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Krems an der Donau · Austria

Krems Historic Centre

Known locally as Altstadt Krems

Krems provides the Wachau’s most substantial urban base, with historic streets, Steiner Tor, museums and easy links along the Danube valley.

Plan a trip here Website / visitor information
Krems Historic Centre C.Stadler/Bwag / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Typical visit
2 hours
Region
Lower Austria
Last checked
8 Aug 2026

Why visit

Stay or stop here to add urban culture and practical transport connections to a Wachau itinerary focused on smaller villages and vineyards.

What you will see

  • Enter the centre through Steiner Tor.
  • Explore the pedestrian old town and museum quarter.
  • Use Krems as a rail-and-bus base for the Wachau.

History

Krems developed as an important Danube trading town and preserves a layered historic centre shaped by medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Photographs

Krems Historic Centre

C.Stadler/Bwag / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 · full attribution on the image credits page.

Visitor tips

  1. 1

    Use Steiner Tor / city-centre pedestrian zone as the practical arrival point.

  2. 2

    Enter the centre through Steiner Tor.

  3. 3

    Check the official source on the day for closures, events or changed access arrangements.

About Lower Austria

The Danube valley, abbeys, wine towns, border landscapes and historic transport routes make Lower Austria a varied extension to Vienna.

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Combine it with

More to see around Krems an der Donau

Melk Abbey Melk · Austria Melk Abbey is a monumental Baroque Benedictine monastery overlooking the Danube at the western entrance to the Wachau. Dürnstein and Wachau Dürnstein · Austria Dürnstein is a compact Wachau town of lanes, river views, a blue-towered abbey and castle ruins above terraced vineyards. Schloss Hof Engelhartstetten · Austria Schloss Hof is a large Baroque palace estate near the Slovak border, with formal terraces, farm elements and broad Marchfeld views. Thayatal National Park and Hardegg Hardegg · Austria Thayatal National Park protects a deeply incised river landscape on the Czech border, with Hardegg providing a memorable small-town gateway. Semmering Railway and 20-Schilling View Semmering · Austria The Semmering Railway is a pioneering mountain line; the 20-Schilling View gives hikers a classic perspective over viaducts and wooded alpine slopes.