midst of scenic, sprawling wine country.

Durnstein Abbey

See the Best of Austria’s Wine Country

​Located only a short distance from the larger European city of Vienna, Durnstein is home to many winemakers in the Wachau Valley. From Durnstein, the town exports its delicious wines to Vienna, Salzburg and all over the world. On a Durnstein Danube River cruise, you’ll have the chance to see the Wachau Wine Region, with its rolling hills and sun-soaked vineyards. The region lines both sides of the river, so cruises are surrounded by beauty on all sides.

Durnstein's Wachua Region is best known for producing the most famous of Austrian wines, the Wachau Grüner Veltliner. This dry white wine is sold all over the world, and Austria river cruise travelers have the opportunity to try it straight from the source. The region also produces a number of Rieslings, one of the hallmarks of Austrian and German wine. Visiting Durnstein on a Danube River cruise excursion, you'll be only a short distance from many of the area's best vineyards.

Durnstein River Cruise Ships

Aboard a Durnstein cruise, you'll have the chance to see the town in the best way possible. Sailing into the valley town, surrounded by vineyards on the blue Danube, cruisers will immediately feel the tranquility of the medieval town. You'll first see Durnstein from your luxury European river cruise ship, packed with amenities to make you feel at home.

On your ship, you'll have access to features like sun decks, pools, spas, lounges, fitness centers, movie theaters, restaurants, and more. Once you've had your fill of endless entertainment, you can retire to a luxurious room with the comforts of a five-star hotel. Finding big beds with plush pillows and top-tier bedding, marbled bathrooms with everything you could need, and spacious closets, you'll soon realize just how great -- and comfortable -- these cruises can be. All of our top cruise lines visit Durnstein, including Viking River Cruises, Scenic River Cruises, and Uniworld River Cruises.

Wachau Valley from Burgruine Durnstein

Top Attractions for Durnstein River Cruises

Durnstein itself is a very small town, home to under 1,000 people. Far different from nearby Vienna, Durnstein invites you to explore the nearby outdoors, from wine country to historic sites. The town itself has its own share of great things to do. In Durnstein, you'll find quaint shops, handmade art, and, of course, lots of local wine. Here, we've listed the best things to do in Durnstein, Austria, when you cruise into town.

Burgruine Durnstein

• Burgruine Dürnstein. Overlooking the Danube River and town of Durnstein, this early medieval castle has a storied past from the tale of Duke Leopold's imprisonment of King Richard. The castle was largely destroyed in the 1600s in a siege, but its remains still stand today.
• Durnstein Abbey. Another of the town's most historic locations, the 15th century Monastery of the Augustinian Canons was built right along the river. It was later rebuilt during the 1600s in the Baroque architectural style. Immediately seen from the river, the abbey is best known for its tower, one of Durnstein's most notable features and a symbol of the Wachau Valley.
• Wachau Valley Wineries. The area's biggest industry, the Wachau Wine Region is known for making Austria's best wines. Around town, you'll find multiple wineries where you can taste the region's white wines directly from the source. Most notable are Domäne Wachau, a Forbes-featured estate whose vineyards make up some 30% of the winemaking region, and Weingut Tegernseerhof, whose winery dates back over a thousand years. 

Sailing from Durnstein, Austria

Once your journey to Durnstein is complete, you'll be conveniently located along the Danube River, Europe's second longest river. While many river cruise Vienna to Durnstein, you'll also have access to a number of other great cities. Durnstein's Danube River is also a key way to visit Nuremberg, Passau, Budapest, and Bucharest. Regardless of where your Durnstein river cruise goes next, you can be certain that it'll start from one of Austria's best, most unique, destinations.