Danube cruise from Passau to Vienna

Your Danube cruise begins in the Three Rivers City Passau. Get to know the numerous sights of the city, located on the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz, better during a walk. Discover the Cathedral of St. Stephen, one of the largest Baroque cathedrals north of the Alps, which calls the largest cathedral organ in the world its own. Embarkation on the MS SE-Manon takes place between 16:00 and 17:00. Around 19.00 you leave Passau with the ship and reach Engelhartszell in the Upper Danube Valley.

Before you get on your bike today, you can visit the Engelszell Abbey. On the bike, you will comfortably follow the course of the Danube. At the Schlögener Schlinge, where the Danube makes a 180-degree bend, you can enjoy impressive views of the river from one of the lookout points. In Brandstatt, board your ship, which will take you to Linz in the afternoon. Disembark and explore Austria's third largest city on a stroll through the quaint downtown area.

You will reach Mauthausen by boat in the early morning. Fresh on your bike, this stage of your Danube cruise takes you through the culturally and historically significant Machland region. Take a bike break in Mitterkirchen and visit the Celtic village there. The open-air museum shows the reconstruction of a Celtic settlement. The day's destination is the charming little town of Grein. In the Pearl of the Strudengau offer a visit to Greinburg Castle, one of the oldest residential castles in Austria.

Today you cycle through the landscape of the Strudengau, whose section of the Danube was once considered dangerous among sailors due to numerous whirlpools and shoals. At Ybbs on the Danube you will imperceptibly reach the Nibelungengau. The region played an important role in the Nibelungenlied. In your destination of the day, Melk, the baroque Benedictine abbey Stift Melk. The imposing complex is considered one of the landmarks of the Wachau. In the evening, the ship departs in the direction of Tulln.

From Tulln, known as a garden city, you cycle along the Danube Cycle Path to Vienna. A few kilometers from the gates of the city, Klosterneuburg Abbey catches your eye. It was founded in the 12th century and today operates the oldest wine-growing area in Austria. Not far away is Kahlenbergerdorf. Leave your bike and take a short hike through the vineyards up to the Leopoldsberg - view of Vienna included.

Today on your Danube cruise, you'll explore Vienna's many sights at your leisure. Take a spin on the Vienna Prater Ferris wheel, visit the impressive St. Stephen's Cathedral, the grandiose Schönbrunn Palace and the Vienna Hofburg. Before returning to the ship, treat yourself to a visit to one of the real Viennese coffee houses. You will find coffee specialties and small dishes there as well as the original charm of Vienna's special tradition. In the night you will go by ship to the Wachau to Rossatz or Dürnstein.

With fond memories of charming Vienna in your luggage, you will experience a true contrast program today. You will cycle through the Wachau region again. Known for its densely wooded hills, terraced vineyards and numerous apricot trees, the region is one of the most beautiful in Austria. In the Baroque town of Dürnstein, visit the collegiate church and discover the legendary ruins of Aggstein Castle above the right bank of the Danube. In the Nibelungenstadt Pöchlarn you will board the ship. From late afternoon, the ship will take you back to Passau overnight.

After you reach Passau in the early morning around 10:00, your Danube cruise already ends. Disembarkation takes place from about 10:30 am. You will start your individual journey home.