Things to see and do on your trip to Krems?

The full name of this city is Krems an der Donau and it has got a rich heritage that dates back to the Middle Ages. In fact, one of the distinctive features of the city are its streets full of cobblestone paths and beautiful buildings reminiscent of that era. Read on and we’ll tell you all about things to do in Krems, a hidden gem in Lower Austria.

Things to do in Krems

1. Steiner Tor: a door with a lot of history

Krems was named a World Heritage Site in 2000 and the list of monuments to see there is extensive. So, we’ll start our heritage tour with one of the most emblematic sites of the city.

One of the symbols of the city is the Steiner Tor gate. It dates back to the 15th century and forms part of the old medieval wall that protected the city from external attacks.

Unfortunately, today only two towers of this wall remain. Despite this, it is a place you have to visit in Krems. It is also a perfect point where to start getting to know the city.

Then, we recommend that you continue exploring the remains of the city’s medieval heritage.

Further northwest you will find the Pulverturm tower, which, like Steiner Tor, is surrounded by two towers with a beautiful Baroque-influenced finish.

2. Körnermarkt

Obviously, every self-respecting medieval town must have a square, where the locals spend most of their leisure time.

In Körnermarkt, you will be able to find some of the most interesting museums in the city. But there is one in particular that we would like to mention and that is the museum dedicated to wine.

As you can guess, Krems is located in the area rich in vineyards known as the Wachau Valley. And that is why wine is an important part of the gastronomic culture of the place.

In this square you will also find a unique monument known as Mariensäule, dedicated to Virgin Mary. Do not miss this emblematic place of the city.

3. Obere Landstrasse and the old streets of Krems

In Obere Street, you will find all the hustle and bustle of the city. There people stop for a bite, for example the famous Topfengolatschen, a delicious apple pie that you will find in various stores along the street.

In addition to tasting the local cuisine, you can also witness colorful facades and monumental buildings. Old churches, which give a stately bearing to this area of the city, can also be found there.

Getting lost in these streets, which formerly were part of the center of the city, will take you back to the Middle Ages. So, it is definitely something you have to do if you visit Krems.

4. Pfarrkirche St. Veit

As you can see in the picture, the interior of this church is simply stunning and is a must on your list of things to do in Krems, Austria.

This architectural piece, heritage of the city, is a beauty both inside and out. It has a Baroque style and Its magnificent structure and tower make it unmistakable from the rest of the buildings in the city. You can see this church from far away while visiting the rest of the city.

Inside, there are a series of paintings by the renowned artist Kremser Schmidt, which date all the way back to 1787 and make the visit much more meaningful.

5. Navigating the Danube River

Austria is a country that, due to its location, does not have access to the sea, but it does have access to a huge and immensely important river, the Danube.

This river runs next to the small town of Krems, nourishing on its way the entire Wachau Valley and the vineyards that are so well known in the area.

A fantastic idea to discover Krems and its surroundings in a different way, is to take one of the boats that make tours along the river. It is a different and unique way to travel that we recommend if you want to see Krems from another perspective.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What can I see in Krems and its surroundings

Discovering the Wachau Valley

The small medieval town of Krems is located in the Wachau Valley. Wachau is a beautiful region and worth to get to know to in if you have time. There are good reasons behind that this area is recognized as a World Heritage Site.

From Krems there are organized excursions, which involve hiking routes through beautiful landscapes, charming villages, vineyards and green fields with spectacular mountains adorning the horizon.

There are tours of different duration, but we recommend that you dedicate a whole day to this activity or even venture to stay in one of the charming villages in the area: you will not regret it.

Things to do in Krems in 1 day

Don’t worry if if you have little time, because in just 1 day, you’ll be able to enjoy the great experience of visiting Krems. Of course, if you have more time, we recommend that you add a tour of the Wachau Valley to your itinerary.

In any case, here is a list of the must-see places to visit in Krems:

• Steiner Tor
• Obere Landstrasse
• Pfarrkirche St. Veit
• Körnermarkt

Where to eat in Krems, Austria

One of the most important things when you visit a country is to try its cuisine. We believe that through its food, you can discover things about a culture that otherwise you would not know.

That is why we have listed some of the places that Krems has to offer when it comes to gastronomy:

• Wellen Spiel:If you are passionate about the idea of eating with unbeatable views of the Danube River, this is the best place to do so. In Wellen Spiel you will be able to taste all the Austrian food in a charming atmosphere. The price is around 20€ per person.
• Kaiser Von Osterreich: All the luxury of Krems in one place. Enjoy the most exclusive atmosphere and a luxury gastronomic offer. Of course, the cost is at least 30€ per person.
• 2STEIN: A different place from the previous ones, with more basic options such as their delicious hamburgers. An affordable price (about €15 per person) and a casual atmosphere are the best advantages of 2STEIN.

Where to stay in Krems

Now that you’ve seen all that Krems has to offer, we’re sure you’re eager to travel there and wondering where to stay.

We have made it easy for you to choose an accommodation that suits your needs:

• Radfahrerherberge Krems: If you are traveling alone or accompanied by only one person and want to discover Krems without excessive luxury, but not giving up the comfort, this hostel is a fantastic option. The cost per night is around 60€.
• Smile Apartments zum Goldenen Hirschen: Luxury turned into an apartment, with fantastic facilities and an unbeatable location. The cost per night reaches around 300€ at certain times of the year, such as in May.
• Villa Wachtertor: The views of its small garden, the charming rooms and the comfort provided by this accommodation are admirable. It has a price of about 90 € per night, well worth it if we also take into account that it is located in the center.

How to get to Krems Austria

Airlines offer many flights from diiferent destinations of Europe to Austria, especially from the capitals.

Since there is no airport in Krems, our recommendation is that you fly to one of the cities closest to Krems, such as Salzburg or Vienna.

The price of the flights might differ depending on where you are flying from and the time of the year (May being the most expensive).

The best option when you arrive there is to take a train to Krems.

Tips about a trip to Krems in Austria

• The official currency of Krems, Austria is the Euro, so you won’t have to worry about exchanging currency.
• If you are a European citizen, you don’t need a visa to enter the country, your ID card or passport is enough.
• If you are traveling from a country with another currency, we recommend that you make the currency exchange in advance.
• The best time to visit Krems is from May to September, when temperatures are milder.
• In Austria there is no roaming, you can use internet on your mobile without any problems.
• The city is safe, but as in any tourist spot, be careful with your belongings.
• Hedge yourself against possible medical emergencies: travel insured.

How can I organize what to see in Krems Austria?

Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers what to see in Krems Austria

If you have doubts on how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Krems, Austria