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Wachau Valley Cruise Port — Live Ships & Schedule
Wachau Valley
Austria
Europe
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Port details
- Country
- Austria
- Coordinates
- 48.389, 15.492
About Wachau Valley
The Wachau is an Austrian valley shaped by the Danube River, stretching between Melk and Krems in Lower Austria. The valley extends for 36 kilometres and has been settled since prehistoric times. For river cruisers, travelling through the Wachau is largely about the scenery, with the ship moving slowly along the winding river while vineyards, villages, monasteries and castle ruins come into view along the banks.
The landscape combines historic architecture with the natural setting of the valley. Benedictine abbeys such as Melk and Göttweig stand among vineyards, villages and small towns, while castles and ruins rise above the river. Dürnstein Castle is one of the best known historic sites, remembered as the place where King Richard I of England was held captive by Leopold V, Duke of Austria. Along the river, villages sit against steep slopes, with Baroque façades and traditional buildings reflecting centuries of settlement beside the Danube.
Wine is an important part of the Wachau’s character and agriculture. The region is particularly known for dry wines made from Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. Wachau wines have their own classification system, with Steinfeder covering wines up to 11.5 per cent alcohol, Federspiel covering wines from 11.5 to 12.5 per cent, and Smaragd requiring a minimum of 12.5 per cent alcohol.
The seasons bring changes to the appearance of the valley. In spring, almond and apricot trees add pale pink and white blossom to the hillsides, while the vineyards and historic villages remain a constant part of the scenery. The combination of architecture, agriculture and river landscape was recognised when the Wachau Cultural Landscape was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 2000.
For cruise passengers, the Wachau is a stretch of the Danube where the journey itself becomes part of the visit. The slow pace of river cruising allows time to take in the vineyards, monasteries, ruins and riverside villages as the ship follows the bends of the valley.