Danube cruise from Passau to Vienna

Your Danube cruise begins in the Three Rivers City of Passau. Take a stroll and get to know the numerous sights of the city situated on the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Discover St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of the largest baroque cathedrals north of the Alps and home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. Embarkation on the MS SE-Manon takes place between 16:00 and 17:00. The ship leaves Passau at around 7.00 pm and arrives in Engelhartszell in the Upper Danube Valley.

Before you get on your bike today, you can visit Engelszell Abbey. Cycle along the course of the Danube at a leisurely pace. At the Schlögener Schlinge, where the Danube makes a 180-degree bend, you can enjoy impressive views of the river from one of the viewpoints. In Brandstatt you will 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 pretty city center. 

You 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 break from cycling 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, you can visit Greinburg Castle, one of the oldest residential castles in Austria.

Today you cycle through the landscape of the Strudengau, a section of the Danube that was once considered dangerous by sailors due to its numerous whirlpools and shallows. At Ybbs an der Donau, you will imperceptibly reach the Nibelungengau. The region played an important role in the Song of the Nibelungs. The baroque Benedictine abbey Melk Abbey awaits you at your destination for the day, Melk. The imposing complex is one of the landmarks of the Wachau. In the evening, the ship departs for Tulln.

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

On today's day of your Danube cruise, you can explore Vienna's many sights at your leisure. Take a ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel on the Vienna Prater, visit the impressive St. Stephen's Cathedral, the magnificent 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 as well as the original charm of Vienna's special tradition. At night, the ship will take you to Rossatz or Dürnstein in the Wachau region.

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

After you reach Passau in the early morning at around 10.00 am, your Danube cruise ends. Disembarkation takes place from around 10.30 am. You start your individual journey home.