Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Vienna

After an individual arrival, walk through the beautiful baroque town of Schärding and admire the famous "Silberzeile" or stroll through the "new centre" of the three-river city of Passau, which has been completely redesigned as a car-free pedestrian area. Evening briefing and issuance of your rental bike.

Along the River Inn, it goes to the three-river city of Passau. Here we recommend a short city tour and a cathedral tour with a concert on the largest church organ in the world (except on Sundays and public holidays). Along the Danube, it continues via Obernzell towards Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria). Via the Donauleiten nature reserve, you reach the “Schlögener Schlinge” on the north side. Here you can see for yourself that the granite was an insurmountable opponent for the water and the Danube was forced into a 180-degree change of course. While you take a ferry to the other shore towards your hotel, you will have plenty of time to view this natural phenomenon.

Today you will cycle through the greenery of the Eferding basin via the Danube market Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering towards the capital of the Upper Austria region, Linz. True to the motto: "Everything starts in Linz", the numerous restaurants in the historic old town offer a delightful stopover. Other highlights of the European Capital of Culture 2009 are the beautiful view from the Pöstlingberg or a lovely walk along the Danube.

Today, for a change, we first go a bit away from the Danube towards St. Florian (Augustine Canon Monastery) and Enns. In Enns, you can visit the town square with the 60-metre-high town tower, the symbol of the oldest town in Austria, or visit the archaeological collection in the town museum Lauriacum. Then drive again along the Danube and reach the beautiful baroque town of Grein. Here you have the opportunity to get an impression of Austria's oldest, still in use, city theatre. You can also visit the Maritime Museum or the Greinburg.

The stretch of the Danube, the Strudengau, once feared by sailors, now awaits the cyclists. Where there used to be fought against the current of the Danube, today you can comfortably cycle. In Maria Taferl towers high above the valley a beautiful pilgrimage church, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

In Melk today you should take a break and look up, otherwise, you will miss the beauty of the monastery of Melk, which towers over the Danube. After leaving the city behind, the route continues into the Wachau countryside, where you will find the enchanting atmosphere of typical orchards and vineyards. Passing through the wine towns of Spitz, Weißenkirchen and past the castle ruins of Dürnstein, today's stage ends in Krems, the 1000-year-old town, or in Tulln. Of course, a visit to a wine tasting should not be missed during your stay in the Wachau, so we have organized this for you today.

With the last kilometres of this bike tour, you will reach the Danube capital Vienna. Enjoy the many beautiful things this city has to offer and treat yourself to a piece of the famous Sachertorte in one of the typical coffee houses in Vienna. Stroll along Vienna's shopping street, Mariahilfer Straße, visit St. Stephen's Cathedral or visit the main attractions with a ride in one of the famous carriages.

This special cycling holiday ends after breakfast, or book an extension in this beautiful city where there is still a lot to discover.